Working Experiences (Between Cinema, Publishing and Theatre…)


The first so called “working experiences” began from University period, until final return to Milan in June 2000.


February – June 2000
In February 1998, a new theatrical company is founded, “Gli emigranti”. A brand new company of new actors which brings its name from the fact that nobody of them comes from Bologna! The director is the young poet and playwrighter Attilio Folegatti from Alessandria.
The first play of the company is called “Amori Borghesi” , a free treatment and arrangement from the novel “Memorie di un giovane impiegato” by Federigo Tozzi.
Simone Sollazzo plays the role of “Giulio”, the brother of the protagonist played by actor Andrea Giannattasio. The company shows in the group some other important Simone’s friends and mates like Marco Picello and Dario Santarcangelo.
Although Emigranti company is a totally unknown group of artists, it begins production by participating at several festivals in Bolognese hinterland area between May and April 1998.
Reaction of the audience is quite good and group carries on its tournée over Summer period. So Important was also group debut show at Private Theatre at Collegio Castiglione followed by another lucky show at Independent Theatre “Michelemma’” of the production Massimiliano Farace & Co., and also at “Lord Lister” British Pub in Via Zamboni.
An unforgettable experience which has put the basis for whole understanding of the real meaning of “play” and “acting” and especially from the art of “playwriting” till Direction.



June 1998 – June 2000

The two years 1998-2000 face the direct intervention inside development of Bolognese cinema criticism and Journalism.

At the end of “Amori borghesi” mini-tournée, Simone meets directly Journalist and producer Andrea Romeo of the Independent review “Voci-off” which is composed of a new generation of Cinema teachers and critics like Roy Menarini, Francesco Pitassio and Andrea Meneghelli.
The concrete experience in writing film reviews will be useful to Simone in order to develop a more objective and deeper sight and analysis of the context of Cinema and its elements.

In October 1999 Simone will made a more incisive intervention in the cinema criticism section of “Nuovo Millennio” review, directed by the friend and journalist Gianmario Patrucco. The review under discussion is published and distributed in the various DAMS headquarters with the co-operation between Dams Bologna and Turin offices.
From first review of the movie “American History X” by Tony Kaye , Simone carries on his engagement inside group debate for producing new short movies. It’s another important experience which lasts until June 2000, the month of definitive come back to Milan.


Milan to drink.....between spot , cinema & Indipendent movie


From September 2000, the new stage is the native city of Milan.
It’s a kind of experienced territory from so many decades and it’s really difficult to find a co-operation activity for newcoming artists and assistants.
Nevertheless Simone’s thinking and will are now clear for beginning a new co-operation as a production assistant.
Frankly speaking all year 2000, will be used for completing final draft of the essay “The image of Solitude – The Cinema of Atom Egoyan”.
Every direct meeting and engagement in the cinema context is suspended until Summer 2001.
Simone finishes his thesis draft , working at the same time as Guide for Foreign tourists, floor porter in a Grand Hotel and cashier in a downtown book shop.



September 2001 – Ubufilm


In September 2001, Cinema Production re-opens its gates for Simone’s first professional experience as story analist for Producer Franco Zuliani.
The brand new production Company Ubufilm has been created with the main aim of producing high quality scripts and subjects.
The most important aspect is given by the fact that Simone keep in contact with whole Zuliani’s staff.
In that special occasion happens the first meeting with the future friend and Master Stefano Barberi.



January 2002

At the end of stage period at Ubufilm , Simone decides to begin an experiment with a nw project and a totally new kind of writing. It’s time of meeting with the Television production company 422 Webcast of Engineer Fabio Zancuoghi , who recruits Simone in the creative team section.
First step is the realization of the pilot of the homonymous format.
It’s another short but very deeper experience in which has been possible to meet many original and eclectic personalities of showbusinness, like the actor Mauro Capelli, who becomes a real supporter for the young author Simone.


May 2002 - Avatara / Atomica


422 Webcast company has positively permitted Simone to keep in touch with the world of “videoclip”, represented in this case by discography label Avatara.
In the meanwhile Avatara has spreaded ist structures and facilities giving birth to a parallel project “Atomica” , an idea of producer and owner Marcello Calo’. So natural is contact between Simone and all Atomica’s crew.
It’s concrete opportunity to taste a new art form like videoclip , which has influenced Simone so much at the end of eighties.
A new co-operation is born with Serbian director Zarko Ristic. A support and esteem which has been lasting until nowadays. It’s the beginning of subject for long movie such as treatment “Evasioni sfuggenti” , which has been in fact supported the most by Zarko.


Unfortunately the sudden depart of Ristic to Los Angeles has left Simone in a little period of uncertainty.
But he immediately decides to come back with a new project with another skilled personality of Atomica éntourage, the Milanese author and filmaker Rocco Rognoni, who according to Simone is one of the most meaningful and enlightening cinema masters. The co-operation with Rognoni carries on whole year 2004 and 2005. The first main project is the short movie script of “Omega” , an oneiric and supernatural thriller winking at American author and director Michael Nyght Shyamalan.


2003 - ...and now a little of advertising....


Everybody knows that Milanese advertising world is not an easy context to make approach, but Simone’s iron will has been awarded after a long series of attempts.
It’s the most difficult after-degree period but in June 2003 Simone imposes himself with a new eclectic experiment with the position of production assistant for advertising production company “Buddy Film”. As an easy volunteer , he catches attention of production crew and also the famous property technician Walter Saro who proposes Simone for a second proof as assistant in new project of advertising production company Alta Marea of producer Mario Castagna.

They will be only two separated cases in the career of Simone, but at the same time they are remembered with pleasure and objectivity.
The universe of Cinema production could be variegated,difficult but very enthralling at the same time.



September 2003 - Nomadfilms


Another Summer period finishes and Simone decides to call an important Director who caught his attention during Ubufilm experience.
Director is Stefano Barberi who, completed his final draft of script “Road 2 Void”, proposes Simone the position of story-analist of project.
This first important contact is the first step bringing to an important co-operation which has been lasting until now. Simone becomes officially member of Nomadfilms - Digitalmaster srl staff, the brand new Milanese production company with the main aim of spreading production development from industrial movies, event films , documentaries to high quality movie in general.
Stefano Barberi is considered by Simone as a master and commander of a ship called Nomad . Co-operation is getting stronger and finds right support of a real production company with its own structures and means and especially an Indipendent and duellist way of thinking.
Name “Nomad” is reflecting the same meaning of this first part of Simone career origin.
A nomad and dynamic behaviour , always ready to start new experiments in new ways and without any fear to get stopped in front of troubles and limits.
New projects have been put in production phase. The production of “1944” movie is the main example. An indipendent movie by Barberi, which shows in the crew not only Simone but some more fundamental personalities such as musician Thomas Rosenfeld, and two actors and protagonists Guido Caprino and Andrea Abbatista.



Obviously Simone’s career is not finished yet, but at the moment Simone is looking forward to future projects, new stories to tell, new dream to explore by Cinema.
Maybe just in this same instant a new dream is going to come true , between word and images....