Please tell us about the projects you worked on before making ‘Coney Island Then And Now’. How did you start, and how did you learn to make films?
I come from a film business family, so I started very young.
As a Director, I shot a 3 part series on gay culture New York called "OUT in Manhattan”, the project depicted sub cultures of the gay community and it was requested by the NY public library as part of an important piece of NYC culture.
I have also directed a doc called “ Street Child Word CUP II” , this project had academy award nominated Stephen Daldry as an executive producer and has won many awards all over the world.
Tell us about ‘Coney Island Then And Now’. How do you describe it?
“Coney Island Then and Now” tells the story of one of the most magical places in the world. Not exactly Disney World. This gritty documentary film shows the evolution of Coney Island, Brooklyn’s famous beachfront Amusement Park which has made many transformations over the years. From visionary George Tilyou’s Steeplechase amusement park to land baron Fred Trump’s controversial Trump Village, and now rapper and Coney Island native Gorilla Nems is changing things with the times. There are many stories in this very mixed community made up of Russians, Latinos, Asians, and African Americans creating an interesting dichotomy where old Coney Island and new collide with gentrification and a booming real estate market. Even if you have never been to Coney Island its iconic symbols like the Wonder Wheel, The Cyclone, Nathan’s Hot Dogs, The Mermaid Parade, Graffiti Walk, and Coney Island USA Sideshow will be. This is a special place and a story that must be told.
Please tell us about your favorite filmmakers.
Spike Lee, Martin Scorcese, Francis Ford Copolla.
If you were given a good budget, what would be your ideal project?
An amazing story about New York city.
Describe how you would ensure that production is on schedule. What steps would you take?
Planning everything as perfect as I can.
What was the hardest part of making ‘Coney Island Then And Now’.
The editing process was definitely a challenge because I funded it myself.
If possible, tell us about your next work. What plans do you have for your future work?
I have a project about the neighborhood of Bushwick, Brooklyn.
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