Interview with Composer Michael Roth (THE WEB OPERA)

matthewtoffolo's avatarMatthew Toffolo's Summary

THE WEB OPERA played to rave reviews at the February 2020 Music & Dance Festival in Los Angeles.

Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film?

Michael Roth: Two things, really. First, aesthetic and somewhat practical: whenever I’ve met a writer over the past 10 years or so who’s wanted to collaborate on an opera or music theatre piece — anything like that, even if the idea is a good one — I’ve always felt obliged to state what’s almost obvious: it’s hard, once you get going, to know if it will ever really exist as a fully produced thing. It’s a lot of work and takes a lot of money, and you don’t know where you might be heading and if you will ever have it onstage fully realised and — sometimes just as important — get more than one performance.That’s not a reason to not do something…

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Interview with Filmmaker John J.A. Jannone (SOLDIER ONLINE)

matthewtoffolo's avatarMatthew Toffolo's Summary

SOLDIER ONLINE was voted BEST ANIMATION FILM at the January 2020 DANCE & MUSIC Festival in Toronto.

Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film?

John J.A. Jannone: Daniel Munkus, one of the three musicians in the band Old Robes, was my student in the M.F.A. program in Performance and Interactive Media Arts (PIMA) at Brooklyn College. We became friends and collaborated for several years. When Old Robes’ new album The Spider and the Spectator was coming out, Daniel commissioned a bunch of artists to make music videos, and I created this video. The mystery and energy of this song struck me in particular, and I was interested in who the “Soldier Online,” the character in the song, was.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this short?

I worked on this animation for about a month. Since it…

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Interview with Screenwriter Paul Sargia (THE TATTOOED BLONDE)

matthewtoffolo's avatarMatthew Toffolo's Summary

Matthew Toffolo: What is your screenplay about?

Paul Sargia: When incriminating evidence points to Jon, a Connecticut psychiatrist, as the main suspect in a tattoo artist’s murder, his freedom hinges on the one person who knows the truth, a mysterious tattooed blonde who’s been appearing and disappearing in his life.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

A drama with a twisty thriller ending and a touch of romance.

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

Because it’s satisfying pure entertainment with characters who show a lot heart, despite going through some difficult times. It will leave the audience guessing who the killer is right to the end which adds to the suspense.

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

Pure entertainment.

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

Casablanca — It’s a great story, and also has…

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Interview with Screenwriter Adam Seidel (CALIFORNIA)

matthewtoffolo's avatarMatthew Toffolo's Summary

Matthew Toffolo: What is your screenplay about?

Adam Seidel: At it’s core California is about a man who decides to fight for his loveless marriage through taking extreme measures. It’s a piece that examines the way we often go all in on lost causes and how that affects us. Do we come out the other end completely destroyed or do we find a strength and purpose within ourselves we didn’t know was there? I think it can definitely go either way. In the case of this story, our protagonist finds the latter.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

I’d say dark comedy / thriller.

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

I think the themes are very relatable to most people, whether they want to admit it or not. I think despite some of the more graphic parts of the story, the end offers a…

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Interview with Screenwriter Robert Tartell (CLEOPATRA’S REVENGE)

matthewtoffolo's avatarMatthew Toffolo's Summary

Matthew Toffolo: What is your screenplay about?

Robert Tartell : Cleopatra’s Revenge was really based on a true story. “Ross” and I really did see something sticking out the side of my house and it did vanish from his grasp- to this day I don’t know if Pam really saw a snake or not! (But she did indeed storm out!)

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Genre: Comedy. Farce all the way.

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

The world can always use a few more good laughs.

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

Two-word summary: Screwball comedy. Think I Love Lucy. Or Fawlty Towers.

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

The Third Man and The 39 Steps, one of the few Hitchcock films I really loved. Before I started writing, I read the…

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Interview with Screenwriter Samantha Loney (HUSH)

matthewtoffolo's avatarMatthew Toffolo's Summary

Matthew Toffolo: What is your screenplay about?

Samantha Loney: My screenplay is a television pilot about an FBI psychologist who comes back from maternity leave to be tasked with watching over a former special agent to solve the only case that she’s let go cold. They find that a string of child abductions might have connections to a dark government conspiracy.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Procedural, crime thriller, mystery.

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

This show has two strong female lead and discusses topics that are relevant to today. Human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of women in America.

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

Dark, fearless.


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

The Exorcist.


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

2 years.

7. How many stories…

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Interview with Screenwriter Andronica Marquis (DARK ANGELS)

matthewtoffolo's avatarMatthew Toffolo's Summary

Matthew Toffolo: What is your screenplay about?

Andronica Marquis: Dark Angels is about the struggle we all face to understand the true beauty of our nature despite the distraction of our pain, disappointments and insecurities.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Fantasy


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

While the screenplay is currently undergoing significant revisions to strengthen and clarify the characters, relationships and theme, it should eventually be made because it’s a dramatic and moving display of both what makes us human and beautiful beyond our mortality

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

Powerful and entertaining


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

Terminator 2


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

Over a year


7. How many stories have you written?

Four short films and three feature films

8. What…

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Interview with Filmmakers Kasey Poracky & Robert Mack (SHIFT)

matthewtoffolo's avatarMatthew Toffolo's Summary

Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film?

Robert: I had always had a passion for making movies, but never had the time or opportunity to pursue those interests during my high school years while under an intense training schedule of ballet, academics and extra-curriculars. When I got to Indiana University, I realized that the resources there and the incredible talent that I found myself surrounded by at the Jacobs School of Music Ballet Department would lend itself well to a high-quality project. From there on I began to form partnerships with students and faculty in both those schools.

Kasey: Once I heard Robert’s concept, I knew we’d be able to make something really beautiful that many people could relate to. And, I’ve always deeply admired dancers and dancing, so having the opportunity to capture ballet on film was a dream of mine.

2. From the idea to the…

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Interview with Filmmaker Kieron O’Sullivan (Consequences of Living a Lie)

matthewtoffolo's avatarMatthew Toffolo's Summary

Matthew Toffolo: What is your screenplay about?

Kieron O’Sullivan: The Consequences of Living a Lie is about a young man who can’t accept that he’s gay, so he’s a lived a constant lie and after the death of his girlfriend, he finally starts to face the consequences of all the lies he’s told. This is journey where Jack finally accepts who he is after being haunted by the ghost of his heartbroken girlfriend, and he finally finds happiness with his true love, Ellis.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

This screenplay is a Coming of Age story that falls into the Drama/Dark Comedy genre.

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

I believe this screenplay should be made into a movie because I haven’t seen this kind of coming out story before. This screenplay represents a different side to the LGBT community that shows the…

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Interview with Screenwriter Ma Troggian (FOREIGN)

matthewtoffolo's avatarMatthew Toffolo's Summary

Matthew Toffolo: What is your screenplay about?

Ma Troggian: Foreign is a story about love, loss and immigration in a politically polarized America.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Drama, Romantic Drama.

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

The script is timely. Foreign sheds light upon the importance of immigrants in America, while spontaneously telling an LGBTQ love story.

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

Sincere and political.


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

Moulin Rouge…

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

Four years.

7. How many stories have you written?

Two plays, one pilot, one short film and one feature film.

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

That’s hard. I listen to A LOT of music…

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