What is your novel about? The Origin of Humanity: A Real Dream is a deeply spiritual and philosophical novel inspired by a vivid dream I had. It explores the mysterious beginnings of humanity through a cosmic journey of creation, identity, mortality, and divine purpose. The story is both mystical and grounded, merging poetic storytelling with existential questions that challenge the reader to reflect on the meaning of life and the courage to awaken.
What genres would you say this story is in? Spiritual Fiction, Metaphysical Fantasy, Philosophical Sci-Fi, Visionary Fiction.
How would you describe this story in two words? Divine Awakening
What movie have you seen the most in your life? The Matrix — for its blend of philosophy, reality-bending concepts, and spiritual undertones.
What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?) “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac — it’s timeless, haunting, and resonates with the journey of vision and destiny.
Submit to the Festival via FilmFreeway. Deadline Today:
31 FIVE Star Reviews!
Great festival! Much appreciation and many thanks.
This festival includes so much for the creators and is all about getting the word out about their work. It was an honor to be a part of the festival, and they made me feel like an A-lister right off the bat. Would highly recommend!
We were happy to participate in this festival. We are happy that our project was liked and that it obtained a good rating. Thanks for the interview. We hope to participate in the future with new projects.
We were happy to participate in this festival. We are happy that our project was liked and that it obtained a good rating. Thanks for the interview. We hope to participate in the future with new projects.
A Khmer Rouge cadre arrests a civilian in an animated scene from “The Killing Fields of Dr. Haing S. Ngor.” Illustration by Yori Mochizuki.
It was definitely an education chatting with story artist Yoriaki Mochizuki. He chats about working storyboarding animation movies and how it can be a much more creative process than working on live action films, and so much more….
Matthew Toffolo: How was your storyboard experience working on STORKS? When did you come aboard the film? Who did you mainly collaborate with?
Yori Mochizuki: I joined the Storks team in the spring of 2013. I collaborated primarily with directors Nick Stoller, Doug Sweetland and editor John Venzon. The story team worked in one open room which allowed us to discuss the story as a group regularly. We built animatic for the film with storyboards and temp sounds and tested it to ensure the story was working. Storks was a very special project for me because my daughter was one-year-old at the time and I used a lot of my parenting experiences as inspiration for my storyboards.
MT: You also worked as a Story Artist on the massive successful film THE LEGO MOVIE. What did that job entail?
YM: The LEGO Movie was one of the most creatively satisfying experiences. I collaborated closely with directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller as well as co-director Chris McKay. I was encouraged to come up with my own ideas and to create sequences, often even without a script. One of my favorite experiences on the LEGO Movie was when I storyboarded the live-action sequence. First I storyboarded it purely from my imagination. Once the set was built, I revised it with Phil and Chris. Then I worked side by side with editor Dave Burrows to create the animatic. Phil and Chris shot the sequence based on our animatic in the sound stage next door. It was one of the most harmonious filmmaking processes I have been privileged to be part of.
MT: What advice would you have for people who would like to do what you do?
YM: Being a story artist is like being a director, writer, cinematographer, editor, and actor, all at once. It’s important to study visual storytelling and to develop your own point of view. No matter what job you are working on – big or small – always do your absolute best because that’s the only way you can grow as a filmmaker.
MT: Would you like to storyboard and collaborate on a live action film?
YM: I enjoyed collaborating with Guillermo del Toro on Pacific Rim, but, generally in live action films storyboard artists can influence the story visually, but not necessarily the story itself. On animated films, story artists literally shape the stories. There’s a clear distinction between storyboarding live action and storyboarding animation and each requires different skill set. Personally, I enjoy working in animation because I get to create the story and find the process much more creative and collaborative.
MT: What movie have you watched the most times in your life?
YM: I grew up watching a lot of Hayao Miyazaki’s films. Star Wars, Back to the Future and Dead Poets Society are some of my favorites and I have watched them many times.
MT: What first attracted you to work as a storyboard artist?
YM: I drew my own comic books as a kid and I storyboarded all my student films. When I moved to Los Angeles, I worked as production assistant for a TV pilot and met storyboard artist, Joe Musso. Joe was generous enough to teach me how to storyboard and helped me land my first commercial jobs. That’s where my storyboard artist career began.
MT: Where did you grow up? When did you first start drawing?
YM: I was born in Tokyo and grew up in a suburb of Saitama, Japan. I started drawing before I can even remember. I still have some drawings from my early childhood of giant robots.
Selected Yoriaki Mochizuki Storyboards:
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Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 10-20 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK DAILY Festival held online, and in downtown Toronto on the last Thursday of every single month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.
