Rebecca, 12 years old, learns that her Uncle Wallace, a cattle baron from Texas, is coming to visit. Rebecca doesn’t like her uncle and her only hope is that he will bring her a birthstone ring like the one he bought for her cousin the year before. After dinner, Uncle Wallace gives Rebecca her gift: a blue dress once owned by his wife Vera who has remained in Texas. When Rebecca’s mother asks her to try on the dress, Rebecca, bitterly disappointed, runs to her room in tears.
Rebecca soon suspects that her father and Uncle Wallace have reached an agreement that she won’t like. When her suspicions become true, Rebecca finds a way to exact a fitting revenge in return for the adults’ betrayal.
2. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
With the classic theme of a child against adults, this film can be enjoyed by preteens to eighty year olds. The central character of the child is not the usual heroine. The childish perspective of Rebecca contrasts with the reality facing the adults. The number of characters is limited to five; most of the action takes place in a house, its porch, and front yard. A street sidewalk is the only other location. The short story takes place just after WWII in Montreal, but this time frame can be pushed up 10-20 years, if necessary; the location can be moved to the US. A new car from the period is the main object that much reflect the period.
3. How would you describe this script in two words?
Outwitting adults.
4. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
It’s hard to say. It’s a toss-up between Psycho, Citizen Kane, Wizard of Oz, and North by Northwest. All the while I’m watching, I’m telling myself, “You’ve seen this hundred times. You know every scene and most of the dialogue. Go do something else.” But I can’t tear myself away.
5. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
I’ve been working on this screenplay off and on for six months.
6. How many stories have you written?
I’ve written about 20 stories and a novel, published last year, called Echo from Mount Royal
7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?
I wanted to try my hand at writing a screenplay. My short story called The Blue Dress seemed to offer a good combination of dialogue and conflict. I was also intrigued by the young girl who struggles against the adults. Her perspective offered the opportunity to combine humor with sympathy. Her relationship with her mother vs her father undergoes a reversal that provides a satisfying conclusion.
8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
Adapting a short story taught me how to externalize the interior thoughts of the characters. For example, the friend, Jackie, was created to help us understand, more clearly, the motivations of Rebecca. Several scenes of backstory in the prose work was dropped for time reasons and to make the plot line more streamlined. The criticism I received from the judge at the festival pertained to the length of time before the uncle arrives at Rebecca’s home. His arrival propels the plot into Act Two and must come sooner. Act One of the screenplay was shortened by 25% in the next revision.
9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
My wife and I enjoy travelling throughout the world. I enjoy gardening and spending time with our grandchildren. Reading is the center of my life.
10. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
I joined FilmFreeway and began searching for festivals that accepted short screenplays. I chose this festival because I got a down-to-earth vibe from the website. I expect that hearing the screenplay will help me hear what dialogue works and what doesn’t. Also the judge’s criticism was exactly what had to be changed.
11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
Join a critique group where you have the opportunity to workshop your script. Revise the script over and over to tighten the dialogue. Try to find place where a single word or sentence or action defines a character. Watch lots of films and study screenplays to see how professionals solve the problems we all face.
“The Paper Route” is the story of Paul, an almost-sixteen-year-old who discovers a chance to escape a world very few people really get away from: the mean poverty of a small town in the hill country of Indiana, where every day is a struglgle to survive, between his harsh family life and a town full of dangerous characters. The rub is that the price of escape is leaving behind Paul’s little brother, Brian, who worships him and depends on him for safety and love.
Feature Script: HENRIETTA’S ODYSSEY
by L.R. Whittinger
SYNOPSIS:
Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
To save her Henrietta’s life, she is left on an earthling’s doorstep by Geegle one of the most untrustworthy characters in the plot. It so happens she is left on the wrong doorstep. She falls into the hands of the greedy Fritzgrumpy’s and becomes their slave. After Henri discovers she is a foundling and her supposed parents were only interested in being paid for looking after her. Her life turns upside down. Eanie Meanie saves Henri aided by with Geegle. So she can to find her way back to her real place in time and space. However, the Black Cardinal who has taken her rights away wants her dead.
Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
To save her Henrietta’s life, she is left on an earthling’s doorstep by Geegle one of the most untrustworthy characters in the plot. It so happens she is left on the wrong doorstep. She falls into the hands of the greedy Fritzgrumpy’s and becomes their slave. After Henri discovers she is a foundling and her supposed parents were only interested in being paid for looking after her. Her life turns upside down. Eanie Meanie saves Henri aided by with Geegle. So she can to find her way back to her real place in time and space. However, the Black Cardinal who has taken her rights away wants her dead.
