A stroll through my adventures
With gratitude to all those characters I encountered, the fictional and the real ones, for every encounter is a journey on its own
Most features are fully available on YouTube
BARTALI'S BICYCLE
AUTHOR AND SCRIPTWRITER
Full script, cinema animation movie 100'
In production by RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana and Lynx Multimedia Factory.
David and Ibrahim break the barriers that divide their communities and become friends. They start racing together against all kind of hurdles and hostility to build a better future. Their most precious allies are their respective grandparents and an old bicycle who belonged to the famous and hero champion Bartali. A very sensitive topic and a huge responsibility. My last work with friend Israel Moscati, who couldn't see it coming true.
Currently raising capital to complete the production.
UN CIELO STELLATO SOPRA IL GHETTO DI ROMA
AUTHOR, SCRIPTWRITER, ACTOR
Full script, cinema movie, director Giulio Base
Produced by RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana, Altre Storie, Clipper Media
A movie that came to life thanks to the determination of the late Israel Cesare Moscati, wonderfully directed by Giulio Base, who gave me the chance to get back on set as an actor, after so many years out of the screen. So many emotions to be once more in front the camera.
THE TREASURE ISLAND
ADAPTATION, CONCEPT AUTHOR, STORY EDITOR, SCRIPTWRITER
Series bible, 26 synopsis and 10 scripts
- TV animation series 26x26, director Giuseppe Maurizio Laganà
Produced by Italian RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana and Mondo TV
I was called to adapt R. L. Stevenson's masterpiece and I crafted an enlarged saga that sails well beyond the original novel with a much wider and tougher conflict to endure, a lot of magic and an epic final. A story where the eternal struggle between Good and Evil is transcended by the quest for the core origin of vengeance. One of my dearest works.
MAX & MAESTRO
SCRIPTWRITER
7 scripts, TV animation series 52x11', director Christophe Pinto
Produced by Monello Productions, MPI, RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana, France Télévisions, Hessischer Rundfunk, Creative Europe Media
A fresh and original series on Max, a kid who lives in a working class periphery and enjoys friends, pranks, football and is a master of freestyle rapping. But one day, Max casually meets the famous Maestro Daniel Barenboim and discovers his unique talent for classical music. Max now has it crystal clear: one day he'll be a great Maestro too but... how will all the others accept such a weird career?
Giorgio Welter conceived the series and the great Maestro Daniel Barenboim offered his persona as character for the show.
FOOT 2 RUE / STREET FOOTBALL
Seasons 1-2-3
ADAPTATION, CONCEPT AUTHOR and SCRIPTWRITER
Series bible, a total of 27 scripts
- TV animation saga - 3 seasons of 26x26'
, directors Stephane Roux, Bruno Bligoux
Produced by Italian RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana, France Télévisions, Téléimages Productions and De Mas Produzioni
I had the wonderful chance to be part of the team that created one of the best animated success in France. An adaptation from the original novel by Stefano Benni.
The story of a mixed gang of kids who overcome all kind of challenges and set up the first Street Football World Championship ever. Respect and loyalty, the spirit of Foot, move their action even more than their incredible sporting talent. A great opportunity to drive positive moral values to millions of kids and a wonderful experience with great professionals: Giorgio Welter, Philippe Alessandri, Serge Rosenzweig and Monica Rattazzi.
FOOT 2 RUE EXTREME
AUTHOR, SCRIPTWRITER
Series bible and 7 scripts
- TV animation series 26x26, director Franck Michel
Produced by Italian RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana, France Télévisions, Téléimages Productions, Maga Animation, Lagardere Active, Gulli, Canal J
After the trilogy of Foot de Rue/Street Football, producer Philippe Alessandri asked for an entirely rebooted concept, a spin-off with a new generation of street footballers. We developed the concept of "Extreme" street football, created a completely new environment, an entirely new set of characters and a story adapted for 3D animation.
