Sol-Legacy Magazine

VOLUME VIIII

October 2024

Welcome to Sol-Caritas' captivating exploration of the creative minds that shape culture and art. In this exclusive interview, we invite you to step into the world of Howard McAfee, aka Ol' Skool—a dynamic writer, filmmaker, and poet who has mastered the art of blending raw emotion with unfiltered truth. With a unique voice honed through a deep connection to life experiences, Ol' Skool’s journey is one of authenticity, boldness, and relentless creativity.


Join us as we dive into his evolving storytelling process, from his accidental entry into filmmaking to his passion for pushing the boundaries of poetry and dialogue. We'll explore the influences that have shaped his work, the unspoken truths he brings to light, and the distinctive path he carves by refusing to follow the status quo.


Together, we'll reflect on the power of character development, the lessons learned from writing long poems and scripts, and the challenges of balancing creative freedom with the technical demands of film. Prepare to be inspired by Ol' Skool’s commitment to finding his own lane and creating work that challenges, engages, and resonates with audiences. This conversation will leave you with a deeper understanding of his artistic vision and the future of his creative journey.


Howard McAfee aka Ol' Skool

Where do we start? You’re a writer, filmmaker, and an all-around make-it-happen kind of person.


What inspired you to start writing, and how did you develop your unique voice as an author?    

She doesn’t know it, but my oldest sister inspired me to start writing. Her handwriting looked like calligraphy. The competitor in me just wanted to write better than her. And as far as the unique voice, I always wanted to say what others were afraid or didn’t want to say for whatever reason. Hanging around older folks and listening to older music tailored my colorful vocabulary to do so. 


How do you approach character development in your stories?


I don’t have much of an imagination. I just think of someone I know and think of how they’re react in certain situations. The characters are real. The story is not. 


What themes do you find yourself repeatedly exploring in your books, and why?    


I don’t find myself repeating any themes. Every theme and concept is very intentional to be different from the next. I don’t even like repetitive words in poems.  


What are some of the challenges you face in the publishing industry, and how do you overcome them?


I really haven’t faced any real challenges. My only problem is always wanted to just do it all myself. 

What initially drew you to filmmaking, and how did you get started in the industry?


Me doing film was a complete accident. I was really just bored and wanted a new format to write in. Somehow a screenplay came to mind. I just approached it the same way I would a poem and about a month later I was done. The plan was to sell it but I couldn’t travel because of Covid. A friend of mine suggested I film it so I told him to find some people that could act, and the rest is on film.


Can you walk us through your process of developing a film from concept to completion?


I have no set process. They’re just long poems to me. Sometimes I write from the end. Sometimes I write from the middle. I may write from the climax or just decide how I want it to build. And just like my poems, I don’t actually write anything down unless I have a beginning that’s draws attention. It just depends on what I’m feeling. If I feel I can flip a word or phrase a cool way, some pieces write themselves. 


What impact do you hope your films have on audiences?


An appreciation for the attention to detail in dialog and composition of the film to set it apart from others. I’d rather figure out my own lane than follow the status quo. That’s the fun part since I still don’t know what I’m doing.

What advice would you give to aspiring filmmakers who are just starting out?

It’s all a science project. You have controls and variables. Worry about what you can control. And if you can control it, no need to worry about it. The variables will piss you off. lol just find a way, anyway. You can control what an actor says, the variable is how he says it. Change his words or change his delivery. 

When did you first start writing poetry, and what drew you to this form of expression?

I grew up listening to Rudy Ray more as a child, somehow. After that, I was hooked. And since I don’t want to emulate his style with my own, I was forced to expand my vocabulary. 

What themes and subjects do you most often explore in your poetry?

Life. And everything it entails. I’m not very abstract with my writing. I’m more descriptive. I like to teach and hide information within lessons. 

What advice would you give to aspiring poets looking to develop their craft and find their voice?

Look within. No one can judge you on self-expression. Only you can develop you. Read more to expand vocabulary. Live more to experience more. Learn yourself to be true to the word. 

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