Matthew Toffolo: What is your feature film screenplay about?
Toby Roberts: The story is about three teenagers from completely different backgrounds on the run in rural New Mexico with a thoroughbred racehorse. But the underlying theme is the triumph of hope over experience and whether you should grow up doing exactly what your parents tell you or sometimes trust your spirit , abandon convention and go live your dream.
Matthew: Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
Toby: It’s a fun, life affirming story that touches the heart, adults and kids alike. But it’s also got a profound message. I’ll leave it to you to watch the reading to discover that message.
Matthew: How would you describe this script in two words?
Toby: Adventurous fun
Matthew: What movie have you seen the most in your life?
Toby: Midnight Run
Matthew: How long have you been working on this screenplay?
Toby: On and off for years. Quite a few of them!
Matthew: How many stories have you written?
Toby: Stories? Too many to count…I’m always jotting things down. Screenplays? Three.
Matthew: What motivated you to write this screenplay?
Toby: Ultimately, the desire to tell a good, entertaining story. My parents had a lot to do with it in that my upbringing was a little unconventional and I thank them for that. I like to think I share those parental choices in the script.
Matthew: What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
Toby: Many. One of the hardest was avoiding procrastination and actually sitting down and writing. Then came the rewriting. In a sense this was more fun but the page count was always increasing as new ideas poured in and deciding what to rip out was extremely tough because once you undo one thread, the whole thing has the ability to fall apart. Then there’s a lot of patch work required. (I’ve no idea why I’ve come up with a sewing analogy as there’s no particular link to finely made clothing but it seems to serve the purpose!)
Matthew: Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Toby: Directing. Soccer. And playing squash. On a broader level, taking life by the balls and giving it a damned good squeeze.
Matthew: What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
Toby: As soon as I saw what the festival was about I knew FFTB was the perfect match, there was no hesitation to submit. The feedback was excellent, really opened my eyes to a number of issues I hadn’t considered before.
Matthew: Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
Toby: Woody Allen said, “Eighty percent of success is showing up,” by which he meant, completing the script. (There are a lot more writers who talk about their ideas rather than get them down into completed script form.) So, bottom line is, write the damned thing! And to those who have achieved this, the next tip is keep rewriting. I too thought my first draft was it, that’s all I had to do…other than write my thank you speech at the Oscars. People told me it doesn’t happen that way…and I ignored them. Now I know. And I bet you most writers reading this will ignore it too. But here’s an indication of what it takes…I’ve done over 50 rewrites of FFTB. It’s won a couple of prizes, there’s been some professional interest, and yet I still dip into it and see ways of improving it. You might think it’s because I’m not good enough. But Woody Allen, one of the industry’s most prolific writers, still rewrites his scripts even during filming.
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Director/Producer – Matthew Toffolo
Editor – John Johnson
Casting Director – Sean Ballantyne
Washed-Up is about an Arab-American actress, Lena Hadid, who finds fame as a sexy, three-breasted alien queen on a hit sci-fi show with a devoted cult following. When she leaves the show, she finds herself too typecast to ever work again. Out of money and options, Lena moves home to the suburbs of Washington D.C. to share a condo with her metrosexual Arab father, and her hip-hop producer younger brother. In between running a successful bar, chasing women and picking out a tie, Amir supports Lena as she rebuilds her confidence, while Adam’s success as the most popular hip-hop producer in Washington D.C. inspires her to reinvent her career and her life.
I LIKE YOU, 2min, Italy, Drama/Romance 
SILENCE, 3min, Russia, Romance/Drama 
SHORT STORY – DESPITE DEMENTIA 
FAN FICTION Screenplay – STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE 
SHORT Screenplay – THE BLUE DRESS 
SHORT Screenplay – THE FACTS OF LIFE 
BEST SCENE Screenplay – DUE SOUTH 
SHORT STORY – LEFT ON LUNDY 
SHORT STORY – TALKING YEOW 
CHATEAU SAUVIGNON: TERROIR
Watch Novel Made into Movie: AAHBC
TV PILOT – LIFE IN THE FAST LANE
Chapter 7 Reading – THE FURLITES OF ARORIEL
FESTIVAL for FAMILY 