WILDsound's The Film Podcast

Screenplay Writing, WritingMatthew ToffoloApril 22, 2025screeenwriter, Hannah Miyamoto (TICKET TO KYIV), matthew toffolo, writer, screenplay

EP. 1474: Screenwriter Kevin Barney (ROCK BOTTOM)

Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJinQjEWvf8

Summary: On the run from a job, Steph finds herself in danger and a target. She falls and lands under a Boulder which traps her for 2 days. While trying to survive as long as she can for help to arrive, she reaches an unpleasant realization.

Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

This single location thriller is about a woman named Steph who is forced to confront the choices she’s made in life – lying to her biological son about who his mother is, leading a life of crime because it was the easier path to follow – all while trapped under a rock as hired thugs try and find her.

What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Action. Thriller. Single location.

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

Not only is it a thriller, but I’m trying to say something as well about the decisions that we make as we move along in our life.

Subscribe to the podcast:

Writing, Screenplay Writing, Matthew Toffolo, film and televisionMatthew ToffoloApril 21, 2025kevin barney, rock bottom, screenwriter, writing, Matthew toffolo

EP. 1473: Screenwriter Felice Cohen (SHESAFELLA)

Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiEeUQ6nzx4

Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

Shesafella, a modern twist on Cinderella, is about a kind-hearted teen forced into servitude by a ruthless stepmother and closeted stepbrothers, who defies the odds with help from her butch fairy godmother. At a Ball, she wins Princess’s heart but vanishes, leaving behind a single Doc Martens shoe. Princess’s Instagram posts spark a citywide search, and Shesafella must outsmart her family, reclaim her true self, and fight for her happily ever after.

What genres does your screenplay fall under?
Fantasy, romance, fairy tale, LGBTQ

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
Cinderella movies (Ever After, Ella Enchanted, A Cinderella Story) are beloved for their timeless themes: rags to riches, kindness over cruelty, and finding one’s voice. But they’ve all followed the same blueprint—a girl meeting a boy. Shesafella flips the script. It’s a girl meeting a girl, in a joyful, queer reimagining that feels both long overdue and perfectly timed. This is the inclusive fairy tale audiences have been waiting for.

Subscribe to the podcast:

Screenplay Writing, screenplay contests, WritingMatthew ToffoloApril 19, 2025screeenwriter, Felice Cohen (SHESAFELLA), writer, Matthew Toffolo

EP. 1472: Screenwriter Suzanne Birrell (PEARL FISHER)

Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj2UD32BCgI

When a precocious mixed-race five-year-old wanders into a fire station with only a backpack and a cryptic note about her missing mother, she has no idea it will set off a chain of events that will reshape her life. The little girl, who refuses to give her name, is sent into foster care and given the name Mariah Foster. Despite her resilience, she often runs away, gravitating toward the fire station where Fire Chief Teresa Cortez becomes a steadfast mentor.

Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

Pearl Fisher” follows two parallel journeys of loss and ends in the same room.

A precocious 5-year-old girl, abandoned at a fire station by her pregnant mother fleeing abuse, enters foster care and is renamed Mariah Foster, though she continues awaiting her mother’s return.

In a parallel story, Kenny MacCayne, a newly-hired investigator, searches for a wealthy woman’s missing daughter who ran away years ago with Kenny’s previously unknown twin brother.

After Mariah survives an attack involving a cherished pendant, clues from a library volunteer and her distinctive swimming style reveal she might be the missing granddaughter. Skeptical at first, Mariah finally believes the truth when Kenny’s twin brother calls her by her birth name, “Pearl Fisher,” a secret known only to her mother.

. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Drama, Mystery

. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

“Pearl Fisher” is a story of hope and miracles, heartbreak and devastation, and ultimately the reunion of family and new beginnings.

Subscribe to the podcast:

Writing, Screenplay Writing, screenplay contestsMatthew ToffoloApril 18, 2025Suzanne Birrell (PEARL FISHER), screernwriter, writing, Matthew toffolo

EP. 1470: Screenwriter Maria Pearce (KAM60 The Butterfly Prince)

Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xYkI__GTug

The butterfly prince is a story of a fictional character K.A.M.60 that attempt to honour the great French astronomer Charles Messier who developed the Messier catalogue and discovered many Messier objects in the sky in particular in the Virgo constellation. In the book K.A.M.60 real name is = Karlex Antoine Messier 60 and he is part of the Messier family. In real life The Messier 60 object is the twin/butterfly galaxies.

Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

The butterfly prince is a story of a fictional character K.A.M.60 that attempt to honour the great French astronomer Charles Messier who developed the Messier catalogue and discovered many Messier objects in the sky in particular in the Virgo constellation. K.A.M.60 real name is = Karlex Aristoteles Messier 60 and he is part of the Messier family. In real life The Messier 60 object is the twin/butterfly galaxies.

The plot is about jealousy, family feuds adventures and love. The constellations of Libra and Leo that are a couple have declared the war to the Virgo constellation just because of jealousy, they wiped out the Virgo constellation population. The only people left are the Messier family. They decided to send KAM60 (1) of their sons to the planet earth in a quest to find 10 virgins/maidens to married the 10 Messier brothers and repopulated the Virgo constellation again.

K.A.M.60 Embarks in a quest and very interested journey where he not only achieved his goals of find the correct Maidens whom married the Messier brothers, along the way he meets very interesting characters such as Centaurs, witches, Mythological creatures, Gods, zodiac constellations etc. He also lived the most amazing adventures rescuing, helping, curing, advising and even fighting for or with people once he lands in the planet Earth. Also, all the way the constellations of Libra and Leo (the bad guys on this plot) will do something to stop K.A.M.60 to achieve his goals but like a great hero he always defeats them.

Additional, despite that this is a fantasy book most of the heroes KAM60, the maidens etc are based in real people. People that inspired me and that I believe will inspire others. Example of these people are; Charles Messier, Juana Cruz the 1st female Spanish bullfighter, Magdalena Zeger the 1st female astronomer, Marie Jose Perec, the best French female sprinter, ancient civilizations such as the Mayans, the Olmecs, the Dahomey’s, the Vikings, The Amazon female warriors etc.

There are also some interesting twists in the story such as the inclusion of fake/false Maidens, the Emerald ring that determines which are the real maidens/virgins, the butterflies tattoos and character names (most maidens have a butterfly name and of course all of them must have a butterfly tattoo, like KHAM 60 also had one) there is plenty of adventures, magic, mysteries, suspense, drama, mystic, action, Love, friendship, team work etc Plus the stunning locations around the world where all these adventures occurs.

Subscribe to the podcast:

Web Series, Writing, Screenplay WritingMatthew ToffoloApril 15, 2025maria pearce, KAM60 The butterfly pearce, Matthew Toffolo, screenwriting, writer

EP. 1468: Screenwriter Aaron Huckleberry (THE TREE WITH NO HEART)

In war-torn Syria, a troubled woman, her idealistic son, and her mentally challenged cousin take in a wounded Western aid worker, unknowingly igniting a chain of deadly consequences that forces them to confront their pasts, their beliefs, and the brutal realities of survival.

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

Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

The need to face one´s worst fears if any redemption or peace are to be found.

What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Drama.

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

It deals with the many traumas and desecrations of war, it delves into the divisions and differences from which conflicts spring and it evokes the love and common humanity that is our only hope.

Subscribe to the podcast:

Screenplay Writing, screenplay contests, WritingMatthew ToffoloApril 14, 2025Aaron Huckleberry (THE TREE WITH NO HEART), screeenwriter, Writer, matthew toffolo

EP. 1467: Screenwriter Michael Kezele (AFTERLIFE ANONYMOUS)

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

A gay ghost haunting a West Hollywood house, along with his dysfunctional Grim Reaper friend, help a straight cop solve crimes.

Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

It’s about a gay ghost haunting a West Hollywood home, inhabited by a psychic cop, in which the gay ghost and his dysfunctional grim reaper friend, helps solve crimes.

What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?

I wanted to enter the Toronto film festival because it’s one of the best out there. I was really surprised at my feedback. It was good. Even though I knew the script was good, you don’t expect it.

Subscribe to the podcast: