{"id":18324,"date":"2016-02-04T10:28:02","date_gmt":"2016-02-04T16:28:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/?p=18324"},"modified":"2016-02-04T14:30:28","modified_gmt":"2016-02-04T20:30:28","slug":"the-spotlight-shines-on-gabriel-campisi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/?p=18324","title":{"rendered":"The Spotlight Shines on Gabriel Campisi"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-18337\" src=\"http:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/GabeCamera-785x522.jpg\" alt=\"GabeCamera\" width=\"785\" height=\"522\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/GabeCamera-785x522.jpg 785w, https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/GabeCamera-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/GabeCamera-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/GabeCamera.jpg 1936w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 785px) 100vw, 785px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cI was asked how long I would try to succeed in filmmaking before I\u2019d give up. I said giving up was not an option, and if I didn\u2019t make it, I\u2019d die trying.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 &#8211;Gabriel Campisi.<\/p>\n<p>Fortunately, Campisi didn\u2019t have to live up to the second part of his statement, and has emerged as one of the most desirable and sought-after filmmakers of current times. A lot of what contributes to his success is his deep-rooted experience in filmmaking from a very young age, having shot films on Super8mm, 16mm and video before coming to Hollywood.\u00a0 His first recognition took place at the age of 16 by placing first in Chicago\u2019s Photographic Society of America Teenage Film Festival for a short film he wrote, directed and produced.<\/p>\n<p>Campisi spent several years honing his craft not only on motion picture production work, but also on national commercials, top music videos and industrials. He studied with Professor Richard Walter of UCLA\u2019s Screenwriting Program, and wrote for a newspaper for several years before publishing several short stories in small press.\u00a0 His dedication to the craft led him to the world of motion picture finance, and he subsequently wrote <em>The Independent Filmmaker\u2019s Guide to Writing a Business Plan for Investors<\/em>, now in its Second Edition from McFarland Publishers.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-18336\" src=\"http:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Gabe-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Gabe\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Gabe-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Gabe-145x145.jpg 145w, https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Gabe-65x65.jpg 65w, https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Gabe.jpg 718w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>What makes Campisi unique is he has firsthand experience in every facet of filmmaking, from the creative to the technical to the fiscal. He understands the writer\u2019s problems, the technician\u2019s problems, the director\u2019s problems, and the producer\u2019s problems all on a personal level, because he has been there.<\/p>\n<p>Campisi has worked with the likes of Sylvester Stallone, Tom Sizemore, Jamie Kennedy, Sally Kirkland, Eric Balfour, Marina Sirtis, Costas Mandylor and Bill Moseley to name just a few.<\/p>\n<p>Despite Campisi\u2019s experience, he will tell you that he learns something new from each film he makes and applies it to all his new films. He\u2019s notoriously known for being a team player that\u2019s meticulous on set, but in a cordial way that gets results amongst the cast and crew. His work ethics and personality are admired by everyone he works with, including cinematographer Laura Beth Love (<em>Alpha House, Jailbait, Bound, Thunderland<\/em>), who has shot several of Campisi\u2019s films:<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cGabe Campisi is such a positive force of nature,\u201d <\/em>says Love.<em>\u00a0 \u201cIt&#8217;s no wonder he is able to get so many projects off the ground<\/em>. <em>He&#8217;s just somebody you want to be working with!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">LBL website: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.lblove.com\/\">http:\/\/www.lblove.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-18329\" src=\"http:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/lbl-gabe-latt-785x442.jpg\" alt=\"lbl-gabe-latt\" width=\"785\" height=\"442\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/lbl-gabe-latt-785x442.jpg 785w, https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/lbl-gabe-latt-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/lbl-gabe-latt-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/lbl-gabe-latt.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 785px) 100vw, 785px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Campisi\u2019s current and upcoming list of films includes working with a variety of producers and production companies, including Sony Pictures and The Asylum, which has made over 200 films in every genre over the past two decades. The Asylum and Campisi have maintained a strong working relationship for many years, and the company has nothing but praise for him, including David Michael Latt, one of the partners and producers at the company:<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cGabe is the nicest guy in show business,\u201d <\/em>says Latt<em>. \u201cNo matter what the drama is on the set, or in the office, he will always work hard to make things look easy and calm. \u00a0He is curious. \u00a0He wants to know everything about a genre, the process, the journey. \u00a0He loves to learn and to explore. \u00a0He has no ego. \u00a0He surrounds himself with creative people and collaborates. \u00a0He gives credit where credit is due. \u00a0It\u2019s never about him &#8212; it\u2019s about the show. \u00a0He makes you believe you are doing great and noble work, even though you aren\u2019t curing cancer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>David Rimawi, another partner and executive producer at The Asylum, feels equally as strong about working with Campisi:<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cGabe Campisi is a force!\u201d <\/em>says Rimawi.