Performed by Val Cole
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Producer: Matthew Toffolo http://www.matthewtoffolo.com
Director: Matthew Toffolo
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: Kimberly Villarruel
Camera Op: Mary Cox
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short story
Short Story Reading: Massachusetts Tale, by Lionel Walfish
Performed by Katelyn Varadi
From the writer:
I have always been fascinated by the coastal State of Massachusetts, USA.
Aside from spending wonderful vacations there over the years, there are historical aspects of Massachusetts that fascinate me.
For example….WITCHES !!
Many stories, novels and plays have been written about witches, often taking place in New England: The Crucible, by Arthur Miller and The Witches, 1692, by Stacy Schiff, are just two of those I enjoy.
While A MASSACHUSETTS TALE is not specifically about witches, it does allude to witch burials that took place in the ‘unconsecrated ground’ of a Massachusetts’s cemetery long long ago..
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Producer: Matthew Toffolo http://www.matthewtoffolo.com
Director: Matthew Toffolo
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: Kimberly Villarruel
Camera Op: Mary Cox
Short Story Reading: Becoming Fearless, by Maura O’Leary
Performed by Katelyn Varadi
Get to know the writer:
What is the story about?
This story was created, not to talk about “me” and my successes per se, but to inspire others to follow their path of passion/life goals/creativity.
The story came about after I read a book about “disrupting yourself” and while reading it I realized that over my career I’ve changed things up every 5 YEARS since my 30’s! It inspired me enough to write this short story to share with others and hopefully tell them:
Never give up!
Believe in yourself, listen to that inner voice, shut out the “outer voice(s)” and focus on your dreams! Visualize them coming true-every day. Meditate and see things happening. Ask the universe for help!
Don’t say the word “Can’t” and stop hearing the word NO.
2. What Genres is the story in?
Inspirational
3. How would you describe this story in two words?
Be Fearless!
4. Movie I’ve seen the most in life?
I watch this movie every holiday season:
LOVE ACTUALLY it’s such a beautiful movie and soundtrack
5. Favorite song?
Too many to list BUT I do try to stay on top of latest songs and bands.
Currently I love listening to the band Mondo Cozmo and their songs: HIGHER and Plastic Soul
And favorite song of the year for me-SO powerful: PRAYING by Kesha
6. All time Favorite Novel?
Woah– way too many to list!
I am an avid reader, and have been since I was a little girl. I use to go to the small branch library near where I lived and would pick up as many books as my little arms would hold to read each week!
This year so far I’ve read several books, and a few favorites are: All the Light We Cannot See, Glass Castle, and currently reading “Women in the Castle”.
Authors that have influenced my writing genre and style overall are: Richard Paul Evans, Mitch Albom, Lorne Byrne, and many others
7. Motivation to write this short story?
To inspire others, (mainly women) young or old. To go after your dreams, don’t let anything/anyone stop you from trying, and be fearless in your pursuit of your goals in life!
8. If I could have dinner with one person:
Alive: OPRAH
Dead: Princess Diana
9. Apart from writing what else are you passionate about?
Traveling when I can, learning more about diverse spiritual subjects, sharing my career story with women whenever/wherever I can, advocating for children reading, love animals and all kinds of music, volunteering for a few local non-profits, and through my book “When Angels Play Poker” reaching out to those that need to know they are loved from above…every day.
10. What influenced me to enter story to be performed?
Honestly when I discovered your site, I just thought this was the coolest idea! I wasn’t sure my short story would be accept and/or performed –but thrilled that it has. It’s just one more way to spread the word about inspiring people to go after their dreams! Thanks so much for this opportunity.
11. Advice I’d like to pass along with other writers?
Keep writing your story, and be fearless about getting your book out to the world.
Everyone has a gift, and a story….don’t let anyone stop you from sharing it!
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Producer: Matthew Toffolo http://www.matthewtoffolo.com
Director: Matthew Toffolo
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: Kimberly Villarruel
Camera Op: Mary Cox
Short Story Reading: YES I CAN, by Marie Bethel
Performed by Katelyn Varadi
Get to know the writer:
1. What is your story about?
My story is about determination and willpower.
2. What genres would you say the story is in?
The genres are life story and inspiration.
3. How would you describe this story in two words?
I would describe it as willpower and motivation.
4. What movie have you seen the most in your life?
I’ve seen the movie It’s a Wonderful Life, several times.
5. What is your favorite song?
My favorite song is “A House is Not a Home”
6. Do you have an all-time favorite novel?
My favorite novel is “King Solomon Mines”
7. What motivated you to write this story?
The story is about faith, determination and willpower. Your subconscious mind can conquer any challenges you may face in life.
