We were lucky to catch up with Vinnie Langdon recently and have shared our conversation below.
Vinnie, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
In 2021, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, one thing I missed was being on sets acting or directing films. It seemed like a dark time and positivity seemed slim. I witnessed churches closing and my colleagues in the film and TV industry were starting to feel lost. That is when I knew I had to step in and do something about it. That’s when I spoke with a church pastor at the Reformed Church on Staten Island (New York.) I asked him how could I help out the church with a potential fundraiser. That’s when I came up with a Film Festival/Fundraiser to preserve one of the oldest churches in Staten Island and bring filmmakers and actors together once it was safe to do so. Every year. the film festival has sold out each summer calling it ‘The Summer of Shorts’ and bringing actors, models, and filmmakers together to network and screen short films. Out of my twenty year-plus career of making films or acting in TV shows; doing this film festival has been the most meaningful to give back by opening doors for new filmmakers all doing so for a great cause to keep the church going.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Never thought I’d start or run a film festival because my background is that I am an Actor and Filmmaker. I grew up in Vacaville, California acting in local theatre and later made the switch to performing on-camera for local TV. I hosted my own show from 2004-2020 called ‘The Vinnie Langdon Show’ producing over 550 half-hour episodes interviewing rock bands. The show gained popularity on social media during the time and the show got picked up on 7 other local tv stations in NY, PA, and California. The show was a fun ride working with great bands like Memphis May Fire, Escape The Fate, Papa Roach, Alien Ant Farm, Jonas Brothers and the list goes on. It gave me a stepping stone to what I enjoy doing today as an entertainer and filmmaker. The whole TV hosting gig gave me confidence I had hidden in the depths of me and a platform to express myself while bringing audiences the latest in music news for nearly two decades. After a personal break and chance for me to launch the Staten Island Film Festival and work on other projects, I decided to work on bringing back, ‘The Vinnie Langdon Show’ very soon. I am currently booking guests for my show and just wrapped up our 4th successful year at the film festival and I have a few short films I’m releasing at the end of 2025. Please be on the lookout for my short film called ‘Ramshackle’ which stars Alina Staicu (2018 Miss Elegant Universe.) The film tackles the topics of addiction and faith and features a song co-written by Suzie Storm and myself in the credits, that I am proud of.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
While doing my TV show, I relied heavily on concerts, touring bands and record labels. When the pandemic happened all of that slowed down. No more touring bands, no more concerts, meant for me to stop going out and interviewing bands. It was very tough to find new content to cover. Weird times indeed. That is one of the reasons I stopped doing my show. I had to take care of my family, focus on taking care of me and my health. It did give me an opportunity to explore other career opportunities. I went back for schooling via Online to get my certifications to become a Pastor (studying theology to me was very fascinating) – something I was passionate and had an interest in doing. I did that. I worked over-nights doing stocking at a grocery store. I worked for a radio station. I worked various jobs to see if my calling was in another field. With a four year break, I forgot how passionate and dedicated I was doing my show. It taught me a lot to now bring back with my ‘come back’ with my show, I’m more mature and of course older so it will be different! Even if it feels like I am starting over.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
Love this question! What I observe on a second-hand experience is non-creatives see how much fun actors, filmmakers, TV personalities have. They see the photos. Red carpet moments. The ‘glam’ side of working with bands hanging out partying on tour buses or the ‘show.’ They don’t see the blood, sweat, tears that goes on behind the scenes. Many people approach me with “Hey Vinnie, I have an idea for a movie – or they want to try acting because they do have a special gift. We all do.” Once they get invested – it honestly only lasts for a little while because they do not understand how much time is needed to put aside to focus on a ‘career’ in this business. I had aspiring filmmakers give up on finishing films because it was ‘too hard.’ I had friends who wanted to interview bands but they ran out of contacts or simply got bored. People seek the fame first and that is the fastest way to fail. You have to prioritize getting products made first before self-advertising yourself making you seem larger than life. You have to back up your words. I think that is what has made me successful. I was honest, real with my audience. When they’d say You worked on a certain project, I have the products to back my ‘talk’ up. My advice is follow through with what you are going to do. Don’t have an ego, have confidence – there’s a difference: YES! Life is short so just enjoy what you do and not for the money or fame. Do it for your passion and no one else’s. Don’t copy one of your friends on social media because they got 100+ likes and you’re not in your life.
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Image Credits
Vinnie Langdon with Craig Mabbitt (Escape The Fate), Dominica Lopez (Actress/Model at Staten Island Film Festival), and photographed with Michael Mushok (Staind) & Adam Gontier of Three Days Grace. Final Photo: Official Movie Poster for Ramshackle.