Tag Archives: rob salerno

Interview, Screenplay Festival, Television Writing, tv pilot, TV Pilot Performances, tv screenplay, writing festival

Watch TV PILOT Reading of WESTBOUND by Jeff Alulis

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Watch WESTBOUND, TV Pilot by Jeff Alulis:

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Sean Ballantyne
Termite/Doughboy/Pennwise – Jerald Bezener
Uranium/Caboose – Rob Salerno
Emily/V-Switch – Misha Harding
Ozarks – Charles Gordon
Trails – Katelyn Cooper

Get to know writer Jeff Alulis:

1. What is your TV PILOT about?

“Westbound” is an ensemble show about modern-day freight train riders. In the shadows of your local train yard there exists a whole subculture of people who hop trains as a lifestyle. This show explores the lives of a dozen characters whose lives intersect while riding the rails.

2. Why should this screenplay be made into a TV show?

Modern train hopping is a world that has never been explored dramatically. The constantly changing environment and the vast array of characters involved in that world make it perfectly suited for an episodic format, and the gritty stories and fascinating personalities would keep viewers riveted.

3. This pilot has a lot going for it. It’s part adventure. Part drama. Part thriller. Part mystery. How would you describe this story in one sentence?

The lives of criminals, hippies, addicts, and misfits intersect as they search for freedom and adventure by hopping freight trains across America.

4. What movie have you seen the most in your life?

That’s a tough one…I know I’ve seen “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure” and “The Goonies” enough to practically quote their entire scripts. I actually recently went to the 30th anniversary celebration of “The Goonies” in Oregon and won a “Goonies” trivia contest while I was there!

5. This is a very tight, emotionally engaging TV screenplay. How long have you been working on this pilot?

I wrote it over the course of about a year, from when I first started brainstorming to the point where I had a draft that was ready to send out to competitions. But a lot of that time was spent researching the world of train-hopping and fleshing out the characters before I started outlining.

6. How many stories have you written?

I’ve written eight feature-length screenplays and a couple of spec TV scripts, but this was my first attempt at an original pilot, so I’m very humbled by the fact that it has earned some attention.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

I’ve been fascinated by the world of train-hopping for a long time. It has its own rules, its own language, and it seems like every ride generates a unique story. Some people have made documentaries about it, but it’s never been explored in a fictional context so I thought I would give it a shot.

8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

When I was in film school we all read each other’s scripts regularly and gave each other feedback, but these days we’re all busy and I feel bad bothering my former classmates to regularly read my stuff. I’ve joined writing groups but they come and go. So the hardest thing about writing this script was doing it alone, with very little help, notes, or guidance.

9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

I love music, which has been reflected in my documentary work and my involvement with various bands. And I love to travel, which I do whenever I get the opportunity, whether it’s to a new continent or a new corner of my home city.

10. What influenced you to enter the WILDsound Festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?

I was submitting a separate documentary project to competitions via Withoutabox and when I decided to enter my script in competitions the same way WILDsound popped up in my search and it seemed like a perfect fit. The initial feedback was very thorough; it was evident that my script had actually been read all the way through rather than skimmed. I was pleasantly surprised at how in-depth and thoughtful the notes were.

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

Keep writing!

    * * * * *

Deadline October 15th: TV PILOT/SPEC Script Festival – Get FULL FEEDBACK. Get script performed by professional actors
http://www.wildsound.ca/tvscreenplaycontest.html

Watch WINNING TV PILOT Screenplay Readings
http://www.wildsoundfestival.com/tv_pilot_readings.html

Watch WINNING TV SPEC Screenplay Readings
http://www.wildsoundfestival.com/tv_spec_readings.html

READ 100s of testimonials for past submitters –
TV Screenplay Testimonials from the WILDsound Festival

Best Scene Readings, feature screenplay, wildsound festival review, writing festival

Watch Best Scene Reading of UNLIKELY ANGELS by Anne Nemes

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Watch the Reading of UNLIKELY ANGELS by Anne Nemes:

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Charles Gordon
PETE – Rob Salerno
MIKE – Jerald Bezener
MARGOT – Julie Burris

Get to know writer Anne Nemes:

1. What is your screenplay about?

Its a story of a corrupt cop who has his life upended when he meets a strong and independent woman – and finds himself haunted by the ghost of the young man he killed.

2. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

It is a fun and moving play. The combination of elements should have something that appeals to everyone, and possibly make people consider their own lives.

3. This best scene has a lot going for it. It’s funny. It’s sexy. It’s supernatural! How would you describe this script in one sentence?

It is an emotional roller coaster ride as the lives of a bitter middle-aged man, a hardened teenage street punk, and a five-foot tall lady Taekwondo instructor entwine on the streets of Brooklyn .

4. What movie have you seen the most in your life?

I am an avid movie fan. My favorites involve the imagination, whether sci fi, supernatural or fantasy.

5. This is a very tight, emotionally engaging and fun screenplay. How long have you been working on this screenplay?

I actually wrote the script twenty-two years ago. Then I got involved in college, then tech school and a new career so I didn’t really have the time to work on it further. I am recently retired now, and decided it was time to finish it.

6. How many stories have you written?

Mostly compositions and research papers in college.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

My life. Mike is actually a combination of my husband and I. Me in that I spent a good part of my life trying to be what everyone else wanted me to be and it nearly ended me. My husband, in that he was raised in the old world ways. Gabrielle, the five-foot tall Taekwondo instructor is me, except for the street fights and dead husband. Most of what she says and does is me speaking from experience. I hoped that if I could get my message in a movie, maybe it could help others.

8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

I haven’t had any formal training in script writing, so turning my story into a professional level screenplay was my greatest challenge.

9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Pretty much anything creative or inventive.

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

Write from your heart.

feature screenplay, Feature Screenplay Review, wildsound festival review, winning screenplay, winning stories

Watch Feature Script Reading of PONTIFF NO RETURN by Eric Boyd

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Watch the October Winning Feature Screenplay Winner.

PONTIFF OF NO RETURN by Eric Boyd:

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Misha Harding
THE POPE – Charles Gordon
MASSIMO/HOLMES – Jerald Bezener
ATWATER/DA LA CRUZ – Rob Salerno
MARY – Katelyn Cooper
PRESIDENT UTLEY – Julie Burris

Get to know writer Eric Boyd:

1. What is your screenplay about?

The Pope, a former soldier, goes on the run, to thwart the American President’s evil plan to stoke a holy war in the Middle East; and gets some help along the way from a bad-ass Virgin Mary.

2. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

I just think people would enjoy it.

3. This story has a lot going for it. It’s a satire, with a religious nod with a lot of Pope-ACTION! How did you come up with this brilliant and crazy story?

I was watching an episode of the Simpsons where during a soccer-riot a statue of the Virgin Mary comes to life and starts kung-fu fighting all the hooligans and just fell in love with the idea of an action-hero Virgin Mary.

4. What movie have you seen the most in your life?

Star Wars, because… you know, Star Wars.

5. This is a very tight, emotionally engaging and fun screenplay. How long have you been working on this screenplay?

I started brainstorming it last summer. In December I thought I had everything and convinced myself it wasn’t the stupidest idea ever. I then banged out the first draft right before Christmas, and I’ve just been tinkering with it ever since.

6. How many stories have you written?

This is my 14th screenplay and I’ve since written another. I’ve been writing on and off since I was in college. I’ve only written screenplays and feel like I’m more dedicated to it now than ever.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

I just had this really fun idea that I couldn’t stop thinking about and the more I thought about it the more I fell in love with it. The only way I could get it out of my brain was by putting it on paper.

8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

At first, I was pretty hesitant to write this because I thought the premise was too “out there”. It really forced me to think about what was happening and why it was happening until I could present it in a way to the audience that was believable instead of asking them to just believe. Ultimately, I think the story benefited from those obstacles rather than the idea being so good that it just writes itself.

9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Star Wars because…you know, Star Wars.

10. What influenced you to enter the WILDsound Festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?

It was recommended to me by another writer who had lots of good things to say about it and after entering two screenplays, I have to say I agree. The feedback was great. The reviewer told me what they thought worked and didn’t work and even offered some suggestions to fix the stuff that didn’t work. I’m definitely entering my new screenplay as soon as I finish my next rewrite.

