Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Caruso.
Hi Alex, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and raised on the northern coast of Sicily (Italy). After a lot of consideration regarding my future and better opportunities, my parents and I decided to move to the United States when I was 16.
The main reason for this decision was that I want to become a full-time movie director and writer, so what better place than America? Deciding to become a filmmaker happened by accident, When I was 15, I was lying down in my bed, and on the YouTube, homepage appeared a strange video. It was about three guys (one was skating, the other was pushing a rolling chair, and the last one was holding a camera and a gimbal). Afterward, they showed us the final result and it was stunning to me. I started going deeper into filmmaking and the more I discovered the more I was interested in it.
So, in July 2020, we arrived in America. We moved to Cleveland because my dad was born here to Italian parents.
The decision was not easy because I knew I was leaving all my relatives and friends but my intention to become a movie director and writer was very clear and I knew that this was the best thing to do. Some people did not believe in me and my capability to achieve something important and this made everything even more challenging but in a positive way.
I graduated from Valley Forge High School in Parma Heights in 2021.
In the beginning, things became soon very demoralizing because of some circumstances that forced my parents to go back to Italy and I found myself alone at just 18 years old for all of 2022. I didn’t speak good English; it was hard to understand people and to make myself understandable. I didn’t have a lot of money so I had to find a job to support myself. This is taking a lot of time away from my studies but it is also giving me a really strong push in life because the survival instinct forced me to pull up my sleeves and get moving. So, I feel that I’m learning a lot, and quickly. But this is where God called my name. Hope was something that really helped me, He showed me something greater than what I have today. Accepting what was the problem and becoming more mature and taking full responsibility, in other words, I could say embracing my cross.
Slowly I am starting to get some satisfaction. I am now studying Film and Media Arts at Tri-C Community College. This past summer I made my first short movie as a project for Tri-C thanks to the collaboration of a great team from the producer to the crew from Tri-C that accepted to dedicate their time to this project and the actors that did a really great job. The movie was presented at the Cleveland Museum of Art in October. It’s a horror movie that got a little bit of attention, and I am proud to say that I was selected to be First-Time Filmmaker in the Director category, where my film will have a screening not only in the U.K.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
A lot of challenges, I mean it is a real roller coaster out there. When I first came to Cleveland my first problem was the language. Not being able to understand very much, and therefore, to speak. So, not being able to speak the languages brings other problems. For instance, you don’t make friends very easily, and differences in culture might also affect your relationships. But after a while, you get comfortable you gain confidence, and you are able to sort of break this language wall. But 2022 was like a nightmare, living alone at the age of 18 is not easy. Why? Well, you are just a young adult who still doesn’t understand the power of life. You still want to have fun, you still want to play games, hang out with friends, and therefore, live an 18-year-old life. But at one point life makes you decide which way you want to go.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Director and Writer (student at Tri-c). I make movies. I can say that I do a little bit of everything when it comes to making movies. I can edit, put the SFX/Music, and do a little bit of CGI work and VFX, but I find myself very much in directing and writing. This is where I can visualize the film and show the best story. I am most known to be the “horror director”, it is just because I love the horror genre, I think it is interesting to make, and interesting to watch. So far, I have made 2 horror short movies, Alone and The Shadow. For sure The Shadow is the project that involved me the most. I am so proud of what we made last summer 2022. The Shadow really touches my style. And this is where I think I am different from other directors. I like to make this very real; the audience has to find a way to care about the story and the character. I am a very dynamic person, so I really show this by moving the camera a lot. The same thing when it comes to lens choice, “IT IS ABOUT THE MEMORY YOU WOULD HAVE IF YOU WERE THERE”. One of the other concepts that I have learned is “ORDINARY MEETS EXTRAORDINARY”. I have my own style of directing actors, they are not puppets, they are people that can really bring the character to life. Those are just some of the tips that I usually have on set with me.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
Yes, in terms of books, I really rely on the Bible. I think that it can really help you become a better person. In terms of other resources, I have learned a lot from Tomorrow’s Filmmaker course, Masterclass, where you learn from James Cameron, The Duffer Brothers, and other people in the Film business.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ale__19/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUt0QhjC5ScyDzaYsVnHKDQ
Image Credits
Jeremy Perdok
