John Gabriele
- Camera and Electrical Department
- Additional Crew
- Transportation Department
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