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.
Vapor Trails, 11min., USA
Directed by Matt Jenkins
Mandy has just given Jethro an ultimatum, quick vaping or else. His friend Chuck thinks its going to be easy to quit.
https://www.instagram.com/misfits_of_film/
Subscribe to the podcast:
https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod
Detectives & Dragons, 8min., Canada
Directed by Lucas Candelino, Benjamin Kostecki, Evan McDowell
A know-it-all detective is tasked with incriminating a murder suspect through a fantasy role-playing game by recreating the scenario of the killing. Tensions escalate when he goes off-script.
https://instagram.com/candelino.jpeg
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-detectives-dragons
Subscribe to the podcast:
https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod
https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod
https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod
Cast & Brew, 10min., Spain/USA
Directed by Priscilla Zanni Bertran
Cast & Brew is a comedy about an AD trying to manage a film set where coffee has been delayed, and the lead actor, Bruce, refuses to do any takes without his coffee first. Chaos erupts when Craft Services informs the AD and Producer about a worldwide collapse in the coffee supply chain. On the meantime, Bruce demands his detailed coffee order while the director pushes for rehearsals. The scene inside the film happens in a Western field where Bruce proposes to his girlfriend, Sara. He is grabbing her in his arms and as soon as she accepts his proposal, he lets her fall to the ground claiming he lacks the muscle strength without his coffee. The Producer then reveals the truth about the coffee crisis, leading to Bruce quitting the film. This sparks a huge chaotic montage ensues with crazy physical altercations.
https://www.instagram.com/priszanni/
Get to know the filmmaker:
What motivated you to make this film?
"Cast & Brew" came to me in a New York coffee shop. From my window seat, watched people hurrying by, each holding a giant cup of coffeeIt struck me: not a soul without one, just a whirlwind of rush and stress.And I thought to myself "how attached are we to that coffee and why?".
"What would happen if coffee would completely vanish?"
My hope is that audiences recognize how fast-paced our society has become, where every minute not spent being productive feels like you have committed a crime. We're constantly rushing, and when we add caffeine into that mix, we only accelerate the loss of ourselves.
We lose the purpose of why we do things. I find this concept of obsession and lost of reality very interesting and I have discovered that I actually love to explore that in my films.
From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
It took a year. Script took me a week to make 1st draft as a visualised it all in that coffee shop in New York. I knew exactly what I wanted the film to be from beginning , middle and end.
Subscribe to the podcast:
https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod
THE BODY, 6min.. Horror/Comedy Short Film
Alex thinks she is at home alone, finishing up her "work," when her brother Ansel interrupts. Now, she must clean up all the evidence before he can see it.
www.instagram.com/official.kennedy.productions
Director Statement
This film has been a seed in my mind for many years now. I put my blood, sweat, and tears into this. It is my thesis to complete my undergraduate degree. I think it perfectly captures my weird sense of humor and love for all things horror. Making this film meant everything to me as my friends and family rallied around to support me. It is my baby, and bringing it to life has been one of my greatest honors. I hope it makes you laugh.
Subscribe to the podcast:
https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod
https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/
https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod
Hammerstone Meets Woofstock, 20min., Canada
Directed by Josh Holliday
A film that straddles the line between narrative and documentary, landing squarely on comedy. Steve Hammerstone is a small town radio host and big time buffoon, who’s sent to explore Woofstock: North America’s largest festival for dogs.
Get to know the filmmaker:
What motivated you to make this film?
My friend and Lisa and I had done these small town radio host characters “Steve and Tawny” on CBC radio and through podcast for many years. Just before the pandemic, we were judges for Woofstock, and had so much fun doing it. Afterwards I had great regret that we had no record of that live event, so I set my sights on the next Woofstock. Unfortunately, COVID-19 came along and threw a wrench in the plan until 2024. I had stayed in touch with one of the founders and organizers over the years, and as soon as I knew a new version was coming, I made sure I was a part of it. I’ve always loved buffoon comedy. After many years working in radio and audio, I finally got around to fulfilling my high school mantra: “I want to write, act and direct for television and film.”
From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
Well, outside of the ideation and desire to do this project, pre-pandemic, the time started ticking as soon as I knew there was going to be a new Woodstock event. So that was probably in February or March of 2024. That set a very specific deadline for the actual shoot day. Woofstock generally happens over 2 days of a weekend. The day I was selected to judge was the Sunday. After the shoot, I worked with an editor to chop it down to under 20. Once that was done did some titles, post audio, and some audio cleanup. Had a friends and family screening on August 28th, so about 7 months in total from pre-production to final cut.
