After a medical crisis, 16 year-old GRACE’S perfect high school life is threatened when she undergoes “medically induced menopause,” effectively draining her of hormones. Determined to keep her idyllic life, Grace tries to hide her new condition, but her body might not be so willing.
CAST LIST:
NARRATOR – Susan Wilson
GRACE – Antosia Fiedur
RILEY – Rochelle Burke
DIANE – Maya Woloszyn
ALEX/BRANDON – Paul Falkowski
TREVOR – Aieron Munro
CHARLIE – Robert Notman
DR. BROWNSTEIN – Charles Gordon
NURSE WILSON – Susan Q. Wilson
NARRATOR – Susan Wilson
EVERETT – Aieron Munro
ATTENDANT – Robert Notman
MABEL – Maya Woloszyn
DALE – Charles Gordon
JEREMIAH – Paul Falkowski
NURSE – Antosia Fiedur
WORKER – Rochelle Burke
Get to know writer Pamela Green:
1. What is your screenplay about?
My screenplay skims the early life of my dad, Everett House, as he grows up in a poor, Christian home during the 1930’s and 40’s, and then basically covers his years spent in a mental institution, where he undergoes shock therapy and other atrocious psychiatric practices during the 1950’s. It also reveals God strategically planting him there at this particular time in history in order to hinder the antichrist from setting up his beast system too soon, and it leaves Everett with a divine promise and mandate for his future, that one day his testimony from the hospital days will be used to warn the world of the coming mark in the forehead.
2. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
This screenplay should be made into a movie because it is part of a warning from God of the destruction that is about to come upon mankind in the near-future, and is a testimony of God’s faithfulness toward those who trust Him even through adverse situations.
3. How would you describe this story in one sentence?
It is a captivating story of a Christian youth’s journey as he searches to find meaning for his life and to fulfill God’s purposes, resulting in him receiving a divine promise and mandate while in the hospital concerning the future, in warning others of the mark in the forehead, and is also a testimony of experiencing God’s faithfulness firsthand as Everett locked away and forced through shock treatments and other adverse circumstances, yet is divinely rescued and restored.
4. What movie have you seen the most in your life?
I have seen a lot of Disney movies over and over again due to my children watching them, but I think the main movie that I saw the most that I myself wanted to see was Meet Me in St. Louis.
5. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
I began writing the screenplay in May of 2009 and have worked on it off and on since then. Currently, I am still working on it, making corrections, though it is now almost complete.
6. How many stories have you written?
I’ve written two screenplays, both about my dad, but I also wrote one about my life, but then I tore it up.
7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?
There was a long series of events that motivated me to write this screenplay, the first of which was my dad telling me many times as a child of his experiences in the hospital, including shock treatment, and that he would often refer to this machine as “the beast”. He also mentioned to me a few times in my youth, and a few times when I was grown, about his promise from God that one day experiences from his life would be turned into a movie, especially the experiences from the hospital days, and that the movie would be used some day to warn the world of the coming mark in the forehead. The “mark of the beast” was a common phrase I heard from him growing up. Then, a lot of things happened in my life when I went away to college that pointed me to making the movie, such as God visiting me in a dream, etc, But one day, in 2006 or 2007, I was sitting on my bed, wondering if there was something I could do to help my dad make the movie and was asking God if He wanted me to help make the movie, when suddenly my husband barged into the room and said ” Whatever the Lord tells you to do, you have to be obedient.”. The last straw was when I received the June, 2009 edition of the Johns Hopkins Newsletter (I received it early, in May of 2009) that was highlighting shock treatment as a way to treat depression. My dad had always said that one day shock treatment would be revived and would be endorsed and pushed on the public masses instead of just those poor souls locked away and forgotten in the mental hospitals.
8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
Much of the time, I either didn’t have a home computer, or didn’t have word processing on my home computer, or my computer was broken. I went to the library a lot and had to pay my kids to watch the younger kids a lot of times, coming from the $25 per week that I could use for making the movie. I also thought that I was finished many times and printed off the script, only to find that I had more corrections to make. Also, getting the information from my dad and piecing it together in the right sequence was very tricky. Some events he couldn’t always remember the exact order that they occurred, so I had to kind of do trial and error. Plus, he lives long distance from me, so sometimes it was difficult to get a hold of him when I had a question.
