Telling stories through film and conversation.
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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 tagged matthew toffolo
EP. 1385 - Screenwriter Carlos Galinho (DOWNBURST)

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

Get to know the screenwriter:

What is your screenplay about?
The central topic is a wildfire that grows uncontrollably, generating its own micro-weather followed by a downburst, which spreads destructive and fast winds of fire, while different civil defense officers try to fight it and save lives. It is a multicharacter plot, focusing on different layers of drama. At the same time, it’s also a conspiracy thriller, as a journalist tries to uncover the causes behind it.

What genres does your screenplay fall under?
Action, thriller, drama

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
First if all, it’s full of action and drama, possibly the main “ingredients” of any Hollywood blockbuster. Then, it’s a genuine, dramatic and heroic story with uncommon elements: wildfires are rarely depicted in movies; and, the story, which may seem incredible and fictional, was actually based on true events that no one could ever predict. So, if I do say so myself, I think it would be a great movie, something between “Band of Brothers” and “Dante’s Peak”.

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EP. 1384 - Filmmaker Patrice Leung (12 ANGRY LESBIANS)

12 ANGRY LESBIANS, 22min,. Canada

Directed by Patrice Leung

A comedic riff on '12 Angry Men' set in the early 1990s, featuring a group of lesbians stuck in their team's annual softball meeting. This short film explores the diversity within 'diversity', and its tortuous need for democracy to triumph at all costs.

Conversation with Patrice Leung about her foray into narrative short film after an unbelievable 40-year career as a First Assistant Director.

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EP. 1377 - Screenwriter Sarah Edmonds (KEVIN’S NOT DEAD)

Watch the Screenplay Reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcVED8gwsec

https://www.instagram.com/saraheedmonds/

G-man and Greg are just two guys trying to get through the day by doing the bare minimum. However, when a vampire hunter appears at their place of business, the pair start to suspect that their sunscreen-loving coworker Kevin is her target. After a few near-misses with the hunter’s traps, G-man and Greg decide to put their lives on the line to save Kevin from her murderous plot—even if he is undead.

Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

“Kevin’s Not Dead” is about two small town mechanics who are suddenly roped into helping a Romanian vampire hunter fulfill her quest for revenge. However, when her target turns out to be their strange but seemingly harmless coworker, they start to question whose side they’re really on.

What genres does your screenplay fall under?

This screenplay is a horror comedy (emphasis on the comedy).

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

I’m a bit biased, obviously, but I think the biggest draw for this screenplay in terms of production value is just that it’s fun! This screenplay offers a campy take on the vampire film that offers a nod to the classics while also keeping a more lighthearted contemporary tone throughout that I think works well for attracting both horror and non-horror fans alike. It’s a relatively self-contained script, as well, which is hopefully appealing in terms of set and budget demands. I think it strikes a good balance of being a low-budget option with a fairly broad audience appeal.


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EP. 1348 - Filmmaking team of QUITTING DRUGS - A Musical Documentary

QUITTING DRUGS, 20min., USA
Directed by Ali Imran Ch, Fatima Mughal
Bumb Shah is a Pakistani rapper whose traumatic life experiences heavily influence his music. Like many artists, he began using drugs early in his career, hoping that they would fuel his creativity. Before long, he fell into a rabbit hole of addiction-centered depravity, something that was reflected in his music.

Project Links

Conversation with:

Executive Producer Albert Crane

Co-Director Ali Imran Ch

Doc Subject/Musician Bumb Shah

Get to know Producer Albert Crane:

What motivated you to make this film?
Living in California at the time, there is a huge community of recovery institutions. I had learned about them and one of our Stories in Season 3 will be a Recovery doctor, so this story along with that one was an easy choice to make.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
Listening to people enjoy our work is amazing. I love the candid approach this festival takes on the feedback. I liked how they commented on the use of the filters to showcase time.

