Every time I go to New York City, I have to stop in front of
the original Ghostbusters firehouse.
In some ways, filmmaking is my second choice as a career. As a kid I wanted to be a starship captain or a Ghostbuster. Once I realized those aren't real options, I decided making movies would be the closest I'd get. After I made this decision, I committed myself to learn as much as I could about the process of making films.
I was lucky enough to grow up in Cody Wyoming, a small town just east of Yellowstone National Park. Being from what most people consider the middle of nowhere, meant that there wasn't much to do other than make movies. I spent most of my youth
doing just that.
When I wasn't off making movies with my brother or other friends, I was at the video store. I was also blessed to have two parents who took me to the movies every weekend, and then discuss the film afterwards.
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We talked about cinematography, story, and mise en scene before I even knew there were terms used to describe those aspects. It was a great way to grow up.
In high school I worked at the video store, and continued to learn more about filmmaking. After school, I served a mission for the LDS church for two years. When I returned, I made a movie called Dead Noon, and became a full time videographer. I also created a web series with Humberto Estrada called One Shot Presents, where we were fortunate enough to meet some of the biggest names in the comic book industry. After over 75 episodes, we hung up the towel in 2011, when I took a job working for the television program: The Best of the West. I started there as an editor, and over time became producer. It was a wild ride.
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After ten years working in this field, I decided to go back and finish my college degree. It's served to remind me what I love about film, and without a doubt has made me a better filmmaker and writer.
Scene from: The Hillbilly History of the World (1999)
For: Mr. White's Bio Class. A very inappropriate film that would probably get someone suspended today and was in fact banned from class once my mom found out about it and put in a phone call to the school.
Me (with my hand up Bruce's mouth) and my brother Mark, visiting Amity Island (Universal Studios) around 1991. The movie Jaws is another huge influence on me as a kid, and remains so to this day.
I wish I knew where that shirt was.
The old crew from Video Experience, the rental store I worked for in high school. Taken for the local paper around January of 2001. From left to right: Marc Beccia, Jake Westerhold, Cyclops, Sabertooth (seated), Me, and Nick "The Great" Martin. No one could rent videos like the four of us.
My old Cadillac. I inherited it from my Great-grandma. Around my high school the car was known as "The Falcon", around family it was sometimes called "The Urine Mobile" due to an incontinence issue that occurred inside. I drove this car out from Detroit to my hometown of Cody Wyoming in the fall of 1998 with my Dad. Uncle Ross, and best friend Pat Reilly. This road trip provided stories to last a lifetime, and was just the start of a great car.
I met my wife Stacy in 2008, and we were married in 2010. We now have two boys, Harrison and Lincoln. They are without question, the best part of my life, and the people I enjoy spending my time with most.
Stacy and I visiting the Presidio in San Francisco back in 2015.
This is one of my favorite cities on the planet, and I was lucky enough to live not far from the Golden Gate Bridge when I served a mission for the LDS church from 2002-2004.
My family. Easter Sunday 2015. From left to right: Me, Harrison, Lincoln and Stacy.
BONUS:
The video store clerk in me can't help but recommend some films that I dig that have been a major influence on me in my life. Enjoy!
Ghostbusters (1984), Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Jaws (1975), Back to the Future (1985), The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964), Big Trouble in Little China (1986), Three Amigos (1986), Wayne's World (1992), Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984),The Seven Samurai (1954), Fletch (1985), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978), Mash (1970), Oblivion (2013),
Die Hard (1988), Rushmore (1998), The Hunt for Red October (1990), Casablanca (1942), Raising Arizona (1987), Star Wars (1977), The Godfather (1972), The Burbs (1989),
The Blues Brothers (1980), Tokyo Godfathers (2003), Christmas in July (1940),
True Grit (2010), Rear Window (1954), Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), Batman (1989), Big (1988), Sorcerer (1977), Rocky (1976),
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1978).
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