9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Most of all, I love Jesus, and am thankful to Him for saving my soul and always loving me and being there for me. I love and am thankful for my family. I love all people, in general, especially children and the elderly, and those who are handicapped or discouraged, or abused, or addicts, or poor. I would somehow like to help mankind, like having a ministry to the poor, or working with children, or helping families, or praying for the discouraged or sick. I’ve been miraculously healed many times, so I definitely believe in healing. I love to tell others that Jesus can save them and give them eternal life and that He has a great plan for them. I like to encourage people, especially those who want to give up, and let them know that Jesus makes life worth living. Even in our difficult situations, we can still pray and trust God and know that He can work things out for our good and that He has our best interest at heart. I love beautiful things, like rainbows, and beautiful colors, and butterflies, and flowers, and beautiful old houses, and the great outdoors. I also love to bake, and I love animals, and art, especially drawing, painting, and crafts.
10. What influenced you to enter the WILDsound Festival? What were your
feelings on the initial feedback you received?
One day, a few years back, I asked the Lord to direct me concerning what I should do next with the movie. Then I had a dream that I was standing before a desk and a man was seated at the desk, holding my script. In the dream, I asked the man if he liked the script. He said “Yes… we loved it.” Then I looked over to the left of the desk and there was George Clooney, kind of leaning in toward the desk. He looked at me and said “Got any part for me?” Then, days later, I remembered the dream again and went to George Clooney’s Facebook page and pressed the like button. Then, I started receiving advertisements from his page for WILDsound Film Festival all the time. But when I thought about what I should do, I still wasn’t sure until, one month, I believed the Lord was pushing me to enter during that particular month, since it was the month of the “blue moon”. But I didn’t listen fully to understand what God was saying, for, assuming that I had the whole month to enter the contest, which had been running regularly for a long while, instead closed up before the end of the month, so I missed it. Then a preacher friend on Facebook randomly said that sometimes in life we may be alert and ready, then, all of a sudden, we aren’t paying attention and drop the ball. When she said that, I realized I had missed my opportunity. Then, a few months ago, a preacher on Facebook said that God was giving someone another chance, that a certain situation would come around again, set up just how it was before, “only this time”, he warned, “don’t drop the ball”. So, I took that as my cue that the Lord wanted me to enter the contest.
I was very excited to receive the feedback from WILDsound. It was great to actually hear what someone else had to say regarding the script, especially in an in-depth way, at a professional level. I believe that I was given a lot of great wisdom and practical pointers that have helped to open my eyes and improve my movie-writing skills.
11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
Try not to be in such a hurry to finish your screenplay or else it may actually end up taking much longer than you had anticipated due to overlooked mistakes. Take your time and, in the long run, end up saving time. Haste makes waste. Also, I think it would be good to use a screenwriting program. I didn’t, but I think it would have made some things a great deal easier and quicker. Another thing, it’s good to give yourself breaks and enough sleep, and be sure and get exercise and eat right. You will feel like doing a better job if you take good care of yourself and are more relaxed and healthy.
Watch the Winning TV PILOT Reading of HOT FLASH HIGH:
CAST LIST:
NARRATOR – Susan Wilson
GRACE – Antosia Fiedur
RILEY – Rochelle Burke
DIANE – Maya Woloszyn
ALEX/BRANDON – Paul Falkowski
TREVOR – Aieron Munro
CHARLIE – Robert Notman
DR. BROWNSTEIN – Charles Gordon
NURSE WILSON – Susan Q. Wilson
Get to know writer Molly Driscoll:
1. What is your TV PILOT screenplay about?
After a medical crisis, 16 year-old GRACE’S perfect high school life is threatened when she undergoes “medically induced menopause,” effectively draining her of hormones. Determined to keep her idyllic life, Grace tries to hide her new condition, but her body might not be so willing.
2. Why should this screenplay be made into a television show?
I think because everything about it is a surprise. In “Hot Flash High,” my goal was to write characters you thought you knew, but with a second glance, you realize you don’t know them at all. Also, I wanted to explore how your life changes when you get diagnosed with a life altering, non-curable, yet not life threatening disease. Meaning, Grace’s life will never be the same, and in the pilot, she’s barely scraps the surface of that issue. It will be an ongoing struggle for her to discover her new normal as she learns more about her disease and how it will affect her in the future.
