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Helllllllllllllllo all! I have some exciting news to share with you guys. A few months back, I was lucky enough to film a role in a short film, "The Mandala Maker" written and directed by Sam Borowski. Working alongside actors such as Daniel Roebuck ("Lost," "Matlock," "Halloween," "Nash Bridges"), Tony Award winner and Emmy nominee Terrence Mann, Yangzom Brauen ("Aeon Flux") and more, it's safe to say that I was quite honored to be sharing the screen with such an esteemed cast.

And although he would KILL me if he knew I was doing this, I have to give a shout out to the uber talented writer/director, Sam Borowski. Scope him out and show him some love on imdb, hit him up on myspace, what have you...but jump on this guy's bandwagon now before he blows up. He has a few major projects in the pipeline and in a few years, I'm going to be telling people "a few years back, I actually got to work with Sam Borowski." Haha. I'm telling you...big things are on the horizon for him.

So, in any event, the film is starting to get some exciting press and yours truly got a very nice shout out in one of the articles (SEE BELOW THE DOTTED LINE...my section is towards the end of the article). The NY Daily News and The Asbury Park Press have articles in the works too, and there has been some amazing internet coverage. Yada City online wrote:

("Hello world ….the staff of yadacity wants to know, do you have the patience to create a Tibetan Mandalas? Maybe you should find it - it has healing powers so says the lead character in the new, indie short THE MANDALA MAKER, by Sam Borowski.

The flick, which is getting that "Slumdog buzz," tells the story of Naomi, a woman who attempts to heal herself from a past tragedy by painting Tibetan Mandalas. FYI, those are circular designs that psychologists - including the legendary Carl Jung- say have 'healing' powers. This opens a whole new world of possibilities for Naomi.

THE MANDALA MAKER is on the fast track to get a nod, in the live-action short category, for the 2010 Academy-Award. The movie was shot on the highest form of High Def ever created ---The Red One HD Camera.")

And here is that article that mentions me! Thanks as always for all of your support as I move forward in the next stages of my career.


Check it out:
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Filmmaker going in circles -- that's a good thing

Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Staten Island Advance
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Insiders tell us that Sam Borowski is making further headway in his career as a writer, producer and director of movies.

After taking home the Audience Choice Award for his film "Rex" at last year's Staten Island Film Festival, and after getting a theatrical release of his film "Creature Feature: 50 Years of the Gill-Man" this fall, the New Springville resident and former Advance sportswriter turned to producing a short script he wrote with St. George resident Gregory Nissen. FYI: Sam is a cousin of actor/comedian Danny Aiello.


The movie, titled "The Mandala Maker," which Borowski directed and produced, tells the story of Naomi, a woman who attempts to overcome tragedy by painting Tibetan Mandalas, circular designs that psychologists -- including the legendary Carl Jung -- will tell you have "healing" powers in them. This opens a whole new world of possibilities for Naomi. But the short film, which portrays Naomi as a struggling artist, is a true Staten Island movie. Borowski opines. And here's why.

The Island, which is a growing community for writers and artists, becomes a character in the film, as does the Verrazano Bridge -- a little homage toward one of Borowski's favorite films, "Saturday Night Fever," which was released 32 years ago.

Filmed almost entirely on location here, it showcases many of the Island's hot spots, from Angelina's Ristorante to Sudsy's Bagels, owned by Sudsy Monchik, the former racquetball champ. In fact, Sudsy's partner friend Frank D'Amato can be seen in the film as well.

There are plenty of other popular Island haunts and places of interest, such as the Postcards 9/11 memorial, Shakti Yoga Center in St. George, a scene on Grymes Hill near Wagner College with a stunning view of the bridge in the background, the All Star Cafe, where the character has a slice of pizza over some serious reading, and even the chic new Z-One, where Naomi can be seen painting a Mandala.

In addition, Borowski shot a scene in one of the same spots featured in "Saturday Night Fever" (he says he's saving that as a surprise), and in The Rubin Museum of Art in Manhattan.

The movie, with Courtney Hogan in the title role, features a strong cast for any film, let alone a short, that includes Sam's longtime collaborator and friend Daniel Roebuck ("Lost," "Matlock," "River's Edge"), with whom he worked on "Rex," and Tony Award winner and Emmy nominee Terrence Mann, as well as Yangzom Brauen of Aeon Flux fame.

Also featured prominently are Indie actor Conor Timmis and New York's own Eric Stein, who was America's Player on the reality show "Big Brother 8." We hear his scene at Sudsy's Bagels in Tottenville is not to be missed!

"The Mandala Maker," which is expected to be a major contender in the live-action short category for the 2010 Academy Awards, will be making the rounds at many Oscar-qualifying film festivals during this coming year, and is expected to be ready in time for the upcoming Staten Island Film Festival in June.

"It is my hope that Staten Islanders can get behind this film, and help us to make a push for the 2010 Academy Award," Borowski said recently.

"Staten Island is my home -- and it always will be. I would like nothing more than to bring home the award for this community, which I have cherished for so long."