Telling stories through film and conversation.
WSPodcast New Logo.png

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.

Posts in Writing
Dec. 1st 2020 - Interview with Screenwriter Russell Knight (HORIZON CALLING)

Russell Knight shares a great story on the process of writing his winning screening “Horizon Calling” during the lockdown. It’s all about diligence and having his wife a part of the writing process.

“Horizon Calling” is about a dismayed young man who travels through the Australian outback after the death of his brother. He ends up going on an ill-advised sailing trip with his estranged father and finds himself caught up in the violent world of international smuggling. It’s a drama with action/adventure.

Watch the best scene screenplay reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gh6vdfmdp94

Follow WILDsound Podcasts on all social media channels: @wildsoundpod

Submit to the festival anytime via FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/WILDsoundFilmandWritingFestival

Subscribe via Twitter: https://twitter.com/wildsoundfest

Watch more festival videos on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/WildsoundFestivalMonthly

NOV. 30TH 2020 - INTERVIEW WITH SCREENWRITER SHANE WALSH-SMITH (FARSCAPE “LEGACY”)

Great chat with the writer who is becoming the master of writing a TV SPEC screenplay from an existing show. Already in 2020 Shane Walsh-Smith has won awards for writing three SPECS: “Farscape”. “Black Mirror”. “Bojack Horseman”.

We tackle the art of writing a great TV spec and what the purpose of writing them.

Follow WILDsound Podcasts on all social media channels: @wildsoundpod

Submit to the festival anytime via FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/WILDsoundFilmandWritingFestival

Subscribe via Twitter: https://twitter.com/wildsoundfest

Watch more festival videos on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/WildsoundFestivalMonthly

Nov. 26th 2020- Interview with Screenwriter Paul Hewitt (DRUNKEN NOODLES)

DRUNKEN NOODLES is a TV PILOT about a personal chef who keeps running into trouble with her clients. Great chatting with the screenwriter Paul Hewitt about his process and how he came up with the idea for this winning teleplay. With audio version reading of the script after the interview.

Follow WILDsound Podcasts on all social media channels: @wildsoundpod

Submit to the festival anytime via FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/WILDsoundFilmandWritingFestival

Subscribe via Twitter: https://twitter.com/wildsoundfest

Watch more festival videos on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/WildsoundFestivalMonthly

Watch the Screenplay Reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufZ2RK2ojDA

November 20th 2020 - Interview with Screenwriter Jay Strong (GREEN ACRES "Hooters to Hooterville")

Interview with all around creator Jay Strong who wrote a terrific TV SPEC screenplay on the classic show GREEN ACRES. It’s a new take on the show - the moments that took place when the cameras weren’t on. Listen to best scene “audio version” reading after the interview.

Watch GREEN ACRES "Hooters to Hooterville" best scene reading: https://youtu.be/kdGDmHQmq00

Oliver and Lisa deal with the Ziffels shooting a porno in their barn.

CAST LIST: Narrator: Allison Kampf

Oliver: Bill Poulin

Eb: Scott Beaudin

Lisa: Alicia Payne

Follow WILDsound Podcasts on all social media channels: @wildsoundpod

Submit to the festival anytime via FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/WILDsoundFilmandWritingFestival

Subscribe via Twitter: https://twitter.com/wildsoundfest

Watch more festival videos on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/WildsoundFestivalMonthly

November 16th 2020 - Interview with Politician turned Screenwriter John Ravitz (THE WRONG CANDIDATE)

Terrific conversation with the winning writer of the TV Pilot “THE WRONG CANDIDATE” from the Crime/Mystery Festival. John is a former member of the New York State Assembly. (1991 to 2002). The last of the dying breed “Liberal Republican”.

We dive into the current political climate in the USA before talking about this intriguing script and potential great TV show.

Watch the best scene script reading: https://youtu.be/oLsizgucKPY

When a well financed domestic terrorist organization which has breed sleeper agents since they were children, finally have a viable candidate to run for president, the current president sets into motion a plan to put his own successor in the Oval Office.

