CRIME Best Scene Reading of BEDLAM ON THE RAILS, by Wayne E Johnson

Winning Screenplay – BEDLAM ON THE RAILS
Written by Wayne E. Johnson

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Julian Ford
LUMAN – Zane O’Connor
ENGINEER – Mandip Brar
BARTENDER – Sean Ballantyne
PASSENGER – Allan Brunet
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SYNOPSIS:

Genre: Crime, Thriller

When criminals Luman and Duke are scammed in a horse racing racket, they decide to recover their lost money by robbing the train they are travelling home in.
 
Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

It’s about the last moving train robbery in America in 1949, based on the book Bedlam on the West Virginia Rails by syndicated columnist and trivia expert Wilson Casey.

What genres does your screenplay fall under?

True Story, True Crime

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

It’s an overlooked, exciting event in American history. When I read Wilson’s book, it was easy to imagine the story on the big screen. I felt the tone would be something between Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and the original Bonnie and Clyde.

How would you describe this script in two words?

Railway robbery.

What movie have you seen the most times in your life?

Either Kelly’s Heroes or It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. I lost track.

How long have you been working on this screenplay?

A little over a year.

How many stories have you written?

I’ve had about a dozen stories and a novel published, another six screenplays written.

What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)

Don’t Fear the Reaper

What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

Wilson had people interested in seeing the finished product, so I jumped on the project, putting my other work on the back burner, and finished it in about three weeks.

Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Animals, nature, the environment.

What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?

It seemed as if my script would be a good fit. Both Wilson and I were anxious to see a scene filmed with professional actors. I felt the feedback was valuable because it addressed points that I’d questioned from the beginning.

 

 

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Director/Producer: Matthew Toffolo http://www.matthewtoffolo.com

Editor: John Johnson

Camera Operator: Kierston Drier

Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne