Watch the August 2016 Winning HORROR Screenplay.
MATCHSTICK by Mike Fardy
SYNOPSIS:
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Caitlyn’s therapist convinces her to try a new form of hypnosis that allows her to communicate with her anxiety but when her thoughts appear as a violent, ghostly woman Caitlyn discovers her therapist has held back crucial information about the procedure.
CAST LIST:
NARRATOR – Holly Sarchfield
CAITLYN – Dorian Kolinas
GUY – Kris Hagen
BRANDEAU – Geoff Mays
MODEL – Elizabeth Griffin
Get to know the winning writer:
What is your screenplay about?
Matchstick is about Caitlyn and her struggle against a dark part of her mind which turns violent after a botched therapy session. It touches on trust of authority figures and how it can sometimes feel to live with anxiety.
Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
I think it might spur important conversations or at the very least scare the pants off some people.
How would you describe this script in two words?
Pretty Spoopy.
What movie have you watched the most times in your life?
Jurassic Park. Followed pretty closely by Fast Five. (No judgment please.)
How many stories have you written?
I’ve been working on this for about a year and half with my friend and fellow filmmaker Ross Moore. We’re applying for funding this year to make it so fingers crossed!
What motivated you to write this screenplay?
A lot but this is my first pure horror script. I’m mostly a comedy writer and when I was younger I focused on fantasy writing. I’m pretty sure there’s still an X-page out there somewhere of the fan-fiction Redwall spin-off novel I wrote when I was 13. I get nauseous just thinking about it..
I suffer from ‘The Old Hag’ or Sleep Paralysis and a few of the scenes are based on real hallucinations I’ve had while in this state.
What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
It’s always length for me. There are so many things I want to say and show but even getting it to 13 pages was a big struggle. I’m always so happy when I can cut something and tighten the script up but unless someone is forcing me to make it shorter I have a difficult time finding those scenes that can go.
Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
I love the outdoors. Camping, kayaking, hiking but even though I think about it all the time I rarely make time for it any more, especially since moving to Toronto.
What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
I’m still quite an amateur writer so I love any opportunities for feedback and I was not disappointed. The feedback I got from this festival actually helped me shave off a couple of pages and gave me some tips I’ll be able to carry into all my future scripts.
Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
Get strangers to read your scripts! Sometimes you can find a brutally honest friend who will give the hard feedback you need but you’ll learn things about your scripts you never dreamed were there when you listen to a room full of strangers analyse them. Find a writer’s circle in your town or start one yourself!
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Director/Producer: Matthew Toffolo http://www.matthewtoffolo.com
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: John Johnson
Festival for HORROR 