CAST LIST:

Narrator: Allison Kampf

Dorothy: Hannah Ehman

Paul: Steve Rizzo

Lanky Boy/Man: Geoff Mays

Mr. Smith/Voice Over PA: Allan Michael Brunet

Follow WILDsound Podcasts on all social media channels: @wildsoundpod

Submit to the festival anytime via FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/WILDsoundFilmandWritingFestival

Subscribe via Twitter: https://twitter.com/wildsoundfest

Watch more festival videos on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/WildsoundFestivalMonthly

October 24th 2020 - All-Time Favorite TV Episode by Marco Amato

Matthew Toffolo chats with winning screenwriter Marko Amato about his all-time favorite television episode of all-time. The first in our series of interviewing people in the industry about their “Top TV Episode”.

Marco picks: MR. MONK TAKES HIS MEDICINE. Season 3 Episode 9.

August 20th 2004. First premiered on the USA Network.

IMDB Synopsis: A woman commits suicide and minutes later Captain Stottlemeyer is shot nearby. Monk needs to determine if the two events are related, but his new medication has turned him into an obnoxious jerk who can't concentrate on the case.

October 24th 2020 this day in history:

1962 "The Manchurian Candidate", directed by John Frankenheimer, starring Frank Sinatra and Laurence Harvey, is released.

1973 John Lennon sues US government to admit FBI is tapping his phone.

1992 World Series Baseball: Toronto Blue Jays beat Atlanta Braves, 4-3 in Game 6 at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium to win their first-ever title.

2018 Pipe bombs sent to prominent US Democrats including the Obamas, Clintons, John Brennan and CNN, but safely defused.

Submit to the festival anytime via FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/WILDsoundFilmandWritingFestival

Subscribe via Twitter: https://twitter.com/wildsoundfest

Watch more festival videos on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/WildsoundFestivalMonthly

October 21st 2020 - Interview with Composer/Sound Designer Lars Deutsch

Matthew Toffolo interviews the art of the “sound” Lars Deutsch. Informative conversation on making sound and music in post-production.

Lars’ Website: https://www.behance.net/larsdeutsch

Lars’ IMDB page: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2454881/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

October 21st 2020 - This Date in History

1964 Film version of "My Fair Lady" directed by George Cukor and starring Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn premieres in New York (Academy Awards Best Picture 1965)

2019 Canadian Federal Election: Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party loses its majority but wins the most seats (157) to form a minority government.

Submit to the festival anytime via FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/WILDsoundFilmandWritingFestival

Subscribe via Twitter: https://twitter.com/wildsoundfest

Watch more festival videos on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/WildsoundFestivalMonthly

October 4th 2020 - TV Day - The West Wing Season 2 Premiere 20 years ago today

Today is Television Day. This day in history:

1957 - "Leave It to Beaver" debuts on CBS

1990 - “Beverly Hills: 90210” debuts on the new TV network FOX

2000 - The highly anticipated season 2 premiere of The West Wing: In the Shadow of Two Gunman, two hour special takes place.

This is today’s focus. The West Wing Season 2 Episode 1. There were gunshot fires during a President Bartlett rally as Season 1 faded to black. All summer long the question was - who was shot? A very network TV cliffhanger cliche on a very non-network television show.

Bradley Whitford (playing Josh Lyman) would go on to win the Best Supporting Actor Emmy for this season, plus The West Wing would beat the powerhouse HBO show “The Sopranos” and win the Emmy for Best Television series.

20 years ago the TV landscape in comparison to today’s television world is completely different.

Follow us on all social media channels at @wildsoundpod

#83 - Watch & Listen: WATCH the short comedy TITANIC II. LISTEN: Interview with Deanna Director

First Off: Watch the Short Film Millennials Throughout History: A Titanic Following: https://vimeo.com/385629704

Then listen to the Interview with Writer / Producer / Creator: Deanna Director

Starring real-life Influencer: Max Emerson (@Maxisms)

An Influencer from 2020 wins the sponsored trip of a lifetime...in 1912.

Shot aboard The Queen Mary ship in Long Beach, CA.

Episode sponsored by the 1 Page Story Contest. Get your story performed by a professional actor: https://novelwritingfestival.com/onepage

#82 - Watch & Listen: WATCH the short film "Cigarette Lips". LISTEN: Interview with director Katherine Castellaw

First off, watch the 6min. Short Film “Cigarette Lips”: https://vimeo.com/310992362

Then come back and listen to the interview with director/writer Katherine Castellaw on the process of making her first short film.

