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.
The Line We Crossed, 110min., US
Directed by Liz Smith
A British story of dissent, drawn from the frontlines of climate resistance. Through the experiences of those who stood in defiance, it traces the quiet unraveling of our protest rights. The film challenges audiences to question what makes dissent effective and where the line of acceptability is.
http://www.thelinewecrossed.com/
https://www.instagram.com/p75investigates/
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FLÜGGE, 25min., Germany
Directed by Leopold Schraudolph, Dani Rose Cortés
In an Austrian mountain village in 1914, the determined Amelie (20) must defy her father’s wishes of running the family sewing business to pursue her own dreams of flight and seize her only chance at finding true freedom.
Hannah Ehman chats with actress Elena Franke about her award-winning performance in the short film FLÜGGE.
Elena Franke Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elena_frnke/
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Follow Interviewer Hannah Ehman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ehmanhannah/
Watch Hannah’s commercial spots: https://www.ispot.tv/topic/actor-actress/bP8/hannah-ehman
Subscribe to the podcast:
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KHENTOPIA, 72min., USA
Directed by Job Michiel van Zuijlen
Khentopia is a peaceful society on the planet Zeeray, where ethereal energy generated through chanting at Harmony Center is used to feed a protective shield that envelops the planet. All is well, until one June morning in 2502, the crew of raider ship Space Wolf is intent on breaking through the shield to carry out a pillage mission. They succeed in obliterating the ethereal power generation and so the protective shield. On top of that, a parallel universe emerges with an alternate Khentopia that is harsh and hostile.
http://khentopia.com/
Get to know the filmmaker:
What motivated you to make this film?
The idea for Khentopia already existed for another story, but the inauguration of Trump 1 in 2017 made me think that we had entered a parallel world. I developed a new story with that in mind.
From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
It took about seven years. To get the story itself right was a challenge. I knew the beginning and the end, but I struggled with the middle.
How would you describe your film in two words!?
Khentopia regained.
What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Because it took such a long time, the biggest challenge was to stay interested. It is also a lot of work, and some scenes are necessary but kind of tedious to do.
What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I was pleasantly surprised by the insightful comments, especially from the second woman. She was able to distill various elements that I had put into the story and expressed them clearly.
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STAYCATION, 93min,. USA
Directed by Russell Emanuel
How is the world affected by a catastrophic event? Everyday people live through a government mandated quarantine during a global pandemic while desperate scientists race to find a cure before it’s too late.
https://russem.com/
https://www.instagram.com/russem31/
Hannah Ehman chats with the lead actor of the award winning feature film STATCATION
Tanya Hobson-Williams Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaybutta823/
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Follow Interviewer Hannah Ehman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ehmanhannah/
Watch Hannah’s commercial spots: https://www.ispot.tv/topic/actor-actress/bP8/hannah-ehman
Subscribe to the podcast:
https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod
Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QDNj491w8Q
James Stuart Donovan Hastings, Earl of Billingswood, has had one headache after another. First his home is in disrepair, his nephew is too young for his own good, his best friend thinks he’s gone round the bend and now someone just tried to kill him. If it wasn’t for the angel with strawberry blonde hair and amethyst eyes, he might well be dead. Blasted horse, thinks he knows more than the master!
What is your screenplay about?
James Stuart Donovan Hastings, Earl of Billingswood, has a potentially deadly encounter on his way to Sandringham. He is rescued by a beautiful angel. His horse decides it is his right to make choices for the master. Can there be a happy ending?
Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
With the success of other Historical Fiction/Romances such as Bridgerton allowing for viewers the chance to escape their day to day experiences, allowing them to immerse themselves in an era that has been romanticized.
How would you describe this script in two words?
Captivating drama
What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
Princess Bride
How long have you been working on this screenplay?
Couple of months
How many stories have you written?
Seven novellas
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Shame, 5min., USA
Directed by Kelly Lynn Warren
When a woman is sexually assaulted by a mutual friend the night before, her confrontation with her best friend leads to tragic consequences.
https://www.instagram.com/shametheshortfilm/
Get to know actor/writer/produer Ashna Sharan:
What motivated you to make this film?
I was a peer counselor in college and know of people in my life who have been sexually assaulted. I wanted to raise awareness of the issue and show it from the perspective of two friends instead of focusing on the assailant. The ultimate goal of Shame was to take it to universities and spark dialogue among students.
From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
9 months
How would you describe your film in two words!?
must-see, impactful
What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
One of our actors had an emergency and had to back out of filming on Day 1, so I had to recast the same night because we were shooting the next day. Our actor, Sophia Cofino, stepped in and nailed the part.
