What is the best thing that I love about my work?

Everything. I know it sounds like a cliché but I really love every aspect of my work. I am a writer and a director. When I write I am transported in another world, I can be a totally different person in a totally different story, and when I direct I can stay in contact with people, tell them my vision and being a part of an amazing team who is trying to build and show a story.

What is my idea of happiness?

I love simple things, so my idea of happiness is just being surrounded by people I love, with a glass of wine.

What is my greatest fear?

Being a failure. During my whole life I’ve always listen to people who say that art isn’t a job, it’s a hobby! So now I want to prove them that art is a job, that you are a painter or a writer. That is what scare me the most, not being able to prove it, and so failing.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?

Sometimes I dream too much. Instead I should listen more to my brain and being more rational.

Which living persons in my profession do i most admire?

Aaron Sorkin, Charlie Kaufman, Agatha Christie, Italo Calvino and Luis Sepulveda as writers and screenwriters, because with one single word they can say a million things.

As a woman, I’ll say Ava DuVernay, Margherita Hack and any other woman or man who has fought and is fighting for every woman around the world. Thank you.

What is my greatest extravagance?

I’m extremely meticulous, I want everything to be perfect, especially with my creations, and if something is not as I imagined I throw away everything and start again until it comes out perfect.

On what occasion would I lie?

I’m a writer, of course I lie! When I write I pretend to be in another world, I try to be another person, I play with feelings and I can even be dead. I’m sorry to say that but writers lie, always!

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?

The fact that many people don’t often consider the writing part one of the most important. In the publishing field if you are not famous you don’t get paid much, and in the movie business the name of the writer appears every time after everyone else. It’s one of the most important job ever existed: people tell stories since they are born: our ancestors used to tell stories with drawings, then it becomes with words, and now we write. Without writers books will never exist, and films will never get made. We are of the most important part, and I’ll never stop saying that.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work?

The first time that someone believes in you, you’ll never forget. I was writing this book during my University period, and not only my professor believed in me, but few months later a Publishing Company contacted me to published it. Still now, years later, I couldn’t be more proud and happy.

If I could, what would I change about myself?

My flaw, as I said I am too meticulous, and sometimes I’d like to change that. No only it would be simpler for me, but also for the people around me, who has to put up with me every time. However, I am trying to change, I just hope I can.

What is my greatest achievement in work?

Every time a person like Peter de Kuster contact me. I don’t have many social networks and I don’t do so much publicity, so when someone so nice contact you for an interview you know you’re doing something right and that is an amazing achievement. Thank you!

Where would I most like to live?

Ah, good question! I know I want to live in a big city, that’s for sure! But which one? Oh, I like Paris, Rome, New York, Toronto, London, Berlin. Each of them as an unique personality and I’d be glad to be a part of it.

What is my most treasured possession?

I have a photo album on my desk, it’s plenty of photos of my family and friends, that is! I can write on any computer, but I cannot lose my memories!

What is my most marked characteristic?

I always talk and I’m always optimistic! Sometimes I think even too much! But when I do my magic, I can see people like it, they always enjoy a good positive view of life!

What is my most inspirational location, in my city?

I live in Rome and when I need inspiration I go to Navona Square or to the Oranges’ Garden, both of the place are breathtaking and inspired many poets!

What is my favourite place to eat and drink, in my city?

I’m from North of Italy where the Aperitif was invented, so any place in which I can drink a Spritz, eat something, and chat with my friends.

What books influenced my life and how?

I name two books: the first is Le città invisibili (The Invisible Cities) by Italo Calvino and the second is White Nights by Fyodor Dostoevsky. I read both books in one day, I didn’t even stop for lunch, I was totally engaged. Even though those two books are different and telling two nothing-alike stories, I can stop thinking about them, how the writers bring you in a world where you are lost and only found yourself at the end in a magnificent way. If I could write just as well as a quarter of they do, I’d be forever happy.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?

I love music, though I actually don’t listen to it all the time. I’ll say You Shook Me All Night Long by ACDC.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?

Mulan, strong fearless woman, who even without power or magic has beaten the world and the Huns! 

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?

My mom, who even without power or magic has beaten the world. During the time when a woman could have been only a secretary, she reached high spots.

Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime?

Citizen Kane, Orson Welles did an amazing and perfect job with this movie. Not only he changed and improved what was made at that time, but he even invented new filming techniques that we are still using nowadays.

What role play stories in my life and work?

Stories are my life and work. I work creating stories, I live those stories. I read stories and I watch stories, basically I can’t live without a story in my life!

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me?

For me, it means you can choose your life and your destiny. As I decide for my characters every time what they can do and who they are, the same you can do it with your life. You can be your storyteller, just be strong and face every obstacle!

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?

Oh that’s simple! My two best friends: Stella and Camilla, not only they are my biggest fan (I dedicated a book to them) but they are my sponsors and partners in crime. We talk every month for too many hours! They cheer me up when I’m sad, and celebrate with me when a good news arrivse. I couldn’t be more thankful to have met them!

Which people or companies would I like to work with in 2021?

Right now I’d say Pixar, Walt Disney or Dreamworks. I started my career writing books for children, and even if now I’m writing only for adults, I’d like to take a step back and again create fairy tales. When you write for kids you start to enjoy life as they are, it’s a new world where everything is possible and good people always win. I actually think that every adult should see this kind of world once in a while.

Which people in my profession who can make a real difference in my creative career would I love to meet in 2021?

In Italy? Catteleya, Iervolino Entertainment, and Rai Films. Big movie companies around here, on which I’d like to pitch my new ideas, as well as some of most important book companies like Mondadori and Feltrinelli. About the rest of the world? I think I had answered that before!

What project, in 2021, am I looking forward to work on?

I have a beautiful Coming-of-age story in my mind, about two culture who seem different but at then they are really the same. I’m writing right now the script, I hope to sell it one day.

Where can you see me or my work in 2021?

Here! In my website: www.curlyhairproduction.eu You can find everything I’ve done and I’m making as well as the awards I won. Don’t be shy and take a look!

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?

They mean everything. You can shut up passion and remove it from your mind, because no matter how hard you’ll try to forget about your passion, it will always come back to make you feel special and loved. So yes, passion never retires. Never.

Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story?

My good friend Chiara Rodoni, she is an Italian writer and director who is currently living in the US. She is great and I hope she can make this interview.

How can you contact me?

My personal email is alix.presa@gmail.com you can contact me here with no problem, I always try to answer to each email I receive, and if you want to use a social network I’d prefer LinkedIn.

You can also find me on Amazon: https://www.amazon.it/Alice-Wood/e/B086YZKHS4/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1

And IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9272244/