[on shooting The Hurt Locker (2008) in the unbearable heat of Jordan] We were already pushed to the limits. People wanted to quit. All the departments were struggling to get their jobs done, none of them were communicating. There was a lot of fighting going on. The heat does something to your brain, and on top of that I was in this bomb suit and I had explosive diarrhoea, so I was like: ‘Get this thing off me!’ I wanted to punch people. You could not pay me enough money to do it again.
[2009, on his childhood] My sister was the complete opposite, she had a hard time growing up, and I was just always the happy kid. I played the drums, had my mullet, drove around on my motorcycle making out with chicks, just having a good ol’ time. But it just happened while growing up – all these divorces, separations, moving to a different school every year – that things started to take a toll. The stage became a great playground for me to express feelings, and in my household there wasn’t a place for me to do that. It was a great venue for me to hide in a character and express rage and sadness, and I created these really disturbed, complicated characters.
[2009] Most people my age – and I’m going to my twenty-year reunion next weekend – they’re all three divorces deep, and if they’re happy, right on. But that just wasn’t the path I wanted to go on. I was just getting into trouble, drinking, and doing stupid things until I stumbled onto acting class my junior year in college. The sense of self, the purpose. It opened this Pandora’s box of emotions and it went from there.
Spouses
Noah Bean (October 2, 2016 – present) (2 children)
Matt Smiley (April 16, 2009 – January 13, 2013) (divorced)
QUOTES:
Pilates is my favorite meditative way to get in shape. I don’t like the gym and I don’t like running, so I just lay on my Pilates reformer. It’s great.
I wanted to be a dancer my whole life. And when I gave it up to act, I always had a really sad part of myself that missed it and missed performing and missed being physical in that way.
Women tend to take care of men a lot, but I like a guy who balances that out and takes care of me, too.
When a man leaves you notes saying he loves you, or asks how your day was – and then listens – you feel special.
Born January 7, 1982 · Cherry Hill, New Jersey, USA
QUOTES:
I don’t recall ever deciding to pursue a career in acting.
I have a very weak stomach for horror. I need curtains on the front windows of my house because that heightens the whole fear factor.
I really miss doing stage though, I really do. I actually prefer that, hands down to anything else and I can do it in bits and pieces but it’s not that easy to commit to a play. Life’s much easier if you can get work in TV or film so I don’t know. I’ll have a summer hiatus so maybe that’s when I can do it.
I’m not religious, but the tradition, the culture and the history are very important to me.
Then (Tier #3), we will send you a list of questions to answer for our blog interview that will promote you and your script.
Then after that (Tier #4), we will set up a podcast interview on our popular iTunes show where we will chat with you about the process of how the film was made.
TV WebSeries Festival
Each submitted Web series is guaranteed acceptance.
1) Screening #1, where you will also obtain your audience feedback video. 2) Screening #2 virtually on the streaming service WILDsound TV (optional)
3) Podcast interview at WILDsound Radio on ITunes 4) Blog interview promoting you and your film.
BEST Movie Trailer: DURESS BEST Direction: MALDOROR BEST Documentary Trailer: GREEN SUPERHEROES 2030 BEST Drama Trailer: TIME WAS BEST Environmental Trailer: OUT-OF-SIGHT and OUT-OF-MIND BEST Experimental Trailer: BEFORE IT WAS COOL BEST Family Trailer: STONEWALLS BEST Fantasy Trailer: THE GAME RUDIMENTARY REEL BEST Horror Trailer: CUT BEST LGBTQ+ Trailer: MIDNIGHT IN PHOENIX BEST Romance Trailer: THE LAMPLIGHTER BEST SCI-FI Trailer: SILENT AISLES Best Story: HALLUCINATIONS OF WAR BEST Thriller Trailer: WAITING FOR THE RIVER
See the Full Details of Every Film:
DURESS, 2min., USA A reclusive middle aged accountant, who harbors a terrible secret, stumbles into a break in.
