You currently teach acting at
the Performing Arts Academy of
Ocean County. It’s got to be a
pretty good time to teach acting
in the area with professional the-
atres and great film festivals .
100% right! I talk about the the-
aters and film festivals in the area
constantly. We have students in-
volved with a bunch of the local
theaters and I love what is hap-
pening in our area. None of that
was on my radar as a kid. A school
trip to NYC, a random news article
about someone from the area here
and there - that was all we had. I
have never met Kevin Smith but
if you live here long enough, you
realize that there may be some
mutual friends. His influence on a
generation of young low-budget
filmmakers in Jersey (and many
places) is lasting. He was the first
person that seemed like a regular
Jersey guy that also made movies!
Maybe I could too.
NJ STAGE - ISSUE 59
Finally where did you grow up?
And who are your three favorite
filmmakers?
I was born and raised in Long
Branch, NJ. I’ve lived in North
Jersey, Upstate New York, and Ha-
waii. I made it back home to Mon-
mouth County and I love it here.
As far as directors go, there are
dozens that I love but I’ll narrow
it down to three. I’m a big fan of
Wes Anderson. He is one of the
few filmmakers today that have a
very specific look and vibe to his
films. Like them or hate them, you
can’t argue that they are part of a
unique world. I think what Jordan
Peele is doing right now is so ex-
citing. It’s only two films but he is
deftly incorporating big picture
themes into genuinely scary stuff.
Ang Lee might be all-time favor-
ite. He has made gems in multiple
genres and when I was dreaming
of getting into this realm, he was
my go-to filmmaker.
w
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