A famous horror writer finally decides to start dating again after grieving for years over the loss of his wife, only to discover that all the creatures he’s been writing about are real and he just started dating one.
CAST LIST:
Annie: Norma Dunphy
Narrator: Esther Thibault
Gould: Isaiah Kolundzic
Hershel: Dan Cristofori
Doc: Peter Mark Raphael
Submit via FilmFreeway, the exclusive way our festival accepts submissions.:
A man’s life spirals out of control when he becomes obsessed with meeting the woman behind the voice of his car navigation system.
Get to know the winning writer:
1. What is your screenplay about?
Things go terribly awry for a man who becomes obsessed with meeting the woman behind the voice of his car navigation system.
2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?
A dark comedy, Twilight Zone-like thriller
2. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
It is unique in that it is a SOLO actor performance. The outside world exists only as voices heard, but not seen. Being that, it can be made on an extremely low budget. It’s darkly funny, thrilling and entertaining for an audience for beginning to end. It is a challanging and fun role for an actor. It’s based on a situation where millineal technology backfires in way that could possibly happen to anyone.
3. How would you describe this script in two words?
Quirky. Thrilling.
4. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
The original Star Wars!
5. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
About a year and a half on and off.
6. How many stories have you written?
10 Features, 3 original TV pilots, 10 shorts.
7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?
A story I read that something similar happened. I thought it was a great premise for a story that was based on reality. I also tried to come up with something easily producable.
8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
For contest purposes, trying to keep the whole story under 30 pages while keeping it entertaining, while at the same time developing the characters. Also trying to write it in such a way that only one physical actor was needed for the whole story, which was very challanging in itself.
9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
I love movies! But also am passionate about baseball, Texas Hold’em and getting involved with my daughter’s school activities.
10. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
Keep learning about your craft and never stop. Try every means available to get your work out there, all the while just keep writing and writing. Write what you know best. Experiment with different genres, concepts, story lengths and formats. Never give up!
Although grizzly, the action and title are just strong metaphors for our need to face the things we need to face in order to grow and evolve. It is necessary to open a Third Eye; necessary to face straight on the things we fear and avoid.
My screenplay is inspired by a scene in a novel-length manuscript I’m revising. We give it no context within the larger story, which lent it to some experimental areas. The statement simmered down is this: View your pain, fear, and uncertainty as an opportunity and not something run from. Grow through it, don’t just go through it.
What genres does your screenplay under?
Experimental, thriller, suspense, net-noir. avant-garde, psychological horror. If you want to stretch it, there’s a spiritual niche because the message is spiritual.
Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
Cuckold Picasso. Visceral experience
How would you describe this script in two words?
Cuckold Picasso. Visceral experience
What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
I love this question. Whew. Back through childhood: National Lampoon’s Vacation, Dazed and Confused, Fight Club ( A nightly basis for a year or two), Due Date (was always on cable and I always watched it, Usual Suspects, Boogie Nights, Magnolia, Goodfellas, Saving Private Ryan. All a while back. I haven’t looped any films in awhile, but I’m a big looper. I know I’m missing somethings but I can’t remember right now. As Good As it Gets I watched a lot. Oh yeah, anything Tarrantino. Especially Pulp Fiction (that may take the cake) and Reservoir Dogs. Pulp Fiction more than any other movie for sure.
How long have you been working on this screenplay?
It was a short I collaborated with Lance Larson on. It was inspired by my novel-length manuscript. We had a handful of conversation over the course of a week or so. That was it.
How many stories have you written?
My book, and this short. Poetry when I’m procrastinating. Probably what I’m naturally best at. It shows in the script.
What motivated you to write this screenplay?
Lance approached me about a short. I said sure if it’s about my book. So the original motivation was to leverage myself in publishing and screen writing. As far as the content, we went where the creative process took us. It developed into a project with juxtaposition between action and dialogue (inspired by body scan meditations I listen to to sleep). Seemed very cold blooded and detached. Calm cool killer. But the message that emerged was highly personal and spatial. We connected spiritually, which is something I’d wanted to come through in anything I write.
What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
None really. Collaborating with someone who you vibe with makes writing a screenplay a piece of cake compared to a novel or doing it alone. It was fun , light and easy. No obstacles, except that I had to convince him I wouldn’t write it unless it was connected to my book.
Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Life, really living. Redemption. Inspiring and being inspired. Seeking. Spiritual connection and meaning in my life. Enjoying the ride. I want to do something I love and am really good at. That’s a dream come true.
Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
BELIEVE BELIEVE BELIEVE. If you have a nagging voice that has been whispering “you should write” and you are doing something you don’t particularly love, listen to that voice. It’s not delusional. It’s God. It’s inspiration. It’s a seed. It will drive you mad if you don’t try. If it stinks? Cross it off your bucket list.
You must have an iron will. If it isn’t a true passion, you will be tested and you will give up. Even then, if the voice doesn’t go away, you will try again. It’s like working out. One sentence sometimes is all you’ll get one day. It’s okay. Keep pushing. Take a sledgehammer to mental barriers. When the wall breaks, you might be amazed at how fast things start pouring in. But you have to believe. BELIEVE BELIEVE BELIEVE. Even if you can’t find a way through a part, let it go. It will emerge. That’s why writing is so spiritual for me. Things appear from out of nowhere. It’s a release. And be secure. Don’t doubt yourself. It may seem like crap now, but keep going. Have someone you trust read and give you feedback. Real feedback. People with an eye for talent can spot it very quickly.
1st SCENE Screenplay: CRIME CYCLE
SHORT Story – GOBLIN
LONG SHORT Screenplay – THE SON, THE FATHER
LONG SHORT Screenplay – CUCKOLD PICASSO
LONG SHORT Screenplay – TOGETHER
SHORT Screenplay – IF I DIE
1st SCENE Screenplay: OLD BONES
SHORT Screenplay – MATCHSTICK
BEST SCENE Screenplay – ELAN VITAL
SHORT Screenplay – MATERNAL FEAR
1st SCENE Screenplay – NINE SCARS
FEATURE Screenplay – FIEND
Short Screenplay – DEATH’S LADY LOVE
FEATURE Screenplay – INKED IN BLOOD
1st Scene Screenplay – EXISTENTIAL QUANDARY
Best Scene Screenplay – LONG IN THE TOOTH
Best Scene Screenplay – IX
Feature Screenplay – THE BOO
Best Scene Screenplay – MATSQUI MASSACRE
Short Screenplay Screenplay – WALL IN THE GARDEN
Feature Screenplay – DEAD NORTH
1st Scene Screenplay – THE SHOT
1st Scene Screenplay – ROAD TO TEXAS
Short Screenplay – THE NEW NEIGHBORS
Feature Screenplay – MOTHS TO FLAME
SUBMIT your Short Screenplay or TV SPEC Script
SUBMIT your Short Screenplay or FEATURE Script
FIRST SCENE (first 10pgs) SCREENPLAY CONTEST