3. This story has a lot going for it. High School setting with a unique spin. How did you get the idea for the teenage menapause angle?
The story is based on my own struggle with endometriosis and entering menopause at twenty-four. I think one of the greatest perks of being a writer is whenever you have a struggle, you can rationalize that one day it will make for excellent material. I decided to set “Hot Flash High” in high school and not the early twenties because people always think of hormone crazed teenagers. One thought kept running through my head, “what would high school be like without hormones?”
4. What movie have you seen the most in your life?
I have always been more of a TV person. Even before binging was a thing, I would binge with my TV DVDs and before that old school recorded VCR tapes of favorite shows. My-go to binges are Dawson’s Creek, Felicity, Friends, and more, recently Arrow and Jane the Virgin.
5. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
I started the first draft on this script about two years ago, so it has had several rewrites!
6. How many stories have you written?
When I started out I wrote three screenplays, but since then I have been focused solely on television. I have written four spec teleplays and three original pilots. I am also currently working on a new original pilot.
7. What would you say the theme of your TV PILOT is?
“Hot Flash High” is about redefining yourself after life strips away what you always thought was a defining characteristic. All of these characters have roles that their world projects on them and they have to decide whether they want those roles or not. Grace, in particular, is on a journey to discover her voice. It was a very conscious decision to have her voiceover be in contradiction with her dialogue. Ultimately, I would love to see those two elements align as Grace grows as a person and learns to speak her mind more.
8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
I think when writing a pilot there’s a struggle of what to reveal and what to keep hidden. Also, balancing between A, B, and C stories in a =-0p9pilot is always rough because you have such limited space to introduce a whole world of characters.
9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
I have always loved fashion. If I was not a writer, I think I would love styling. People who get all the high end freebies because they have a fashion or lifestyle blog, have totally figured out life. I also think writers’ block abets this passion because whenever I hit a stumbling point, my online shopping takes a hit.
10. What influenced you to enter the WILDsound Festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
I loved the idea of the YouTube read. We all get flooded with emails, so the opportunity to send a link instead of a script was very appealing. Everyone has been great at WILDsound and the feedback was spot on. Especially one note, which really helped clarify the final act.
11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
Rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. Also, take time in between those rewrites because it’s amazing how clear things become with a little distance. While you are taking that time, be working on something else because you always need to be writing. It’s like working out. It’s really hard to get in shape, but easy to get out of it.
NARRATOR – Susan Wilson
DOCTOR – Charles Gordon
FEMALE – Maya Woloszyn
Get to know writer Piotr Jamróz:
1. What is your short film script about?
It’s a story about mental illness which, like a prison, takes away man’s freedom and tears people apart.
2. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
It’s a short, low-budget and (I hope) emotionally appealing and thrilling story.
3. How would you describe this story in one sentence?
A man tries to escape from a prison no one has ever escaped from before.
4. What movie have you seen the most in your life?
It’s probably Coca-Cola Christmas commercial with a truck! When I was I child, I would see it every year 🙂 But seriously, it’s a really tough question. I don’t usually watch movies more than once.
5. This is a very tight, emotionally engaging and a screenplay that’s so well written and descriptive. You can see the film. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
I came up with the idea about six years ago, but I couldn’t put all the pieces together. I decided to give it another go this year and it worked out. The script was ready in a week, but… it means that it took me six years to write three pages!
6. How many stories have you written?
Over 20 shoddy short scripts.
7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?
Inability to turn the idea that I loved into an interesting story chased me like a recurring nightmare! I just had to write it to stay sane.
8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
Showing two worlds is tricky. When there’s no connection between them, it feels tacky. The biggest challenge was to find the best way to link what happens in Harry’s head and in the real world.
9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
I’m a flash in the pan and I enjoy short-lived passions. I try to explore new things every now and then. Currently, it’s foodpairing and sketching!
10. What influenced you to enter the WILDsound Festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
There’s nothing worse for a writer than hearing just “no”, without any feedback. And there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing how others interpret your work. WILDsound festival is the place where constructive feedback and creative interpretation meet together. That’s why I chose it and it definitely met my expectations!
