Noah Marks & Don Capria |
Paul Travers, Hunter, Lucy Hart |
Cast & Crew |
Cast and Producers |
the Bussant Family |
Joseph LaManna, Don Capria, John Joseph (Cromags) |
Vincent Ficarra (Revolver New York) Don Capria, Alexis Isasi, Christopher Plant |
Noah Marks & Don Capria |
Paul Travers, Hunter, Lucy Hart |
Cast & Crew |
Cast and Producers |
the Bussant Family |
Joseph LaManna, Don Capria, John Joseph (Cromags) |
Vincent Ficarra (Revolver New York) Don Capria, Alexis Isasi, Christopher Plant |
I began filming my first feature this month - this is shared with many of my brethren who I came up with in the production world - especially my director of photography, Bliss Bussant. We spent years working on music videos and short films and now finally we get the chance to take a product to market and see what the world has to say. The project is a little "hush-hush" but at its core it is a horror/slasher film. 2024 will reveal the rest. Here are some pics from behind the scenes.
Louis Lombardi, Danielle Kotch, Tyler Ivey, Brandy Ochoa, Louis Rocky Bacigalupo, Greg Poppa |
Don Capria - director mode |
Vincent Ficarra, Don Capria, Mark French |
Brian Spears, Don Capria, Kai Bussant |
Camera Dept: Courtney, Darnell, Logan |
Don Capria, Anthony Carpenito, Joseph LaManna, Paul Travers |
Michael Gingold & Louis Lombardi |
Bliss Bussant & Don Capria |
While the cold weather wasn't so bad in NYC - I snuck away to LA where they were having major flooding and constant rain. My writing partner on a couple pf projects Peter Conti was getting hitched. We got to spend some time in LA before the wedding making rounds and doing some tourist attractions and then it was off to Santa Barbara for the big day. I got to catch up with a bunch of good people at the wedding and the home we were in and the ceremony were absolutely beautiful. It was a short trip but I hope to be back in 2024.
with Laura Garofalo, Peter Conti, John Colombo |
The view |
With my buds James Quattrochi & Zach Merk |
getting killed by Jersey's Finest |
with Peter Conti and Slaine |
bumped into Toby H20 at an awards show. |
110 Crew Films wanted to do a special event for Anecdota in Westchester for family and friends. We reached out to Look Cinema in Dobbs Ferry and got everyone together for a night at the movies. Popcorn, Soda, Candy and food started the evening and then we watched the horror that I wrote and directed during the pandemic. The film stars, Bella Grace, a local actor who poured everything into the role of Tabatha. She and I did a Q & A following the movie giving everyone the details of what it was like to film during a pandemic with a shoestring budget. A fun night for everyone who came out. I saw a few concerts and movies that month and luckily got to see my good friend and super talented producer, singer, guitarist, Ricky Armelino with his band ICE NINE KILLS. The show was killer and the theatrics are amazing. Congrats to him and all his success in recent years with the band.
Luke Rota & Danny Diablo front and center |
Don Capria & Bella Grace |
Bella Grace with her fam and friends |
Don Capria, Bella Grace, Michael Gingold |
Don Capria & Friends |
Ricky Armelino & Don Capria |
I did a lot of stuff in the last month but the most memorable would have to be the R&R spent in the DR. This trip was amazing and long overdue. I've spent too much time going between Manhattan Island, Long Island, City Island and rarely but sometimes Staten Island - It was time for some real island life. So for Alexis' 30th birthday was celebrated with lots of good food, beautiful beaches, fun excursions and an amazing VIP experience from the hotel staff. We stayed at Secrets in Punta Cana and I would definitely recommend this place to a friend. Our one island hopping trip took us south to Saona Island which has amazing beaches and lots of privacy. The grounds at Secret are truly gorgeous and we could have spent an entire week in the family alone. We hope to be back.
Beach Life |
Buggy Excursion |
Saona Island |
Saona Island |
Secrets Punta Cana |
Saona Island |
May was a busy month for sure. I did a few dinner events discussing the making of The Godfather film which was a couple of great nights of food and conversation - one at Pas-Tina's in Westchester and the other night at Calandra's Italian Village in Caldwell, NJ. I went to the 2022 Black N Blue Bowl in Brooklyn and had a killer lunch with Mackie Jayson at Anthony and Son Panini Shoppe in Williamsburg. I also did The ArmChair MBA Podcast with Tom LaVecchia discussing the Colombo book and some of the behind the scenes Godfather Film stories. And for some R&R I took a trip up into the Catskills to visit my good friend Pete. Took some time to explore some of the old hotels in the Borscht Belt and did some hiking up at Lake Minnewaska.
Jay and Big Steve @ Calandra's |
with Luke Rota and the ladies. |
with Francesco Palmieri |
with John Knuffke |
With Vincent Ficarra • Frank Ferraro & Mark French |
Pas-Tina's |
Mackie Jayson @ the Panini Shoppe |
In April I got to experience a great outdoor show in Tompkins Square Park. Black N Blue Productions brought out MADBALL, MURPHY'S LAW, WISDOM IN CHAINS, BURN and the CAPTURERS. Perfect weather for a show and hang in the park. The OFFER was launched on Paramount Plus featuring Giovanni Ribisi as Joe Colombo. The show is a look at the making of the Godfather film in 1971 through the eyes of producer Al Ruddy. I interviewed Al for my book and look forward to checking it out. Thanks to Giovanni Ribisi for crediting my book in his research. I also got to check out Wilber Polanco's new studio in Brooklyn, The BOOMBOX ROOM. A great spot for video and photo production.
Giovanni Ribisi "The Offer" |
Giovanni Ribisi as Joe Colombo |
Giovanni Ribisi as Joe Colombo |
Mackie Jayson (Cromags) |
with my brother Tragedy in Tompkins Square Park |
catching up with Vinny Stigma (Agnostic Front) |
The BoomBox Room in Brooklyn |