Watch the festival NOW for the next 48 hours by signing up for the FREE 3-DAY trial using the link, or go to http://www.wildsound.ca
As Long As You Want, 22min., Canada Directed by Matt Santos For as Long as You Want is a tender, conversation-driven short film about two actors, Liz and Brad, running lines in a quiet basement one afternoon. What starts as a simple rehearsal slowly turns into something deeper as they begin to open up about their relationships, their dreams, and the things they’re afraid to admit out loud. Liz is in a relationship that no longer feels right, with someone who doesn’t really see her. Brad’s charming, grounded, and unexpectedly honest. As they talk, laugh, and share food, the connection between them grows easy, real, and a little bit electric. With Liz’s train out of the city approaching, she has to decide whether to go back to the life she’s been trying to make work, or stay in this moment just a little longer. Quiet, raw, and full of heart, For as Long as You Want is about timing, chemistry, and the things we don’t plan for.
The Surgical Treatment, 5min,. USA Directed by David Gray A satirical observation of the advertising business through the aspect of the pre-production process. A funny perspective on treatments and what it might be like if another industry had to go through what directors. producers and creative people go through on every project in the process of bringing something to life. In this case, literally.
MICHEL, 5min., France Directed by Guillaume Courty Two casting director from the TV show “I Have a Super Power” receive Michel, an accountant who is very good at mental arithmetic. Both agree to take him on the show… but not for the same reasons.
Submit your Religion or Spirituality Short Story to the Festival, and we will automatically have it performed by a professional actor and turned into a promotional video for yourself.
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)
This festival has a guaranteed 4-tier set up for each accepted script. (No matter what, all screenplays submitted receive FULL FEEDBACK on their work.) 1) Full Feedback on your script 2) Actors performance video reading of your script 3) Blog interview promotion. 4) Podcast interview on the Film Festival ITunes show.
The metaphor for relationships is perfectly summed up in JP CENZO’S WHAT YOU WANT (IT’S NOT ME) OFFICIAL STORY VIDEO. The music video is short, but hits the point hard as it showcases a relationship from its start to finish all through the viewpoint of a car.
The musician and director of this music video make it clear how this new relationship will end from the second the couple meet. On the surface, they seem happy as they get to know each other, yet the car drives by a cemetery. This shows the audience that this will be yet another doomed relationship for this young man and young woman.
The most brilliant metaphor would be the literal use of masks. We’ve always been told that people wear masks in relationships and when those masks slip, it’s when the true test begins to see if the couple can make it. The scene slips between the couple wearing masks and cuts to reality, where they happily talk without showing the real them.
Once the masks come off, friends and family are forced to become the third wheels as the couple refuses to admit their relationship is over. This music video showcases this by using a monkey in the middle character, the awkward character that would rather not be there as the relationship deteriorates. He will be forced to eventually take a side, which will end a friendship with one of the two people in the relationship.
The best form of symbolism is the use of a casket when the relationship is officially dead. This couple must mourn and get out every emotion they hid from their time together. Then they can begin again, relieved to be single as the young woman gets in the car alone.
JP CENZO’S WHAT YOU WANT (IT’S NOT ME) OFFICIAL STORY VIDEO is a perfect and humorous metaphor for the dating world. From the beginning to the end of a relationship.
As Long As You Want, 22min., Canada Directed by Matt Santos For as Long as You Want is a tender, conversation-driven short film about two actors, Liz and Brad, running lines in a quiet basement one afternoon. What starts as a simple rehearsal slowly turns into something deeper as they begin to open up about their relationships, their dreams, and the things they’re afraid to admit out loud. Liz is in a relationship that no longer feels right, with someone who doesn’t really see her. Brad’s charming, grounded, and unexpectedly honest. As they talk, laugh, and share food, the connection between them grows easy, real, and a little bit electric. With Liz’s train out of the city approaching, she has to decide whether to go back to the life she’s been trying to make work, or stay in this moment just a little longer. Quiet, raw, and full of heart, For as Long as You Want is about timing, chemistry, and the things we don’t plan for.
The Surgical Treatment, 5min,. USA Directed by David Gray A satirical observation of the advertising business through the aspect of the pre-production process. A funny perspective on treatments and what it might be like if another industry had to go through what directors. producers and creative people go through on every project in the process of bringing something to life. In this case, literally.
MICHEL, 5min., France Directed by Guillaume Courty Two casting director from the TV show “I Have a Super Power” receive Michel, an accountant who is very good at mental arithmetic. Both agree to take him on the show… but not for the same reasons.
Two casting director from the TV show “I Have a Super Power” receive Michel, an accountant who is very good at mental arithmetic. Both agree to take him on the show… but not for the same reasons.
A satirical observation of the advertising business through the aspect of the pre-production process. A funny perspective on treatments and what it might be like if another industry had to go through what directors. producers and creative people go through on every project in the process of bringing something to life. In this case, literally.
It was definitely an education chatting with story artist Yoriaki Mochizuki. He chats about working storyboarding animation movies and how it can be a much more creative process than working on live action films, and so much more….
Festival Reviews 