Today we’d like to introduce you to Jules Santamauro.
Hi Jules, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve always loved getting a reaction. A positive one (of course). Call it the instigator or the want-to-be comedian in me, sure, but I’ve always loved seeing how my words can affect others in positive ways.
I “blame” this on my dad. I remember being little and watching my dad at family functions be the voice of the room, creating an uprise of laughter with my family, sharing crazy bits of life that he’s been able to experience in the most engaging ways. Though my dad tries to deflect the idea that he has an ounce of creativity in his body, the way he shares his stories is what has inspired me to be a storyteller.
I tried writing music, and then I tried writing books, and I tried writing and performing stand-up (in front of my elderly dog in eighth grade), but that all ultimately didn’t click with the way I wanted to share my stories. It wasn’t until high school that I had the unique opportunity to take on a four-year film course program that set my ability to share my stories free. I found screenwriting. I found directing. I found editing. I found the ways. I would best be able to get that reaction I wanted. To share the stories that urged me to be a storyteller.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I feel like as a filmmaker, I’ve been all over the place. How could you not be, though? I’ll start with the definite’s. Screenwriting will always be what I come home to. It’s what I love. It gives me the place to use my voice in such a way to make people feel whatever they need to, and that’s not something I take lightly. As much as I love writing, I do struggle with the idea of not being able to get the production/post-production experience, something that I’ve learned to crave.
In my time at school, specifically at SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design), I’ve been allowed to wear a ton of hats that I enjoy a ton that also fulfill my want to be on set and in the cutting room. However, I’d say I’m still learning my style. I’ve produced, directed, sound-designed, and griped (but you won’t catch me near a camera). More commonly, I do find myself wearing the hats of a Script Supervisor and an Editor. I’ve recognized that I gravitate towards these two positions the most as they are what most closely keep the integrity of the story in place. Something that as a writer, I could not be more in tune about.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I love comedy with a touch of wanting to rip your heart out because of how much it aches. Stories about feeling the good in bad situations. Stories about the growing pains of getting older and the fear that comes with life’s uncertainty. All of course, with a solid “that’s what she said” thrown in there. I think my unique voice within these stories, a voice that aims at the realism of conversations we have in real life is what sets my stories apart.
I’ve recently just ended my festival run with my film “No One’s Birthday,” a story about a sixteen-year-old girl who just recently got an abortion and her interaction with a weird gentleman wanting to celebrate no one’s birthday. This is a film that I wrote, directed, edited, and sound-designed. It’s taken home 7 Official selections, 1 Semi-Finalist title, an Honorable mention, and awards for Best Cinematography, Best Direction, and Best Overall Production.
I am currently finishing up my most recent project “Soda”, A tale of two childhood best friends during their college graduation party that are on the search for carbonation and the nostalgia that comes with it. This is a project I wrote, produced, directed, edited, and sound-designed. Before we can start our festival runs, we are working on getting the music licenses for some of the music featured in the film, which is in the process of being green-lit.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I think a common thing that surprises people so far with my work is how much of it I tackle on my own. Don’t get me wrong, I love collaboration. Never in life do you get the chance to creatively and positively collaborate more than you do in the film, however, I wanted to really test my capabilities on my most recent film, Soda, and see what I could do by myself. With that said, I tackled five production head positions, one of those being the sole producer, a position I’ve never had the chance to be in. However, something I also think that surprises people with my work is how willing I am to try those new positions and do everything I can to exceed in them. As the producer of this film, I was able to raise over $4000, get in contact with one of my favorite artists, and gain the licensing to utilize their music in the film, as well as lead a cast and crew of nearly 20+ people to achieve a beautiful end product (even with several weather issues that pushed our production dates up nearly two days earlier than it was supposed to be).
Contact Info:
- Website: linktr.ee/julessantamauro
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jules-santamauro-5a3941239/
Image Credits
Image 1: Andy P. @andy.likes.photography Image 2: Kenadie Larson @kkenadie Image 3: Andy P. @andy.likes.photography Image 4: Kenadie Larson @kkenadie Image 5: Bella DelMonica @_belladelmonico
