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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https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod
DERECK FROM HINGE, 7min., USA
Directed by Jeff Rones
Fresh off a breakup, a young millennial tries her luck on a popular dating app with a gen z.
Get to know the filmmaker:
As a single twenty-seven-year-old in 2024, I am no stranger to dating apps. Unfortunately, what dating apps promise is a far cry from what they achieve for the people on them. I wanted to channel my frustration into something relatable. Although studies on the impact of mental health and self-esteem from dating apps are out there, active dialogue on how these apps are affecting the users is few and far between. I hope that my film builds awareness on what we actually seek from swiping away our loneliness. Perhaps the commodification of building connection and romance is not actually in our best interest. My hope is that this film allows the audience to dig deeper and laugh at the ridiculousness that is dating apps.
Another aspect that I wanted to incorporate was the generational gap between millennials and generation z. As someone on the cusp of these generations, I find myself caught in the middle. I might frequently use “puppers” to describe cute dogs like Madison, or find myself caught up on TikTok like Dereck, although maybe not on a first date. There is much humor to be found in this dissonance. I believe there are deep issues that both generations find themselves in, but I know the film can only scrape the surface. These issues include a reckoning with the pervasiveness of social media, a worsening housing market, social isolation of a pandemic, and a rapidly changing climate. I hope that my film can start these conversations between generations to reach some common ground.
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.
SOLO DUET: WHO'S ON FIRST, 8min,. Canada
Directed by Paul Michael Snider
Through a unique mix of comedy and visual effects, one actor performs the famous Abbott and Costello comedy routine 'Who's On First'
https://www.facebook.com/findpaulsnider
https://twitter.com/paulsnidermusic
https://www.instagram.com/paulsnidermusic/
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.
BIG EXIT, 11min,. USA
Directed by David Sackerman
Josh is a lonely, awkward individual who is ignored by his coworkers and disrespected by his boss, but when he gets some bad news, he comes up with a scheme to get the last laugh.
https://www.facebook.com/bigexitshortfilm2021
https://twitter.com/big_exit_film
https://www.instagram.com/big_exit_shortfilm_2021/
Get to know the filmmaker:
This started out as an assignment at Columbia College Chicago in which we were tasked to write a ten-page screenplay based on a true story. Our teacher suggested a “weird news stories” aggregator, which we all looked at, and the top headline was about a man from New Zealand who had just hired an “emotional support clown” for his layoff meeting! I added certain elements like his boss’s unlikeable personality and Josh’s meekness and desire to connect with others. As an autistic person I’ve had a lot of experience wanting to fit in but struggling no matter what I do, and one of the ways I overcame that was comedy. It’s a great tool for fighting sadness and for spitting in the face of an oppressive system!
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.
Watch the Comedy Festival TV Pilot best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-3S46hX1YE
Four sisters, suddenly reunited, try to make a better future for themselves by reconnecting to their past.
http://www.thelostepisodes.com/https://instagram.com/the_lost_episodes
Get to know the writer:
The four Lubbock sisters, from the late-80s cult classic “Just the Ten of Us”, are suddenly together again after a rapid succession of reunions. The youngest, Connie, is stuck in a dead-end job at a dead-end television station in Tampa. She’s stuck in a rut; but sees some welcome change when her father, Graham, comes to live with her for a little while. Little does she know that her younger brother, the outrageous Harvey, is in tow. Before long, her other sisters; the manic Marie, the gold digging Wendy, and the spacey Cindy, all come to Connie looking for refuge from the consequences of their own personal failures.
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.
BAGS, 29min,. Canada
Directed by Mitch Ray
Jamie Gascoigne’s daily routine is disrupted one morning by his roommate Korey in their living room, still up from the night before with his musician friend Brody. Despite his displeasure with this development, his passive aggressive nature prevents him from confronting the issue in any meaningful way. What starts as a minor annoyance descends into a nightmarish daily reality as the events around him trigger things within him that he’s tried to repress and unlock things within him that he never realized were there in the first place.
https://www.instagram.com/bags.short.film/
Get to know the filmmaker:
The first time I met Mark McGee a few years ago he was staying at Kevin’s apartment – the same one in the film – and he emerged from his sleep and immediately cut into this deadpan bit as the passive aggressive roommate. Essentially the first scene in the film but with the roles reversed. That bit eventually served as the catalyst for the premise and the simple comedic premise of an untenable living arrangement lends itself effectively and authentically to a myriad of scenarios and social dynamics that confront uncomfortable and relatable issues, such as addiction, sexuality and repression.
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.