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

Since I’ve never attempted to dispense generic writing advice before, I decided to google “how to write a screenplay”. As I was going through the results, I realized what I was doing was stupid and felt like an idiot, so I decided to google “how to write a good screenplay” and I felt much better. I guess the moral of the story is if you set out to write a screenplay, your first priority should be to make it good.

    * * * * *

Deadline: FEATURE Screenplay Festival – Get FULL FEEDBACK. Get script performed by professional actors
http://www.wildsound.ca/screenplaycontest.html

Watch WINNING Screenplay Readings – Watch videos of past winners performed by professional actors
http://www.wildsoundfestival.com/feature_script_readings.html

READ 100s of testimonials from past submitters –
https://wildsoundfestivalreview.com/feature-screenplay-submission-testimonials-wildsound-screenplay-contest-review

actor, Interview, performance, Stage Play Festival Contest, winning stories, writing festival

10pg Stage Play Reading of THE TEA PARTY by Gregory Cole

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Watch the Stage Play Reading of THE TEA PARTY:

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Rob Salerno
WENDY – Maya Woloszyn
JOAN – Megan Leach
NAGASAKI – Troy Patterson
FISHERMAN – David Occhipinti

Get to know writer Gregory Cole:

1. What is your stage play about?

The play is a satire about the trials and tribulations of America’s one percent, as well as the country’s obsession with guns. The Tea Party movement that arose in the US after 2008 is also satirized in the play, as the Republican party struggled to reconcile the aims of this rising faction with those of its wealthiest members.

2. Why should this play be performed on stage and seen by all?

I was greatly influenced by the great satires of Old Comedy by Aristophanes. It is important that a culture has the confidence to look at itself with a critical and humorous eye.

3. How long have you been writing stories?

I took up playwriting about 6 years ago when I joined Playwrights Theatre of Madison, NJ. I used to drive past the theatre on the way to the mall – as one does often in New Jersey – and I noticed a sign advertising “Adult Playwriting Classes.” It took me a few years before I pulled into the parking lot and signed up, but I’m glad I did. Afterwards, I became so obsessed with theatre that I took time off to return to graduate school, where I recently graduated from Montclair State University with an MA in Theatre Arts.

4. You’ll be happy to know that your play reading set the record for most takes we’ve ever had to do. Reason? Because everyone kept laughing so much at your lines and characters, especially at the end. It’s an extremely funny play. Reactions?

i love that! That is such a wonderful compliment. I love making people laugh. I never knew I had a knack for comedy until I took up playwriting. Although I hope that the comedy is more than spectacle and that the audience gets a glimpse of a world that they otherwise would not have the opportunity to see.

5. What artists would you love to work with?

Where do I start? Everyone from Maggie Smith to Meryl Streep to Simon McBurney.

6. How many stories/plays have you written?

The Tea Party is my second play. My first play is a satire with music called “Yiassou Meryl!” That play is difficult to produce because of the large cast – 16 characters – so I am currently working on a television treatment for it.

7. What motivated you to write this stageplay?

Many factors: the state of American politics, the gun culture, the antics of the one percent. John Pietrowski, the artistic director at Playwrights Theatre, said that I have a unique ability to make
fun of the wealthy without being mean about it.

8. Describe your process; do you have a set routine, method for writing?

I wish I had a method. I just write and let the story take me on a roller coaster ride. Then I workshop it at Playwrights Theatre and knock around some ideas with fellow playwrights. I never know how a story is going to end. The story takes on a life of its own. The hardest part is editing the story down. I have a habit of getting attached to most of the comedic lines.

9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Animal welfare is a passion of mine. I enjoy my time I spend with my dog and horse. Another new passion is non-gmo food and the power of the food industry. I recently became a convert and my health has improved drastically.

10. What influenced you to enter the WILDsound Festival?

When i entered a previous piece, I was impressed by the feedback that I received. It was well thought out and very helpful.

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

Don’t stop writing and become a part of a larger community of fellow artists.

    * * * * *

Deadline to Submit your 10pg Stageplay to the Festival:
http://www.wildsound.ca/10_page_stageplay_contest.html

1st scene, actor, First Scene Screenplay, performance, wildsound film festival, winning screenplay, winning stories

1st Scene Script of THE MANTLE by Frank Edward Kelly (plus interview)

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Watch the Reading of THE MANTLE of Frank Edward Kelly:

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Megan Leach
THERON – Rob Salerno
NINA – Maya Woloszyn
WEATHERMAN – Troy Patterson
WOMAN’S VOICE – Rachel Rain Packota
STATE TROOPER – David Occhipinti

Get to know writer Frank Edward Kelly:

1. What is your screenplay about?

The Mantle is about an FBI agent trapped in a mysterious, snowbound town who stumbles on a series of unearthly deaths that mirror a tragedy from his past.

2. Why should this script be made into a movie?

I think the audience would enjoy being pulled into the story and even though it’s a dark film and journey, the story has a positive, hopeful message.

3. How long have you been writing stories?

I’ve been writing stories since I was a child, but I’ve only been focusing on screenwriting the past several years.

4. What movie have you seen the most in your life?

It would either be Jaws, Dawn of the Dead or It’s A Wonderful Life.

5. What artists would you love to work with?

I would love to work with Stephen King and Clive Barker. They are both a huge inspiration in my writing.

6. How many stories/screenplays have you written?

I’ve written about seven features.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

On the horror side, I’d had a nightmare about a child with six fingers on one hand, and the image stuck with me. On the message side, I had been struggling with the death of a loved one and I felt it important to write a story about someone suffering through that kind of grief.

8. Describe your process; do you have a set routine, method for writing?

I don’t really have a set routine, but I tend to write more at night.

9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

I’m a big fan of music. Particularly the dark, heavy stuff!

10. What influenced you to enter the WILDsound Festival?

I thought the prize of having your pages read by live actors was very interesting and unique.

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

Write! Write! Write! Develop your voice and don’t ever give up. No matter how many times you’re rejected. Also, read as much as you can. Particularly other scripts.

    * * * * *

Deadline: FIRST SCENE (first 10pgs) SCREENPLAY FESTIVAL Get it performed at the festival. Full feedback
http://www.wildsound.ca/firstscenescreenplaycontest.html

– Submit the first stages of your film, get it performed at the festival, and get full feedback!

WATCH past 1st Scene Festival readings:

Interview, Short Film, short screenplay, Short Scripts, wildsound festival review, winning screenplay, winning stories, writers, writing festival

Short Screenplay Reading of HOW IT STARTS by Ed Vassie (plus interview)

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Watch the Short Script Reading of HOW IT STARTS:

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Maya Woloszyn
JOE – Rob Salerno
MR. SLICK – David Occhipinti
CAMERON – Troy Patterson
MOTHER #2 – Rachel Rain Packota
MOTHER #1 – Megan Leach

Get to know writer Ed Vassie:

1. What is your screenplay about?

The escalation of conflict and the absurdity that flows from it.

2. Why should this script be made into a short film?

It’s topical and gives a filmmaker a great opportunity to demonstrate their talents across a variety of genre filmmaking techniques (e.g. action, comedy and drama).

3. How long have you been writing stories?

Since the first moment I got bored. But seriously, about 5 years.

4. What movie have you seen the most in your life?

Rear Window.

5. What artists would you love to work with?

David Fincher for his no BS take on the world; Cate Blanchett to pick her brain on anything and everything to do with storytelling and Tom Hardy because he can become anyone.

6. How many stories/screenplays have you written?

Three shorts, a pilot and the first draft of a feature.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

My girlfriend warning me to stop getting angry with people on our bus.

8. Describe your process; do you have a set routine, method for writing?

I try to do an hour a night after work, but it usually all surges out in one binge writing session per week. I jot down notes constantly.

9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Photography and comic books. I have a photoblog and have my head buried in a comic every chance I get.

10. What influenced you to enter the WILDsound Festival? What was your feelings on the initial feedback your received?

The prospect of having it performed by actors. Also, the feedback was perfectly constructive without being too specific.

