Telling stories through film and conversation.
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WILDsound's The Film Podcast

In each episode, the C.E.O. of WILDsound, Matthew Toffolo, chats about all things storytelling and film. Conversations with talented individual from all around the world.

EP. 1782: Screenwriter Russell Babcock (THE MEMORY TAX & THE HOLMES ENIGMA)

Watch the Best Scene of THE MEMORY TAX: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDLcReloL8k

A 14-year-old girl with an experimental neural implant can access the entirety of human knowledge with her mind, but every ‘download’ costs her a piece of her past. While hiding in plain sight from the shadowy corporation that created her, she must decide how much of herself she is willing to forget to save the people she loves.


Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
I would clarify that The Memory Tax is actually written as a one-hour television pilot, although I believe the concept is cinematic enough to work in a visual medium.

It should be produced because it has a strong, immediately understandable science-fiction hook with deep emotional consequences. The central idea involves a teenage girl who can access unlimited knowledge but loses her memories every time she does is both high-concept and character-driven.

The story also speaks to modern anxieties about technology, identity, artificial intelligence, medical ethics, corporate ownership, and the cost of constant access to information. But instead of telling that story through machines or institutions alone, it filters everything through a vulnerable teenage girl who simply wants to live a normal life.

That gives the project both genre appeal and emotional accessibility.

How would you describe this script in two words?
Costly knowledge.

What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
E.T. is one of the films I’ve returned to the most. I’ve always admired how it takes a science-fiction premise and grounds it in childhood, loneliness, friendship, and family. That is something I tried to bring into The Memory Tax. The genre concept matters, but the emotional experience of the child at the center matters even more.

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Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1781: Filmmaker/Actor Jason Stuart (REDLINING)

REDLINING, 18min., USA

Directed by Jason Stuart

REDLINING is about a black & white family who live on the same property during the 1970s in the Georgia REDLINING era. The film explores the themes of generational wealth, prejudice, homosexuality, women’s rights and the legacy of discrimination in the American South. Who gets to live where? What happens when the parents pass? Who gets the house? And why?

https://www.instagram.com/thejasonstuart/

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Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1780: Screenwriter Tony B. Richard (DEFYING GRAVITY)

Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3d7ULGYSPk

What is your screenplay about?

In 1947 a 19-year-old female genius is rejected for every job she applies to.

She gets recruited into a covert military program working alongside peaceful alien refugees.

When a test flight goes wrong, she’s the only one who can save the two men, including the one who spent months harassing her.

She learns the hard way that in order to get respect, she first has to give it.

What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Soft Sci-Fi and Drama.

The alien and technology are just the hooks.

It’s really about the characters.

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Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1779: Filmmaker George Yonemori (AN AFTERNOON IN KNIFE SELLING WITH PSYCHO SAMMY)

AN AFTERNOON IN KNIFE SELLING WITH PSYCHO SAMMY, 10min., Canada

Directed by George Yonemon

18-year-old Jesse shadows a professional at his new kitchen knife-selling summer job.

https://www.instagram.com/ge_orangeyonemori/

https://www.georgeyonemori.com/writing

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EP. 1777: Filmmaker Banpreet singh (THE OFFERING)

The Offering, 3min., Canada

Directed by Banpreet singh

https://www.instagram.com/banpreet_gill


Setting: Canadian streets at night.



The Protagonist: a man living on the razor's edge of poverty, working gruelling hours for wages that barely cover his rent in an increasingly expensive urban landscape.



The Conflict: After a particularly lean month, protagonist finally treats himself to a modest meal from a local grocery store—a rare moment of indulgence intended to quiet the persistent ache in his stomach. As he starts to eat food outside the store, he notices a figure sitting nearby road.

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Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1775: Filmmaker Rogan Lovse (THE HARPIES)

THE HARPIES, 4min., Canada

Directed by Rogan Lovse

The Harpies was written, filmed, and edited in 48 hours as part of the 2024 Run N Gun: Vancouver's 48 hour Film Competition. Winner of the Run N Gun's Best Cinematography and Best Art awards, as well as, being nominated for Best Picture, Best Editing, Best Sound, and Best Direction.

https://www.instagram.com/the_harpies_horror_short_film/

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Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1774: Screenwriter Candace Egan (DESERT BELLES)

Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNOF8lNvsOc

After the death of her father and the loss of her racing partner, a veteran off-road driver enters an all-women desert rally with an unlikely teammate.