BONUS: Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video of the film: https://youtu.be/J4H-9yxKy68

BIO of Katherine:

Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. She has a background in dance and is now a New York based actor. Currently, she is finishing her last year at the William Esper Studio conservatory and has a passion for telling female driven stories through film. Katherine wrote, directed, and produced her first film “Cigarette Lips”, and is excited to begin her filmmaking journey.

Episode sp”

Episode sponsored by the 1 Page Story Contest. Get your story performed by a professional actor: https://novelwritingfestival.com/onepage

#80 - TV Episode of the Day: The West Wing Season 2, Episode 18: SEVENTEEN PEOPLE. Teleplay: Aaron Sorkin

An episode so strong there is an entire website about it: http://seventeenpeople.com/

Called a “BOTTLE” episode. Is produced cheaply and restricted in scope to use as few non-regular cast members, effects, and sets as possible. Occurs when the show is over-budget and they need to shoot a cost saving episode.

#70 - Watch & Listen: Watch the Short Film: UNDERMINE BENEATH CANADA'S GHOST TOWN. Listen Podcast: Star/Producer Frank Schlichting

Watch the Short Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTnlNhmn4qc

Then listen to the PODCAST with the Producer & Star. Matthew Toffolo chats with Frank Schlichting about this passion, the YouTube experience, and making a video every week.

Film played at the March 2020 DOCUMENTARY Shorts Film Festival in Toronto.

Frank’s YouTube channel has over 100,000 subscribers as he posted a video every single week that explores Mines from around the world.

Facebook Channel: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1925046341068974/

#64 - Interview with Screenwriter Brooke Elowe (BLACK WIDOW: FUGITIVE)

If there is a theme to this episode, it would be - “Stay excited. Stay optimistic!”

Brooke Elowe was the Fan Fiction Feature Screenwriter winner for BLACK WIDOW: FUGITIVE.

Watch the winning screenplay reading HERE

We also did a Screenplay Movie as well. You can WATCH IT NOW

A contrast from this podcast to our last podcast, episode #63 with Thomas Clary. Thomas is a seasoned veteran in the industry with 20 years experience. As Brooke is just starting out and in University. Both winners. Both from different perspectives in the world today.

This episode was sponsored by the 1 page short story contest.

#63 - Interview with Screenwriter Thomas Clary (THE SWITCH)

The theme of this episode is “It’s all about self assurance”

Thomas Clary gets very candid in chatting about his career to date (interview starts at 4:28) . He’s a successful Visual Effects Artist in the industry, having worked on many big budget films like Spider-Man 3, X-Men, and Titanic. And he’s also a very talented writer who really hit a home run with his TV Pilot “The Switch”. As soon as you hear the concept, you’ll want this show to be on television.

Watch the winning Screenplay Reading of THE SWITCH.

See Thomas’ full IMDB page of credits.

This episode was sponsored by the 1 page short story contest.

#62 - Interview with Amanda Jane Smith (Canadian artists getting green cards to the USA)

Amanda Jane Smith, Global Immigration Coordinator for the D’Alessio Law Group.

To learn more, go to http://dlgimmigration.com/

You can also email Amanda personally at amanda@dlgimmigration.com

D’Alessio Law Group proudly serves the technology and entertainment industries by delivering innovative legal and immigration solutions that enable companies to gain competitive advantage through capitalizing on global talent. From individuals and start up businesses to the world’s most futuristic companies, we support all of your legal and immigration needs. We create a clear path to your goals and we guide you every step of the way. No matter where you begin, or where you plan on going, we are dedicated to getting you there.

This episode was sponsored by the 1 page short story contest.

#60 - Interview with Screenwriter C.M. Landrus (OLYMPUS RISING)

The theme of this episode is “Keep Grinding it out. Keep Moving.” Then eventually you’ll get where you need and want to be.

Great chat with the very talented writer and creator C.M. Landrus (starts 2:42). She was the Fantasy/Sci-Fi Festival TV PILOT winner for her screenplay OLYMPUS RISING. You can watch the reading HERE.

See C.M.. Landrus’ list of IMDB credits.

