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Interview with Screenwriter Federico Vicino (Karl Reagan: The Capitalist-Communist)

matthewtoffolo screenplays, Uncategorized, writing a screenplay , , ,

Matthew Toffolo: What is your screenplay about?

Federico Vicino: Karl Reagan: The Capitalist-Communist is about a dark horse candidate running for a seat in Missouri’s House of Representatives. Set on the heels of a near-apocalyptic nuclear winter, his platform is to fuse the best characteristics of capitalism and socialism to help the common person realize the struggling American Dream. His pitch to the electorate is a devotion to standing up to corporate greed.

Karl’s unconventional strategies has led to great notoriety in that area. For instance, he wants to allocate funds towards the essentials; money for food, medicine, a cleaned-up ecosystem…and for everyone to get the latest iPhone. He hosts bottomless brunches at soup kitchens. He composes songs that will be the anthem to his revolution and hopes one day he can sell those songs for big bucks to a car commercial. Karl seems to be his own enigma, but always has the voters’ best interest at heart. His opponent, a politically established contender named Tom Baker, uses conventional and tiresome tactics to label Karl’s candidacy as ludicrous and too idealistic. Their rivalry will come to a head come election day.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Dark Comedy.

3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

Political satire has long been ingrained in American pop culture and I feel this screenplay comes at a perfect time given the tumultuous political climate. Even with the current instability, this script can cut across the political aisle and reach a broad audience.

4. How would you describe this script in two words?

Organized Chaos.

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

It is a tie between Pulp Fiction, Goodfellas and Taxi Driver.

6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?

I came up with the idea for this character a couple of years ago, but I worked on this screenplay for about nine months.


7. How many stories have you written?

I have written five completed screenplays, including this screenplay.

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

If I had to choose, my favorite song is “Rocks Off” by The Rolling Stones. It’s confluence of disorganization and harmony makes it the perfect song to me. It is organized chaos.

9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

An Obstacle I faced to finish this screenplay, at first, was writing a feature-length script to this story. I was stumped on how I could make this story more than 80 pages. However, as I kept coming up with more situations and how I envisioned Karl’s journey panning out, I found myself not being able to stop writing. Up to this point, this is the longest screenplay I have written at 116 pages.

10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Apart from writing, my passion is my daytime job, which is being a Licensed Social Worker. I feel that my career is really fulfilling and I have worked with various populations, such as adults, middle schoolers, alcohol/drug users and undocumented immigrants.

11. You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your experiences working with the submission platform site?

I LOVE FilmFreeway. It such an accessible platform to get your work out to many different festivals, along with finding festivals that I have never heard of before. I would recommend this site to anyone who wants to promote their screenplay.

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

I was drawn to this festival as I read the information about this festival and the great reviews it got. I was really touched seeing a portion of my table read, as I never had one of my screenplays had a table read before. The feedback was great as it was encouraging, while at the same time gave great pointers as to how to enhance and improve certain areas of the story.

Watch the Screenplay Reading: 

Karl Reagan is an underdog candidate running for a seat in Missouri’s House of Representatives. Set on the heels of a near-apocalyptic nuclear winter, his platform is to fuse the best characteristics of capitalism and socialism to help the common person realize the struggling American Dream. Mr. Reagan’s pitch to the electorate is a devotion to standing up to corporate greed, especially to a company called NuTech who has not fulfilled their promise of cleaning up the environment after the catastrophe. His unorthodox approach to stumping on the trail leaves voters enthused, angered, and baffled. His rival, a politically established contender named Tom Baker, uses conventional and tiresome tactics to label Karl’s candidacy as ludicrous and too idealistic. As his campaign progresses, Karl Reagan gets a slice of American values, fortitude, hardships, and inconsistencies. The electorate get a front row seat of his as well.

CAST LIST:

Eric: Matt Schichter
Karl/Randy: Ted Powers
Narration: Elizabeth Rose Morriss
Marcus: Gabriel Darku
Jeff: Sean Ballantyne
Serena: Katelyn Varadi

Interview with Writer Adrianne Mouton

matthewtoffolo Uncategorized, writer, writing ,

Matthew Toffolo: What is your short story about?

Adrianne Mouton: This story is about a world coming to an end because of the people who have neglected and mistreated it.

2. What genres would you say this story is in?

Suspense

3. How would you describe this story in two words?

Mentally captivating

4. What movie have you seen the most in your life?

Dune

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

Purple Rain

6. Do you have an all-time favorite novel?

My favorite novel is Dune written by Frank Herbert.

