Antoinette Fernandez has turned the pain of losing her sister into purpose. She is a multi-award-winning screenwriter from Boston Massachusetts. She currently has 4 multi-award-winning projects “7 Evils”, “Just By Chance”, “Out On A Limb”, and “Still Got The Juice “ circulating throughout the film festival circuit globally.
She continues to walk her path to success by creating stories with the content of everyday life mixing truth with fiction for all cultures to enjoy. She is currently working on her documentary called (The Word Is Out — The Introduction 2 Still Got The Juice ) as well as an animated series called “ One Cruel Summer “ (Mason’s City) Antoinette remains humble, thankful and focused on bringing forth these project to an audience on a major network. She recently has been featured on Sheen Magazine, SwagHer Magazine, Formidable Woman Magazine, Medium, Hype Magazine, and more.
This week, we got the opportunity to interview Antoinette Fernandez as we spoke about her journey of screenwriting, her future projects, and what she hopes to attain from her works.
Eman: What is the first story you ever wrote? Did it ever get a chance to be published?
Antoinette Fernandez: Actually, Still Got The Juice was the first to get published on Amazon back in November of 2020. We entered the All Genre Film Festival out in Hollywood California.. and what they do is see how your project would sell and rank on Amazon. We ranked at #31 for the kindle edition and #36 for paperback.. and it was the first time receiving royalty checks for something I wrote. It was such a surreal moment for me.
Eman: You have achieved 4 multi-winning projects “7 Evils,” “Just By Chance,” “Out On a Limb,” and “Still Got the Juice.” From these projects, which is your most favorite one?
Antoinette Fernandez: My favorite will always be ‘’Still Got The Juice” for it’s a story about losing yourself only to find your way again. I lost my sister back in 2015 and to make a long story short when she died I felt like I died. Nothing made me happy. It was like I was flesh in an empty, broken shell not even existing in the world. My life completely stopped.
I tell this story all the time that before she died, I wrote video treatments and filmed videos for local singers and rappers. Once she died, I stopped. This guy I know would constantly say Toni you use to have the JUICE. It wasn’t until then that it hit me that I was quickly spiraling into a deep depression. His words haunted me until I realized that I “Still Got The Juice” and there was no way I could have prevented my sister’s death. That’s how “Still Got The Juice” became a healing tool for me in so many ways.
Eman: Can you tell us about your most memorable moment throughout your career?
Antoinette Fernandez: There are so many where do I start? Winning 74 screenwriting awards in less than a year is an absolute AHA, WOW! Memorable moment. Getting royalty checks for “Still Got The Juice”, having all 4 of my projects win multi awards on their own in film festivals that don’t even know who I am, being featured in The Hype Magazine, and having them promote me on Twitter and Instagram was HUGE.. as well as being featured in Sheen Magazine the same time Spice from Love & Hip Hop Atlanta rocked the cover.
I’m very, very thankful and couldn’t have had these features without an amazing PR team — Visionary Minds PR Media. Tammy Reese is an amazing person and puts in that work. It’s one of those moments when people you know say how good you are but it doesn’t sink in until you step out of your comfort zone and get feedback from people who do not know you. That was a goal of mine and I am very proud to have accomplished what I have accomplished thus far.
Eman: Throughout your career, did you face any obstacles? If yes, then how did you overcome them?
Antoinette Fernandez: Of course! There’s no way to survive in life without obstacles. My mojo is never to give the spotlight to anything that will make me bitter all over again. So what I will say is this… you will meet all kinds of people on your journey. Pay very close attention to their actions & not necessarily what they say. Put everything in writing. If someone refuses to put it in writing, no matter how big the opportunity, do not do it.
If a person is serious about doing business with you, they will have no problem putting the terms of the opportunity in writing. Our actions will always be known as a reflection of our character. Treat people right and don’t take everything that doesn’t go your way personally.
Eman: Growing up, what movies or stories inspired your creative passion?
Antoinette Fernandez: I can’t say it was a movie … it was the reality that triggered my passion for writing.. though I love violent movies, Mafia movies, and Sci-Fi. I was never big on romantic stories.. but I’ve grown to enjoy them.
Eman: you explain your character development process?
Antoinette Fernandez: Music, music allows me to go back in time to feel the emotions of the characters I am developing. For example, when writing 7 Evils I had to allow myself to become vulnerable, afraid, and determined to overcome my fear to create the main character.
I always feared horror and anything to do with death, black magic, and spirits. Though for me to create emotions for the main character I listened to “Tormented “ It’s very intense horror music mixes and believe me it had me sleeping with the lights on. 7 Evils has won over 20 awards thus far.
Eman: Does dialogue come easily or is it difficult for you?
Antoinette Fernandez: I think being a Gemini makes dialogue comes very easy for me….lol
Eman: Can you explain your re-writing process? Do you look forward to this stage of the process?
Antoinette Fernandez: Absolutely, you will always uncover new things with rewrites or better ways to express how your character is feeling in simpler terms without giving too much of the feeling away. Also, new action lines make the story pop more. You can never be afraid of rewrites, it’s a whole new world.
Eman: How do you deal with the solitary aspect of screenwriting?
Antoinette Fernandez: Hmm, great question! Personally, I follow God’s lead. The journey we walk is #allgodsplan.
Eman: What advice would you like to provide to aspiring screenwriters?
Antoinette Fernandez: Copyright your work and allow others to view it. Get every opportunity in writing. Treat people right, take nothing personally and never give up on yourself.
Eman: What does True Urban Culture mean to you?
Antoinette Fernandez: A culture for all to enjoy. There was a time you never seen other cultures embrace urban culture like it is embraced today. Though we have a ways to go, it’s nice to see urban culture celebrated and shared throughout the world with so many different cultures.
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