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.

CAST LIST:

Narrator: Steve Rizzo
Maryanna: Hannah Ehman
Kristyne: Julie Sheppard
Soldier/Other backstabbing soldier: Geoff Mays

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?
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.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?
This script takes the 'talking head' mockumentary style of shows like The Office, Parks and Recreation, and Abbott Elementary, and applies it to the world of Game of Thrones.

3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
While it'd be wonderful to see this made, it's meant to live on the page. Unless someone knows George R.R. Martin and wants to plead its case!

4. How would you describe this script in two words?
Delightful parody.

5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
What a question. Statistically, The Princess Bride, but that feels like a default answer for everyone. Emotionally, I'll go with Hot Fuzz. I'm an avid Edgar Wright fan.

6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
This was about a four-month process from start to finish.

7. How many stories have you written?
Hmm, probably pushing 20-30 at this point. Most of them have been an epic lesson in crashing and burning.

8. What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)
I recently indulged in the not-so-soothing sounds of 2000s pop punk, which were the soundtrack to my angsty teenage years. These days, I'm more often listening to music I don't know how to describe like "Human Animal" by Total Giovanni (faux 80s glam, maybe?).

9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
Trying to balance reverence for the Red Wedding – which was so shocking and world shifting in its time – with the comedy and satire of a workplace comedy was a difficult needle to thread. I wanted to honor two different genres by blending worlds. That took lots of revising.

10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
When I'm not obsessing over scene construction, you can find me apologizing for being a Manchester United fan. ...That used to be true, but now they struggle enough that I think I've earned some small amount of street cred and can go from a profuse apology to something a little more mild. The bandwagon fans have pretty much all abandoned the wagon for other, more sturdy wagons.

11. You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your experiences working with the submission platform site?
FilmFreeway has been easy to use. The rules are transparently listed, the opportunities seem to be vast, and the submissions are streamlined.

12. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
The idea of hearing your work read aloud for a young screenwriter is an exciting prospect, and that's what drew me to this contest. The feedback has been really positive, and I could hear the enjoyment in the performances from the actors.