Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff Marchelletta.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born and raised on Long Island New York and moved to Los Angeles California as a young adult to pursue and work in entertainment. I had family that moved to Georgia, so I would often go to Atlanta. I liked it so much that I had to have a Peachtree address and got a place of my own in Midtown years ago. Atlanta was just starting to turn into an entertainment town, offering tax incentives and more for productions and independent films. I honestly feel I was one of the pioneers back then going into the Atlanta Film Commission office scouting locations for an independent feature I was wanting to shoot there. The writer/director moved out of the country and that project never happened. I did however shoot an awards show at the legendary Fox Theatre in Midtown after that with the creative team at Stormcrow Entertainment. Billy Porter, who I’m a big fan of, was one of the presenters. It was the first live event I’ve produced and it was an exciting learning experience that thankfully turned out well! As time went on Atlanta really grew into a viable location and home for productions and a much more affordable one at that. I do feel Atlanta Georgia has now become the “Hollywood of the South” as some people are saying. I know many entertainment friends and colleagues work quite a bit in Atlanta and have even moved here. I live and spend much more time in my Atlanta home now, especially during the pandemic. It was a great escape with more flexibility and allowed me to be closer to my family during that difficult time.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It’s a journey alright, similar to Frodo’s perilous journey to destroy the One Ring by taking it back to the fires of Mount Doom in Mordor. No, seriously…it is. I would think nothing in life is a smooth road really. I never fully understood when I’d hear someone say “I’ll give entertainment two years and if I don’t make it I’ll leave.” I feel they were on the wrong path and not really doing it for the right reasons to begin with. If you truly love it, feel obsessed with any art and have a genuine creative spirit, you find a way to do it and remain an artist. Of course, some people hit big, get a lucky break (which I’ve learned is about timing) or have the talent and ability to navigate the business better than others, but as long as you’re happy, staying creative and growing every day you’re a success.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an actor and producer. I’ve had some success with independent films I’ve produced, but I would say my first passion is acting. I can always do well in a business setting, but I love working on stories and characters, finding choices, behavior and filling out the character’s life. It’s so intriguing to me, as is human behavior. Whether consciously or not, we’re all observing each other and responding to the smallest subtleties in the now. I was recently cast in a recurring role for a pilot that filmed and is set in Atlanta. It’s a spy comedy series entitled “Roger Espionager.” The writing was so good, rich and tight that the characters were vividly coming to life off the page. Especially, for me, the character I auditioned for. Sometimes something just clicks and there are parts of yourself you can bring more forward, tap into or past roles you’ve worked on that can lend something to a new character because in a way they are like history within you. It’s a strong and talented group of writers and creatives that are very knowledgeable on the genre and stories theme. I am thrilled to be a part of it, and hope it will keep me more in my Atlanta home in the future.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Film festivals are always good for networking. Prior to the pandemic, film festivals and their events were always a lot of fun and great places to meet other artists and network. Its also an environment where creatives are wanting to and trying to meet other creatives. So it’s very open and easy to strike up conversations about everyone’s projects and what they are working on. I’ve been to the Atlanta Film Festival a few times, its a great festival with awesome events and super cool venues – the Atlanta breweries alone! I highly recommend going to some of the Atlanta Film Festival screenings, events and parties this spring and support indie film and their return. I’m thrilled to see that live in-person film festivals are coming back. The virtual screenings and cyber-festivals during the pandemic just didn’t cut it. Long live movie theaters!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://jeffmarchelletta.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffmarchelletta
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffmarchelletta
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeffmarch
Image Credits
Darrin Van Gorder, Richard Chapelle, Tom Pritchard, Sandra Valde-Hansen, Jessica Gallant, Willys Michel, William Schweikert, David Muller
