- John Gabriele began his career in the film industry back in 1978 directing music videos while attending Long Island University in Brooklyn. In 1979 while still in school he independently produced, and directed the variety cable TV show, "The Shortwave Show", which aired on channel D on the Manhattan Cable Network. It was a comedy/music variety show modeled somewhat loosely after the popular new show of the day, "Saturday Night Live ". The program was an ambitious live television show which aired weekly at 10:30 Saturday nights. In 1980 John graduated from college with a BFA. Soon after he found himself employed as a graphic artist working for Gendell Graphix, and doing paste up mechanical for the high profile medical journal "M.D. Magazine". Not long after beginning his career as an artist however, he found that he was not ultimately fulfilled with working in the print industry, and so made the bold decision to change careers. Considering how much he enjoyed his brief introduction to television during his studies at LIU, coupled with the fact that he had just finished reading an inspiring book about film making, it became clear to him came that the film industry was much more suited to his creative needs. To facilitate this choice, he quit his very well-paying job as a graphic artist, and diligently began looking for a way to break into the film making industry. Soon enough he found himself an entry level position on his first movie, the Charlie Kaufman film "The Wilderness Family". He knew he'd finally found what he was looking for on that very first film, as he discovered he had a real talent, and aptitude for being an intuitive problem solver on set, and so he choose to enter the industry officially as a Grip. Quickly he worked his way up the ladder in less than a year, from entry level production assistant, to heading the Grip Department as a Key Grip. This was back in 1980. By 1982 he was working exclusively as a Key Grip on everything from feature films, to commercials, and television programs like "Tales from the Darkside." Since that time John has been a Department head on over 50 feature films to date, and counting. He has also been known to work as a Gaffer on occasions when he has felt he could provide his services as a creative asset to the production. In his time in the industry, he has worked on everything from multi-million dollar Hollywood major studio productions, to micro budget dream projects for independent producers, on productions of all scopes, always providing the same courteous professional services regardless of the budget. John has always been committed to providing a user-friendly service, and attitude, along with the key technical support, and services contracted for, and prides himself as a consummate professional. Over the course of his career John has worked as a technician on a number of non-union, as well as union productions, working as a member of, or in connection with multiple unions including NABET 15, Local 52 IATSE, Local 4 IATSE, and Local 1 IATSE. Today however he no longer is officially affiliated with any union, though he still does work quite often as an all-purpose stagehand for Local 1, and Local 4. Upon leaving the ranks of the union (Local 52) however, John has made a concerted effort as a filmmaker to use his skills, and experience to take his career to the next level, and apply them towards becoming more of a creative entity within the industry. Since this time, he has taken advantage of any opportunity to produce, shoot, direct, or edit. To date he has directed the Off-Broadway play "How to Save a World?" written by Yael Ginberg, and has directed a number of low, to no budget independent music videos. With this drive and his commitment to move up the creative ladder, he continues to work as a professional technician as a Key Grip, while also presently collaborating with noted author and journalist, Stephen Witt to kick start the proposed feature film "Port Jervis." John can be contacted directly at 917 415 9117, or he can be reached through his email address... Johnnyrottenxx@email.com- IMDb Mini Biography By: Jodie Traster Parker
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