FARHAT
Season 1: The Prince of Desert
Season 2: The Black Scorpion
CONCEPT AUTHOR, STORY EDITOR AND SCRIPTWRITER
Series bible, a total of 26 scripts - TV animation series, 2 seasons of 26x26', director Giuseppe Maurizio Laganà
Produced by RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana and Mondo Tv
Farhat started as the winning bid in a contest launched by RAI TV. In team with long time friend Marco Videtta, we developed two successful seasons, an endless stream of narrative inventions and an original set of characters, including a never-seen-before alchemist scorpion.
RAHAN - SON OF THE DARK AGES
SCRIPTWRITER
5 scripts, TV animation series 26x26, director Pascal Morelli
Produced by Italian RAI - Radiotelevisione Italiana, France Télévisions, ZDF, Xilam Animation, Castelrosso Produzioni
The Rahan comic saga was created in 1969 and it had already been adapted to animation in the '80s. Pascal Morelli brought it to another level of narrative depth and graphic excellence. An intriguing journey into a prehistoric world subjected to mighty magical forces. RAI TV had a stake in the project and some scripts were to be written in Italy. The selection of our writers was made via audition by mr. Morelli, who tested many writers and finally chose me and Alessandro Tamburini.
MINININJAS - Season 2
SCRIPTWRITER
1 script, TV animation series 52x13'
Produced by RAI - Radiotelevisione Italiana, France Télévisions, Enanimation, Cyber Groups Studios
Second season of a successful show on young ninjas in ancient Japan, with a humorous twist and never ending action. I had just a one-shot, occasional involvement on this project but it was worthwhile, since I could enjoy their series' bible, one of the most complete and professional I ever saw
GLADIATORS - THE SEVEN WONDERS TOURNAMENT
SCRIPTWRITER
4 scripts
- TV animation series 26x26
, director Maurizio Forestieri
Produced by RAI - Radiotelevisione Italiana and Mondo TV
The emperor’s young grandson is on the run, chased by conspiring villains. A homeless rascal from Syria helps him out and, with the help of dream team of gladiators and a mentor wizard, the two kids unravel the mystery of an obscure past while playing in a deadly tournament that drives the team through the seven wonders of classic times.
SPIKE TEAM - Season 1
CONCEPT DEVELOPER, STORY EDITOR and SCRIPTWRITER
Series bible in its final draft, 26 synopsis and 2 scripts
, director Maurizio Forestieri
Produced by RAI - Radiotelevisione Italiana, Lucky Dreams and Graphilm
Spike was a complex production sailing in troubled waters and late on schedule. I was called by Rai producer Annita Romanelli to lead the ship in port. In close contact with famous director and friend Maurizio Forestieri, I reshaped the concept and, in a very short and exhausting time, I wrote from ground up a full set of 26 new synopsis with all twists and turns solved and ready to be laid in script.
I then directed an ample writing crew to respect deadlines and match the broadcaster expectations. Mission accomplished.
KIM
SCRIPTWRITER
7 scripts
- TV animation series 26x26
, director Giuseppe Maurizio Laganà
Produced by RAI - Radiotelevisione Italiana and Mondo Tv
The classic by Rudyard Kipling adapted for animation by Lucia Zei and Paolo Morales. A series with adventure, magic, drama, romance and a journey of youth, growth and initiation to life.
STELLINA
SCRIPTWRITER
2 scripts, TV animation series 26x26, directors Sidney Kombo, Alessandro Belli
Produced by France Télévisions, RAI - Radiotelevisione Italiana, The Animation Band, Pictor Media
Lucia Zei received an assignment by RAI TV to develop a girl hero. She developed Stellina, an orphan kid who's happily growing in a wandering circus till a mean social worker discovers her
and is determined to confine the girl in an orphanage.Stellina escapes and follows a long quest for freedom and a new belonging.
The project was eventually picked up by France Télévisions with RAI TV retaining only a minor stake. I wrote two of the few episodes left to Italy.