11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
Don’t listen to a guy who spends 6 years to write 3 pages! 🙂 However, what I’ve learnt writing this script is that it’s good to look back at your previous projects. Failures from the past may be turned into something interesting.
NARRATOR – Susan Wilson
NIGEL – Robert Notman
ANNABELLE – Maya Woloszyn
LENORE – Rochelle Burke
EDGAR – Aieron Munro
SARAH – Antosia Fiedur
WILLIAM JAMES – Charles Gordon
CORPORAL – Paul Falkowski
Get to know writer Robert Herold:
1. What is your TV PILOT screenplay about?
Haunted Heart is about Nigel Pickford, a former Confederate officer, tortured by visions, who is recruited by a group of paranormal investigators and taken deep into a world of ghosts and supernatural beings threatening the life of the woman he loves.
2. Why should this screenplay be made into a television show?
Frankly, there is not enough good horror on television. Horror objectifies our nightmares and allows us to deal with them. When done right, we want to cover our eyes, but peer through our fingers. Haunted Heart is a horror television series set in the 19th Century that aims to be truly scary. It’s a very dark, edgy and sophisticated X-files meets Penny Dreadful. This episodic series explores new and classic horror motifs as a group of paranormal researchers (the “Eidola Project”) travel around North America, and later the world, solving supernatural mysteries, hauntings & murders. It also shows the characters confronting the real monsters of the day — racism, sexism, substance abuse and bigotry. The 19th Century gives the show a sense of the exotic, but really it’s a window on the fears and concerns of today.
3. This story has a lot going for it. Drama meets Supernatural meets Mystery with a bit of Romance. What motivated you to write this pilot?
Again, I think good horror should encompass all of these. I’ve always had a passion for horror and dark drama, but I generally dislike slasher films (Psycho and American Psycho being notable exceptions) and gore-fests. Given my disappointment with so much of a genre I love, I wanted to try my hand at developing the kind of series I’d like to see.
4. What movie have you seen the most in your life?
It’s A Wonderful Life. Most of the film is actually quite dark, and George Bailey’s journey (like Ebenezer Scrooge) is touching, scary, and ultimately heart-lifting. It’s really a ghost story, and masterfully done.
5. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
Two years. It was part of the journey of learning how to write well, and went through many drafts. As a consequence, I am able to write well and at a much faster pace today.
6. How many stories have you written?
I have completed 3 pilots, all of which have been finalists or have won contests: In addition to Haunted Heart, Rough Cut is a series about the early days of the film industry — when dying to be in pictures was literally true! Rat City is a murder mystery series set in the early days of Seattle (imagine Law & Order meets Deadwood).
I have also have had several plays published for the school-aged market: Two adaptations of Shakespeare (Macbeth and Romeo & Juliet) and an original farce, Killer Slugs from Space, or Slime Does Not Pay! (which I think would make a nifty musical, if there are any composers out there).
I am currently completing a novelized version of Haunted Heart.
7. What would you say the theme of your TV PILOT is?
The theme of Haunted Heart is finding redemption. Many of us are stuck and surround ourselves with people and media that feed our prejudices. I want to challenge us, as I challenge my characters, in the midst of a cracking good yarn.
8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
As I noted above, learning my craft. It takes time. You need to be patient with yourself and be resilient — learn from your mistakes and not let them debilitate you.
9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
In addition to my wife and kids, I love theater, reading, TV, movies and music — especially jazz (I play the flute and sax).
10. What influenced you to enter the WILDsound Festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
I originally learned about WILDsound on Moviebytes, and liked what I read. I found the initial feedback incredibly helpful — it was honest, thoughtful and supportive. (It was clear I had more work to do.) You folks do a marvelous job nurturing artists while helping them to achieve high standards.
11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
Surround yourself with supportive but honest people (like the folks at WILDsound) and work your butt off! Again, be resilient — learn from your mistakes and not let them debilitate you. Best wishes!
Watch TV Show Reading of CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM “Uncle Larry”
CAST LIST:
NARRATOR – Rochelle Burke
LARRY – Charles Gordon
LEON – Aieron Munro
MS. KOTCHERY – Susan Wilson
JEFF – Robert Notman
SPENCER – Paul Falkowski
SUSIE – Maya Woloszyn
Get to know writer Chris Agnew:
1. How would you describe your Curb Your Enthusiasm TV Spec in 1 sentence?
A fun-filled romp for the entire family.