THE GAME RUDIMENTARY REEL, 3min., USA When Werewolves, Vampires, Zombies, Mutants and Serial Killers battle for the chance to rule the underworld! All will fight and some will die! The Game happens in and out the arena!
HALLUCINATIONS OF WAR, 1min., USA The story follows Emily as she returns home for her mother’s wake. Her estranged twin sister arrives with a new boyfriend, and together, they begin to gaslight Emily, pushing her to the edge as she’s forced to relive past traumas.
OUT-OF-SIGHT and OUT-OF-MIND, 2min., USA Trailer for Out of Sight Out of Mind What’s in Your Water? Clean drinking water is harder to maintain than you think. This film allows the public a very rare look inside municipal water tanks and towers. Did you know a water tank is the last stop drinking water makes before it is served at your tap? Watch a potable water dive crew plunge into municipal drinking water systems.
WAITING FOR THE RIVER, 3min., USA In 1944 a young girl escapes a deadly flood, only to discover years later the myth of a Phantom Bear that saved her.
MALDOROR, 1min., USA An aspiring author working on her new book summons a malevolent entity intent on consuming her soul.
CUT, 2min., Australia “CUT! Teaser Trailer Competition” – Sizzle reel for feature of Little Light – Multi-period vampire horror thriller
TIME WAS, 2min., UK Beth dives headfirst into homeownership, buying a fixer-upper that quickly becomes more than she bargained for. Between overwhelming renovation challenges and unexplainable events in the house, she’s at her wit’s end. A frustrated blog post brings an unexpected lifeline: Melissa.
MIDNIGHT IN PHOENIX, 2min., USA In “Midnight in Phoenix,” we follow Levi, a vibrant local drag queen known for her dazzling performances and infectious charm. One night after her show, she catches the eye of Ezra, a charismatic admirer who sweeps her off her feet. Their whirlwind romance ignites a passionate connection filled with laughter and adventure. However, their fairy-tale takes a dark turn when a chance encounter leads them to a store during a botched robbery. In the chaos, Levi and Ezra become unwitting witnesses, but a misunderstanding leads to them being implicated in the crime.
CHASING ZOMBIES, 3min., USA This documentary was shot at the George A. Romero Filmmaking Program, with special effects by Tom Savini’s Special Make-up Effects Program. The story involves iconic zombie extras from the original Dawn and Day of the Dead who, decades later, find themselves in demand at Pop Culture Comicons. We chase down these zombies to see why these early Romero films resonate so much with fans. Meanwhile, the crew shooting this film set out on a horrifying adventure of their own
STONEWALLS, 1min., USA Stonewalls is the story of a couple who have opposing views on how to help their son get through some extremely difficult life circumstances. At the center of the story are the topics of being your true self and forgiveness.
SILENT AISLES, 29 seconds, USA Two estranged survivalists in a post-apocalyptic world must fend off monsters while trapped in an abandoned grocery store.
THE LAMPLIGHTER, 2min., UK A despondent ship merchant struggles with rebuilding his life and finding resolve to sail passengers through the unlit and treacherous Scottish coast, weaving together three stories of 19th century lighthouse building, the grim realities of coastal wrecker life, and discovering a new reason to love.
Get FULL FEEDBACK on either the 1st chapter or entire novel book from our committee of Professional Writers, and Writing Consultants. Get your novel performed by a professional actor at the festival.
NEW OPTION: Or, just submit for an actor performance reading transcript of your novel (any 5 pages of your book). Great way to promote the sales of your book if you’re already published. (see examples on the video playlist below)
A paranormal story is a work of fiction that explores phenomena and beings that are beyond the scope of scientific understanding. They include elements like ghosts, vampires, werewolves, witches, and other entities that cannot be explained by the laws of nature. They can be set in the real world, but generally includes elements that defy scientific explanation.
Mainly what this contest does is give exposure to the writer. They will be able to obtain a solid agent, plus get notice by producers looking for writers like yourself. NOTE: The writer will always own 100% rights to their story. The only thing we do is help the writer. Either with notes on their next draft, or gain exposure by having their story showcased at our festival.
Festival Reviews 