Meet Steven Napolitano

Today we’d like to introduce you to Steven Napolitano.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I grew up in the suburbs of Long Island, New York. I’ve always had an eye for storytelling as a child but it wasn’t until I got my first JVC video cassette camcorder from my father was when the sparks flew and I first started creating. I would create reenactments to all of my favorite movies at that time. Even as a child I wanted whatever I filmed to feel authentic. That then lead to my obsession of watching behind the scenes of films, going through the special features section. At the age of 13, my father passed away. Growing up, my father and I would spend all day at the movie theater, sometimes watching four movies in a row! After he passed, it was clear to me that I wanted to create films for the future dads and sons out there going to the movie theater just like I did with my dad.

When it was time to think about college, I knew what I wanted to pursue, so I went to an art school on Long Island called Five Towns College. Five Towns was a great choice as I was able to get my hands on professional camera gear right away and start experimenting and finding my voice as a filmmaker. I created short films with my longtime friend/director, Joe DiCanio, where we won several awards at the Five Towns showcase of all the films that year.

From college, I wasn’t exactly sure how to get my foot into the film industry. A lot of my colleges were joining the camera union and being brought on some big network shows. I wasn’t sure if that was my path. I decided to work at a camera rental company called Adorama in Manhattan to get a sense of the New York City lifestyle. It was an extremely rewarding job where I gained knowledge of digital cinema equipment. Only working there for less than six months I got an opportunity to work as a camera production assistant position on the CBS show, Elementary. I felt this was my in and would set up my future in the film industry by eventually joining the union as a camera assistant.

After four months working on Elementary and a pilot for a USA show, I felt that this wasn’t my path, something felt off. I began to work freelance, working for companies like Yelp as a camera operator. After about a year or so working freelance in New York, I decided I wanted to give Los Angeles a try. Growing up watching movies, Los Angeles always seemed to be the place to be. I then moved on a whim to start a new life. My first job in LA was working as a Production Assistant for a series of Hot Wheels commercials. I then worked my way up to becoming a 1st Assistant Camera/Camera Operator. Now living in LA for a year and a half, I can confidently say this is where I needed to be to grow my career. I’m still working as a freelancer as a Director of Photography, Editor, Camera Operator, and 1st Assistant Camera and I can say I make a living doing what I love in the city I love. I created my own production company, Open Palette Productions and hope to grow it in the next few years.

Please tell us about your art.
I’ve always wanted the art that I create to come off as authentic as possible and something audiences can watch and reflect on their own lives. The filmmakers I’m inspired by do just that. As a young filmgoer, I wanted to watch films that were reflecting of what I’m going through. I watched these films because it made me feel less alone in the world. I want to create films for that young version of myself.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing artists today?
The biggest challenge artists are facing today is just the willingness to forget everything and just create their art. Living in Los Angeles or living in any big city, artists face many challenges to make a living and continue to create. Some artists don’t get paid for their work in the beginning and that can be very discouraging for young artists. Technology is making it easier for their work to be out there but due to the large number of people promoting on social media, it can feel very isolated.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My work can be found on my website, StevenNapolitano.com. I also have some films I worked on as a Director of Photography and Editor screening in film festivals in NY and LA. I’m gearing up to shoot a Pilot of a series I created that tells the coming of age story of a young band trying to make it but discover that making it big is just one of the many obstacles.

Contact Info:

• Website: StevenNapolitano.com
• Email: StevenANapolitano@gmail.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/StevenANapolitano

Image Credit:
Diego Ferres Devetto, Kristie Napolitano, Adrian Popescu, Crystal Janke, Emmanuel Akinnitire

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