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EP. 1334 - Filmmaker Alec Patchin (THE BARGAIN)

THE BARGAIN, 15min., USA
Directed by Alec Patchin
A young girl summons the Devil to get revenge on her former foster father who abused her. The Devil is willing to make a deal but the cost is more than she bargained for.

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?
I was struck by the strange nature of revenge and the lengths people will go to feel like they “got even”. Often people are willing to go out of their way and further negatively impact their own lives if it means the person who wrongs them also suffers.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I was super flattered and grateful for all their wonderful feedback. Sharing your movie with the world can always be nerve racking but you are never quite sure people will feel the same way about it that you do. But their feedback was so nice and I’m glad the movie we made resonated with them like we hoped it would!

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EP. 1333 - Filmmaker Bryan Ribeiro (BRAISING)

BRAISING, 19min., USA
Directed by Bryan Ribeiro
Conroy –a crestfallen, fast food cook who dreams of becoming a chef– finds community with a peculiar “charity” organization, all while he strives to deepen his connection with his widower father.

https://www.instagram.com/braisingfilm

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?
I wanted to tell a story about group think. There’s always been a fascination about cults and mob mentalities and I wanted to explore what brings about a need to join the collective. The answers vary person to person but a lot of the cases I found illuminating were the ones where someone lacked a community of their own; they had no family they could rely on. Focusing on someone without a support system and seeing their descent sounded way too fun an opportunity. Food has always been something that brings people together and adapting that idea into a potentially negative tether was the last crux to bring everything together.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I was really floored by the initial reception. The warmth in the reviews were really validating and a lot of the analyses were thoughtful. It’s my very first video review so it was a bit surreal.

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EP. 1328 - Filmmaker Irene Altagracia Perez Lopez (KILLING R)

KILLING R, 15min., Sweden

Directed by Irene Altagracia Perez Lopez

In a not-so-distant future where AI technology is part of everyday life, Rebecka (41), a successful architect and mother to Nonno (5), works from home with her sick daughter while her partner Carl (39) is away.

http://irenelopez.se/killing-r/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087540991321

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EP. 1295 - Screenwriter Carlos Gabriel Ruiz (Galentine's Day)

Watch the Screenplay Reading: https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/galentines-day

After finding her fiance with another woman, Lisa and her friends all head on vacation together to celebrate Galentine's Day. However, they were not prepared for the dangers they came to face.

Get to know the writer:

Valentine's Day is etched in Lisa's memory as a day of betrayal. Four years ago, she embarked on a journey through a relentless snowstorm to surprise her fiancé, Jim, only to stumble upon a scene that shattered her – Jim with another woman.

In the wake of that devastating revelation, Lisa's friends — Debbie, Mandy, Jenny, and Katie — fashioned Galentine's Day, a cherished retreat where solidarity among the women reigns supreme. But nothing lasts forever. This is the final Galentine's Day because the women each have busy lives and romantic partners they'd rather spend Valentine's Day with. So the women get together for one last hurrah at a secluded lake house in the Ozarks.

Ultimately, Galentine's Day is about friendship, love, betrayal, and how people slowly grow apart and change, no matter how hard they try to stick together.

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EP. 1247 - Filmmaker Arniko Kumar Singh (DAKINI)

DAKINI, 43min., Nepal
Directed by Arniko Kumar Singh
When darkness holds the light, the thin line between good and evil becomes an illusion. Unravel the captivating journey between perception and reality.

Get to know the filmmaker:

– I always wanted to make a movie based on folklore and bring originality to the screen. Hence, this movie was the best way for me to showcase my ideas and interests.