8. If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive) who would that be?
Mr. Sidney Poitier
9. Apart from writing what else are you passionate about?
I am passionate about fashion designing, sculpturing, art and cooking.
10. What influence you to enter your story to get performed?
My story may help to motivate people who lost hope, whether it is sickness or
employment.
11. Any advice or tips you would like to pass on to other writers?
Keep a scrapbook with all your ideas. Whether it’s life experiences, work or dreams, you can develop stories from your collection.
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Producer: Matthew Toffolo http://www.matthewtoffolo.com
Director: Matthew Toffolo
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: Kimberly Villarruel
Camera Op: Mary Cox
Short Story Reading: 85 Dreams, by Melissa Mendelson
Performed by Katelyn Varadi
Get to know the writer:
1. What is your short story about?
We’re constantly surrounded by the news, but we try to shut our eyes and our ears. What if we opened them and found a quiet scene, where an old man sits outside, watching a line of people getting on a bus? What if he were to turn toward us, trying to meet our gaze and tell us his story? Would he be heard, and would we finally see what is really going on outside of our lives?
2. What genres would you say this story is in?
Drama, Political
3. How would you describe this story in two words?
Sad Truth
4. What movie have you seen the most in your life?
I have been watching movies since I was a kid. I especially used to love watching Horror and Science-Fiction, but these days, I seem drawn to movies such as The Show, Disconnect and Before We Go.
5. What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)
I love Music, and one of my all-time favorites is U2. I can’t get enough of their song, “The Troubles” off their album, Songs of Innocence.
6. Do you have an all-time favorite novel?
Charlotte’s Web.
7. What motivated you to write this story?
I was having lunch with my family one day, thinking over the news from last night and listening to my family talk politics and sports. Then, suddenly, I realized that someone was talking to me. It was the voice of that old man sitting outside, waiting to go on that bus.
8. If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?
Chris Evans. He did an impressive job with his movie, “Before We Go.”
9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Photography, and some of my photographs have found home on Fine Art America.
10. What influenced you to enter your story to get performed?
The actors in WildSound have an incredible talent, truly delivering on the characters and stories that they are given.
11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
We find comfort in fiction, creating new worlds and intriguing characters, but we need to remember to pull our head out of the clouds and look around.
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Producer: Matthew Toffolo http://www.matthewtoffolo.com
Director: Matthew Toffolo
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: Kimberly Villarruel
Camera Op: Mary Cox
Short Story Reading: Nookmis, by Athena WiseNrich
Performed by Elizabeth Rose Morriss
Get to know the writer:
1. What is your short story about?
Ancient native traditions and beliefs
2. What genres would you say this story is in?
Historical Fantasy
3. How would you describe this story in two words?
Next: Death
4. What movie have you seen the most in your life?
“What Dreams May Come”
5. What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)
Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven
6. Do you have an all-time favorite novel?
Dragon Riders of Pern
7. What motivated you to write this story?
I’m writing a novel and wanted a backstory. This came as a result of a dream, followed by a reading of the “Sheaves.”
8. If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?
Amelia Earhart
9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Visual art and the sharing of light, love and laughter
10. What influenced you to enter your story to get performed?
I’ve only heard this story in my head, my voice. I wanted to hear it in someone else’s voice.
11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
Every day activities sound so cliche, but that’s how you get it done.
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Producer: Matthew Toffolo – http://www.matthewtoffolo.com
Director: Matthew Toffolo
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: Kimberly Villarruel
Camera Op: Mary Cox
Short Story Reading: KIEL, by Keith Brandon
Performed by Elizabeth Rose Morriss
Get to know the writer:
1. What is your novel about?
Is about the future where we meet the aliens for the first time for real and it turns out they need our help.
2. What genres would you say this story is in?
Sci-Fi
3. How would you describe this story in two words?
New Sci-Fi
4. What movie have you seen the most in your life?
Star Wars
5. What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)
Possibly Nessun Dorma performed by Pavarotti and Bocelli
6. Do you have an all-time favorite novel?
Asimov’s foundation and Terry Goodkind’s Sword of the Truth.
7. What motivated you to write this story?
My own imagination
8. If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?
Hard to answer, I would go with Pavarotti
9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Driving small boats when I get the chance, learning to fly and watching a lot of Political and legal drama.
10. What influenced you to enter your story to get performed?
To have the chance to share my story or part of it even if it does not win right now.
11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
Keep on writing and creating new stories.
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Producer: Matthew Toffolo – http://www.matthewtoffolo.com
Director: Matthew Toffolo
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: Kimberly Villarruel
Camera Op: Mary Cox