7. What motivated you to write this story?

Everything in which I encounter is a motivation for what I write. Some stories, like this one, just start forming and I start writing.

8. If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?

The one person I would have dinner with is Dr. Sebi.

9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Reading. I love to read and immerse myself in great stories.

10. What influenced you to enter your story to get performed?

I love to write and share what I write with others. I love to learn how they interpret my work and see if I am able to put forth a story to the readers’ imagination in a way that coincides with how well I can manifest it in my mind.

11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?

Write as much as you can and whenever you can. Don’t doubt yourself and your abilities.

Watch the Short Story Reading: 

Adrianne Mouton
Levels To My Insanity
https://amzn.to/2Lta6pm

Performed by Allison Kampf

Interview with Writer Tahnee Langshaw

matthewtoffolo Uncategorized, writer, writing ,

Matthew Toffolo: What is your short story about?

Tahnee Langshaw: It is about a young singer who has just lost her mum to cancer.
Her mother was always such a huge influence on her life – constantly
challenging and testing her, treating her like an adult even as a child.
As her singing career grew and the pressures from the public crept in she
retreated into her music, scared of the responsibility and not ready to be a
leader and mentor to these young kids. But when her mother was diagonised it
suddenly hit her what it felt like to be alone – and what some of these kids
feel like everyday not having someone to learn and look up too. So it was then
she learned to lead and pass on her mothers message.

2. What genres would you say this story is in?

Inspirational. Entertainment. Young Adult.

3. How would you describe this story in two words?

Lead Brave.

4. What movie have you seen the most in your life?

Seabiscuit. Best movie ever has everything you could want in a film.

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

Honestly too many. But an old fav is INXS – Never Tear Us A part.

6. Do you have an all-time favorite novel?

My mother and brother’s novel that they wrote together – The Actrix Stone.

7. What motivated you to write this story?

My mum.

8. If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?

Oprah Winfrey hands down.

9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Acting. Dancing. Yoga. Reading. Watching movies and t.v series.

10. What influenced you to enter your story to get performed?

Honestly have never heard someone other than me read my words out-loud before.
Was super cool I loved it.

11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?

Write something you would be proud to leave behind. Always have a message.

Watch the Short Story Reading:

A story about a young famous singer who discovers her reason for being here through the death of her mother.

Performed by Allison Kampf

Interview with Poet Jean Buschmann

matthewtoffolo Poet, Uncategorized ,

1) What is the theme of your poem?

The title is a double-entendre. The real GIANT moment refers to the unforseen and unbelievably fortuitious kind gesture of a stranger. The experience stayed with me for all these years because the man was not a scalper, he just wound up with two extra tickets when friends had to cancel. So what were the chances that I’d oddly declare we’d get tickets once we turned the corner – and have it actually happen! Of course, what I didn’t mention in the poetic narraitive was that he didn’t try to pad the price. He simply charged me face value.

2) What motivated you to write this poem?

I love a creative challenge. So when it arrived in my email inbox, I couldn’t resist! – Especially since the stated goal was to share a positive and uplifting experience during these challenging quarantined times.

3) How long have you been writing poetry?

Since I was a child. But not often, and mostly for assignments. The best of which was for an essay exam on Shakespeare’s MACBETH. The English Lit. professor offered the class the option of trying to write a poem instead. I dove right in! Later she confessed that she didn’t think anyone would dare risk their grade on a time-pressued longshot. – That was the proudest “A+” I ever received.

4) If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?

A certain carpenter from Nazerth. I’m hoping it can be arranged.

5) What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?

It’s always fun to share work with fellow creatives.

6) Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?

Yes. I do freelance marcom and copywriting for a living. (As well as video production and editing). I’m also an award-winning screenwriter hoping to have my most recent feature produced. It’s called LOVE THY NEIGHBOR and it’s both timely and socially-relevant.

7) What is your passion in life?

Making a difference in some tangible way. Creatively, I’d love to tell riveting and socially-relevant stories that pack a powerful punch. That would be a dream come true, for sure!

