Q. Hello Frank, it's great to have you here with us for this interview. Congratulations on your ‘Best Screenplay’ awards at last February's edition of the “Rome International Movie Awards” (click HERE).
First of all, why don't you introduce yourself to those of us who don't already know you?
A. First and foremost, I would like to thank the "Rome International Movie Awards" on selecting "Severed Ties" and "Non Scordarti di Me" as 'Best Crime Drama' and 'Best Drama'. I am honored and humbled. I am an American/Italian actor living in NYC. I worked on several films and television, but like most struggling actors, I had to work to pay the bills. I worked 2 fulltime jobs and put my career on hold while raising a family. When I retired from both jobs, I began to pursue my dream again. Soon after, I was pursuing my acting career when I met another struggling actor named Chris. Well, we decided to work on our own projects and soon I was producing my first independent film called "Blue Iron", which was on Amazon Prime for a year. We are currently in postproduction of our second film. I realized that I needed to write my own stories to make it in this difficult business. Using my background as an officer, I wrote a full featured screenplay called "S.T.A.N.E." which won 'Best Action/Adventure' screenplay at the "Las Vegas International Film Festival". But like most writers, I needed to know if this was just a fluke and could I do it again. And the answer is yes, I have written 3 full length features and 3 short screenplays. Being selected by the "Rome International Movie Awards" has given me more confidence as a writer and look forward to my next story.
Q. Now what got you into screenwriting in the first place and did you receive any formal training on the subject?
A. No, I did not receive any formal training as a writer. Actually, I was horrible. I had the screenplay written and when I showed it to a friend, who is a writer, he recommended I hire a script doctor. So, I did. They both liked the script, but I needed help with the formatting of the script and showed me the ropes in making a good script. He recommended I read some books on screen writing which helped me a lot. To the question what made me want to write, that’s easy. My life has been very interesting in the kind of work I did, so I have stories to share.
A. It’s all about family. "Non Scordarti di Me" is homage to my father who was orphaned at the age of 12 with 4 younger sisters to take care of in Italy in 1936 thru WWII and his dream to come to America to make a better life for him and his family. "Severed Ties" is about the destruction of family when it comes to greed.
Q. Could you take us through the whole process of you writing a screenplay, from first idea to final draft?
A. For me as a writer, I need to know the subject matter. Like the Romans say, “Rome wasn’t built in a day” you need to see the whole picture from beginning to end and then write the stories in sections, beginning, middle and end. Since my stories are what I experienced in life, I visualize the scenes in my head and tell the story has I saw it thru my eyes. Like most writers, you tell your story and read and reread as if you’re reading it for the first time knowing that the audience can now visualize in their mind what you saw and believing it. Then you did your job as a writer.
Q. Over the years, how do you think you have evolved as a writer?
A. I have gotten much better in bringing my emotions and life experiences to my writing. And each screenplay has gotten better with details and learning more about subplots and twists within the story.
Q. What can you tell us about your work prior to “Non scordarti di me” and “Severed Ties”?
A. Like I mentioned earlier my first screenplay called "S.T.A.N.E.". Then I wrote "AVA", a story about a young Hispanic female being stalked by a white rich privileged kid who likes to games, but the game goes to far. Next, I wrote "A Glimpse of my life thru my Eyes" is a autobiography of my life has a documentary. My last script is a full feature film about Covid 19, a sci fi film called "Q-10 Diner" that takes place in small town USA and the the virus attacks the town and causes panic and fear in this town. Who survives? I have been very blessed that all of my scripts have been honored as either award winner or finalist.
A. I don’t have any particular writer that inspires me. I am still learning and growing as a writer. Still trying to capture my own style.
Q. Your favourite books? And of course, books you really deplore?
A. I was a fan of Tom Clancy and Dan Brown. I won’t criticize anyone for writing a book. I just won’t read it.
A. On Facebook (HERE), Instagram (HERE), Twitter (HERE) and IMDB (HERE).
Q. Thank you for this very inspiring interview, Frank. Here at the “Rome International Movie Awards” we look forward to seeing and appreciating your new film productions!
A. I would like to thank Samantha and the "Rome International Movie Awards" for this opportunity and again grazie a tutti on selecting "Severed Ties" and "Non Scordarti di Me" at this great festival. I look forward to submitting more of my work in the future.
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