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The Interrogation, 5min., USA
Directed by Kyle Riggs, Dylan Lighthall
A Russian mob interrogation goes awry when an over-eager enforcer tries to pitch in, but can't get his mind out of the gutter.
www.instagram.com/dylanlighthall
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Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJWMb6F1GVY
What is your screenplay about?
A dark comedy feature inspired by a true story and based on the book of the same name.
After a man moves to a small town to care for his dying father, he embraces the community and his new life as a stepfather and husband, until he finds himself in the crosshairs of an unhinged townswoman who challenges him in a school board election and makes him look like the crazy one.
What genres does your screenplay fall under?
Thriller/Dark Comedy
Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
The story is inspired by real life and will be relatable to the viewer. Everyone has a crazy aunt like the antagonist!
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Tendon, 13min,. USA
Directed by Jannik Ehret
Recovering addict Rene sees a creature poison the city’s water supply and has to convince his skeptical sister and her no-nonsense boyfriend to stay away from the tap water.
Get to know the filmmaker:
What motivated you to make this film?
I grew up in Germany from where Los Angeles always felt like a mythical place in another world. Through a street racing video game I was first introduced to the LA river; a concrete channel that splits Los Angeles in such a crude and inorganic way. At the time I thought it was an invention of the game designers. Why else would there be a perfect drag racing track going right through the city. Ten years later, when I first saw the LA river in person, I became enchanted by its otherworldly existence.
My parents are spiritual teachers. Witnessing their clashes with “the regular world” has forced me to contemplate the role of “the real” in our emotional lives. To an extent, the “real” is irrelevant if its effect is tangible. The fear we feel from the monster under the bed is happening regardless of the presence of the monster. With that in mind, people should treat the fears of others, no matter how otherworldly, with empathy. Tendon is the merging of my love of sci-fi, the LA river, the homelessness epidemic and my take on the deep seeded fear of not being believed.
From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
I played around with the script for about five years. Once I landed on something I liked it only took about a month to get the project to the editing stage. Sound designing and composing was tricky since the film lives between genres but after another 4 months the project was done.
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As Long As You Want, 22min., Canada
Directed by Matt Santos
For as Long as You Want is a tender, conversation-driven short film about two actors, Liz and Brad, running lines in a quiet basement one afternoon. What starts as a simple rehearsal slowly turns into something deeper as they begin to open up about their relationships, their dreams, and the things they’re afraid to admit out loud. Liz is in a relationship that no longer feels right, with someone who doesn’t really see her. Brad’s charming, grounded, and unexpectedly honest. As they talk, laugh, and share food, the connection between them grows easy, real, and a little bit electric. With Liz’s train out of the city approaching, she has to decide whether to go back to the life she’s been trying to make work, or stay in this moment just a little longer. Quiet, raw, and full of heart, For as Long as You Want is about timing, chemistry, and the things we don’t plan for.
www.instagram.com/check_please_productions/
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She Loves Her John, 7min., USA
Directed by Ivan Alejandro Rivero
“She Loves Her John” is a story about redemption, the feelings that arise after betrayal, and the thoughts of moving forward.
https://facebook.com/shelovesherjohn
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Triggered 2.0, 22min,. USA
Directed by Mario Ricardo Rodriguez, Marcus Nel-Jamal Hamm
A diabolical madman known as The Director 2.0, with a vendetta against Wolverine, plots a way to take his powers and use him as a distraction as he enacts his ultimate means of destroying all superpowered beings, by pitting him against his one ally, Blade, in a fight to the death. Lucas Bishop must find a way to break free of his control so he can save his friends and the rest of humanity.
https://instagram.com/triggeredfanfilm
Conversation with writer/co-director/actor Marcus Nel-Jamal Hamm.
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Rock Island Prison 1864, 7min,. USA
Directed by Joy Shannon
Guarding Confederate POWS in a Civil War prison, a runaway slave now Union soldier, desperately fights for power, or faces returning to slavery.
https://www.rockislandprison.com/
Hannah Ehman chats with the lead actor of the award winning short film ROCK ISLAND PRISON 1864)
Danney Paul instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danneypaul/
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Follow Interviewer Hannah Ehman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ehmanhannah/
Watch Hannah’s commercial spots: https://www.ispot.tv/topic/actor-actress/bP8/hannah-ehman
Subscribe to the podcast:
https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod
Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPh-ZxTT4GE
LOGLINE: In the 1940s, prisoners — including infamous mob boss Joe Blunda — were released to defend America from Nazi spy attacks. What happened to them remains a chilling mystery: none were ever seen alive again.