SPAGHETTI FAMILY
SCRIPTWRITER
5 scripts
- TV animation series 26x26
, director Bruno Bozzetto
Produced by RAI - Radiotelevisione Italiana and The Animation Band
A cool experience and a great opportunity to work with Italian maestro Bruno Bozzetto, who conceived this hilarious and satirical series depicting a “normal” Italian family.
I wrote five amusing stories that drove the characters to their limits into absurd events in the pure Bozzetto style. Awesome writing indeed.
BENEDETTA
CONCEPT DEVELOPER and SCRIPTWRITER
Short animation film on exploitation of child labour, 1x26’, director Rosalba Vitellaro
Produced by RAI - Radiotelevisione Italiana, Comune di Palermo, Larcadarte
The mission was particularly delicate. I had to write a story on the sensitive subject of child labour, aimed to be screened in schools to educate, alert and reach out kids in danger of dropping out. It was an effort to give the least fortunate an example of hope and resilience. An engaging assignment I was pleased and honoured to fulfil.
SANDOKAN - Seasons 2 and 3
SCRIPTWRITER
A total of 12 scripts,
TV animation series, 3 seasons of 26x26'
, director Giuseppe Maurizio Laganà
Produced by RAI - Radiotelevisione Italiana and Mondo Tv
My first experience with Lucia Zei and Paolo Morales, who authored the concept.
A great pleasure for me, since The Tiger of Malaysia, like many other heroes crafted by writer Emilio Salgari, were main staple in my voracious reading years as a kid.
I had the pleasure and opportunity to directly dive back as a creator into those fascinating adventures set in a 19th century exotic world of the Far East, with mesmerizing locations, mysterious peoples, hideous threats.
THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS
SCRIPTWRITER
7 scripts
- TV animation series 26x26
, director Giuseppe Maurizio Laganà
Produced by RAI - Radiotelevisione Italiana and Mondo Tv and The Animation Band
Following the great success of the movie starring Daniel Day Lewis, Mondo TV decided to take the chance to produce this evergreen story to animation. An interesting and daring adaptation for kids that didn't betray the original drama and was met with success when aired. I particularly enjoyed digging into the personalities and relations of the two native starring characters, Chingachgook “Big Snake” and his son Uncas. I still remember some of the scenes I wrote with them with particular pleasure.
KINDER MAGIC SPORT
CONCEPT DEVELOPER and SCRIPTWRITER
Commercial short film for Kinder chocolate products 1x24
, director Maurizio Forestieri
Produced by Ferrero MPG and Graphilm
An assignment that let me refresh my previous experiences with commercial videos.
This short film was to be distributed as DVD with the famous Kinder chocolate eggs by Ferrero.
It gave me the opportunity to experience a different creative and production environment, with a consistent and targeted storytelling, all focused towards direct commercial promotion. Professionally enriching.
JESUS - A KINGDOM WITHOUT FRONTIERS
SCRIPTWRITER
1 script
- TV animation series 26x26
, director Jung Soo Yong
Produced by RAI - Radiotelevisione Italiana, Mondo Tv and Antoniano Bologna
My second assignment as a screenwriter, embedded in an ample crew.
I wrote a single episode but still vividly remember the script and the challenge to match the doctrinal requirements by CEI, the Italian Bishops Conference, that accurately checked the whole production.
We had no much room to move when coming to the starring Jesus, who was very "institutional”, but I could play much more creatively when painting the villains.
An opportunity I didn't miss…
SOCCER FEVER
SCRIPTWRITER
10 scripts
- TV animation series 52x26
, director Jin Oda
Produced by RAI - Radiotelevisione Italiana, Tokyo Movie Shinsha and Rever
RAI was venturing into animated series for the first time. The production was huge, entirely filmed in Japan before big part of the industry moved to cheaper countries.
Luciano Scaffa, head of the Kid's Division, hired a group of youngsters working in his department to match the challenge. I was author and showman in one of his shows and he picked me up to be part of the pack.
I ended up writing more scripts than anyone else and… I’m the only one still standing today as a full time writer.