About
Greetings!
I'm Sam, a screenwriter/director currently based in the vibrant city of Los Angeles, though my roots trace back to the charming landscapes of New Jersey. From a young age, I was captivated... by the magic of cinema—the notion of encapsulating emotions and experiences on screen ignited a fervent passion within me.
My journey in filmmaking began humbly, crafting spontaneous projects that gradually evolved into meticulously planned short films. This path led me to Pratt Institute, where I honed my craft in film production, culminating in the attainment of a BFA with Honors. Since then, I've navigated the bustling landscape of LA as a freelance screenwriter and director, recently achieving a milestone with the successful funding of my feature film, "Grassland," completed in the summer of 2023 with a budget of $1 million.
The experience of spearheading "Grassland," overseeing a team of 30, and navigating the intricacies of producer and investor dynamics provided me with invaluable industry insights in a condensed timeframe. Bolstered by this experience, I now stand poised in the realm of Hollywood, actively engaged in the sale of "Grassland" while laying the groundwork for my second feature.
In addition to my filmmaking endeavors, I've had the privilege of teaching filmmaking to children ages 10 to 18 for eight years. This experience not only enriched my own understanding of the craft but also allowed me to instill a love for storytelling and creativity in the next generation of filmmakers.
Empathy has always served as a guiding principle in my filmmaking journey. I'm deeply committed to crafting narratives that resonate through their nuanced exploration of human experiences, eschewing simplistic dichotomies in favor of embracing the complexities of the human condition.
Film is potent—it challenges, heals, and comforts. I'm eager to collaborate, leveraging our creativity to elevate scripts and create works we're proud of. Let's make magic together.read more
Experience
Director
Exit 14 Productions
Dec 2022 - present
Freelance Director for Exit 14 Productions, specializing in brand commercials and social media conte... ntread more
Director and Writer
Grassland LLC
Apr 2023 - Aug 2023
Director and Writer for the feature film, Grassland, starring Mia Maestro, Quincy Isaiah, and Jeff K... oberread more
Video Director and Cinematographer
Gallerie Deborah Zafman
2015 - 2022
Create promotional videos and extensive online courses for artist Deborah Zafman’s art
galleries and... educational workshops.read more
Film Instructor
Montclair Cooperative School Film Class
May 2016 - Dec 2020
Created and taught an 8 week filmmaking class for 7th and 8th graders at the Montclair
Cooperative S... chool. The students went through the process of writing, shooting, and
editing short films. The course culminated in a public film screening.read more
Film Instructor
21st Century College and Career Camp
2018 - 2018
Created and taught a month long film intensive for 8th through 11th graders at a public
career camp ... in Newark, New Jersey.read more
Cinematographer and Editor
Talking Eyes Media
2017 - 2017
Cinematographer and drone operator for American Sueño, a short documentary series
about the life of ... a young, undocumented girl and her journey through college graduation.
Transcribed audio files for “Newest Americans”, a podcast focused on in-depth personal
stories of immigrants.read more