Steven Sinnenberg – October 2016 SHORT Screenplay Winner

SYMPATHY
Written by Steven Sinnenberg

SYNOPSIS:

Genre: Comedy

Insensitive bartender seeks sympathy for an injury.

CAST LIST:

ROB – Sean Ballantyne
FORREST – Rikki Wright
CRAIG – Gabriel Darku
NARRATOR – Michelle Alexander

Get to know the winning writer:

What is your screenplay about?

“Sympathy” is a scene from Echo of the Whistle, a feature-length screenplay about a former college football star shaking that legacy to evolve into an artist. His wife and fans don’t want to lose their hero.

What genres does your screenplay under?

Comedy and drama.

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

It’s relate-able. Sympathy scene is about thinking your burdens are the toughest to face. Living in the long shadows of distant fame while seeking the sunshine of new adventure is a shared theme in life.

How would you describe this script in two words?

Defining legacy.

What movie have you seen the most times in your life?

It’s a tie between Casablanca and Fight Club.

How long have you been working on this screenplay?

Four months.

How many stories have you written?

Eight full scripts and two shorts.

What motivated you to write this screenplay?

Andy Warhol speaking of 15 minutes of fame and Edgar Allan Poe’s “Eldorado”. After becoming famous, what do you do for the other 75 years or so? You still seek your legacy, your quest for who you are.

What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

Time management: time to think, dream, and write uninterrupted.

Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Bioremediation (cleaning soil using microorganisms to consume oil) and college sports, specifically University of Virginia and Johns Hopkins football and lacrosse.

Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?

Schedule uninterrupted time to think, dream, and write every day. Professional time management.

***
Director/Producer: Matthew Toffolo http://www.matthewtoffolo.com

Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne

Editor: John Johnson