Winning STUDENT SHORT: Coffee Beans and Tea Leaves, by James Phagoo (interview)
New Releases
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5m 32s
Getaway drivers, Peter and Bill await to do their jobs of transporting their boss, John, to safety. However, chaos ensues in the process.
CAST LIST:
Narrator - Val Cole
Bill: Allan Michael
Peter: Shawn Devlin
John: Steve Rizzo
Charlie: Sean Ballantyne
Get to know the writer:
1. What is your screenplay about?
This short screenplay is about getaway drivers, Peter and Bill, as they await to do their jobs of transporting their boss, John, to safety. However, chaos ensues in the process.
2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?
My screenplay fits under the comedy, heist genres.
3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
It's every screenwriter's dream to see their writings being portrayed on the silver screen as a movie. I think this script especially would be good as a movie, because I definitely want to see this banter inside of these enclosed locations on screen. It can take a low-budget indie approach. I think the ironic humor would do well on screen and would be great with audiences as well. These are the movies I personally have a ton of fun watching myself so I would love to see another make it to the big screen.
4. How would you describe this script in two words?
That's really difficult, but I would say Comical Criminals. Now, thinking about it I should have named the screenplay that!
5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
I have so many movies that I adore and have been inspired by, many movies that I have watched countless times. However, If I were to choose one though I would probably say it would be any of the three Dark Knight Trilogy films. I frequently revisit these films a lot as I have a strong emotional connection to one of my favorite trilogies in cinematic history.
6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
I had been working on this screenplay for around two weeks before submitting it into this competition.
7. How many stories have you written?
I really enjoy writing stories. It is a pastime I find to be extremely rewarding. That is why I find myself writing whenever I have freetime. I have accumulated over a stack of screenplays that I have completed (Many that I have scrapped before finishing sadly). I have completed one feature screenplay, the rest being shorts and made one into a short film.
8. What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the
most times in your life?)
Choosing a favorite song is as difficult as choosing my favorite movie. If I had to choose one though, I probably would have to go with any song in Kid Cudi's discography.
9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
When writing this screenplay, I had difficulties with the pre-planning process. I always want to jump straight into writing the screenplay, however, I know how important the pre-planning process is for making quality screenplays. I had to learn to stick with it and be patient planning before getting into writing the first draft.
10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Apart from anything to do with the film industry, I enjoy playing basketball trying to get better and better at the sport. I also watch a lot of the NBA games as I find the sport to be very entertaining and full of art.
11. You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your
experiences working with the submission platform site?
I really enjoy using FilmFreeway to submit my work. I have submitted everything from short films to feature film screenplays. Most of the time I get responses in the given time and have no issues finding festivals that I have submitted into.
12. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings
on the initial feedback you received?
The main reason I submit into competitions and film festivals is because I really enjoy getting feedback on my work. I find it to be a very rewarding feeling. A feeling of pure joy and accomplishment that someone has taken time out of their day to provide feedback on something I have created. I also have an innate competitive nature and very much enjoy and value some friendly competition.
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