This fall, Roslyn Heights resident Jacob Mariani will be attending Emerson College in Boston, where he plans to study visual and media arts. Those broad titles include filmmaking classes. And the recent Herricks High School graduate already has one short film under his belt. Marian’s production, Marriage Tools, has been selected by the HollyShorts Film Festival to be screened during their nine-day event in Hollywood, from Thursday, Aug. 13 to Saturday, Aug. 22.
Needless to say, Mariani is excited over the prospect of having his creative effort screened in the film capital of the world.
“This is what I’ve been working so hard for,” said Mariani, who directed, shot and edited the film.
At Herricks, Mariani was president of the school’s TV studio club. He also received awards for Outstanding Student Achievement and Filmmaking.
Marriage Tools is an eight-minute comedy that explores what happens when a beaten-down husband takes matters into his own hands.
What does a teenager know about marriage? As the film unfolds, it reveals Mariani’s comedic take on a couple whose fights often get resolved by the wife’s swing of a rolling pin. However, that’s not the only tool featured in the film, which includes the husband turning to his own peg-board arsenal to fend back the “ka-bongs.”
Mariani did not have to go far to cast his lead roles. He enlisted his grandparents for a simple reason: “They work cheap,” he joked. His parents play supporting, but pivotal roles in the film.
There are sure to be more films in Mariani’s future. Already, he is looking forward to matriculating at Emerson College.
“I look at the film and see things I could have done differently,” he said, eager on honing his craft. “I’m just getting started.”
The HollyShorts Film Festival is presented by Method Studios and as noted, will be held at IgnitedSpaces in Hollywood.. Film LA kicks off the conference with their opening panel and party on the first Friday of the fest. The conference showcases a diverse group of thought leaders and innovators in the entertainment industry. Young filmmakers like Jacob Mariani will gain valuable insight into creating, producing and distributing film projects in an ever-changing media landscape through informative panel discussions, mentoring sessions and networking opportunities.
