Interview with Poet Janelle Barker (9/11 ATTACKS)

1) What is the theme of your poem? the theme of my poem is finding your strength to stay strong 2) What motivated you to write this poem? this event changed the world and affected all of us deep into our heart, whether we were there or not. 3) How long have you been writing… Continue reading Interview with Poet Janelle Barker (9/11 ATTACKS)

Interview with Poet James Morgan-Jones (Demoiselle)

Matthew Toffolo: What is the theme of your poem? James Morgan-Jones: The beauty of the natural world, of difference and of the individual. 2) What motivated you to write this poem? A visitation by the demoiselle as I sat in the garden on a beautiful spring day. 3) How long have you been writing poetry?… Continue reading Interview with Poet James Morgan-Jones (Demoiselle)

Interview with Poet Paul O’Donnell (PASSING)

Matthew Toffolo: What is the theme of your poem? Paul O’Donnell: Despair, frustration, poor decisions and their consequences, hope 2) What motivated you to write this poem? All my poetry is prompted by what I feel or see. It’s my way of thinking about social change and doing something about it with the power of… Continue reading Interview with Poet Paul O’Donnell (PASSING)

Interview with Poet Kirsten Warner (GRITTY, DANGEROUS DOLL)

 1) What is the theme of your poem? The theme of this poem is how to turn disappointment into something useful for myself, how to transform that deadly blow into art. 2) What motivated you to write this poem? I was not long-listed for the New Zealand book awards which I expected, although I later… Continue reading Interview with Poet Kirsten Warner (GRITTY, DANGEROUS DOLL)

Interview with Screenwriter J. L. Paxxiel (BTW I’m An Alien)

Matthew Toffolo: What is your screenplay about? J. L. Paxxiel: It’s the parallel life of Trevor Noah within our multiverse and creatively weave things Trevor Noah has said in his podcast, TV show, book, and comedy tours. It touches on diversity and shows the power of a family working together. They are a quirky and… Continue reading Interview with Screenwriter J. L. Paxxiel (BTW I’m An Alien)

Interview with Screenwriter Kevin Mongelli (NAILS)

Matthew Toffolo: What is your screenplay about? Kevin Mongelli: Jonathan has had a troubled life but has attempted to turn things around. One final decision could change everything. 2. What genres does your screenplay fall under? Drama 3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie? Unique story on how a singular decision could… Continue reading Interview with Screenwriter Kevin Mongelli (NAILS)

Interview with Screenwriter Eileen Wilson (WATCHING)

Matthew Toffolo: What is your screenplay about? Eileen Wilson: It’s about free speech and using your voice while you have one. 2. What genres does your screenplay fall under? I wrote it initially, tongue in cheek, so it’s a comedy-drama monologue. It was initially performed that way at a theatre scratch night and it’s interesting… Continue reading Interview with Screenwriter Eileen Wilson (WATCHING)

Interview with Screenwriter Johnny Cruz (REPAIR THE CARROWS)

Matthew Toffolo: What is your screenplay about? Johnny Cruz: It’s about a father who has to re-enter the world and round up his estranged children, so they can see their mother before she passes. But what it’s really “about” is the different arguments and perspectives around keeping families together. Some families are worth keeping together and… Continue reading Interview with Screenwriter Johnny Cruz (REPAIR THE CARROWS)

Interview with Screenwriter Alexander Etseyatse (OTIS N THE DOUGH BOYS)

Matthew Toffolo: What is your screenplay about? Alexander Etseyatse: A full year after COVID – 19 “Coronavirus” hits New York City, a recently fired young mentally unstable Black Chef attempt to reclaim his glory days by starting a catering company with his old friends and winning back his ex-fiancee and daughter after a force stays at… Continue reading Interview with Screenwriter Alexander Etseyatse (OTIS N THE DOUGH BOYS)

Interview with Screenwriter Monika Naidoo (Proof Positive)

Matthew Toffolo: What is your screenplay about? Monika Naidoo: PROOF POSITIVE is about friendship, the belief in basic human kindness, and the power of the human connection. For high school senior Grady Haynes, life doesn’t get much better. A local baseball star with a full scholarship to UCLA, the center of the popular crowd with… Continue reading Interview with Screenwriter Monika Naidoo (Proof Positive)