Conversations with Marco Bizio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marco Bizio.

Marco, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Genu and Jocelyn met in a magnet program at San Jose Elementary School. At only eight years old, they formed an early bond over their shared love of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy and ’90s alternative music. Though cautious around each other at first, their mutual passion for campy cinema ultimately brought them closer.

They continued on to the same middle school, where they began creating short films together, everything from Slenderman spoofs to early YouTube-era challenges like “Draw My Life.” At the same time, Genu and Jocelyn played in bands throughout the San Fernando Valley during their teenage years, building a tight-knit creative community around them. All of this eventually led to the formation of their band, Skirtboy, with Jocelyn as the frontwoman and Genu on bass.

A few years and a couple hundred thousand streams later, the duo approached Marco Bizio, a USC School of Cinematic Arts graduate, to direct their first music video for the song “Valley Rat Footage”. Equipped with just a shoestring budget and a few friends to help out, the video marked the beginning of an intense creative bond.

With their high school career coming to an end, Genu and Jocelyn turned to Marco once more to help develop the initial concept for “Valley Daze” – a TV show about their own experiences growing up in LA’s largest suburb. Little did they know, this would turn into a years-long project which would ultimately outgrow their initial expectations and jump-start their careers.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Unfortunately, it was time to raise capital. Avoiding studios and traditional fundraising, the trio decided to approach the community they grew up with and built. A grassroots crowdfunding campaign began, which included over 10,000 personally-written emails, benefit shows from Skirtboy, and university grants. Somehow, despite their youth, Genu, Marco, and Jocelyn raised $35,000 alongside the community of the San Fernando Valley.

Although it felt like the hardest part was behind, each day of production brought a new set of challenges. From losing locations to stretching the budget and working around the schedules of the actors, the project existed in a constant state of uncertainty. It’s also important to note that many actors were the real-life counterparts of the characters and stories that Genu and Jocelyn wrote.

Aside from the logistical challenges, the shoot unfolded during some of the hottest days on record in the SFV. With most of the production happening outdoors, the team had to get creative to keep everyone cool. To combat the scorching temperatures, each crew member was given an ice-soaked bandana to wear around their forehead. Even though heat strokes were prevented, the production ran into several delays with the camera and audio equipment overheating. Despite these interruptions, the crew miraculously managed to get everything they needed.

They came away learning that filmmaking is truly the art of problem solving and using one’s limitations to their advantage. Having spoken to the team, they feel the chaos added to the energy of what ended up becoming the final product and in hindsight they would have never had it any other way.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Valley Daze (Produced by actor David Dalstmachian) will be premiering at the Million Dollar Theater on December 13th at 7PM. Valley Daze follows a group of Gen-Z teenagers struggling to find their path in a world that feels more online, disconnected, and doomed than ever… All while navigating the chaos of the San Fernando Valley.
More than just a screening, this premiere is a celebration of the Valley, featuring live local bands, community vendors, and more. It’s a night to honor creativity, local culture, and the spirit of indie filmmaking.

Considering the fact that this is a grassroots project, powered by crowdfunding and grants, this event hopes to encourage young artists to tell authentic stories – especially in the midst of these uncertain times in our industry.

What does success mean to you?
Doing what you love with the people you love. Never in the wildest dreams could Genu, Marco, and Jocelyn imagine premiering a pilot at a 1,000-seat movie palace in the heart of Los Angeles. Success is never measured by the outcome, but by creating the absolute best with available resources. To donors, grantors, family, and friends, this achievement would never have been possible; greatness is in the agency of others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://partiful.com/e/2ssbGjJVejpvJCIDSg2x
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valley_daze/