Interview with Poet David Cook (A LAST LOOK BEFORE LEAVING)

 1) What is the theme of your poem? A woman admitting to herself that her relationship is abusive 2) What motivated you to write this poem? An anecdote told me which I thought was instructive and had a twist 3) How long have you been writing poetry? 35 years 4) If you could have dinner… Continue reading Interview with Poet David Cook (A LAST LOOK BEFORE LEAVING)

Interview with Poet Bill Mumford (THE KEENING CURLEW)

1) What is the theme of your poem? Despite the sense of desolation the poem is about hope- the curlew’s call sounds like a mourning lament but actually it is a love song to attract a mate. The poem finishes with the observation that people who are very sick in hospital will smile and feel… Continue reading Interview with Poet Bill Mumford (THE KEENING CURLEW)

Interview with Screenwriter Brendan O’Connell (PRIVATE INVESTIGATIONS)

Matthew Toffolo: What is your screenplay about? Brendan O’Connell: It is about a woman attempting to get her husband’s murder investigated in an Ireland where the criminal justice system has been privatised. 2. What genres does your screenplay fall under? Black comedy, film noir, crime. 3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie? Because… Continue reading Interview with Screenwriter Brendan O’Connell (PRIVATE INVESTIGATIONS)

Interview with Screenwriter Heather Farlinger (NO GOOD DEED)

Matthew Toffolo: What is your screenplay about? Heather Farlinger: My screenplay is based on the life of Oliver Wellington Sipple, who was a decorated marine and wounded Vietnam veteran with PTSD, who heroically saved the life of President Ford from an assassin’s bullet. The would-be assassin, Sara Jane Moore, actually fired twice, and Mr. Sipple… Continue reading Interview with Screenwriter Heather Farlinger (NO GOOD DEED)

Interview with Screenwriter Steve Sterling (THE YOUNGEST DOUGHBOY)

Matthew Toffolo: What is your screenplay about? Steve Sterling: A 12-year-old boy schemes to become a soldier and succeeds. Passing as an adult, he is shipped to France to fight in WWI. The film follows Ernest Wrentmore’s real-life journey and is based on his memoir. Barely trained, hardly equipped, and ineptly led due to lack of… Continue reading Interview with Screenwriter Steve Sterling (THE YOUNGEST DOUGHBOY)

Interview with Screenwriter Faye Upton (OUTRIDER)

Matthew Toffolo: What is your screenplay about? Faye Upton: In the fictional world of Panthé, mankind has toppled the gods. Now, centuries after the Overthrow, magic and science have become indistinguishable from each other. Technology from artillery to airships runs on a mysterious toxic substance called floxx. The titular Outriders are a quasi-military order of diplomats,… Continue reading Interview with Screenwriter Faye Upton (OUTRIDER)

Interview with Filmmaker Johan Stavsjö (SAY YES)

SAY YES played to rave reviews at the June 2020 ROMANCE Feedback Film Festival. Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film? Johan Stavsjö: I wanted to tell a modern love story and drew influences from my past. The film is a combination of three love stories from my personal life. The goal was… Continue reading Interview with Filmmaker Johan Stavsjö (SAY YES)

Interview with Filmmaker Claire Campbell (WINTER’S BLIGHT)

WINTER’S BLIGHT was the winner of BEST VISUAL DESIGN at the April 2020 ANIMATION Feedback Film Festival. Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film? Claire Campbell: I’d been wanting to make another stop motion film for a few years, because stop motion animation and production design is what I’m really passionate about. Prior… Continue reading Interview with Filmmaker Claire Campbell (WINTER’S BLIGHT)