// Painting Was The Case My Mom Gave Me

I was five when my mother enrolled me in oil painting classes. Painting would become the first of many loves, and obsessions, in my life. I eventually explored watercolor, airbrush, photography, and ultimately filmmaking… which consumed all of my attention. // Early Work

In 2016, two decades after I had last picked up a paintbrush, Netflix released Bob Ross’ The Joy of Painting. In retrospect, my partner, Erica, probably regrets buying me that oil painting kit. // Bob Ross Gallery

The Joy of Painting re-ignited my love for oil painting. Although life & work often get in the way… every now and then I’m able to steal away and paint! // Contemporary Gallery

// Let’s Put On A Show

Ever since my Uncle Hal showed me my first magic trick, I’ve been hooked on illusion… and never shied away from putting on a show! As a teenager, my passion for magic and illusion continued… I even made business cards and was hired for a few birthday parties and kids show.

This fascination with illusion and entertainment became the foundation for my love of filmmaking, which is the ultimate illusion. Convincing people that are sitting in their homes that they are watching life unfold in “real-time” before their eyes on a screen mounted to their walls!

// Playing Doctor

My mother, an immigrant from Caracas, Venezuela, came to the United States in the early 70’s to practice medicine. As the son of an immigrant doctor… it seemed a foregone conclusion that I would follow in her footsteps. So when I left for college I “packed away” all of my artistic interests, and focused on the sciences. I studied pre-medicine & neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh, as well as working in the Emergency Department at Doylestown Hospital… a community hospital in my hometown. Although still only a teenager, I got to draw blood, bandage wounds, perform EKG’s, and much more.

// Family Matters

I did not become a doctor… but you probably guessed that already. I decided to explore the arts further before committing to a life in the medical field… but I didn’t want a career in the fine arts. So looked to my love of movies for the answer… and never looked back!

After graduation, the administration at Doylestown Hospital (knowing I had made this career switch) approached Semanoff to produce promotional videos for the hospital. Seeing this as a business opportunity, I convinced my father to come out of retirement to partner on this endeavor. We admittedly had no idea what they were getting into, but working side-by-side for 8-years building a company that grew from a grass roots operation (working out of a basement), to a substantial operation that produced countless corporate videos, regional commercials, and music videos… was an experience neither of us would ever trade!

// Have Steadicam… Will Travel!

As with many small businesses, you tend to wear a lot of hats. In the early days I would write, direct, shoot & edit every project. Sometimes even duplicate them on VHS (yes VHS). I always had a fascination with Steadicam, although in retrospect I didn’t really appreciate its complexity… but that didn’t stop me! I saw it as a value add so we purchased one and I was shocked at how difficult it was to operate. So I signed up for a workshop, and fell in love with the craft and culture around Steadicam.

I was hooked and looked for every way, both within my company and outside of it, to tells stories with the camera. I started living a double life… business owner by day… Steadicam Operator for Hire by night. Both careers grew independently and I eventually had to decide which I wanted to pursue. You can probably guess which…