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Oct. 3, 2023 - DETECTIVE TICKLES team (Elizabeth Laidlaw, Fee Basanavicius, Marissa Chastain)

DETECTIVE TICKLES, 6min., USA
Directed by Elizabeth Laidlaw
Detective tickles is a film Noir sketch that is in episode 1. It is about a party clown who turns Private eye. The sketch pays homage to film noir tropes, and is filmed in the classic style of black and white. The sketch stands well on its own, but I recommend watching the full pilot to be immersed into the Trash Panda world.

https://www.youtube.com/@trashpandacomedy9305
https://www.instagram.com/thetrashpandacomedy/

Get to know writer Fee Basanavicius, writer Marissa Chastain & director Elizabeth Laidlaw

Elizabeth (Director): have been a noir nut for a long time. A WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION and DOUBLE INDEMNITY are two of my all-time favorites. I use the “anklet” scene of the latter to teach film directing to newbie film students. When Dean handed this script to me I.. well, I basically SAT on him and told him he HAD to let me direct it.

Fee (Writer): My comedy partner Marissa and I are comedians so our goal with all of our Trash Panda Comedy work is to release as many endorphins in people’s brains as we can. With Tickles we wanted to do that by being as silly as possible while playing it as straight/to period as possible. Elizabeth and her expertise helped us achieve just that.

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.

August 4, 2023 - Filmmaker Vanessa Sweet (AMPLIFYING FEEDBACK LOOP)

AMPLIFYING FEEDBACK LOOP, 2min., USA, Animation
Directed by Vanessa Sweet
Unfolding visual poetry loops and transforms, advocating for the need for sustainable futures and community action.

https://www.vanessasweet.com/amplifying-feedback-loop-in-prod
https://instagram.com/veebsweet

Get to know the filmmaker:


Climate Change is an increasingly intense and impactful problem we are all currently facing. I felt particularly strongly to gear my work towards advocacy and activism after living for six years in Alaska, three of which was in Shishmaref, Alaska. There, I listened to the living memory of the folks who live there. Shishmaref’s community if 99.8% Shishmaref Iñupiat– and the island they live on is eroding at astronomical rates. The sea ice isn’t freezing when it should, and is melting too soon. Permafrost is thawing, and animals are rapidly changing their migration paths.

I was witness to this change first hand– and while I knew these to be true, not facing it at extremes can soften our urgency on an issue. I ended up moving away from Shishmaref for my current teaching position– but that doesn’t mean people and this planet aren’t in need. It is important to make work , for me, that speaks out and encourages postive change for the future. Shishmaref film-maker Dennis Davis is recording these changes to the island via his drones, I would highly encourage everyone to seek out his work and watch it to learn more– to get a sense of what is happening in Alaska as well as the southern US, and to hear from that community.

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.

July 13, 2023 - Filmmakers Mike Schmiedeler, Michael O’Brien (DON'T TURN YOUR BACK ON FRIDAY NIGHT)

DON’T TURN YOUR BACK ON FRIDAY NIGHT, 103min., USA
Directed by Mike Schmiedeler, Michael O’Brien
From EP Tom Morello – Meet former gravedigger turned doorman at the Park Hyatt in Chicago turned frontman to his own band, Ike Reilly. At 40 years old he landed a recording contract with Universal and in true rock & roll fashion he bought his family a dream home in his hometown of Libertyville, IL. Ike took his band out on the road where they became what The New York Times called “one of the best live bands in America.”

https://www.dontturnyourbackonfridaynight.com/the-film
https://www.instagram.com/mikeschmiedeler/
https://www.facebook.com/mike.schmiedeler/

Get to know the filmmakers:

Michael O’Brien: I introduced Mike to Ike and his music about 12 years ago…I showed him a demo/sizzle Ike and I had made for AMC that sadly was given a pass. Mike became a huge fan of Ike’s music and eventually a good friend. It took a few years of persistent cajoling but Ike finally agreed with Mike’s premise that his is a story that demanded to be told.

Mike Schmiedeler: What he said  I came as a fan. I knew how his music touched me and I also knew his story was so unique that it had to be told. He got his first record contract at age 40 while he was working as a doorman at a hotel. And he had been a gravedigger. Literally. But then he also married his high school sweetheart and had these 4 amazing kids. But then wrote some of the most insightful, provocative lyrics on life, death, money, lust, loss and hope that I’d ever hear. It’s like he exists in worlds he should not simultaneously.