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
T’AI CHI MAN!, 3min,. USA
Directed by Zach Brewster-Geisz
A robbery is foiled by a uniquely incompetent superhero.
http://zachbg.com/filmmaker
http://instagram.com/zachbg7
Get to know the filmmaker:
My wife used to take T’ai Chi, and she told me about a crack someone had made about how they were “learning to beat people up really slowly.” That stuck with me, and the idea came pretty quickly after that. As for motivation, I’m always up to make people laugh.
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 STAMP, 10min., USA, Comedy
Directed by Sharon Mayo
A satire on how to complete a task within government bureaucracy.
https://linktr.ee/anniewaits18
https://instagram.com/the.stamp.shortfilm
Get to know the filmmaker:
used to be a government contractor and one day, the person who did a specific task was out for the day. I thought I was doing everyone a favor when I decided to do it myself so I can finish my assignment early. Apparently not. I was told that I was threatening other people’s job for going above and beyond, so I wanted to examine that under a comedic lens.
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
ONE & ONLY is an experimental comedy special written and performed by Sophia Cleary for an audience of one person. Using this 1:1 ratio of performer to audience, ONE & ONLY explores connection, intimacy and the shifting power dynamics in live comedy.
https://www.instagram.com/_sophia_cleary/
https://twitter.com/_sophia_cleary
Sophia Cleary is a queer, genreless, childless & anti-disciplinary comedian, writer, and artist working with jokes, video, dance, music, and more. She has presented her work in NYC at the Center for Performance Research, Danspace Project, the Chocolate Factory, Dixon Place, The Kitchen, and e-flux and in Los Angeles at the Hammer Museum and Human Resources Gallery. Sophia co-created "Miracle," an anti-fan fiction play about Anne Geddes and GG Allin with performance artist Neal Medlyn. She is the founder and coordinator of the works-in-progress series REHEARSAL and former co-editor for Ugly Duckling Presse's performance annual Emergency INDEX. She is one-half of feminist punk band Penis, a collaboration with Samara Davis.
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
Conversation with creative team of the award winning short film PULLOUT. Writer/star Noah Zachary, and directors Alison Barton, Bonnie Dennison join in on the conversation about the making of the film.
“One day after purchasing their first real adult pull-out couch, homebody couple Levi and Dillon's relationship is tested when an unexpected (and pungent) visitor arrives to stay the night.”
http://www.bonabart.com/pull-out
https://www.instagram.com/2bonabart4u/
Director Statement
Levi and Dillon live in their bougie bubble in Brooklyn. Every day on their way to the subway they pass the unhoused and they feel bad. They even talk about how bad they feel. But once safe inside their two-bedroom, all this couple has to worry about is what wine pairs best with Thai food, and if they should “adopt” or “shop” for a dog. That is, until an old friend of Levi’s shows up. A friend who is clearly experiencing homelessness.
Our goal in directing PULL OUT was to use humor to pose a question: What would you do in Levi’s situation? Because while we all hold the “right” opinions, and we’d like to think we’d open our door to a struggling friend, is that true? Or is the truth that we’re more worried about our new couch, than our friend in need.
—-
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
This musical theatre thematic cabaret, is a love letter to the tormented artist. Who deals with internal battles behind closed doors, but at the end of the day still CHOOSES to CREATE beauty and art, out of the tragedy. Comedy/tragedy are the same face. Tragedy informs the comedy. Tragedy informs the beauty.
Project Links
Director Statement
In May of 2020 I was set to write/perform a musical theatre Cabaret as a final project of my BFA program. It was shelved due to the pandemic. This project meant a lot to me and I wanted it to mean something. I never truly finished writing it at the time, so I figured it just wasn’t the right timing. Fast forward two years, some rewrites, and many new life experiences later, I have finally tied a nice little bow on this thing. I had the vision to rework it into a short film, as I felt it's message would be more effective and reach more people this way. This project is a love letter to the tormented artist. Who deals with internal battles behind closed doors, but at the end of the day still CHOOSES to CREATE beauty and art, out of the tragedy. Tragedy informs the comedy. Tragedy informs the beauty.
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
“N'Ever Ever After” is a winning TV Pilot screenplay from the Comedy Festival.
Watch the Screenplay Reading: https://youtu.be/eTUgQZWUmlg
N’Ever Ever After is a mockumentary and workplace comedy featuring the unlucky-in-love wedding director, Mildred “Milly” Salvatore, and her chaotic wedding planning team known as “Cupids” as they strive (and often struggle) to make the wedding dreams of San Francisco Bay Area couples come true… by any means necessary.
https://www.instagram.com/morganallisonross/
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In this fun monster romcom, a first date is interrupted by the oddest thing - a roaming Kaiju.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1501183/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Director Biography - Christian Gossett Vila
From the age of nineteen I have been a professional storyteller. My drawing ability has led me from theater design to graphic novels to film, television and video games. My favorite directors are all illustrators (Kurosawa, Hitchcock, Cameron, Ridley Scott, Joe Johnston) and it wasn't long after learning this that I moved into directing television. I am currently working on the story art team for Zac Snyder's animated series, Army of the Dead - soon to be streaming on Netflix.
