WILDsound's The Film Podcast

film and television, Film Festival, Film of the Day, filmmaking, how to make a film, Independent Film, Matthew ToffoloMatthew ToffoloApril 23, 2025Michael Rognlie (BAD CHEMISTRY), Matthew Toffolo, filmmaker, film festival, podcast

EP. 1475: Filmmaker Patrick Pizzolorusso (BATTLE OF LA)

Battle Of LA, 14min., USA
Directed by Patrick Pizzolorusso
During one of Los Angeles’ most bizarre evenings in 1942, a ‘something’ was spotted over the skies. A ‘something’ that the anti-aircraft batteries opened fire on. A ‘something’ that a young scientist finds at a small crash site and brings back to her home.Throughout the evening her colleague and her do their best to figure out what it is and what they need to do.

https://tinyrocketfilms.com/
https://www.instagram.com/pactorpizz/

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?
The need to make my own work. Hollywood isn’t calling, unfortunately. I know I am surrounded by an incredibly talented circle of friends and felt the time was right for us to all come together and create something we could all be proud of. Something that could showcase all our talents. From my incredibly gifted cinematographer, to my editor, sound designers, colorist, and of course, we actors in it.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I had such a feeling of relief and validation. Relief that people liked something that I’ve put out there into the world. And validation that the ideas we had going into this and the vision I had for this film were clear and viewers picked up on everything. I finished watching it with a big sigh and just said out loud to nobody, “they got it!”

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film and television, Film Festival, Film of the Day, filmmaking, Independent FilmMatthew ToffoloApril 22, 2025Filmmaker, short fllm, Patrick Pizzolorusso (BATTLE OF LA), Matthew Toffolo

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.

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

EP. 1469: Filmmaker Lucas Haviland (PAGES IN THE WIND)

PAGES IN THE WIND, 14min., USA
Directed by Lucas Haviland
As Bailey sits in the park, he starts to reminisce about his journal entries over the past month. Through flashes to these entries, Bailey and his boyfriend, Gavin, experience the various intricate elements of their relationship. All the while Bailey takes in the environment around him in the present day. When his best friend, Corrine, stops by to surprise him, they start to catch up on the past week. Bailey quickly remembers that his entries might be less realistic than he wants them to be. And that his roommate, Gavin, will probably never be the man he needs in his life.

https://www.instagram.com/havilandfilms/

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

The film’s exploration of romantic love and the lengths someone would go to experience it are rooted in my own thoughts surrounding the lack of that kind of love in my life. The exploration and need to put an image to these thoughts and showcase yearning is what drives my motivation in making this film. All to answer the question: To what lengths will someone go to feel love? Seeing and working on the creative projects of my friends and classmates, this motivation was kept alive and continued to grow until the final results of the film that was screened at this festival.

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

Going into the audience feedback video, I was nervous solely because of my perfectionistic tendencies and the miniscule things I wanted to try to change. This quickly changed to excitement and general appreciation for the thoughts, praise, and constructive feedback from the audience. It was reassuring to hear about parts that I was hesitant about being well-received by the viewers and for the themes to come across even in the ambiguity of the film.

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