I’m an unconventional filmmaker with an unconventional background.
A dual citizen of the USA and Italy, I live in Connecticut, where I have helped build Synthetic Cinema International into a boutique production powerhouse.
I grew up watching classic movies with my family and imagining new ones with my friends. In 2007, I graduated from Wesleyan University, where I combined acting and computer animation hobbies into a career making films.
My award-winning senior thesis film about a giant man-eating rabbit, Harold and Burns led to my first feature: 2008’s Banshee!!!, a direct-to-dvd monster flick for Synthetic Cinema. In addition to directing it, I created the CGI creature, beginning a hands-on VFX tradition that has followed me to this day.
I next directed Alien Opponent, an over-the-top campy scifi/horror romp that got picked up by NBC’s Chiller channel. It still has a cult following and a special place in my heart.
I was brought in to direct Chiller’s first original feature, comic-book-derived zombie movie Steve Niles’ Remains in 2011, and followed it up with several more movies for Chiller and one for Syfy.
In 2014, I directed Wishin’ and Hopin’, a Christmas comedy set in a Catholic school in 1964 and the first adaptation of a Wally Lamb novel for the screen. It had a brief, but successful theatrical run before appearing on Lifetime.
In 2015, I shot The Murder Pact, a Poe-inspired thriller for Lifetime. I got to play with a gimbal for the first time, a tool I immediately knew would become a favorite.
As the world started craving Christmas movies, I shot several for TV, including the perennially popular Jane Austin-inspired Christmas at Pemberley Manor for Hallmark.
I directed a trilogy of shark attack stalker movies called Stalker’s Prey, which grow increasingly fun and campy with each installment as our anti-hero spirals into a dual obsession with sharks and his dead ex-girlfriend, Ali.
Recently, I have been directing destination romcoms for Hallmark with Johnson Production Group, traveling the world with a small team to shoot in fantastic destinations, like an underwater hotel, a mountain-top glacier, a waterfall in the jungle, and ancient amphitheater, and Machu Picchu.
I pride myself on having done many of the jobs on set, so I know what needs to be done to complete our day in each department and how to best use our resources towards a common aim.
I believe that a good director sets the tone for the cast & crew with their energy. You’ll usually find me standing by camera, close to the performance
In addition to my directing, I frequently produce for Synthetic Cinema International, a small production company that has made movies for television, streaming, festivals, and theaters.
