Originally hailing from Long Island, NY, C.J. graduated from Stony Brook University in New York, APA International Film School in Sydney, Australia, where he directed Warra Warra and the award-winning short film, ‘Joy’ in 2005, and, most recently, the AFI Conservatory in Los Angeles. There, he directed short films including ‘The Sandbox’, ‘Dandelion’, ‘Everything in Azure’, and ‘Sick Puppy’, which was awarded the AFI Technicolor grant and premiered at the Hollywood Film Festival in 2009.

SUMMARY of QUALIFICATIONS

Written & directed short films, commercials, and music videos. Background in English and literature.  Published writer.  Started out in theatre and acting.  Knowledge in all aspects of filmmaking most notably writing, directing, and development.
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SICK PUPPY, writer/director (2009, 23 min., 35mm, prod. Jessica Freeborn)

Nominated Hollywood Film Festival 2009, screened at Hollywood Arclight
Awarded Technicolor Grant 2008

EVERYTHING IN AZURE, director, (2008, HD, 20 min., prod. Jevon Whetter)

DANDELION, director (2008, 15 min., HD, prod. Jessica Freeborn)

THE SANDBOX, director (2007, 17 min., HD, prod. Elizabeth Hannah)

JOY, writer/director (2005, 12 min., 16mm, prod. Alissa Chekalin)

Screened Australian International Film Festival 2006
Screened American Artist Film Festival 2006
Winner ACS New South Wales Highly Commended Student Award 2005

WARRA WARRA, writer/director (2004, 7 min., DVCAM, prod. Michelle Breneman)
music video                                                                                                                     _

Ara Batur, Sigur Ros, director (2009, 35mm, spec music video)

EDUCATION

American Film Institute (AFI) Conservatory – Los Angeles, CA

Master of Fine Arts – Directing, 2009

APA International Film School – Sydney, Australia

Advanced Diploma – Directing, 2005

Stony Brook University – Stony Brook, NY

Bachelor of Arts – English, 2002

University of Hull – Kingston-upon-Hull, UK

Study Abroad – English Literature, 2000

Suffolk Community College – Selden, NY

Associate in Arts – Liberal Arts, 1999

REFERENCES

Donn Cambern, Master Filmmaker-in-Residence, Editing, AFI

Peter Markham, Master Filmmaker-in-Residence, Directing, AFI

Andy Wolk, Lecturer, Directing, AFI

*Additional references upon request.