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?

DESERT BELLES is about a mature woman pushing herself to win an off-road desert auto race to save the family business and in doing so rediscovering her passion for the sport.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Action adventure.

3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

DESERT BELLES is based on a real women-only off road competition, The Rebelle Rally. The world is exciting, dangerous, physically and mentally challenging and shows that women are strong and resourceful competitors. We’ve had 100 plus years of men in movies having grand adventures. Now it’s time for women, and women of an age, to be the lead.

4. How would you describe this script in two words?

Exhilirating competition.

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Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1773: Filmmaker Mark Buerck (The Enigmatic Crew)

The Enigmatic Crew, 40min., USA

Directed by Mark Buerck

Five best friends: Tony, Leo, Jimmy, Jason, and Kevin reunite during spring break of March 2024 after being drifted apart due to their commitments of their College Education. They all spend the whole day together, hanging out, catching up on life, and discuss their past and their plans for the future. Especially their future plans to go on vacation together. As the day goes by, they see plans won't go their way, they fight, but eventually get through it as best friends should.

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Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1772: Filmmaker Sherill Quinn (WHEN FIGHTING MONSTERS)

WHEN FIGHTING MONSTERS, 18min., USA
Directed by Sherill Quinn
A bereaved detective struggles to make sense of his daughter’s untimely death.

https://www.instagram.com/when_fighting_monsters_movie

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I’ve always believed that to make art is to make sense of the world you live in. The things you’ve experienced and the lessons you’ve learned. When Fighting Monsters was meant as a portrait of grief, and a reminder to be there for your loved ones amidst the growing mental health crisis in America.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

Two years. The original idea I’d had was a solo scene. I wrote that scene while on an airplane, then basically forgot about it for a year. Then in 2024, I picked it up again and thought, why don’t I just finish this? Once I started writing, I couldn’t stop. I finished the first draft in a few days and reached out to a producer friend to see if he would be interested in working on it. Fortunately he said yes, and pre-production quickly followed. We finished principal photography three months later, and the film was finalized almost exactly a year after I’d finished writing it.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Dark, Gritty

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

I think the biggest obstacle was learning to trust myself. I spent all of pre-production terrified that I was going to screw it up, or that something would go terribly wrong in the middle of filming. Then once we had finished filming, I had to trust myself to edit the film. This was equally daunting, knowing that everyone’s time and hard work was all wrapped up in a tiny hard drive on my desk. I think that’s a natural part of every creator’s journey. You don’t know what to expect until you jump in.

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Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1770: Filmmaker Son Roberts (THE SEA)

THE SEA, 10min., Canada
Diercted by Son Roberts
This experimental short film is a "Jazz Monologue" presented by an elusive oracle. Through rage and reflection, incendiary prose and inspirational poetry, he reminds us of the legacy of lies that define our human journey. And he insists that we embrace the redemptive power of truth, from generation to generation.

https://www.instagram.com/thesonroberts/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
I came on board because our co-producer and the writer of the monologue, Frank Francis, is a long time friend and collaborator. My admiration for Frank, and our collective efforts to tell relevant stories about human rights and social justice lit the fire for this project.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you
to make this film?
About 18 months.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Haunting and necessary.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Financing it.

5. There are 5 stages of the filmmaking process: Development. Pre-Production. Production. Post-Production. Distribution. What is your favorite stage of the filmmaking process?
Shooting and post-production are tied for my favourites.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I started making motion pictures in high school, pursued the art form in commercial work for decades. Now, it is my primary focus..

7. What film have you seen the most times in your life?
The Third Man

8. In a perfect world: Who would you like to work with/collaborate with on a film?
Charlize Theron, Ethan Hawke, Sean Penn, Hailee Steinfeld, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mahershala Ali, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Emily Blunt, Meryl Streep, Masanobu Takayanagi, Jomo Fray.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
Excellent. FF offers a Seamless, professional and wide reaching portal.

10. What is your favourite meal?
Pretty much anything my girlfriend cooks.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
Two music videos and a music documentary are in post-production. A short film and feature film are in Development.

