WORK EXPERIENCE
VISITING ARTIST STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY (current):
Responsible for developing and teaching the 200 level film class, Social Impact Documentary Filmmaking at Stony Brook University. Fully created and developed original curriculum which includes film studies, technical skills, and filmmaking. Each student is responsible for creating two documentary projects throughout the semester.
WRITER/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER FREELANCE (current):
Write, direct and/or post-produce various content. Most recently, directed and edited a pilot for Irony Point for a game show in development. I am also developing podcast content with their partnered company Radio Point. Additionally, I recently directed and edited a music video for the Tony Award winning singer/songwriter Lena Hall. I am also developing decks for a number of high-profile TV writers and show runners for a number of premium streaming services. Throughout the pandemic I produced, directed and edited several documentary-style campaigns for Ad Council including covid-19 vaccine campaigns and a campaign for AdoptUSKids. Throughout the pandemic this directing has been done via zoom with celebrity talent including Governor Chris Christie, Foreigner, Drew McIntyre, Rocky “No Hands”, Doctor Thomas Frieden and Dr. Susan Bailey. Prior to the pandemic I co-directed an episode of "Thanksgiving" with director Dan Powell for Seriously.tv and directed commercials for TJ Maxx and VH1. Other clients have included Bravo, Logo, Revlon, Clear Blue Easy, OWN Network, MTV, Relativity, Warner Brothers, Universal and Paramount.
CO-DIRECTOR, CO-WRITER, PRODUCER - Becks
Becks is an indie-dramedy that premiered at the LA Film Festival 2017, where it won the US Fiction Competition. The film was released in theaters and on-demand on February 5th and received positive reviews from The New York Times, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, The Los Angeles Times and currently holds a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Becks is a quasi-musical based on the life of singer/songwriter Alyssa Robbins and stars Lena Hall, Mena Suvari, Christine Lahti and Dan Fogler. The synopsis is as follows... After a crushing breakup with her girlfriend, a Brooklyn musician moves back in with her Midwestern mother. As she navigates her hometown, playing for tip money in an old friend's bar, an unexpected relationship begins to take shape.
LA Film Festival - WINNER US Fiction Award
Frameline Film Festival - Centerpiece Film
Newfest - Closing Night Film
Austin LGBT Film Festival - Closing Night Film
St. Louis International Film Festival - WINNER Emerging Director's Award
Melbourne Queer Film Festival - Closing Night Film
Woodstock Film Festival
Outfest
BFI Flare
Twin Cities Film Festival
Roze Filmdagen
QFest St. Louis - Opening Night Film
WRITER/DIRECTOR - Dylan
Dylan is a short film that rides the line of documentary and narrative filmmaking and is based on a interview done with Dylan Winn Garner. The film follows a young trans man as he explains his story, his exploration in the trans community, his family's acceptance of his identity, and ultimately his physical and emotional transformation. Shot in Coney Island at dawn, the film shows as Dylan literally sheds the layers that have been weighing him down for so many years, and finds a freedom in self love and acceptance. Dylan presented at several renowned festivals worldwide and was selected as a Vimeo Staff Pick and Vimeo Short Of The Week. Learn more at dylanmovie.com
Outfest
St. Louis International Film Festival
Newfest
Citizen Jane Film Festival
MIX Copenhagen
Melbourne Queer Film Festival
Boston LGBT Film Festival
Mardi Gras Film Festival
Berlin Feminist Film Week
BRIC Beyond Borders Festival
Queer Film Festival University of Oregon
DIRECTOR/PRODUCER – The Perfect Victim
The Perfect Victim, a feature documentary, tells the story of four women who have been incarcerated for killing their abusive husbands, and the clemency coalition fighting for their release. The film appeared on PBS as part of their doc series, AMERICA REFRAMED. It won a Telly Award and was a finalist for a Silver Gavel Award. The Perfect Victim premiered at the “Hot Springs International Documentary Film Festival” and went on to screen at the “St. Louis International Film Festival” as part of the Human Rights Sidebar. Worldwide television and multi-platform distribution by Journeyman Pictures/The Orchard. Learn more at theperfectvictim.com
MTV
On-Air Promos Senior Producer: 2002-2011
Writer, director and editor of original promo campaigns, show premiere launches, Paramount/MTV Films premieres and co-sponsored branding for national air. Responsibilities include writing scripts; directing shoots of various sizes up to 300k budgets; working with integrated marketing clients; directing actors, celebrities, reality stars and musicians; hiring essential crew for shoots; developing relationships with graphics, music and audio facilities; mentoring junior producers within the department. Work has been featured by New York Magazine, Entertainment Tonight, E! News, Jezebel.com and Gawker.com.