June 22, 2023 - Screenwriter Jeff Sommer-Zervos (IN SILENCE)

Watch the Screenplay Reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8DK5KJ2MqU

The story follows Jamie Rommen, a man suffering in silence with grief, loneliness, and depression. The loss of his family weighs on him heavily a year later; still reliving the events of their death, alone in the new world of COVID quarantine. He’s out of work. Bills are piling up. His life falling apart.


From the writer:

In Silence is about a guy who struggles internally with depression and PTSD, stemming from a lifetime of mental and emotional abuse, exacerbated by the loss of his family over a short period of time. The purpose of the story is to show how the devastating effects of depressing and PTSD, both forms of brain trauma, can spiral out of control if not addressed. A lesser theme of the film shows the pitfall of the male mindset that says “I’m a man, I don’t need help”, “I can do it on my own”, which is a bunch of archaic non-sense that needs to go away. It’s OK to cry, guys. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help. This story is inspired by my own experiences, so take my word for it. I am Jamie Rommen.

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.

April 30, 2023 - Filmmaker Haowei Zhang (POST (COVID-19) ERA)

POST (COVID-19) ERA, 3min., USA, Fashion
Directed by Haowei Zhang
This fashion film is the collaboration with jewelry designer Hankunyu Wei, which expresses the jewelry artist Hankunyu Wei’s thoughts and reflections on the aftershocks to human society after the end of COVID-19.As the COVID-19 inevitably hits the workings of the world, each and every one of our lives is marked. Even though masks are no longer a necessity and people’s lives are gradually returning to normalcy, the dramatic changes in life over the past few years are like a wound that reminds humans to think about life, bondage and distance.

Get to know the filmmaker:
The emergence of the epidemic has changed our lives forever. At first, I did not anticipate that the epidemic would change our lives so profoundly. By the time I realized it, our lives were completely unable to go back to the way they were. People are highly adaptable creatures. The government also made a lot of measures to bring order back to people’s world. But no matter what, the existence of the epidemic is like a scar, and even if the wound heals, there is still a part of our lives that is permanently altered. I want to explore the habits that have been subliminally changed in the world after order has been re-established.

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.

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April 28, 2023 - JALEBI NIGHTS film team (Ganesh Sharma, Makenna Guyler, Rohit Sujanani)

JALEBI NIGHTS, 13min., UK, Drama/Romance
Directed by Ganesh Sharma
Jalebi Nights follows the journey of a young heartbroken man, named Krishan. He was about to propose to the love of his life, however her mother intervened. 6 months later, Krishan still can’t get over his ex, so his best friend Harry comes up with a plan to help Krishan move on.

https://www.instagram.com/jalebinightsfilm

Get to know filmmaker Ganesh Sharma:

So I’m a filmmaker of south Asian descent, who was born in the UK and I grew up with a passion for watching films and TV shows from the western world. After all, this is where I was raised. However, from an early age I noticed that there weren’t many Asians being represented in the shows or the films that I watched. Additionally, if an Asian person was shown on screen, 9 times out of 10 they were used for a comedic moment. They were hardly an integral part of the story.

Now as a 31-year-old man, I can see that times have changed, and films have become a lot more diverse. There are certainly a lot more Asian faces on TV, which is great to see! However I believe that only a handful of them are ever provided with a lead role. Therefore, as a writer/director of South Asian origin, I decided that I should take it upon myself to change that.

With ‘Jalebi Nights’, I wanted to create a story that felt fitting of the struggles of South Asian people in my age group, in regards to arranged marriages, family pressure, sexual orientation etc. I also wrote the film in a way that people of all backgrounds could relate to. Additionally, another goal for me was to ensure I was giving Asian actors an opportunity to shine, and I’m happy to say I did! My entire cast is of South Asian origin, and for three of them, this is their first ever film credit.