How would you describe your film in two words!?
Buffoon comedy.
What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Ha! This is a tough one, there are a few. The old wig I’d been using for this character for years had gotten really unruly, so I ordered a new one from this company in BC and what they sent was nothing like what was pictured on their website. They did not answer any emails, or calls, and eventually I had to initiate a chargeback process with my credit card company. I had to make do with the old wig, and put a baseball hat on. I have really bad eyesight, and the glasses I’d used in the past for the character were a pair of my dad’s from the 80s with no lenses. When I did the Woofstock years ago I remember spending most of the day in character in a literal blur. I hunted online for a pair of glasses that were similar that I could get real lenses put in. I did that – and because of my prescription it took awhile. Well, the joke was on me, because the optometrist screwed up, and the lenses were essentially reading glass lenses – super-blurry except reading. It also detracted from the character, because so much of comedy is in the eyes, and the lenses had a real distorting effect. It was too late to get them changed before the event. The new glasses also just didn’t have the same look as my Dad’s old pair. (I’ve since put real lenses in my Dad’s vintage frames.)This was all before the shoot!
Shoot day was a whole new challenge.
Subscribe to the podcast:
https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod
12 ANGRY LESBIANS, 22min,. Canada
Directed by Patrice Leung
A comedic riff on '12 Angry Men' set in the early 1990s, featuring a group of lesbians stuck in their team's annual softball meeting. This short film explores the diversity within 'diversity', and its tortuous need for democracy to triumph at all costs.
Conversation with Patrice Leung about her foray into narrative short film after an unbelievable 40-year career as a First Assistant Director.
Subscribe to the podcast:
https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod
11 BLOCKS TO GO: THE BET, 10min., USA
Directed by Nathaniel P. Claridad
Samantha, a free-spirited hapless romantic, discovers her 30-something-year-old BFF Drew, a gay high-functioning drug-addled sex addict, hosting an orgy in lieu of honoring his personal commitments.
https://www.instagram.com/11blockstogo/
Conversation wth the screenwriter & stars of the film Jack Utrata & Ashley Alexander.
Subscribe to the podcast:
https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod
THE DESTRUCTION OF JANE, 12min,. USA
Directed by Drue Pennella
The Destruction of Jane is a campy, over the top, erotic, outrageous comedy which follows Miss Jane Parker to the African Jungle where it all began. Witness Tarzan and Jane’s first encounter, in what now has become a rather heralded expedition in the African Jungle, and one of our greatest love stories.
http://www.youtube.com/@thedestructionofjane9756
https://www.instagram.com/destructionofjane
Get to know Writer/Actor Paul Pecorino:
A1: I was motivated by an unstoppable combination of caffeine, an overactive imagination, and a jungle of weeds in my backyard that screamed “cinematic masterpiece.” I thought, why not turn my backyard chaos into a hilarious, campy adventure? Plus, playing both a gorilla and a damsel in distress was just too good to pass up.
Subscribe to the podcast:
https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod
FIRST GRADE HEADACHE, 13min., Canada
Directed by Jajube Mandiela
A burnt out first-grade teacher finds herself in a night from hell when a group of vindictive parents break into her home.
Get to know writer/producer/star Jacqueline Godbout & director Jajube Mandiela
Jacqueline (writer): I was wanting to make a horror film next, but it seems whenever I start writing anything remotely dark, it always becomes a dark comedy. I’m leaning into it now. Growing up, my mom was a teacher and I also work part time as a music teacher so there were likely some thoughts from that world floating around in my brain when daydreaming ideas. One day, I was just doing my favourite activity of playing around with loglines (no joke) when I came up with the logline of First Grade Headache. Right away, it was very clear to me that I wanted… needed to make this film now.
Jajube (director): It’s quirky, absurd and yet plausible. Looked like a fun script to film, I could relate to it, and genuinely laughed upon first reading it. How to direct it was very clear in my mind, and for a while Jacqueline (writer) and I had been regularly meeting to see how to collaborate on another project together.
Subscribe to the podcast:
https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod
LITTLE ISSUES, 4min., USA
Directed by Jerah Milligan
When Andy discovers mid-coitus that her new beaux has a micro-penis, she rushes to her roommates who remind her that he’s thoughtful, adventurous, and way too hot to let go of. Besides, he's had this Little Issue his whole life: he must know how to use it!