<em> \u201cHe takes on each project as though it is fully his own, staying passionately involved from start to finish and at every level. \u00a0He wrote the screenplay for Little Dead Rotting Hood, which The Asylum produced, but really acted as the project champion.\u00a0 We are definitely looking forward to our next collaboration.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Hailed as one of the must-see horror films of 2016, <em>Little Dead Rotting Hood <\/em>was recently released by The Asylum and Cinedigm.\u00a0 The movie was written by Campisi and directed by filmmaker Jared Cohn.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[youtube_sc url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=OLSjSn2ZCvM&amp;feature=youtu.be&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Campisi and Cohn partnered up several years ago to create Traplight Media, a development and motion picture production company in Los Angeles, and have been working together ever since. Immediately, the company was co-producing films with other producers like Switzer Entertainment Group and 313 Films.<\/p>\n<p>\u201c<em>Gabe is the beast-master!\u201d says Cohn. \u201cHe and I are constantly thinking of ways to make better movies. \u00a0He is an amazing writer and producer. \u00a0I am very happy to have such a talented, smart and strong partner on my side.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-18327\" src=\"http:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/cohn-gabe-785x442.jpg\" alt=\"cohn-gabe\" width=\"785\" height=\"442\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/cohn-gabe-785x442.jpg 785w, https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/cohn-gabe-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/cohn-gabe-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/cohn-gabe.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 785px) 100vw, 785px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Traplight\u2019s <em>Wishing for a Dream <\/em>was produced by Campisi and directed by Cohn, and recently released by Benetone Films.\u00a0 Also due out later this year from Traplight is <em>The Valley Drowner<\/em>, starring Randy Wayne, which is also produced by Campisi and directed by Cohn.\u00a0 In March, they go into production together on <em>The Domicile<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[youtube_sc url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=XAmp74HyFeU&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Echoing the same sentiments as Cohn is NBC-Universal production executive Clarence Perry (NBC&#8217;s <em>Crowded<\/em>, TV Land&#8217;s <em>The Soul Man<\/em>), who worked with Campisi and was impressed with him from the start:<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;<em>I&#8217;ll never forget when I first met Gabe,&#8221; <\/em>says Perry.<em>\u00a0 &#8220;It was day one on a movie we were working on (Buddy Hutchins), when I pulled up to the location and was greeted by the friendliest set production assistant I had ever met.\u00a0 Unbeknownst to me, that set PA was actually GABE CAMPISI&#8230;our executive producer!\u00a0 I thought he was BS&#8217;ing with me, but in fact, he was El Jefe.\u00a0 From the moment I met Gabe, I knew he was a force to be reckoned with.\u00a0 Gabe (like his partner\/director Jared Cohn) is a visionary who isn&#8217;t afraid of getting his hands dirty.\u00a0 His dedication to his craft is remarkable, but his dedication to everyone&#8217;s happiness is even more impressive.\u00a0 He genuinely cares about the entire cast and crew, and looks out for their well-being.\u00a0 It is because of this we have formed a friendship outside of work that continues to this day, but I cannot wait to work with Gabe again in the near future!\u00a0 That man is simply a BEAST!&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-18342\" src=\"http:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Clarence-Gabe-Jared.jpg\" alt=\"Clarence Gabe Jared\" width=\"727\" height=\"484\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Clarence-Gabe-Jared.jpg 727w, https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Clarence-Gabe-Jared-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 727px) 100vw, 727px\" \/><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<p><em>\u201cGabe is an intelligent, hardworking, organized guy who makes production run extremely smooth, and he\u2019s very detail-oriented,\u201d <\/em>says booming producer Richard Switzer of Switzer Entertainment Group, who regularly produces films with Campisi and Traplight.\u00a0 Switzer himself is responsible for having nearly a dozen films currently in production.\u00a0 With both Campisi and Switzer emerging as top producers in the industry, it\u2019s only fitting they both work together so often.\u00a0 A few of their upcoming films include <em>School\u2019s Out<\/em>, <em>Arlo the Burping Pig<\/em>, and <em>Blue Line<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[youtube_sc url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=7F8vsKsSYPk&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><u>\u00a0<\/u><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[youtube_sc url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ljjGrguKc7c&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Producer Judy Kim of Trigold Entertainment, who served as a VP at Warner Bros. for ten years, and six at Paramount Pictures, echoes the same sentiments about Campisi. She said she can go on and on talking highly about him:<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cI can\u2019t say enough great things about Gabe,\u201d<\/em> says Kim.<em>\u00a0 \u201cI love working with him (and with his partner\/ director Jared Cohn), and we\u2019re always looking for another project to produce together!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>At the studios, Kim worked on the very successful <em>Transformers<\/em>, <em>Jackass<\/em>, <em>Harry Potter<\/em>, and <em>Matrix<\/em> franchises.\u00a0 She has worked on numerous award-winning independent films and says Campisi and her are currently planning on movie-world domination.\u00a0 Campisi and Kim worked together on the just-released <em>Wishing for a Dream<\/em>, and <em>Buddy Hutchins<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[youtube_sc url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qojlyXsH6Uw&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Paul Logan, a producer and actor on dozens of movies and television shows, including <em>Days of Our Lives<\/em>, recently wrote and starred in <em>The Horde<\/em>, a highly-anticipated action-horror film that Campisi co-produced with him at 313 Films.