March 17, 2023 - Filmmaker Raval Alviarez (LE SELECT)

LE SELECT, 10min., Canada
Directed by Raval Alviarez
Le Sélect Bistro opened its doors on Queen St. W. in 1977. It became a community center that many residents of the city would flock to night after night in search of an experience unlike any other. Owners Frédéric and Jean-Jacques helped propel the careers of Canada’s most talented culinary workers such as Matty Matheson. Working closely together, the owners and their 80+ employees sought to deliver a soul to the heart of the city of Toronto. By touching the lives of every customer, the bistro became a landmark for the city. Unfortunately, Toronto quickly began its rise of urbanization. And 45 years later, they were forced to sell the restaurant and abandon their most cherished memories..

https://www.blogto.com/film/2022/12/someone-made-movie-about-one-torontos-most-famous-restaurants/
https://www.instagram.com/ravalalviarez/

From filmmaker Raval Alviarez:

“Food is so much more than just what we eat, and restaurants are so much more than places to eat—they’re community centres. And our city of Toronto is at a very important crossroads right now when it comes to protecting and preserving those businesses. When making a documentary, I was taught that we ought to make something that audiences need to hear and see right now. And I believed that the residents of our city deserved to see what we risk losing when these small businesses are forced out of our communities.”


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.

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September 24, 2022 - Former NASA Engineer turned Filmmaker Michael McCulloch (ONE STEP AT A TIME)

Michael McCulloch, a retired NASA engineer, would like to bring you along on an incredible journey – the 4-day trek along the Classic Inca Trail to one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu, Peru. It is a little over 26 miles and scales two nearly 14,000-foot mountain passes. The appeal of this particular trek is the stunning combination of Inca ruins, magnificent mountains, exotic vegetation and extraordinary ecological variety. The trail goes over high passes with unforgettable views, through cloud forests, and finally into subtropical vegetation.

https://youtu.be/_043vAPMSVI

At 64, Michael is the oldest blind person to hike this amazing trail. He had three able-bodied volunteers who helped train and get him in shape for the trek. He trained and prepared for more than a year. Then, the three sighted guides provided him step-by-step instructions in undertaking one of the most demanding hiking trails in the world in June 2019. The film highlights the teamwork, commitment, and personal and physical obstacles Michael had to overcome on his journey. It will empower you to get out of your comfort zones, take on new challenges and see that all things are possible regardless of your abilities.


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.

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July 22, 2022 - Screenwriter Adam Kelly Morton (VIKE)

VIKE was the winner of best TV PILOT at the FANTASY/SCI-FI Film & Screenplay Festival. Conversation with writer Adam Kelly Morton, followed by the best scene reading of the script.

Watch the screenplay reading: https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/vike-tv-pilot-screenplay

Writer Biography - Adam Kelly Morton

Adam Kelly Morton is a Montreal-based husband and father (four kids, all eight-and-under), who teaches acting and writing. His films and stories have been screened and published in Canada, the US, and Europe. In October, 2021, Adam completed his MA in Creative Writing with Distinction from Teesside University, UK (distance). His award-winning play "The Anorak" is to be produced for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August, 2022.

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.

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July 12, 2022 - Filmmaker Josh Li (BAOBEI (BABY))

BAOBEI (BABY) played at the June 2022 STUDENT Film Festival.

Conversation with teenage filmmaker Josh Li on the making of this personal documentary about this mother.

“This short film highlights the struggles of my mom trying to teach me about the piano and pass down her passions that were never achieved.”

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.

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July 11, 2022 - Screenwriter Paul Mortsolf (Innocence of a Guilty Mind)

“A true crime novelist teams up with a former FBI profiler to prove the existence of a serial killer that uses hypnosis to get others to confess to his crimes before and innocent man is executed.”

Interview with winning Horror Festival screenwriter Paul Mortsolf on the process writing the script. Followed by the best scene reading (audio version) of the screenplay.

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.

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