Subscribe to the podcast:
https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod
WAR COUPLES, 3min,. USA
Directed by Nevin Boila
In a desert war land, the elite tactical team, only know as BRAVO, must be the eyes and ears for their comrades, ALPHA Team. With time on the essence, both teams need to be on alert for the capturing of the 6 mass villains of the land. A war of stealth, values, and friendship lay on the line as BRAVO Team must overcome their own internal struggles if they wish to accomplish the mission. The question is, will they?
Get to know the filmmaker:
=The truth is the motivation was just to film. Any filmmaker’s goal- well the majority of filmmakers- is to bring some type of entertainment to everyone. For me, not only motivation to film was the reason ‘War Couples’ was made, but I also asked myself this question right before I began creating a film, “Is This Possible?” Location, time, money, the team, when making shorts you can have the greatest script in the world, but if you don’t have the proper resources then the story will never be true to what you see it. ‘War Couples’ passed these obstacles because it was not only simple to shoot, but had a great comedy aspect to the end of the film.
Subscribe to the podcast:
https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod
THE SWEATER, 9min., Canada
Directed by Maziyar Khatam
Pressured into giving away his clothes, an emasculated young man obsessively attempts to reclaim his cherished sweater before it vanishes into the donation abyss.
https://www.instagram.com/funnybonepictures
Get to know the filmmaker:
This idea has been bouncing around in my head since 2017: a guy donates his sweater at his girlfriend’s request, but his male friends make him feel inferior, so he decides to steal it back at all costs to prove his manhood. Firstly, it’s a comedy, but it was also important for the story to feel personal, delving into masculinity, self-worth, and the struggle for validation.
At the time, executing this film didn’t seem feasible from a budgetary perspective, especially with one of the key scenes being set at a donation center/thrift store. Our team had no finances to shut down an entire store, hire background extras, and shoot such a scene.
Years later, we had been discussing another idea that would utilize a more guerrilla shooting style. It occurred to us that we could shoot The Sweater this way as a proof of concept for our other more expansive project.
So we used hidden cameras and snuck into locations, which gave the film a voyeuristic and personal feel. The result was a bizarre hybrid of real people and actors fusing into a single narrative.
Subscribe to the podcast:
https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod
Watch the Screenplay Reading: https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/the-rains-of-castamere
The iconic GAME OF THRONES ‘Red Wedding’ episode in the style of PARKS AND RECREATION: While a recently divorced wedding planner attempts to engineer the perfect day, a self-conscious groom tries desperately to discover who he is marrying, all while the realm’s most famous conflict mediator strives to secure a peaceful outcome between the Starks and Freys.
Get to know the writer:
This script is an (un)traditional spec that reimagines the notorious Game of Thrones ‘Red Wedding’ episode in the style of Parks and Recreation. While a recently divorced wedding planner attempts to engineer the perfect day, a self-conscious groom tries desperately to discover who he is marrying, all while the realm’s most famous conflict mediator strives to secure a peaceful outcome between the Starks and Freys. As we all (hopefully) know by now, the wedding does not go as planned.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
TOXIC SHOCK, 9min., Canada
Directed by Jamie Norrie
Tatiana wakes up confused about where she is, what happened the night before, and why there’s a gorgeous man sleeping next to her. She discreetly makes her way to the washroom to avoid disturbing her mystery partner, until she discovers an unwanted surprise. She hurries back to the bed and finds out that her worst nightmare has come true. She’s left a giant red period stain on the bed. Suddenly, Tatiana feels like a criminal in a crime scene and does everything in her power to hide the evidence. Despite her best efforts of hiding the stain, it only gets worse. She ends up calling her best friend Sarah to come to the rescue. Just as she’s about to escape, Tatiana realizes that maybe she’s not so guilty of a crime after all.
https://www.jamienorrie.com/toxic-shock
https://www.instagram.com/toxicshockfilm/
Get to know the filmmaker:
Toxic Shock is actually loosely based on a true story, where I was the one who got my period at the worst possible time, while sleeping next to a guy I was seeing. It was always something I thought I would never recover from if it actually happened in real life. I thought I would actually pass away from humiliation, but to my surprise, the guy I was seeing was totally comfortable with it. I was so relieved to find out that the fear that I had built in my head turned out to be over something so normal, and I actually began to feel frustrated that I ever cared so much over something so normal. After processing all these new feelings, the idea of Toxic Shock, a story of a cute romantic comedy about getting your period during a one night stand, was born!