Watch the Poetry Reading:

Performed by Allison Kampf


POEM:

BORED in San Jose, our home in the South Bay, we ventured to The City that day.
– It wasn’t ordinary, no way!
Sunny and bright, not a cloud in sight.
– For the foggy City By The Bay, that’s rare for May, let alone April Fools’ Day!
But it was no joke, so we were seriously stoked at the thought of some fun in the sun.
The grand opening of PacBell Park was our mark – an exhibition game between the
Yankees and Giants. Otherwise known as “The Spankees,” to their defiants.
As a native New Yorker raised in Queens, it was The Mets for whom I placed all bets.
But as if to put our love to the test, my Nor-Cal man loved The Bronx Bombers best.
– And no, that’s not jest.
So that was the original aim of our quest, but before long we’d learn it might not be best.
– Since such seemed the goal of all the rest.
And so, with slightly deflated hearts, we parked by The Palace of Fine Arts.
– Far far away from where we’d hoped to spend that day.
We then began to stroll around, stopping at every fascinating sight we found.
– Talking and laughing along the way, we could hardly believe we’d walked to the Bay!
Not ’til we saw my blistered feet, were we finally ready to take a seat.
That’s when we noticed something funny – all the ATMs were out of money!
“Uh-oh” we said to one another, ‘cuz neither of us had stashed cash for the other.
Hungry, with nearly no money at all, there was not even a cab for us to call.
That’s when something inside me said, “It’s time to get up and keep moving ahead!”
To that, my hubby scratched his head, not at all sure how I’d endure.
But despite my feet, I wasn’t ready to admit defeat.
As we neared the revered new stadium, out of my mouth came a strange shout…
“When we turn the corner, we’ll get tickets to the game!” – To which my man jokingly retorted,
“Are you insane?”
Then to his shock, I locked eyes on a smiling stranger, who waved me over to his Range Rover.
“I’ve got two tickets, if you need ’em.” He said. “That’d be great…if you can wait.” And so, I explained
our twisted fate.
The stranger stepped right up to the plate. Without so much as a pause, as if completely compelled
by our cause.
When he jotted down his address, I knew that we’d been truly blessed. Then I noticed his wife was
stressed.
So I smiled reassuringly, as if to say – “The check will soon be on the way.”
…And that’s the true story of that April 1st day!

A poetic memory by

Interview with Poet Howard W. Robertson

matthewtoffolo Poet, Uncategorized ,

1) What is the theme of your poem?

Glory as Pindar understood it

2) What motivated you to write this poem?

The beauty of the moment and the pathos of life

3) How long have you been writing poetry?

Since the age of 17 or in other words 55 years

4) If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?

Walt Whitman

5) What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?

Love for my poem

6) Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?

I’ve published ten books of poetry and three books of fiction. Also, my one screenplay is titled THE FORGE and has received the following honors:

Bucharest Film Awards – Selected;
Zed Fest – Semi-Finalist
The Monthly Film Festival – Finalist
Chicago Screenplay Awards – Selected
Peachtree Village International Film Festival – Selected
Screenplay Festival – Semi-Finalist
All-Genre Screenplay Contest – Selected
Bucharest Film Festival – Semi-Finalist
ScreenCraft Drama Contest – Quarterfinalist
New York City International Screenplay Awards – Selected
Pitch Now Screenplay Competition – Finalist
Page Turner Screenplays, Feature 100 – Quarterfinalist
SOMEDAY… Screenwriting Competition – Selected
Underground FEEDBACK Screenplay Festival – Semi-Finalist
New York City International Screenplay Awards – Selected
Miami Screenplay Awards – Selected
Beverly Hills Film Festival – Selected
Sunrise International Screenwriting Awards – Selected
Drama inc. Screenplay Competition – Selected
Circus Road Screenplay Contest – Finalist

Logline for THE FORGE: Isaac McClure is caught between his mother’s Ehattesaht world and his father’s Scottish. Born at Fort Astoria in 1824, he conceals his Native American identity to come back over the Oregon trail in 1853. He becomes part of racist pioneer society, is outed by chance, and an intense peripeteia ensues.

7) What is your passion in life?

Breathing

Watch the Poetry Reading:

Performed by Allison Kampf

POEM:

