Watch the March 2016 Winning Best Scene Reading
SCREAMING MY HEART OUT Best Scene Reading:
CAST LIST:
NARRATOR – Sean Ballantyne
MANNY – Suchiththa DeSilva
DON – Steve Rizzo
DOCTOR – Ryan Anning
TONI – Alicia Ryan
BABS – Nadia Gigi Inara
Get to know Janyce Lapore:
1. What is your screenplay about?
“Screaming My Heart Out” is the dramatic tale of a large Italian family of girls coming of age in a small steel mill town in the late ’60’s
The Scarletta family live in row houses near a large, roaring Steel Mill. It’s 1968, and as tradition dictates, the men work in the mill, and the women work in their homes. But, times are changing, and the Scarletta girls know it. Toni, a vibrant hairdresser with big dreams, wants to escape this blue collar world, where her neighborhood, alive with Motown music and passionate love affairs, defines her . She and her conservative sister, Celia, and cousin Babs, wearing GoGo boots and carrying a transistor radio struggle, each in her own way, to find their independence . But, It’s their youngest cousin, the fragile, Lisa Marie, the mother of 5, who attempts a sudden act of violence that shatters the certainty of this “Old World” family forever.
This is a deeply felt story of love, pain, joy and sisterhood, as four girls, with strength and dignity, overcome the obstacles they face and come into their own as women.
2. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
I have been told that “Screaming My Heart Out” will never get made because, “No one wants to see a film all about women”. It is for that very reason that I want to make a film that portrays the profound strength, dignity and beauty of not just Italian women, but all women who struggle to find their own truth and independence.
3. How would you describe this script in two words?
Hilarious and heartbreaking.
4. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
“The Godfather” 1
5. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
“Screaming My Heart Out’ is the film adaptation of my play, “Ferris Wheel “. I have been working on both scripts for quite some time. “Ferris Wheel” is now published by Dramatic Publishing in English, Dutch and soon, German. “Ferris Wheel” premiered in New York City and has been produced in several live theaters. Dan Lauria read “Ferris Wheel” and brought me to Los Angeles to have a reading of the play. It was then that he advised me to write the screenplay version, which is now “Screaming My Heart Out”.
6. How many stories have you written?
I have written 7 screenplays and 2 plays. Both plays, “Ferris Wheel” and “Dolores Rain”, have been produced in major theaters. Two of my screenplays, “Screaming My Heart Out” and “10 Minutes From Paradise” have both won major film festival awards.
7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?
I grew up in the world of “Screaming My Heart”. I watched my 4 aunts struggle against tradition, expectation and fear. This is a tribute to those brave women.
8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
I was a single parent working two jobs. Trying to find time to write was difficult, but I knew what I wanted to say, so I never stopped writing.
9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
I am also a painter. Like my scripts, my paintings tell a specific story. My paintings were most recently displayed at the wonderful Torche Gallery in New Jersey.
10. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
I always research the festivals I enter. I was intrigued by WildSound. I had heard many good things about this festival, and they all turned out to be true. The feedback was right on the money. I agreed with every suggestion and was able to tweak the script. I do think it’s now complete.
11. Any advice of tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
There is no reason or excuse to not follow your greatest passion.
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Producer/Director: Matthew Toffolo http://www.matthewtoffolo.com
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: John Johnson
