Film

My first movie was called “John’s Adventure in Time.” I was twelve. My grandmother played a school teacher named Mrs. Pickle-relishy. My grandfather played Davy Crocket. My brother, Justin, played a boy from the future. Since this project, I have continued to make movies for my own enjoyment.

Writer, Director “The Way They Were Inside”

Winner of Best Writing, Best Use of Prop. A woman discovers a pair of sunglasses that reveal the true nature of people’s intentions. I united a team that wrote, cast, shot, edited, and musically scored a short film, “The Way They Were Inside,” in 48 hours. It was conceived in my living room and shot entirely in Newmarket, NH. The movie debuted at the Apple Tree Cinema 12 in Londonderry, NH in association with the inaugural NH 48 Hour Film Project. View the film via Youtube:

Co-Director “I’m Nobody”

A one-minute film collaboration with co-director Danielle Herman, German prepared pianist Hauschka (Fat Cat Records), and NPR contributor Sean Hurley. Debuted at Lumen Eclispe’s outdoor screen in Harvard Square in association with Le:60 Film Fest.

Cinematographer, “Chronium”

A dark time travel mystery was shot in association with the 48 Hour International Shootout. We shot in the snow. It was cold. We also made stacks of fake money. Did you know that Adobe Photoshop recognizes and disallows the use of a digitally scanned twenty dollar bill? We found that out. Makes sense now that I think about it.

Cinematographer, “Organic Coffee and Gorgonzola”

A film was shot in association with the Equal Exchange Invitational. It is a sweeping tale of two young lovers and how they relate to… food.

Cinematographer, “The Real Word: Versailes”

A spoof of reality TV through the lens of post-World War One Europe. In addition to an Audience Choice Award, “The Real World: Versailes” on won Best Script, Best Ensemble, Best Costumes, and Best Actress. I was awarded (Boston’s) Best Cinematographer. Go New Hampshire! We also won the award for Best Film.

Cinematographer, “Eleanor Stops by for a Bite”

A 1950’s instructional video turned slasher flick. Winner of Best Special Effects, Best Use of Genre and the Audience Choice Award “Eleanor Stops by for a Bite” was produced in association with Boston’s 48 Hour Film Project. It was also accepted to Zompire: the Undead Film Festival and it screened at Boston Film Night.

Director of Young Filmmakers Workshop, NH Film Festival

The NH Film Festival, New Hampshire’s largest film event, is dedicated to bringing cutting edge independent movies to the granite state while also giving a screening platform to regional filmmakers. Over 3,000 people attended the films, seminars, and ceremonies last year. I direct the Young Filmmakers Workshop where students enjoy interactive lectures, movie screenings and the production of an original movie whose premiere screening is held during the festival. Past students cherish their experiences with the YFW and many have gone on to study movie production in college and beyond.

Voice Actor, “The Toll”

The 3D computer animated short “The Toll” was produced by Hatchling Studios. “The Toll” was featured in the cover story for the February issue of Post Magazine. It debuted at the 2006 International Comic-Con. Audience Choice Winner at the Malibu Film Fest, Best Animated Short Winner at NHFF, Best Animated Short Winner at Woods Hole Film Festival, Best Animated Short Winner at FAIF International Film Festival, Best Comedy at DV Awards, Best Animated Short Winner at Flickering Image Film Festival,

Actor, writer, director “Letters from the Real World”

This project involved five 3 minute video shorts screened in coordination to the stage production of Thomas in Wonkyland. Each piece depicted the heartbreaking adventures of a blue puppet named Hobart for whom I also provided the voice. During each short, Hobart finds himself humbled in his search for ideal friendship in a less than ideal world. Contributors to the video project included Brian Paul, Chris Bujold, Jon Briggs, Paul Verschueren, Pat Boutwell, Ryan and Jacqui Baker, and Danielle Mayka.

actor “Losing Jerry”

The NH Film Office sponsored a reading of the the upcoming film by writer Mitch Ganem (Elvis Has Left the Building) and producer Tracey Becker (Finding Neverland), who were both in attendance. I played a bunch of roles during the reading including a bodyguard, a lobster fisherman, and a boy who leaps from a building to his death. Mitch hopes to film the entire film in NH.

director “The Letter P”

Imagine a world where people use toilets to mail letters, and mailboxes are used as toilets. That is the concept of “The Letter P.” I directed this short film based on a script by Noah Sheola. It starred Noah Sheola and Brian Paul.

director “The Artist as Nothing”

Filmed on location in York, England, this documentary takes an inspiring look at the English artist James Brook. The movie is a meditation on what it means to be an artist. The music for the movie was provided by thebrotherkite. This remains one of my favorite projects. James Brook is an inspiration.

writer, director “Lobsterface”

This started as a fun project among friends. We decided to make a movie in one day. I wrote the film as we shot it. A few months later we shot a sequel, Lobsterface 2: Son of a Lobsterface. Two years later we shot a nice remake of the original Lobsterface using real actors. The story follows a man who raises lobsters. Terror ensues. We will probably shoot it again someday.

editor “Walter’s Room”

I edited this short film for Eastcoast Striper Productions. The movie told the tale of an obsessive compulsive man who hears his neighbor being attacked next door. He must face the depths of his disorder in his attempts to save her life.

director “Chewithetical”

For this movie, I followed Chris Merenda and his band, Chewy. Following these guys around was a blast. At one point while filming, I got a personal concert by The B52’s (Chewy was the opening band and I got to stick around to set up equipment when the hall was cleared for the soundcheck). Anyway I just heard Merenda just wrapped six months on the road playing drums for Arlo Guthrie and The Mammals as part of the Alice’s Restaurant 40th Anniversary Masacree Tour. Go Chris!

writer, co-director, actor “The Coma”

“The Coma” is a slow, black and white film that I shot with the talented Jeremy Westphall (of Free Horsie Rides Productions). The process of making this movie was very enjoyable, though I’m afraid the film itself could put anyone into a coma. Regardless we had a great cast. It starred the NH sculptor James Locke as an old man convinced that he was God. Lindsay Joy played a waitress. I played a young writer.

co-director, writer, animator “Ed Before He Became an Artichoke”

This film followed the perspective of a man about to jump from the ledge of a skyscraper. During the course of the 3 minute animated short, the man projects himself into the lives of an old couple he sees through the window. For example, there is a fishbowl. He looks at the fishbowl, and suddenly he imagines himself swimming around. If my math is correct, we were both sixteen years old when this film was completed. “Ed” was screened in Boston, New York, and Washington D.C. We were given a National Gold Award for the Scholastic Art and Writing Competition. We even got our names printed in The New York Times. My co-director on this project was Dakota Benedetto. She is currently an art teacher in NH.