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
MUTINY! is the winner of BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY at the July 2022 LA COMEDY Film Festival. Conversation with director Matthew Gratzner who is a fountain of insight with his multiple years working in the industry on many top film productions.
Project Links
Director Biography - Matthew Gratzner
MATTHEW GRATZNER | Writer/Director
IMDB: https://imdb.to/3gTjaVc
Matthew’s foray into entertainment started in theater growing up in Miami, Florida, where he dove headfirst into writing, directing and acting— ever the resourceful artist, he also designed and built costumes, sets and props to further his vision.
Leaving Miami to pursue filmmaking in Los Angeles, Matthew started briefly as an actor, acquiring his SAG card in Mel Brooks’ Robin Hood: Men In Tights.
Realizing quickly his passion was directing, he shifted to working behind the camera. Opportunities led to work in visual effects where he flourished as an art director, visual effects supervisor and co-founder of the Academy Award winning, New Deal Studios, Inc. (www.newdealstudios.com).
Between VFX projects Matthew directed several commercials and short films. After a number of successful years, Matthew decided to leave VFX to focus solely on writing and directing. Then the opportunity with the film, The Aviator, started a 10 year relationship with Martin Scorsese as a key member of Rob Legato's VFX team as Visual Effects/Miniature Effects Supervisor as well as Visual Effects Art Director.
Matthew was integral to creating scenes such as the horrific plane crash in The Aviator, the many subtle effects shots in The Departed, realizing the eerie environments for Shutter Island, and creating the epic train crash in Hugo.
He received a BAFTA nomination for The Aviator for best VFX, and Emmy nomination for best VFX on the Tom Hanks/HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon. Matthew also received a Clio and a Cannes Golden Lion for commercials as well as multiple VES Awards. Matthew is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
While Matthew never attended film school, he felt being on set with Martin Scorsese was a master class in filmmaking— which encouraged his passion to create content— pioneering cinematic virtual reality and co-writing and directing two independent feature films currently in post.
Matthew loves and feels most comfortable working with actors-- and thinks that while visual effects, art direction and stunt work are all extremely important visually—without the emotion of compelling characters and a strong story, a project’s success is diminished greatly.
Matthew also has several projects in development with his latest company, Proof of Concept Entertainment, Inc. (www.proofofconceptent.com)
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
CINEFILIA was the winner of BEST DIRECTION at the July 2022 COMEDY Film Festival.
A hardcore cinefile goes on a killing spree since none of his friends understand his movie references.
Director Biography - Matthew Jehle
With a background in improv and sketch comedy Matthew develops branded content for clients as well as narrative films under his company Adara Entertainment.
Director Statement
This short film is my love letter to cinema. Comedy and horror films are the two I have the most fun watching, so I created one to highlight my style.
Film playing on the Film Festival Streaming service today. 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
HYSTERICAL was the winner of BEST FEATURE FILM at the June 2022 Toronto COMEDY Film Festival.
`https://www.emmaspeer.me/hysterical
https://www.instagram.com/hystericalpotatoes
“Hysterical is a film-adaptation of a one-woman theatre performance. The stem-level plot is this: a girl-woman lost her uterus and sorts through her mind-farm-memories to find it. On a deeper level, the show explores intergenerational womanhood and inherited trauma. It weaves together themes of independence, institutionalized mental health, the female body and its policing, fertility, immigration, and growth to present to you, the audience, an unintentional coming-of-age tale for and of us all, just trying to do the best we can with what we have.”
Conversation with the creator and star Emma Spear on the making of the film. From what was supposed to be a one-woman show, turns into a feature film during the Covid era.
WATCH this film next month. Go to the WILDsound TV app. 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
SPOT THE INDIFFERENCE was the winner of BEST PERFORMANCES at the May 2022 Toronto COMEDY Film Festival.
“Lilly is having trouble communicating with her distracted boyfriend so she finds a way to get his attention.”
https://www.twitter.com/rodfilm
WATCH this film today. Go to the WILDsound TV app. 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
ENTER THE MOLLUSK was the winner of BEST FILM at the May 2022 Toronto COMEDY Film Festival.
https://www.facebook.com/enterthemollusk
https://www.instagram.com/enter_the_mollusk/
“A mockumentary of the storytelling community, following six erstwhile storytellers in their quest to win a storytelling competition called The Mollusk.”
Conversation with Vincent Truman on his inspiration making the film and the art of making a mockumentary.
Film also showing on the WILDsound TV app next 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
