We recently connected with and have shared our conversation below.

Jeff, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most meaningful project was my film The Hill starring Dennis Quaid. It was released theatrically across the country in 1800 theaters August 25th 2023 and ran almost 8 weeks. Then was just released on Netflix end of January 2024 and was #1 for six consecutive days and in the top 10 for 3 weeks. Also it just won Best Family feature film at The Family Film Awards on CBS January 27th. This was a passion project for me it took over 17 years of persistence and patience to get the film made. It is inspirational and uplifting to everyone who’s watched it. It has changed peoples lives they say and that was the most incredible and satisfying thing I could ever have dreamed would happen. I met Ricky Hill the man the film is based on and from that day we were joined at the hip. His story is about a young crippled boy with a controlling but loving father. Ricky has a special ability to hit a baseball. After a series of tragic events Ricky still went on to try out for the major leagues and did the impossible.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I was an actor for many years started in the early 80’s trained with legendary acting coached Sanford Meisner and Stella Adler because I wanted the best training I could get. Training and dedication learning a technique you can always rely on is the key to success, including having passion and persistence for whatever it is you do. Never give up. If you feel it’s your life’s passion, don’t listen to anyone just your heart and soul. I was an actor and became a filmmaker who started out writing, I had met Robert Altman the legendary Director and Gerald Greenberg the legendary editor who edited films like Carrie, Scarface and Kramer vs Kramer which won Gerry an Oscar. They both taught me so much about how to run a set and tell a story. Great storytelling sense is eveything. If you’re not a great storyteller in life it’s going to be hard to tell great stories in your career.

I started out Directing and producing my first short. From there it won many awards and I found an investor who created a company for me to Director my first feature Under the Hula Moon. That also won awards and was successful and from there I went on to Direct over 13 more films. I am absolutely in love with what I do and feel I was born to be a filmmaker. It’s in my blood.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding thing about what I do is touching and changing peoples lives for the better. Film is an amazing medium to educate people and bring them together and uplift their spirits

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Yes, I transitioned from being an actor to being a Director simply because I was tired of not having any control. Directing you are in charge and get full reign to let your creative juices flow and making films keeps you working a whole year while being an actor you are at everyone elses disposal with no control and you only work sporadically with a lot of time off.

Image Credits
Jeff Celentano