ONCE UPON A TIME IN…

Varese, class 1981.

I made my entrance into the world around 8 a.m. on the 27th of November. As a baby, my hair was so blonde that German tourists in Italy mistook me for their compatriot. It was quite amusing until my hair turned brown, and they realized I wasn't fluent in their language after all.

Beyond my hair color, my mother always described me as a perpetually smiling baby with curious eyes and a true passion for napping. I had the incredible ability to focus for hours on anything that caught my interest or doze off anywhere, at any time.

HEAR NO EVIL, SEE NO EVIL.

During my early years, I experienced a hearing impairment that gradually worsened. By the age of 6, I was partially deaf, and ever since, I've been rocking stylish hearing aids. This unique situation pushed me to perceive the world through visuals. In a way, I traded sound for a heightened visual sense, becoming an avid observer of life's intricacies.

While most kids were engrossed in playtime, I delved into books, comics, and films. My father introduced me to Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales, and I became obsessed with "The Steadfast Tin Soldier" fable. I insisted he read it to me countless times, much to his amusement.

GETTING PERSONAL.

Ah, the '80s—the era of Personal Computers. I got my hands on the Commodore Plus/4 and later upgraded to the C64/128. Every month, my father brought home a magazine with a cassette full of video games. I still remember the command "LOAD "*",8,1" that initiated the loading process, and the agonizing wait as the games slowly materialized. My all-time favorite was Arkanoid.

Years later, my father surprised me with one of the first Pentium models—a single CPU running at a blazing 100 MHz. Before even turning it on, I grabbed a screwdriver and dissected the computer, marveling at its inner workings. That's how I taught myself to assemble and disassemble Personal Computers. This skill eventually landed me a job at a tech company called K-Computers when I was in my early twenties.

IT’S THE ART, STUPID.

My father was a movie enthusiast, and he took me to the theater every weekend. Despite our humble surroundings—a white wall in the back of a parish with wooden chairs for seats—I was mesmerized by the power of cinema. The ability to express ideas, showcase limitless possibilities, and spark discussions fascinated me. Movies had no right or wrong; they were canvases for personal interpretation.

My journey as a storyteller began in elementary school when I started writing short stories. In high school, I served as the writer for the monthly magazine, crafting covers and comic strips that adorned each issue.

At 17, I ventured into the world of theater acting, discovering a particular fondness for comedy, especially medieval, French, and Italian genres. For nearly a decade, I tread the boards and brought laughter to audiences throughout Italy.

CAPUT MUNDI.

At 25, my parents gifted me my first video camera—a standard definition gem that ran on mini-tapes. I still cherish the camera I used to shoot my first film, a 58 seconds experimental film that earned me my very first trophy.

During my time living in a garage on the outskirts of Rome, I joined a theater company and acted in plays for several years. While I wasn't keen on performing in front of the camera, I had an unwavering passion for the theater. I even wrote a cabaret show called "Le Chat Noir," which successfully played at the Tor Bella Monaca theater and garnered praise from the renowned critic Nicola Fano.

It was around this time that I began assisting friends and colleagues by shooting casting videos for them. Rather than recording talent against an anonymous backdrop, I took it up a notch and re-created short movies based on the characters' descriptions and lines. This approach not only helped me direct the actors but also allowed the talents to immerse themselves deeper into their characters.

My unique style caught the attention of a producer who tracked me down in 2008. This opportunity led me to step foot on a real movie set for the first time. My task was to create a short film while simultaneously documenting the behind-the-scenes magic of the film they were producing. So picture this: two crafty journalists infiltrating a movie set, masquerading as part of the crew, all in the pursuit of one elusive guest star - the legendary Andy Garcia. It was like a real-life detective story with a touch of comedy. We were on a mission to uncover the truth and capture some exclusive interviews while we were at it.

I couldn't resist the opportunity to bring this concept to life, so I pitched it to the producer. And you know what? They loved it! Before I knew it, I was dashing around the set, directing the actors, and capturing all the behind-the-scenes action while weaving this hilarious storyline.

During filming, I discovered that the legendary Mario Monicelli would make a cameo appearance. I couldn't resist the urge to meet him, so I convinced the producer to grant me an hour off the set. I rushed home, grabbed my favorite Monicelli film, and returned, hoping to secure his signature. As luck would have it, he graciously signed the DVD, which now holds a place of honor in my safe—a symbol of an unforgettable encounter.

THE AMERICAN DREAM.

In 2008, destiny smiled upon me when I received a two-year scholarship to study filmmaking at the New York Film Academy. With little knowledge of the English language and nowhere to call home, I found myself in the bustling city of New York.

Film school became my second home, and I quickly established myself as the go-to guy for camera operating and cinematography. In a single year, I found myself on the sets of almost 50 projects, crisscrossing the country from New York to San Francisco, and from New Jersey to Cape Cod.

My experiences as a cinematographer have gifted me with countless stories. I've had location scouting adventures that turned into unexpected encounters with less-than-friendly characters, conducted video interviews with pastors who believed they possessed the power to cure my deafness, and even shot Korean movies for 21 hours straight over six consecutive days.

But you know what? I wouldn't trade it for anything. I love my job with all my heart. If there's something I cherish as much as my wife, it's being on set and pouring my soul into the art of visual storytelling.

Over the years, I've travelled a lot, expanding my horizons beyond language barriers. From Atlanta to Alaska, from Los Angeles to France, from Boston to Seattle, from Malta to The Maldives, and from London to Hiroshima, I've seen only a small chunk of the world, but I’ve collaborated with incredible artists from all walks of life.

In 2016, I had the privilege of serving as the cinematographer for the short film "Cloud Kumo," shot in Japan. The film went on to win the Student Academy Silver Prize and the Golden Eagle Awards. Fulfilling a lifelong dream, it also afforded me the incredible opportunity to visit the ASC Clubhouse and rub shoulders with masters of the craft like Dean Cundey, Richard Crudo, and Michael Goi.

My passion for films and the industry knows no bounds. I'm a team player, an outside-the-box thinker who thrives under pressure, and a problem solver with an unwavering positive attitude. But above all, I am a storyteller at heart.

In 2021, I was honored to be selected as one of the recipients of a rent-free apartment for a year through StonehengeNYC's Artists-in-Residence program. My wife and I resided at The Ritz Plaza, enjoying the vibrancy of New York City, before eventually settling down in Sunnyside, Queens.