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.
11 BLOCKS TO GO: THE BET, 10min., USA
Directed by Nathaniel P. Claridad
Samantha, a free-spirited hapless romantic, discovers her 30-something-year-old BFF Drew, a gay high-functioning drug-addled sex addict, hosting an orgy in lieu of honoring his personal commitments.
https://www.instagram.com/11blockstogo/
Conversation wth the screenwriter & stars of the film Jack Utrata & Ashley Alexander.
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FIRST GRADE HEADACHE, 13min., Canada
Directed by Jajube Mandiela
A burnt out first-grade teacher finds herself in a night from hell when a group of vindictive parents break into her home.
Get to know writer/producer/star Jacqueline Godbout & director Jajube Mandiela
Jacqueline (writer): I was wanting to make a horror film next, but it seems whenever I start writing anything remotely dark, it always becomes a dark comedy. I’m leaning into it now. Growing up, my mom was a teacher and I also work part time as a music teacher so there were likely some thoughts from that world floating around in my brain when daydreaming ideas. One day, I was just doing my favourite activity of playing around with loglines (no joke) when I came up with the logline of First Grade Headache. Right away, it was very clear to me that I wanted… needed to make this film now.
Jajube (director): It’s quirky, absurd and yet plausible. Looked like a fun script to film, I could relate to it, and genuinely laughed upon first reading it. How to direct it was very clear in my mind, and for a while Jacqueline (writer) and I had been regularly meeting to see how to collaborate on another project together.
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LITTLE ISSUES, 4min., USA
Directed by Jerah Milligan
When Andy discovers mid-coitus that her new beaux has a micro-penis, she rushes to her roommates who remind her that he’s thoughtful, adventurous, and way too hot to let go of. Besides, he's had this Little Issue his whole life: he must know how to use it!
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WAR COUPLES, 3min,. USA
Directed by Nevin Boila
In a desert war land, the elite tactical team, only know as BRAVO, must be the eyes and ears for their comrades, ALPHA Team. With time on the essence, both teams need to be on alert for the capturing of the 6 mass villains of the land. A war of stealth, values, and friendship lay on the line as BRAVO Team must overcome their own internal struggles if they wish to accomplish the mission. The question is, will they?
Get to know the filmmaker:
=The truth is the motivation was just to film. Any filmmaker’s goal- well the majority of filmmakers- is to bring some type of entertainment to everyone. For me, not only motivation to film was the reason ‘War Couples’ was made, but I also asked myself this question right before I began creating a film, “Is This Possible?” Location, time, money, the team, when making shorts you can have the greatest script in the world, but if you don’t have the proper resources then the story will never be true to what you see it. ‘War Couples’ passed these obstacles because it was not only simple to shoot, but had a great comedy aspect to the end of the film.
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THE FABULOUS MISADVENTURES OF PIZZA BOY, 18min,. USA
Directed by Trevor Motes
Pizza Boy is the town’s most popular and fun-loving Pizza Delivery Boy. After an encounter with a rude customer, a motivational speaker ad on TV motivates him to face his bullies.
https://www.instagram.com/pizzaboymovie/
Get to know the filmmaker:
In 2022, I began my final year at college/film school. I looked back at the previous 3 years of film school and felt unsatisfied with my experience. I wasn’t known for doing anything cool or creative at my school, nobody asked me to be on their sets, and when they did, they only wanted me as an actor, a grip, or to use my truck to tow equipment. I felt unseen and like I wasn’t valued amongst my classmates. I decided for my senior thesis, I wanted to prove everyone wrong, and I ended up writing, producing, directing, acting, producing music for, marketing, editing, and publicly premiering this on my own, and the effect was way bigger than I thought it would be. The hype leading up to this being released became well known at my school. I was underestimated and underused for a long time, but in the end I finally proved my value and worth.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
THORNWHIP EXPLORATIONS, 7min., USA
Directed by Chase Korzep
In this short comedy film, Australian wilderness expert, Max Thornwhip, takes on the perilous Australian bush with his trusty partner, John Simmons. With danger lurking behind every corner, will Max make it out alive?
https://www.instagram.com/sadurnproductions
Get to know Writer/Producer Michael Hooper:
The idea for this film came when I was watching an Australian wilderness show, and someone got bit by a snake. I remembered that the way people can “stop” snake venom from killing someone is to suck it out before it reaches the bloodstream. I then thought that it would be funny if the person on the show got bit in a more private or intimate area. Then, I thought of how people pee on jellyfish stings to help stop the pain. It suddenly occurred to me that all the ways people can “save your life” in the wild, are somewhat perverted. So I decided to write a short skit about it, but obviously took it up a notch and made it more absurd/unrealistic as the skit went on.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
FREE SPEECH TO CANCEL CULTURE; PROFILES IN CANADIAN COMEDY, 96min., Canada
Directed by William Davern
Ten veteran comedians and TV personalities share insightful, often hilarious tales of the comedy business and the shifting attitude(s) of audiences.