After football practice, Dave Malloy, assistant
coach, was sitting in the office of the coach, Jim
Shelby / I was there as well; I don’t remember why
/ without the slightest warning, zany Dave erupted,
bellowed, slammed the tabletop with both his hefty
hands, ejaculating loudly these impassioned words,
“I want to fuck!” / Malloy repeated this, and Shelby
shushed him, since a teenage boy was present, me /
soon after that, Malloy became the coach at New
Geneva High, our bitter rival, we of Fairfield High /
the summer just before my senior season, 1964, I
had an easy job delivering bouquets, arrangements,
wreaths, and other floral merchandise from Baxter’s
Blossoms, located in Fairfield but providing flowers
for all greater New Geneva / my delivery van pulled
up at New Geneva High one afternoon, and I began
unloading many floral products / suddenly Malloy
was there, just grinning at me crazily, eyes merrily
agleam / we talked a bit of this and that, not even
mentioning we’d meet next autumn on opposing
sides of gridiron combat / early in the New Geneva
game that fall, we punted on fourth down / I was the
long-snapper and could release downfield before the
other guys who had to block first / when the punt
returner caught the kick, I was already nearing him
at top speed / suddenly I caught some stream of
energy (let’s call it Ki) and flowed right through the
running back, depositing his body in a broken heap
at Coach Malloy’s large feet while I just trotted off
unscathed and nonchalant / my soft eyes sensed his
crazy stare and joyous grin directed at me all the
way across the field to what was now the line of
scrimmage / next day in the local paper he was
quoted, “Well, I knew when Douglas tore apart my
halfback early on that we were in for one hell of a
game!” / that was the scene of brutal glory, that
god-given moment, gleaming possibly forever /
Pindar said, “What’s man? A shadow’s dream.
God-given gleaming comes, and life is bright.”

Interview with Poet Sienna Feruzi

matthewtoffolo Poet, Uncategorized ,

Go to the writer’s website: http://mybook.to/Blumaniterrian

1) What is the theme of your poem?

“Dear Mema,” is about my grandma’s passing. “If Only” is about an old friend who didn’t know God.

2) What motivated you to write this poem?

“Dear Mema,”- my grandma’s funeral/”If Only”- poor decisions in life

3) How long have you been writing poetry?

about 15 years

4) If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would
that be?

Maya Angelou

5) What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a
professional actor?

I just googled opportunities to get my poetry sold more.

6) Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?

I am working on a novel now!

7) What is your passion in life?

I have a passion for helping women and children in need and expressing myself through poetry and the arts.

Watch the Poetry Reading: 

Performed by Allison Kampf

I’m paralyzed,
You’re in the front of my eyes
And you won’t. go. away.,
You were my light,
You were the shadow in my shade,
The breeze on my hottest days,
The pink and gold of a sunrise haze,
You were the ground under my feet,
You were the smile folks loved to greet,
I feel you now when I see injustice,
I feel you when I see true love,
I know you are the voice of my happiness and patience;
You’ll always be my baptismal dove
And the one who encouraged me to stay confident and kind
Who taught me to never be left behind
For I am special, just how I am.
I’ll always have that Avery glam.
I’m paralyzed but I’m motivated
Because of you I’ve become elated
To have this life I have to live,
If only with you, for you I could give
Another walk along the bridge
Or through the park
Or at the store
I’ll always, always want some more.
But I’ll have the time, I’ll get the chance,
Once I meet you again.
I love you.

Interview with Screenwriter Danica Edelbrock (SHADOW DANCE)

matthewtoffolo screenplays, Uncategorized, writing a screenplay , , ,

Matthew Toffolo: What is your screenplay about?

Danica Edelbrock: Shadow Dance is about a young woman finding her way in a fast city. She slows down to enjoy the subtle beauty of nature around her, transforming her life moving forward.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Shadow Dance is a drama.

3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

I believe after college many young adults struggle to find what it is they are truly passionate about, who they are and may lack the confidence to pursue their passion. They find themselves drinking and partying to fill the void until something captivates and inspires them! In this film Jules experiences nature’s beauty while being reminded of the family and friends that love and support her. She doesn’t want to waste anymore of the precious time in her life.

4. How would you describe this script in two words?

Loving oneself.

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

Almost Famous by Cameron Crowe

6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?

I had the idea for this screenplay a few months ago and began to write it last month.


7. How many stories have you written?

I have worked in healthcare for the last 20 years so this is my first creative writing piece. I am now working on a sitcom and have written 5 episodes so far!

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

Pictures of You by The Cure

9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

The biggest obstacle was overcoming my fear of writing. I never thought of myself as writer so actually putting my thoughts down to share with others was very intimidating. I first had my daughter read it and then my husband. He is an incredible writer; my biggest fan and critic. He doesn’t sugar coat anything. So far he likes all my work!

10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

I am passionate about my career as an exercise physiologist! I have been blessed to work with incredible people over the years, guiding them toward health and a better quality of life through exercise and yoga.

11. You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your experiences working with the submission platform site?

It was very easy to use.

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

I wrote the script and then had no idea what to do so I decided to enter it into some contests and festivals. I choose this festival because I liked the idea of getting feedback. It’s difficult for me to receive feedback but I am getting better at it as I get older, more mature and confident.

Watch the Screenplay Reading: 

A young woman finds herself through the simplistic, natural beauty around her.

CAST LIST:

Narrator: Allison Kampf