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
Watch the Comedy Festival TV Pilot best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-3S46hX1YE
Four sisters, suddenly reunited, try to make a better future for themselves by reconnecting to their past.
http://www.thelostepisodes.com/https://instagram.com/the_lost_episodes
Get to know the writer:
The four Lubbock sisters, from the late-80s cult classic “Just the Ten of Us”, are suddenly together again after a rapid succession of reunions. The youngest, Connie, is stuck in a dead-end job at a dead-end television station in Tampa. She’s stuck in a rut; but sees some welcome change when her father, Graham, comes to live with her for a little while. Little does she know that her younger brother, the outrageous Harvey, is in tow. Before long, her other sisters; the manic Marie, the gold digging Wendy, and the spacey Cindy, all come to Connie looking for refuge from the consequences of their own personal failures.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
ARMED WITH A DILDO, 5min, USA
Directed by Karuna Tanahashi
When Dani’s boyfriend Leslie breaks up with her, a mass shooter starts attacking the motel they were going to have a romantic night at and suddenly the break up becomes the least of her problems.
http://suenitomedia.com/
https://facebook.com/theatouchton
https://twitter.com/thea_touchton
https://instagram.com/theatouchton
Get to know Thea Touchton
We made this film for the Collaborative Film Festival where we had two weeks to come up with the film based on a quote that was revealed at the festival launch. Winnie pitched this idea to me at the launch after just meeting and it stuck and even though I knew it was going to be challenge, I couldn’t think of anything else and knew we would figure it out and grow as filmmakers in the process.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
CLOSET COMBAT EPISODE 2, 3min,. USA
Directed by Augustus Hinton
Ted, a closeted, gay high school boy, imagines literally fighting his way out of an encounter with bullies at a track meet.
Get to know the filmmaker:
I wasn’t seeing my experience of being in the closet represented on screen. I wanted to add something to queer media that I would have liked to have seen when I was younger. I also wanted to push my character animation craft, and used those two motivations to create the piece.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
MASTER SENSEI, 20min., Denmark
Directed by Theis Gavnbo Holmstrup
Written by Jes Bergholt Bach
The world-famous elite soldier Master Sensei decides to blow himself up after a series of public scandals have destroyed his career. However, his plan is put on hold when he meets the young boy scout “Piggy”, who is in desperate need of help. Piggy is harassed by the excentric bully and influencer, Lanky Lenny, who has stolen Piggy’s braces in an attempt to shake him down. Master Sensei must now go on one last mission, so he can help Piggy retrieve his braces and stand up against the evil tormentor Lanky Lenny.
https://styrvolt.dk/projekter/mastersensei
Get to know the filmmaker:
We started planting the seeds for this film back in the summer of 2021. Back then we were brainstorming on a tv show, about a boy who was training to become a local justice warrior, through an online YouTube course. That course was held by Master Sensei, and he was supposed to be a side character on the show. The show didn’t get picked up (who knows what might happen in the future), and we retooled it into a short film that incidentally sort of works as a prequel. We wrote a synopsis for the short film in April 2022, then we got the funding and started shooting in September 2022. The film was completed in February 2023.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
BABY PROOF, 6min., USA
Directed by David Maddox, David Blood
A troublemaking toddler tests the limits of child safety.
Get to know the filmmaker:
The co-writer/co-director, David Blood, pitched the concept to me after coming up with it while sitting in a hotel room. At that point, I had an 11 month old baby who was crawling, but I wasn’t sure for how long. So I said, “Let’s shoot it. But we have to do it right now!”
It also just seemed like a way to point out something ridiculous about society is an unusual way, which I always love doing. In this case, how America is so concerned about product safety, but when it comes to guns, we’ve just given up. A topic which sadly never stops being relevant.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
TWAIN: CANCELLED, 89min., USA
Directed by Jon Silver
An aspiring stand-up comic struggles with stage fright, a demeaning bartender job, and caring for her rebellious nephew; until she is mysteriously visited by a trouble-making Mark Twain.
https://kernelproductions.com/
Talk with director Jon Silver and writer/producer Grant Troyer
Get to know writer/producer Grant Troyer:
I wrote the first draft over in either summer of 2020 or 2021 (time is meaningless at this point) and then sat on it until March of 2022 (I am just the writer and lowly EP). The real credit goes to our director and producer Jon and Jake who, at that time, helped me give Twain mouth to mouth (the script not the man). Production was completed in July, and post the following January. Very grateful for the efficient and talented team who knows eons more than I do.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