\u00a0 The project was extremely personal to Logan, and he says he brought on Campisi for his expertise to handle things on set, allowing Logan to focus on <em>kicking some mutant ass<\/em>:<\/p>\n<p>\u201c<em>Gabe is a great guy,\u201d <\/em>says Logan.<em> \u201cHe is so passionate about what he does. \u00a0He is a great \u2018nuts and bolts\u2019 producer and problem-solver. \u00a0Gabe&#8217;s always diplomatic and willing to go the extra mile. He\u2019s a good producer and a good friend. \u00a0It was great having him on board The Horde, and is an asset on any project<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>The Horde<\/em> is due out this summer and guarantees to entertain.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-18330\" src=\"http:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/TheHorde-Poster-Final-V2-674x1024.jpg\" alt=\"TheHorde Poster Final-V2\" width=\"674\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/TheHorde-Poster-Final-V2-674x1024.jpg 674w, https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/TheHorde-Poster-Final-V2-197x300.jpg 197w, https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/TheHorde-Poster-Final-V2-768x1167.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/TheHorde-Poster-Final-V2.jpg 1348w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 674px) 100vw, 674px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Campisi has several more projects in various stages of development, including studio projects, so the only way to keep up with him is by frequently visiting his personal website, Traplight, and his IMDB:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gabrielcampisi.com\/\">http:\/\/www.gabrielcampisi.com<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.traplightmedia.com\/\">http:\/\/www.traplightmedia.com<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm0133081\">http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm0133081<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Lastly, whether you\u2019re an aspiring filmmaker, established producer, or just want to learn more about the filmmaking business, be sure to check out Campisi\u2019s book <em>The Independent Filmmaker\u2019s Guide to Writing a Business Plan for Investors<\/em>.\u00a0 It contains interviews with some of Campisi\u2019s friends in the business, including Gerald R. Molen (Oscar-winning producer of <em>Schindler\u2019s List<\/em>, <em>Jurassic Park<\/em>, <em>Minority Report<\/em>), Donald Kushner (producer of <em>Tron<\/em>, <em>Tron: Legacy<\/em>, <em>Monster<\/em>) and Pen Densham (<em>Robin Hood<\/em>, <em>Backdraft<\/em>, <em>Poltergeist: The Legacy<\/em>):<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.com\/078646285X\">http:\/\/amzn.com\/078646285X<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-18328\" src=\"http:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/GabeBookCover-210x300.jpg\" alt=\"GabeBookCover\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/GabeBookCover-210x300.jpg 210w, https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/GabeBookCover-768x1097.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/GabeBookCover-717x1024.jpg 717w, https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/GabeBookCover.jpg 838w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 210px) 100vw, 210px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"syndication-links\"><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cI was asked how long I would try to succeed in filmmaking before I\u2019d give up. I said giving up was not an option, and if I didn\u2019t make it, I\u2019d die trying.\u201d\u00a0 &#8211;Gabriel Campisi. Fortunately, Campisi didn\u2019t have to live up to the second part of his statement, and has emerged as one of&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":18337,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":[],"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","mf2_syndication":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[17,4,8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18324","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-b-movie-interviews","category-the-latest-if-not-the-greatest","category-news-from-the-front","wpcat-17-id","wpcat-4-id","wpcat-8-id"],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/GabeCamera.jpg",1936,1288,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/GabeCamera-145x145.jpg",145,145,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/GabeCamera-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/GabeCamera-768x511.jpg",768,511,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/GabeCamera-785x522.jpg",785,522,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/GabeCamera.jpg",1536,1022,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/GabeCamera.jpg",1936,1288,false],"gridflex-1422w-autoh-image":["https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/GabeCamera.jpg",1422,946,false],"gridflex-1074w-autoh-image":["https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/GabeCamera.jpg",1074,715,false],"gridflex-360w-300h-image":["https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/GabeCamera.jpg",360,240,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"","author_link":"https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/?author=33"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"\u201cI was asked how long I would try to succeed in filmmaking before I\u2019d give up. I said giving up was not an option, and if I didn\u2019t make it, I\u2019d die trying.\u201d\u00a0 &#8211;Gabriel Campisi. Fortunately, Campisi didn\u2019t have to live up to the second part of his statement, and has emerged as one of...","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18324","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/33"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=18324"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18324\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/18337"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=18324"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=18324"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=18324"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}