Get to know the writer:
What is your screenplay about?
My screenplay tells a story that was circulating at the time — it captures society during the World War era and highlights an undeniable truth: Power is often manipulated by ruthless agendas.
What genres does your screenplay fall under?
The genre is historical thriller.
How would you describe this script in two words?
Dire Straits
How long have you been working on this screenplay?
So many, but especially Superman (1978). When I was a kid, I watched it over and over again. Same with the Lord of the Rings. I would go through phases where I’d obsessively rewatch certain films — the ones that gave me a sense of hope deep inside.
How many stories have you written?
I worked on this script casually in my spare time over the past three years. Yes — I believe a draft needs to sit and “mature” a bit before you lock in the final version.
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Watch best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8M-6es5qNVc
Get to know the writer:
What is your screenplay about?
A former Army lawyer, Gemma Lightwater battles troubled family and calculating investors to reopen her Missouri Ozarks ranch that pairs broken veterans with broken horses
GEMMA LIGHTWATER a mid-30s Army veteran struggles to reopen the Red Rock Ranch that serves female veterans wellness. That is until she receives a five million dollar offer from her former captain, ASTRID MITCHELL, but the money comes with a ticking clock and giving up decision-making control to her former JAG leader. As the new veteran arrivals, tensions run high as NORMA JONES, Gemma’s right hand at the ranch tries to help Gemma and Astrid understand what a deal means for them. After a few rounds of will they or will won’t they sign, Gemma and Astrid find common ground to finalize the deal. Then tragedy strikes leaving Gemma conflicted and suspicious at the exact time she is supposed to be opening a new chapter for the only real mission she has left, saving others to save herself.
What genres does your screenplay fall under?
Thriller, Drama, Suspense
Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
As a female veteran, I look into the eyes of women in uniform and remind them that our service matters. They remind me to tell their stories. The doubts of if female veterans deserve a seat at the table of service will be removed. And in this show, we ARE the table. This pilot should do for women veterans what Orange is the New Black did for incarcerated women. And do for Missouri what Yellowstone did for Montana. What Band of Brothers did for male veterans. We have a long historic legacy that quickly being erased. Women have put their lives on the line since the beginning of time, when do we see them as the main characters.
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https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod
Submit your film or screenplay to the WILDsound Festival today: https://filmfreeway.com/WILDsoundFilmandWritingFestival
What is a Screwball Comedy?
A comedy that is characterized by fast-paced, witty dialogue, farcical situations, and romantic storylines that often involve a battle of the sexes. They emerged in the 1930s and became popular in the 1940s.
How is it different than a straight up romantic comedy?
Screwball is a genre that focuses less the romantic courtship between two people, and more on the battle of the sexes. It always has a strong female protagonist, and usually a male protagonist trying to keep up with her.
It puts the emphasis on the spoofing of love, rather than the "will they get together" plot.
Where did the term "screwball" come from?
It gets its name from the baseball pitch "the screwball". For those unfamiliar with baseball, it's a pitch a pitcher throws to a batter that moves in the opposite direction than a typical baseball pitch like a fastball, curveball, or slider.
A screwball is an oddball pitch, like the female leads in the 1930s comedy films where they played the "opposite" of your typical female stereotype that were back in the day.
Instead of wanting to find a husband, birth a few babies and be a homemaker - the female leads in the "screwball comedy" are strong, independent from men, and want to focus their life on their passions.
They are attracted to men, but will only begin a courtship of any kind if it was on their terms - not the mans.
Famous screwball comedy films?
It Happened One Night (1934)
Directed by Frank Capra. Starred Clark Gable & Claudette Colbert
Bringing Up Baby (1938)
Directed by Howard Hawks. Starred Katharine Hepburn & Cary Grant
The Philadelphia Story (1940).
Directed by George Cukor. Also Starred Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant. With James Stewart added to the mix.
The brand declined in popularity through the years, but it still shows up in its style. The Coen Brothers have made a few with "Intolerable Cruelty", "The Hudsucker Proxy", and "Hail Caeser"
Bridesmaids (2011), written and starring Kristen Wiig is considered a screwball comedy.
Is any one a fan of Amy Sherman-Palladino TV shows?: Gilmore Girls. The Marvelous Mr. Maisel. Étoile.
Those television shows are more definitely classic Screwball Comedies. From the characters. plot points. fast paced dialogue. Even the way the shows are directed - are classic screwball!
