After a huge number of submissions for New York Lift-Off Film Festival, here are the 5 screenplays officially selected to go forward onto the Community platform. Congratulations all!
In order to read the screenplays, sign up to the Lift-Off Community here:
Billy & Ray – Mike Bencivenga
SYNOPSIS: BILLY & RAY is the incredible true story of how Billy Wilder and Raymond Chandler wrote the screenplay for DOUBLE INDEMNITY, invented film noir and nearly killed each other in the process. Set in Hollywood in the 40’s it tells the hilarious tale of how two brilliant and infuriating men battled the censors and each other to create a motion picture classic. It is a portrait of the creative process as battleground. The spectacle of a cantankerous, alcoholic mystery writer and an upstart, young moviemaker engaged in a violent battle of wits. ‘Billy & Ray’ shows how you don’t have to agree on everything to build something wonderful. You just have to share a passion for excellence.
What was the inspiration behind this screenplay?
I was inspired to write BILLY & RAY by my lifelong love of the work of writer/director Billy Wilder. I had heard and read that he and Raymond Chandler truly hated each other while writing the classic film Double Indemnity. I wondered if it was true and how the devil two warring men could produce such an amazing script. My detective work lead me to the Motion Picture Academy where I was granted permission to sift through all of Paramount’s records and discovered that this Hollywood legend was indeed true. So I wrote BILLY & RAY to tell the story of these twin geniuses and their raucous collaboration. Their story makes the point that you don’t have to agree with someone to work with them. And their battles pushed them both to be better and, in challenging each other, they changed movies forever.
What are you looking for to take this project to the next stage?
I was fortunate to have a wonderful producer option BILLY & RAY last month and we’re currently assembling the actors and other talent to make the movie. I’m hoping that being part of the Lift-Off network will help us attract the people and resources we need to do that. We’re looking for a director who can handle the comedy and drama of the piece and investors and distributors to help bring this very funny and touching bit of Hollywood history to life. I’m also hoping that Lift-Off can help launch me to the next level of my writing career. I’m looking for representation to help market work I’ve created, as well as TV and film projects I’m planning. In addition I’d love to network with producers and directors who might be interested in some of my other scripts or who might want to have me collaborate on projects they’re working on. I’ve written work for hire in the past and would love to continue doing that.
I had the incredible pleasure of meeting my idol, Billy Wilder, at a dinner honoring him in the 1980’s. When I asked for his advice he quipped, “Don’t listen to anybody. Not even me.” Besides giving me a sample of classic Wilder wit, he was telling me to listen to my instincts, my gut, and to find my own voice. I’ve tried to do that and it’s lead me to write some very original work. I’ve tried to keep surprising and challenging myself to write about things I find funny or interesting. To follow my passion and curiosity where ever it might lead me. His remark has also reminded me not take ‘no’ as a definitive answer and possibly give up on a project or idea. I’ve directed two films and I’ve learned you have to knock on a lot of doors before one opens. As another great writer/director, Paul Mazursky, once told me, “It only takes one ‘yes.'” That advice has helped me to weather the sea of ‘nos’ that has to be navigated on the journey towards getting the darned thing done.
READ THE SCREENPLAY HERE
Conversion – Stephanie Neroes
SYNOPSIS: Told through the voice of Andrew, Conversion follows the lives of several gay and transgendered tweens/teens as they are faced with the challenge of maintaining their self-identities while undergoing unconventional forms of gay conversion treatment.
What was the inspiration behind this screenplay?
The inspiration behind this script and in my storytelling altogether is to give voice to those who are voiceless. It’s not commonly known that gay conversion camps do exist and some do use extreme methods to “cure” something that, frankly, can’t be cured. Unfortunately, a lot of teens are forced to be subjected to these practices and the question is – who stands up for them?
What are you looking for to take this project to the next stage?
To take the project to the next stage, I’m looking for an executive who recognizes the potential and is willing to take a risk on exploring a somewhat existing dystopia. This isn’t honestly a project I could take on alone, and so a strong development team to help with shaping the story and presenting it in a way that lends doubt to the practice of gay conversion.
What advice has helped you get where you are now?
The best advice I’ve been given with regards to writing is to write. I just recently started writing and this is my third pilot. I have found that the more I write, the better I’ve become, so that would be the best advice I’ve received and the best advice I could give at this point.
READ THE SCREENPLAY HERE
Godspeed – Dallas Rico
SYNOPSIS: The Greek god Apollo takes one last shot at true love in modern-day New York City.
What was the inspiration behind the screenplay?
I’ve been a fan of Greek mythology since I first learned about it as a kid. I wondered what the Greek gods’ lives would look like if they assimilated in New York City, similar to how the aliens live among us in Men In Black. It was a lot of fun thinking about how each god’s individual characteristics could be adapted to daily life in the Big Apple. I feel like I could have gone even further, so there’s certainly room to explore more in a sequel, but let me not get too far ahead of myself.
What are you looking for to take this project to the next stage?
Next, I’m hoping to connect a production company that likes the script and is ready to bring this script to life. I can see actors having a lot of fun with my interpretation of the gods.
What advice has helped to get where you are now?
Journee – Chigozie Ndolo
SYNOPSIS: A struggling addict must confront her past when she is propositioned to take a road trip with a young woman in search of her birth mother.
What was the inspiration behind this screenplay?
The inspiration came from my favorite poem by Countee Cullen called, ‘The Incident’. For me, it basically showed an example of how our actions and behaviors effect other people, whether we realize it or not.
What are you looking for to take this project to the next stage?
I would love to be able to film this project so I am looking for advice from and connections with people that have my perspective to get this to the production stage!
What advice has helped you get where you are now?
I listen to a lot of women and POC writers and directors who remind me that we all have a unique voice and stories that deserve to be told!
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