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

Enjoy being bored. It’s when I get all my best ideas.

actors, Interview, performance, Television Writing, tv pilot, TV Pilot Performances, tv screenplay, winning screenplay, winning stories, writing, writing festival

TV PILOT Screenplay Reading of RUST by Cody Carson (plus interview)

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Watch the TV PILOT Performance Reading of RUST by Cody Carson:

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Rachel Rain Packota
PAUL RUST – Troy Patterson
SARAH – Maya Woloszyn
KATIE – Megan Leach
DICKENS – Rob Salerno
CADDIS – David Occhipinti

Get to know writer Cody Carson:

1. What is your TV PILOT about?

Rust is about a former detective with a series of drug and alcohol dependency issues being brought back into a murder case that he “solved” five years earlier. In the pilot, Paul Rust is forced to confront the demons of the case that still haunt him while trying to come to terms with the news his ex wife has recently got engaged to a guy with a dark secret of his own. On top of that, Rust’s strained relationship with his fourteen year old daughter is about to get a little worse, as Rust discovers that not only is she hanging around with a group of older boys, but she’s been swiping pills from his medication cabinet.

2. Why should this script be made into a TV Show?

It explores a dark side of life that is more often than not overlooked in British TV shows. It’s set in Glasgow, Scotland, breaking away from the usual London setting of the majority of shows out of the UK. Glasgow is a gritty city with a drug problem and a bloody history of gang violence. Despite this, it’s home to some of the friendliest, most giving people in the world, and it’s this diversity of the city and the characters in it, that I think would help make Rust into an interesting TV show.

3. How long have you been writing stories?

I would write stories as a child growing up, just for the fun of it. I started writing short stories when I was around 19 and kind of did that on and off for a few years before starting to write screenplays when I was 23. So I’ve been doing that for the last four years now.

4. What movie have you seen the most in your life?

Probably Back To The Future. Scream and Good Will Hunting wouldn’t be far behind though.

5. What artists would you love to work with?

I think Ben Affleck as a director has been pretty great. The people behind the show Justified. Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Casey Affleck are amazing actors. But I’d love to work with anyone who has an original vision of who they want to be, and not someone who’s looking to be the next Fincher or Tarantino.

6. How many stories/screenplays have you written?

I’ve wrote a bunch of terrible short stories that have since been erased from existence. I’ve finished three screenplays which thankfully have all received positive feedback and I’m just starting work on my fourth as we speak.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

I was reading a lot of true crime and I found it fascinating the connection the detectives in these cases developed to the victims. I wanted to write a story that explored that, and what cost that had in the detectives personal life.

8. Describe your process; do you have a set routine, method for writing?

I feel like I’m still finding what works best for me. I wish I was more disciplined when it comes to routine. What I find works best for me just now is write for a couple hours after breakfast, take a break, read a script online and workout, then write a little more in the afternoon. I usually spend about a month or two planning a script. Laying out the story. Figuring out who my characters are and what their stories are before I start. Then more often than not, when I start writing the actual script, I find that the characters change in who I thought there were going to be, which I always think is cool.

9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

I used to be in a band and for a few years I lived and breathed music. That’s not so much the case now. My main focus aside from writing… making my girlfriend happy. She’s really supportive of my writing and if she’s proud of me then I’m happy.

10. What influenced you to enter the WILDsound Festival? What are your feelings on the initial feedback you received on your screenplay?

The chance to have my screenplay read out by actors was a definite draw. The promotional aspect of having the reading up on YouTube and promoted on Facebook and Twitter is a great opportunity for any writer to get their name out there. The feedback I received was great and a massive confidence booster. It was thorough and it was obvious the reader had paid attention to the script. The feedback, in my opinion, was worth the entry fee alone.

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

Don’t be afraid to write badly. Nobody starts off as a great writer. It takes time and perseverance. Don’t fear rejection because it WILL happen to you. But you just have to dust yourself off and get back up and start writing. You will always get better. But most importantly don’t give up. It’s easier to give up than to succeed, but you can’t fail if you never admit defeat.

    * * * * *

Deadline: SUBMIT TV PILOT/SPEC Script – Get FULL FEEDBACK. Get script performed by professional actors
http://www.wildsound.ca/tvscreenplaycontest.html

Watch WINNING TV PILOT Screenplay Readings
http://www.wildsoundfestival.com/tv_pilot_readings.html

Watch WINNING TV SPEC Screenplay Readings
http://www.wildsoundfestival.com/tv_spec_readings.html

READ 100s of testimonials for past submitters –
http://www.wildsound.ca/wildsound_festival_review.html