Bio of writer:

C.M. Landrus is a writer and director whose feature screenplay, MARTHA, based on the true story of a female serial killer in the 1920s, became a finalist in the 2018 Script Pipeline First Look Project. Her original one-hour, fantasy, drama, OLYMPUS RISING, has received multiple first place prizes and recognition from over a dozen film festivals and screenwriting competitions. C.M. is currently the assistant to showrunner, Marc Guggenheim (Arrow, DC Legends of Tomorrow, Trollhunters, Carnival Row).

In September 2017, C.M.’s short film, “The Dead Party”, won Best Micro Short at the Austin Revolution Film Festival (ARFF), and in 2018 she was inducted into the ARFF Hall of Fame. In 2016, her experimental horror short, HARPER & KAI IN FIVE PARALLELS, screened at several international and horror festivals and won First Place Experimental Film at the Women’s International Film Festival.

As a member of the Board of Directors of Alliance of Women Directors (AWD), C.M. co-chairs Fundraising and the Career Advancement Program to support the professional development of nearly 400 women-identifying directors. She collaborates with executives, directors, and showrunners to develop programming with NBCU Talent and Inclusion Programs, CBS Entertainment Diversity and Inclusion, Disney|ABC Creative Talent Development & Inclusion, and FX. These programs include intimate workshops with Paris Barclay, Lesli Linka Glatter, and Mary Lou Belli as well as fireside chats and panels with talent including Patty Jenkins, Tina Mabry, and Linda Mendoza.

C.M. is also an experienced public speaker and legally ordained minister.

#57- Watch & Listen. Watch: BEFORE YOU WOKE short film. Listen: To Director David Bradburn on making the film

Before you listen to this podcast, WATCH the 4 minute short film BEFORE YOU WOKE on Vimeo.

Then come back here and listen to the podcast with Director/Writer of the short film David Bradburn.

If there is a theme to this episode, it's would be: “It’s All About your Team!” or “It’s All About your Crew!”

A great episode on the art of making a short film. David praises his terrific cast and crew.

His Cast: Christian Litke (and Stunt Coordinator) & Kiea Houseton

His Producing team: Teresa Mathew & Angela Verdino (and Production Designer)

Composer: DC McAuliffe

Cinematographer: Joel McGinty

Film Editor:B.A. Lewandowski

Sound Designer: Evan B. Hisey

Key Grip: Francis Edward

Camera Operator: Joe Mastrino

This episode was sponsored by the 1 page short story contest.

#55 - Interview with Screenwriter Katie Grotzinger (SCOOBY-DOO: AGE OF AQUARIUS)

If there is a theme to this episode it would be “Modern Nostalgia”

Great chatting with the very talented writer Katie Grotzinger. You can see for yourself at her website filled with all of her writings: https://www.kathleengrotzinger.com/

Matthew chats with Katie (2:03) about her winning Scooby-Doo TV spec screenplay, plus her other spec scripts and original works.

You can also watch the Winning Screenplay Reading performed by professional actors at the Fan Fiction Screenplay Festival.

This episode was sponsored by the 1 page short story contest.

#53 - Interview with Filmmaker David S. Armstrong (PLEASURE PALS)

Matthew Toffolo chats with Filmmaker David S. Armstrong about his “Toy Story meets Sex Toys” short film that played at the Comedy Festival in Los Angeles. Starts (3:30). David also chats about his experiences working as an editor on the TV show SURVIVOR (25:18).

Watch PLEASURE PALS Animation Short Film - Episode 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnfnSWXplu0

Watch PLEASURE PALS Episode 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnSe2eYxIJc

A tale of discrimination…against adult novelties.

Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video from the Festival: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGTPIE4pe8M

#52 - Interview with Ira Nayman (Editor AMAZING STORIES Magazine)

Matthew Toffolo digs deep into the life of an indy magazine editor for the AMAZING STORIES magazine.

Learn more about amazing stories here: https://amazingstories.com/

Submit your Fantasy/Sci-Fi story to the magazine: https://submission.amazingstoriesmag.com/

Buy the magazine on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Amazing-Stories-Gernsback-Originally-Presented/dp/1523276193

See Amazing Stories on IndieGoGo : https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/amazing-stories-special-all-color-issue#/