http://www.davernproductions.com/
Get to know the filmmaker:
I’ve been a touring stand up comic for 25 years. Am also a film school graduate and recipient of the Norman Jewison Award for a short drama now part of the National Film Board of Canada. Over the years, I made several shorts including an unsold pilot for TV along with three 22 min “Profiles” of the local comedy scene.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
GIVE US A SMILE, 13min., USA
Directed by Alessia Fionda
A humorous retelling of the sitting of the Mona Lisa featuring the master himself, Leonardo da Vinci and his not so talented pupil, Alessio.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt20850030/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
https://instagram.com/alessiafionda
Get to know the filmmaker:
I was motivated to make this film because the script I had written encompassed everything I love. Women’s issues both past and present, art history and of course my favorite, comedy. The Mona Lisa is the most recognizable and discussed piece of art in existence, yet there is little to no information regarding the subject of the painting, Lisa del Giocondo. I wanted to add a colorful reinterpretation of what could have happened during the sitting. Also, I deeply wanted to play the character of Mona Lisa and challenge myself from an acting perspective.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
ARMED WITH A DILDO, 5min, USA
Directed by Karuna Tanahashi
When Dani’s boyfriend Leslie breaks up with her, a mass shooter starts attacking the motel they were going to have a romantic night at and suddenly the break up becomes the least of her problems.
http://suenitomedia.com/
https://facebook.com/theatouchton
https://twitter.com/thea_touchton
https://instagram.com/theatouchton
Get to know Thea Touchton
We made this film for the Collaborative Film Festival where we had two weeks to come up with the film based on a quote that was revealed at the festival launch. Winnie pitched this idea to me at the launch after just meeting and it stuck and even though I knew it was going to be challenge, I couldn’t think of anything else and knew we would figure it out and grow as filmmakers in the process.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
BABY PROOF, 6min., USA
Directed by David Maddox, David Blood
A troublemaking toddler tests the limits of child safety.
Get to know the filmmaker:
The co-writer/co-director, David Blood, pitched the concept to me after coming up with it while sitting in a hotel room. At that point, I had an 11 month old baby who was crawling, but I wasn’t sure for how long. So I said, “Let’s shoot it. But we have to do it right now!”
It also just seemed like a way to point out something ridiculous about society is an unusual way, which I always love doing. In this case, how America is so concerned about product safety, but when it comes to guns, we’ve just given up. A topic which sadly never stops being relevant.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
Cam Girl – Season 1 Episode 2, 14min., USA, Dramedy
Directed by Ian Gregory Trutt
Laura is a self-proclaimed “generic white girl” whose financial struggles force her to start a side hustle, leading her to discover the seductive and complex world of webcam modeling. Everyone has an OnlyFans – how hard can it be?
http://camgirlwebseries.com/
Get to know the filmmaker:
I’ve gotten sick of seeing sex workers being portrayed as rich and glamorous or all abused and desperate. The truth is, while both ends of the spectrum certainly exist, many online sex workers are middle class (predominantly young women) who have a knack for social media and want extra cash. We wanted to make a love letter to the mundane and funny parts of the job while still acknowledging the dangerous and stigmas that still plague the industry.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
TURKEY ON RYE, 9min., USA
Directed by Lucas Huie
A short film about a man and his missing sandwich.
Get to know the filmmaker:
It actually started as a fake 2-minute podcast I did for a college project back when I was in community college. I really liked how the podcast turned out so I decided to shoot it live-action. Also, like Winston, I also went through a huge sandwich phase.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
Subscribe to the podcast via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook
The art of making a short comedy.
http://www.thejoemcgowan.co.uk/
https://instagram.com/joe_mcgowan88
TAKEAWAY - A couple can't decide what takeaway they want for dinner.
PISS UP - Two men meet in an alley after a few too many.