Various projects have included the following:
Writer/Director/Editor - Justin Bieber: Never Say Never: Kotex Micro Series Starring Kim Stolz : The Hills Final Season : Sex And The City 2 : Herbal Essences/VMA’s : Kaiser Foundation PSA featuring Marvelyn Brown : The Hills : The City : Lions For Lambs (featuring Tom Cruise) : Real World Denver : The 2006 MTV Movie Awards : Hustle and Flow(featuring Terrence Howard) : I Now Pronounce You Chuck And Larry (featuring Adam Sandler) : T Mobile : Real World Austin : Laguna Beach : 8th & Ocean : Real World Philadelphia : Made : I Want A Famous Face : The Ashlee Simpson Show : T-Mobile Sidekick : Wuthering Heights (featuring Erika Christensen) : Real World Paris : Motorola International : The MTV Store
Education
New York University’s Tisch School Of The Arts, Graduated 2001 - BFA in Film & Television
Festivals & Awards
2018 - Melbourne Queer Film Festival Closing Night Film - "Becks"
2018 - QFest St. Louis Opening Night Film - "Becks"
2018 - Gaze Film Festival - "Becks"
2018 - Roze Filmdagen - "Becks"
2018 - MIX Copenhagen - "Becks"
2018 - BFI Flare - "Becks"
2017 - LA Film Festival - "Becks" - WINNER Best US Fiction
2017 - Frameline41 Centerpiece Film - "Becks"
2017 - Outfest Centerpiece Film - "Becks"
2017 - Newfest Closing Night Film - "Becks"
2017 - Woodstock Film Festival - "Becks"
2017 - Twin Cities Film Festival - "Becks"
2017 - St. Louis International Film Festival - "Becks" - WINNER Emerging Director Award
2017 - Austin Gay and Lesbian Film Festival Closing Night Film - "Becks"
2016 - Telly Award Winner - "The Perfect Victim"
2016 - Silver Gavel Award Finalist - "The Perfect Victim"
2015 - Newfest - "DYLAN"
2015 - Outfest Los Angeles - "DYLAN"
2015 - MIX Copenhagen - "DYLAN"
2015 - Boston LGBT Film Festival - "DYLAN"
2015 - Queer Film Festival University of Oregon - "DYLAN"
2015 - Melbourne Queer Film Festival - "DYLAN"
2014 - St. Louis International Film Festival - "DYLAN" - Premiere
2013 - Los Angeles International Women's Film Festival - "The Perfect Victim"
2013 - Women's International Film and Arts Festival - "The Perfect Victim"
2012 – Hot Springs International Documentary Film Festival – “The Perfect Victim” World Premiere
2012 – St. Louis International Documentary Film Festival – “The Perfect Victim”
2011 CTAM Mark Award Winner – Co-branded MTV/Kotex Campaign
2007 Emmy Award Winner - Marvelyn Brown: That Night
2007 Emmy Award Nominee - Marvelyn Brown: Finding Out
2007 Pop Award Nominee for Best PSA – “Marvelyn Brown: That Night”
2006 CTAM Award Winner– The Real World Austin
2001 Best Documentary Award, NYU First Run Film Festival – “There She Is"
2001 Adam Balsano Award For A Video With Social Significance, NYU First Run Film Festival – “There She Is”