2. Why does this script fit into the context of the TV show?
It’s me venting about things and people that piss me off in my best impersonation of the style Larry invented.
3. This story has a lot going for it. It makes you wish for another season. Do you think Larry David will bring back the show for one more season?
I started writing this with the fantasy, as my motivation, that I could convince Larry to do more, that this script would reach him. Delusion is an important motivator for me. He managed to make the show funnier a number of times like when he added the blacks. I can’t think of any tv comedy that morphed in so many ways and added major characters and then got significantly funnier. I was trying to prove that to myself with my Ms. Kotchery character; that she could be a really funny nemesis/love interest for Larry that could propel the story forward. I fell way short but it was fun trying. He’s proven that he can make it funnier, I think he should definitely do more. I do think there is a good chance that he will do more and even if he doesn’t I think he’ll start a new project.
4. What is your all-time favorite television show?
Seinfeld, there is nothing funnier to me than a frustrated George. Elaine’s the funniest female character I’ve ever seen and Kramer’s physical acting/goofiness is amazing… Jerry ties it all together. I wasn’t allowed to watch much tv growing up and I was also a pretty stubborn contrarian so I didn’t catch on until after the last season had aired. I think the first episode I watched was the last one because I was on a school trip and we had to interrupt the trip to watch it. I didn’t get any of the references and was not impressed. Later when I got access to cable and reruns I stumbled onto it and it was the best thing ever. I didn’t realize it at the time but in high school I was really studying Seinfeld and went on to get my bachelors in Curb. I really didn’t give a shit about my classes. South Park is my second favorite, the satire and creativity is mind blowing.
5. Besides Larry David, who is your favorite character on the show?
Leon. “No, mopey dick. Who the fuck is moby dick?”
6. How many stories have you written?
I’ve been writing for coming up on two years and all I have to show for it is this curb episode and 40 pages of sketch comedy… there is a lot of pretty bad stuff, I’d rather not go back and count.
7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?
It was my favorite recent show, I got to re-watch episodes and play.my own new episodes in my head and with friends out loud all day, it was awesome.
8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
Edits when I got feedback, I had worked so hard on the first version, the idea of getting back into it made me physically ill. But I got consistent feedback that it was back loaded and I agreed so I figured I’d make a few changes. One thing lead to another, I ended up tearing it apart and didn’t think I would be able to put it back together. I completely changed a couple of the plot lines and heavily edited the main plot line. I can’t tell whether I like the new version better, I’ve lost all objectivity at this point. But I do feel the structure is better so that’s something.
9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Friends and family, any kind of adventure.
10. What influenced you to enter the WILDsound Festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
It offered quick feedback, I didn’t have to wait 6 months or a year to see how I did. I also liked the idea of it being performed. The feedback from Wildsound was really helpful, they pointed out coincidences that could be better explained and a few parts that were too busy. I definitely agreed and made the changes, so thank you!
11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
I’m a beginner so be wary of anything I say, with that said… When I started to write this I watched 20-30 episodes again and carefully wrote out their structure with bubbles and lines. Once I had that I copied that structure with my own ideas. I think the problem was I didn’t record in his episodes how each part of the plot had the audience looking forward, they usually had something to expect coming up. So my plot didn’t have that, it had individual scenes that often times only vaguely implied what the audience should be expecting. It was lacking what all the instructional books call… structure. This is what I think led to my editing nightmare. So I would say listen to the people who have done this before very carefully and think about what specific actions you can take to heed their advice.
Height: 5’4 
Feature SCRIPT – THE PAPER ROUTE 
1st Scene SCRIPT – SOMBRA 
1st Scene SCRIPT – YONKHEER 
Best SCENE READING of MORPH TV Pilot 
10pg. STAGE PLAY – HELEN REDDY WOULD BE ASHAMED 
10pg. STAGE PLAY – GARBED IN FLESH 
1st Scene Script: THE MANTLE 
10pg. Stageplay: THE TEA PARTY 
SHORT SCRIPT – HOW IT STARTS 
TV PILOT – RUST 
TV SPEC – ORPHAN BLACK 
Best Scene Reading of GATES OF HELL 