James Savoca

Indie filmmaker James Savoca was educated in the old-fashioned institution: the theater; and it's this background that makes him an anomaly in today's film world. Free from the mechanical and manipulative techniques of modern day cinema's gatling-gun editing and off-balance camera maneuvers, Savoca's films puts the focus on the writing and the acting in an organic cinema verite fashion. The cinematography is purposeful and gorgeous and the structure of the films let's the audience know that its auteur is well-steeped in the form's history. After studying acting at Carnegie Hall with Louise Lasser, James got his start in the theater, in New York's downtown Off-Off-Broadway scene. In 1990, James founded the theater group Big Head Productions. His first full-length play Talk To Me, sold out audiences at Tom Noonan's Paradise Theatre. He followed-up with writing more Off-Off Broadway plays, such as Off My Back, Tomorrow Never Comes, and Just Like Television. In 1995, he assembled a sketch comedy group called The Guilty Players, performing weekly at New York's Under Acme in Greenwich Village. In 1996, James wrote and directed a short 16mm film entitled Revelation (1997), starring Kevin Corrigan. Revelation (1997) made its broadcast premiere on The Sundance Channel. After his first taste of filmmaking, James started his own production company, Solo Group Productions. In 2000, James made his feature film debut; writing and directing Sleepwalk (2000), starring Drea de Matteo, Ivan Martin and John Lurie. Sleepwalk (2000), a 35 mm film, premiered at SXSW Film Festival. The Independent Film Channel showcased Sleepwalk (2000) as part of IFC's Next Wave Films where it ran monthly for 3 years. In 2005 James completed his second feature film, The Crooked Corner (2005), starring Chris Messina and Marlo Marron, which he wrote, directed and produced. In 2008, James wrote and directed his third feature film, Around June (2008), starring Samaire Armstrong, Jon Gries, and Brad William Henke. Savoca's films explore a side of humanity where people have a hard time fitting in. He's more interested in characters who haven't succeeded on society's terms, characters who have fallen between the cracks.