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Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1769: Filmmaker Larry Neale (THE RULES OF LIFE)

The Rules of Life., 13min., United Arab Emirates

Directed by Larry Neale

Max still lives under his parents’ roof, drifting through life with no direction. He spends his days immersed in the digital world, avoiding the real one entirely. The dreams he once chased have faded, and now he’s stuck; unmotivated, uninspired, and unsure how he got here.

https://www.instagram.com/papillonfilms20

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Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1768: Filmmaker Joey Medina (ROXY & THE MAN)

Roxy & The Man, 17min., USA
Directed by Joey Medina
A terminally ill Vietnam veteran finds solace and purpose in rescuing an abused dog no one else wanted, rediscovering the meaning of life and the profound power of companionship.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I wanted to make a film about two broken souls that together become whole.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

From thinking about the project, to the finished product probably took two years.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Beautifully sad.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Finding the right dog to play the lead. I never intended to use my own.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

I know they got it. They understood the message.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

In fifth grade after watching a super 8 film my teacher made with his class the period year.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

Rocky. Best film ever made.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

Exposore and feedback are key.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

The platform is the easiest way to submit and keep track of submissions.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Seafood of any kind

11. What is next for you? A new film?

Yes , working on my first dramatic animation called, #SAY-HER-NAME.

Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1767: Filmmaker Christopher Vallone (ECHOES OF ANTIETAM)

Echoes of Antietam, 6min., USA
Directed by Christopher Vallone
Echoes of Antietam is a haunting post–Civil War horror short film set on the blood-soaked farmlands of Maryland.

https://www.instagram.com/valloneworks/

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?
I love history and a good father son story, so I thought that we really haven’t seen a “zombie civil war” film. So I thought one night before bed about a father and his two sons defending their home against an army of confederate zombie soldiers, the next day, I started writing!

From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
About 2 months.

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Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1766: Filmmaker Kevan Doyle (CAUGHT)

CAUGHT, 8min., USA
Directed by Kevan Doyle
Caught is a short documentary filmed in Sri Lanka that explores how building economies around recycling can inspire sustainable change in developing communities. Directed by Kevan Doyle, the film was featured in his TEDx talk after the organizer was so moved by its message, she insisted it be shared with the audience. Caught is a hopeful portrait of how local action can spark global impact—turning ocean waste into opportunity.

https://www.kevandoyle.com/caught

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

I was really motivated to create something I genuinely cared about. I grew up by the ocean, so the environment has always been a big part of my life. This film felt like an opportunity to highlight a real solution, showing how one organization is tackling the climate crisis in a meaningful way, especially in developing countries.

From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

The project came together over a few months. I spent about a week shooting in Sri Lanka, and then around three months in post-production shaping the story.

How would you describe your film in two words!?

Inspiring change.

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Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1765: Filmmaker Einat Graitser (The Architect’s Dream)

The Architect’s Dream, 8min., Israel
Directed by Einat Graitser
In a future where happiness is mandatory and grief is flagged as a system error, the architect of the city’s ‘Serenity Algorithm’ faces an impossible choice: purge the memory of her late sister to survive, or destroy the perfect utopia she built to remind humanity that pain is proof of life.

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

For the past two years, I have been teaching cinema with a specific focus on science fiction and AI. After teaching the theory and exploring these generative tools with my students, my fingers were simply burning to create something of my own and put everything into practice.

From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

It took about a month. This is actually the first film where I functioned as a complete one-woman studio—from the initial story and script to the final visual execution.

How would you describe your film in two words!?

Digital Dreamscape.

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Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1764: Writer/Creator Prin Uthaisangchai (Sanctuary of the Leatherback)

The Sanctuary of the Leatherback is the continuing stories, following the first documentary, The Story of the Leatherback. This documentary will raise an important issue, relating to the recent death of mother Tai Meaung, a mother leatherback turtle along with her 136 unhatched babies in her belly. The incident is heartbreaking. Losing her has been a major blow for the conservation efforts for this turtle specie, one of the critically endangered animals in Thailand.

The documentary further addressed an important study report that has been purposed by The Committee on Land, Natural Resources and Environment, House of Representatives. The report proposed an expansion of the jurisdiction of the Khao Lampi-Hat tai meung National Park to include the Coral Line, which is an important habitat for the Leatherback and other sea turtles during nesting season.

Combining the coral line to be a part of the national park will be an essential step towards protecting these beautiful endangered species and its pristine habitats both on land and sea. If the effort can be realized, it will ensure the place to be the true “Sanctuary of the Leatherback” and to preserve biodiversity and bring back balance to the world for future generations.

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Matthew Toffolo