Who was the first surfer you pulled into the project?
I was surfing in AC, and ran into Gesler. Literally grabbed him and said, do you wanna make a surf film, he said yes and that was it. I was that blunt too.
How involved did Andrew get in the film? It almost seemed like a partnership between you two.
Yeah, he was pretty involved, but it wasn’t until down the line in the making of the film that we started to work together.
Was it hard to pull in the other well-known NJ surfers into the project?
For sure. But as soon as I sat someone down and showed my ideas, they were into it. It’s funny because some particular guys wrote me off and then after I made it they wished they could have been a part of it. I never really like to bro down anyways, so it worked out perfectly with who was in it.
Who was your favorite subject?
Dean (Randazzo) for sure. It was really humbling to see someone who has so much passion and has gone through with so much. It was rad.
Fast forward… “Dark Fall” is finished and opens to incredible reviews. You enter and win a bunch of festivals. Do you think the film got the recognition it deserved from the surf industry?
I guess. I don’t really pay attention to most of the aftermath. I was just stoked to win a couple festivals and on to the next one ya know?
Did you find it hard to find distribution for the film?
Yes and no. Its still a never ending process because it such an independent surf film. We’re doing it independently here in the US. I had help from Mutiny Media. VAS is doing Australia and we are in negotiations with a company at the moment for Europe.
What do your think the future of surf filmmaking is? It seems like it’s getting harder to make a living off of it as DVD sales slump and there is more and more free content online to compete with.
Yeah definitely. It’s all about free online downloads; I think DVD sales can happen if you have a great story, but as surf porn, it’s pretty non-existent.
So, how do the filmmakers like you able to make a living?
I make my living mostly doing production work. Any type of production work. The surf stuff is a bonus. I got lucky to hop on the some ASP contests doing web cast production. It’s been really fun. If you can make a living just on surfing, please let me know how. Ha. I started a company with Andrew Gesler, darkfallproductions.tv where I get most of my work.
No films in the works? Or is that top secret?
Just an Idea. Trying to get an idea backed. All I can say is that it’s a cold water surf project. That’s all I got.
Who amongst the new crop of filmmakers are your favorites?
It’s funny, I don’t really watch new surf movies. I couldn’t tell you. Seriously!
You do a bit of shooting from the water. What’s worse: Shooting form the water at Pipe, or in Jersey during the winter on a huge swell?
Pipe! I just got wrecked today. It was like a car crash!
Do you think Dark Fall has given more respect to eat coast surfers outside of the east coast?
I hope so. People have always misjudged us in the northeast so I think it has helped for sure.
Last question. Does Snookie surf? (Had to do it).
If I ever saw her in the water, I probably would try to drown her.
