Genre: SCI-FI/THRILLER/ADVENTURE
IN OUTER SPACE, FORMER VRS CHAMPION VALEN SURIA, NOW DISABLED, OVERCOMES HIS ENEMIES AND HIS OWN LIMITS RACING TO THE BOUNDARIES OF INFINITY.
CAST LIST:
Narrator: Elizabeth Rose Morriss
Dost: Scott McCulloch
Valen: Peter-Mark Raphael
Manish Mastap: Gabriel Darku
Get to know the writer:
1) What is your screenplay about?
Why do human beings try constantly to surpass themselves? Probably because we’re limited, but we can’t prevent ourselves to strive for infinity. This human struggle is the theme for this screenplay. Valen, my protagonist, is disable because of a racing car accident, but he struggles to overcome his limits. As he races through empty outer space, with the inanimate stars and planets’ company, he wonders about who he is, and the deeper reasons for his need to race at incredible speed, and risk his own life.
2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?
Science fiction, action, sports, thriller, and romance.
3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
The story is highly entertaining, geared towards a wide audience of all ages, but suitable for children.
I used real Formula One tracks for my story(Suzuka, Laguna Seca, and Imola where top speeding cars, like Ferrari racing cars, race), and real accidents to make the story believable. My son, an Aerodynamic engineer who worked for a Formula One team was my consultant for the more technical aspects of racing. My main character was inspired by Alex Zanardi, a Formula One racer who lost his legs in and accident. The supporting characters contribute lighter storylines – Dost is a funny mechanic crazy about cooking, and eating, Star is a woman racer, courageous, smart, empatic, and loving, the perfect match for Valen, and Manish (the bad guy) very cunning.
But, most important, the story explores the eternal question about human condition: in spite of our physical limits, we can’t help but strive for infinity…
4. How would you describe this script in two words?
Entertaining, deep.
5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
Many of them but I love to watch “ET” and “Gattaca” again and again.
6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
The screenplay is an adaptation of my own sci-fi novel (La Corsa e l’Infinito – The Race and Infinity) published in 2009 in Italy. The screenplay began under the supervision of Professor Christine DeSmet (University of Wisconsin) and with the many revisions I would guess it took me a year to write it.
7. How many stories have you written?
I wrote two novels (“950, 49th Street Brooklyn New York” and “La Corsa e l’Infinito”) both published in Italy, and many short stories. Since I turned to screenwriting in 2011, I wrote six short screenplays (two have been produced in Italy “Un Amato Funerale” and “The Rosary”) and two long features, “Chasing White Infinity” is the first one, “The Italian Vacation” (comedy) the second one. I also had my first stage play, “A Little Monster’s Joirnal” published in the US in 2004.
8. What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the
most times in your life?)
An Italian song: “Il cielo in una stanza” (The Sky in a Room) by Italian singer and song writer Gino Paoli.
9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
I had an hard time to develop the “thriller” component of the story. I wanted the story to be intriguing. Manish, my antagonist, had to be cunning, and above suspicion. His bad side had to come out at the end, it was hard to make him act as my protagonist’s friend, knowing he was the “bad guy”. I was happy to come out with the right solution, and be able to finish the screenplay.
10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
I am passionate about stage plays, and movies. As a teenager, (living in France, Italy and Germany) I read tons of stage plays (screenplays were not available at the time, as there was no internet), and novels. All these years spent reading were necessary for me to become a writer.
I am passionate about the Art of movies, how the images can tell feelings, mood, and stories. It’s fascinating. My passion for traveling made me visit many countries, and I’m also passionate about cooking (well… I’m Italian). My three children, that I love dearly, are also one of my passions and sometimes my inspiration.
http://www.fantaricette.blogspot.com
http://www.amorecinema.wordpress.com
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Producer: Matthew Toffolo http://www.matthewtoffolo.com
Director: Kierston Drier
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: John Johnson
Camera Op: Mary Cox
Fantasy/Sci-Fi FILM & WRITING FESTIVAL 