Filmmaker Bio:
Stephen Campanelli, was the first to combine "A" Camera operating and steadicam, and in doing so unlocked an entirely new filmmaking perspective that quickly peaked the interests of some of Hollywood's top directors, including Stephen's boyhood idol, Clint Eastwood. Stephen first joined Clint on the Oscar nominated BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY and has remained Clint's most trusted "camera eye" ever since, including Oscar-winning films, MILLION DOLLAR BABY and MYSTIC RIVER, and the Oscar-nominated LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA, GRAN TORINO, AMERICAN SNIPER, THE MULE, and RICHARD JEWELL. Stephen's talent has been recognized by winning several prestigious awards throughout his career, including an SOC Lifetime Achievement Award, and has witnessed six Oscar-winning performances with Clint, and also on THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI. Stephen is following in the footsteps of a great storytelling director, who has shared with him his vast knowledge, and now with Clint Eastwood's blessing and the admiration of every cast and crew he has worked with, Stephen Campanelli has made the natural leap to the director's chair, having already helmed 4 feature films: DRINKWATER, MOMENTUM, GRAND ISLE, and the #1 box office Canadian film, INDIAN HORSE, which went on to win over 15 international film festival awards. Stephen has also directed a pilot for Fox, PARADISE INC., and several nationwide Commercials, and is now ready to breathe life into his next project. For more info check out: www.stephencampanelli.com
Filmmaker Interview
Tell us your backstory. How and why did you get into filmmaking? Well, I was born and raised in Montreal and that's where I fell in love with films. Going to movies with my parents I was mesmerized, and then they bought a super eight movie camera and I started to learn how to use that, and make films with my friends. I used to borrow Ketch-up from my mom's fridge, to be able to make blood, and we would go out and do our silly movies. Never thought of it as a career though back then. No one in my family is in the movie business. But somehow, in college, I had the aptitude and desire to follow a Film program at Concordia University, where I got my degree. I graduated and immediately got my first job as a camera assistant, and worked my way up the ranks to becoming one of the best Camera/Steadicam Operator's in all of Canada and the US. Then I got the amazing opportunity to work with my boyhood idol Clint Eastwood on Bridges of Madison County, and I guess the rest they say, is history ha ha.!
What are the specific qualities that, in your opinion, make a film great? I know it might seem a very common answer, but it's so true. What makes a film great is Story, Story story. It's all down to the writing. If you can make up some great characters, a great antagonist, protagonist, that people want to see and cheer for, that is what makes a great movie. I find in today's world there's less and less of these amazing stories that I grew up with. Originality, character development, and true heart and soul. When we made our movie Drinkwater which we premiered at the Breckenridge Film Festival. We knew we wanted to make people laugh, we knew we wanted to give people a message of humor, and humility.
What films have been the most inspiring or influential to you and why? I think the films that have been the most inspiring or influential to me are a pretty big category. When people ask me some of my favourite films today, I mention, The Princess Bride, Shawshank Redemption, Silence of the Lambs, The Godfather, I &II.. But one of the films that is the most influential to me in terms of wanting to do Steadicam and Camera Operating, is the movie Halloween by John Carpenter. That movie really inspired me to want to keep a camera moving constantly in service of the story.. It is what he did in that movie, and that is why I became a steadicam operator. Using the camera to create suspense, and tension is the perfect use of that tool. I find a lot of directors nowadays try do all these fancy camera shots, but for me, they take me out of the story. Let the story define your camera movement, not the other way around..
How many films have you completed? What is your favorite project you have worked on and why? I have directed five films now. I have enjoyed every single one, but the two I am the most proud of is the multi award winning film Indian Horse, which is on Netflix in Canada and the US. And my latest film, which is called Drinkwater, which I believe is going to be on Amazon prime soon. They are both completely different. Drinkwater is a coming of age 80s style comedy. While Indian Horse is a very heavy subject of the residential school system in Canada. We all worked very hard on both of these films to make something very special and that is what Cinema is all about. Telling great stories and entertaining audiences and possibly affecting somebody's life in a small way.
What is your favorite aspect of film production? My favorite aspect of Film Production is the actual making of the movie! There's so much that goes into a movie, like pre-production, script, writing, etc., but when you are on the set and calling action on the very first day of filming, there is nothing like it. It is like a huge adrenaline rush for an athlete. I get the same feeling every single time. I just love it. Working with a crew and cast that are there to deliver their professionalism and hard work to make something we will all be proud of., it’s the best. I hope to keep making movies forever!.