Enjoy the past, present, and future of the Screwball Comedy!
Watch the best scene script reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtieadtYQNM
Summary: Researching transfusion therapy on different blood groups, something goes completely wrong when the test subjects start mutating and transforming into Zombie like creatures.
Get to know the writer:
What is your screenplay about?
A day in the life of a biotech firm takes center stage in Blood Red as we travel from floor to floor, department to department, meeting the teams that comprise Edgewater Laboratories and their sometimes adversarial motivations.
Edgewater’s Chief Science Officer, Dr. Ruby Beck, is the inventor of a synthetic blood she’s named Ichor for the mythical golden fluid that ran in the veins of the gods. Ruby explains to an audience of investors gathered at the company’s headquarters that every two seconds, someone needs blood due to injury or disease.
Imagine a limitless supply of healthy blood in every hospital, school, military unit, and remote location. No more relying on donations. No more chance of contamination. No more delays in supply or delivery.
Three floors below, eight patients are halfway through the final trials of Ichor in the aftermath of a violent protest against the ethics of artificial blood that has put the entire company on edge. But today, something is different. Sabotage of the Ichor infusion is affecting each patient differently with horrifying results.
The day begins with routine patient observation and nerves around hosting the company’s first investor conference before spiraling out of control as we root for Ruby, fighting for her life from floor to floor while trying to unwind the conspiracy threatening her creation.
Ruby must reconcile if her creation is the pinnacle of healthcare or a threat to humanity.
What genres does your screenplay fall under?
Horror / Thriller
Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
Horror remains one of the few genres that’s arguably still best experienced in the theater with a crowd to share in the frights, jump scares, and wild reactions to what’s on the screen. Safety in numbers!
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New York Times Co. v Sullivan, 10min,. Canada
Directed by Yanjia Yang
In the heat of the Civil Rights Movement, a full-page ad in The New York Times sparked a legal battle that would redefine freedom of the press in America. Through archival footage, this short film explores how the case reinforced First Amendment protections and shaped journalism as we know it today. A must-watch for anyone interested in media, law, and the enduring power of free speech.
Get to know the filmmaker:
What motivated you to make this film?
I was driven by a desire to revisit the New York Times Co. v. Sullivan case not just as a historical legal milestone, but as a powerful reminder of how fragile our freedoms truly are. In an era where misinformation, polarization, and censorship continue to challenge democratic ideals, I felt a strong responsibility to explore the balance between rights and responsibilities. I wanted my generation to understand that free speech is not abstract; it is something we must actively reflect upon.
From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
This was my very first documentary, and as an 11th-grade student, it was a steep learning curve. From research to editing, the process took about three months. There were moments of doubt, technical setbacks, and challenges in simplifying complex legal ideas. Though it required a lot of effort and time commitment, I pushed through and was able to find the true meaning of creating this film.
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Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di-SUrGZcgI
https://www.instagram.com/joaomacongo_/
https://www.joaomacongo.com/about
Get to know the writer:
What is your novel about?
The Origin of Humanity: A Real Dream is a deeply spiritual and philosophical novel inspired by a vivid dream I had. It explores the mysterious beginnings of humanity through a cosmic journey of creation, identity, mortality, and divine purpose. The story is both mystical and grounded, merging poetic storytelling with existential questions that challenge the reader to reflect on the meaning of life and the courage to awaken.
What genres would you say this story is in?
Spiritual Fiction, Metaphysical Fantasy, Philosophical Sci-Fi, Visionary Fiction.
How would you describe this story in two words?
Divine Awakening
What movie have you seen the most in your life?
The Matrix — for its blend of philosophy, reality-bending concepts, and spiritual undertones.
What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)
“Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac — it’s timeless, haunting, and resonates with the journey of vision and destiny.
Subscribe to the podcast:
https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod
Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0mBY_JoZVo
When a young, broke librarian buys an abandoned house on the outskirts of a British Columbian town, he starts to uncover the house’s secrets as unexplained incidents occur.
Get to know the writer:
What is your screenplay about?
The script follows a young programmer who moves into a haunted house in the Interior of British Columbia due to (widespread) financial difficulties.
What genres does your screenplay fall under?
It is a horror picture.
Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
The story derives it’s chills n’ thrills from mood more so than sudden frights, which an audience will resonate with. The origin of the evil spectre which haunts the house and surrounding area is also relevant to issues of concern today.
How would you describe this script in two words?
‘Definite Appeal’.
What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
By my recollection, either ‘Jaws’ or ‘The Maltese Falcon’.
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