From the filmmaker:
Getting the edit right. There were a few shots that were left on the cutting room floor so it wouldn’t feel too bloated. The film needed to get to when the classical music kicked in as soon as possible and the build up between the two characters took some time to get things as smooth and as funny as possible. I remember feeling at one point that the film wasn’t good, so I stripped a lot of shots back and it benefitted from being cut down immensely.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
Subscribe to the podcast via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook
Watch the Screenplay Reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfPdZKEVV2s
A smart, but indecisive movie theater owner is about to lose her husband, movie theater and her family’s legacy, but when two forces of nature sweep into her life–a violent tropical storm and a gorgeous and compassionate man–she finally jumps into action to get what she wants.
https://www.facebook.com/janna.jones
https://instagram.com/drjannajones
Get to know the screenwriter:
Shelter is original, funny and sweet. It is truly a love letter to cinema, and it is full of funny, quirky and three dimensional characters who live on a cool, funky island off the coast of Florida. In some ways, it also flips the script of the romantic comedy–because at the end of Shelter, we see the woman chasing after the man; in this case, by way of skateboard and golf cart!
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
Subscribe to the podcast via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook
WILDsound welcomes back documentarian filmmaker Ethan Knecht to the podcast. Today’s we’re chatting with him about his short film JESUS’ ABS.
Ethan Knecht is an educator and a personal essay filmmaker. He lives in Pleasantville, NY with his wife and two daughters. His previous films have screened at The Hudson Valley Film Festival, Peekskill Film Festival, YoFi Festival, Rooftop Films, Northside Film Festival, Atlanta Underground Film Festival, , etc.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4238586/
https://www.instagram.com/knechtions/
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
Subscribe to the podcast via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook
POLISH/ENGLISH PHRASEBOOK, 1min., USA, Comedy
Directd by Eric Maierson
My father finds the only page he needs in the phrasebook.
https://www.ericmaierson.com/
https://www.instagram.com/captaingboy/
https://twitter.com/gboy
From filmmaker Eric Maierson:
This short was made in part as a response to feeling isolated because of COVID. I wanted to collaborate but wanted to do so in a safe manner. I “found” the poem on a trip to Poland in 1995. So between the time I copied it into my notebook and made the film, I literally doubled my age.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
Subscribe to the podcast via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook
TEGG SANDWICH, 9min., Canada, Comedy
Directed by Tanin Risdon
A short comedy about an over-confident HR Rep who is tasked with putting an end to the largest problem in the office: A bizarre, outcast employee and their foul smelling lunches.
https://www.instagram.com/taninjr/
Get to know the filmmaker:
My friend Ian Boyd wrote the script (as well as produced it) and a few people had told me he was looking for a director so I had him send me the script. After reading it I knew I had to be involved because I thought it was hilarious. I immediately had so many ideas to contribute to Ian’s brilliant writing so I was just so happy he gave me the opportunity to direct it.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
Subscribe to the podcast via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook
SPIRITS, 9min., USA, Comedy/Horror
Directed by Matthew Catanzano
Some haunts are haunted.
http://thehappyghostproductions.com/
https://instagram.com/MattCatanzano
Get to know the filmmaker:
My two great loves are horror and comedy. I have many MANY sketches online and I wanted to add a more straight-forward horror short to the list. Especially since it more accurately reflects the feature scripts I write. I really wanted to make a short that was scary first, had a lot of lore/rules, and showcased what I could do with no budget.
And subject matter-wise, Ghosts scare the hell out of me. I’m a big fan of creatures and monsters, but it’s ghosts that actually keep me up at night. And I really love the idea of haunted places that are also regular businesses that have to operate day-to-day. haha.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
Subscribe to the podcast via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook
STAGE MANAGED, 28min., USA, Comedy
Directed by Guy Noland
A suburban community theater must successfully produce a knock-off version of “My Fair Lady” in order to keep their doors open.
http://www.viralentertain.com/
Get to know the filmmaker:
I grew up in the theater and made the transition to filmmaking in college, but always held onto my love for the stage. When the pandemic hit, everything shut down in Hollywood and all of my friends were out of work, so I thought, “Hey, let’s put something together to keep everyone working!” Then I had to come up with something that we could do on a shoestring budget, easy, not a lot of locations, and would hit a niche audience. That’s when I came up with the idea of Stage Managed.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
Subscribe to the podcast via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook
Conversation with director/writer/star Jason Ishmael Echols and producer/actor Catherine Lidstone on the making of the award winning film “Along Came a Callback”.
“Audrey, a struggling Hollywood actress is having a tough go at things, but perhaps her luck is about to change when she receives a mysterious last minute audition that forces her to face her past.”
Director Statement
When I tell a story I don't want to tell our audience how to feel or what to think about our subjects or the subject matter. I wish to merely present the points of view to our audience an give them the opportunity to think it out for themselves and hopefully open a discussion about forgiveness and healing and what that might look like.
—-
Film playing on the Film Festival Streaming service later this month. You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
Subscribe to the podcast via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook
