Never Mind...Where This Grad is Going

Rocco Mancusi

     Rocco Mancusi (Video and Radio Production Technology, March 2000) and some friends were gathered around a table at the Union Station Brewery trying to come up with a name for their new production company. After two fruitless hours, someone out of frustration said, "never mind." Consequently, Rocco is now president of Nevermind Productions and is joined by NEIT grad Karl Hanson, VP, in charge of audio operations; NEIT AS grad and current BS student, Amy DiStacio, casting director; his friends Jason Detusche, VP and writer; and Steve Mardo and Dan Harvey, both story board artists. Their current project is "Lisa."
     "Lisa" is a movie that Rocco has been developing in his mind for years. He describes it as a suspense drama about a woman, Lisa, who wants to test how much her boyfriend loves her. She plays games that drive the male character, Norman, insane. The idea came to Rocco after reflecting on the bad relationships he had with women while growing up in Queens, New York. He took aspects of all the women's bad behavior and created Lisa. Rocco denies reacting the way Norman's character does, and is quick to say the film is not autobiographical.
     Casting for the film begins soon. Only 25 actors, out of the 125 resumes received, are invited to audition for the film's 6 characters. Filming will begin soon and will be shot in Providence and Gloucester, RI. The plan is to have the movie completed by December and to market it to local theaters in NY, LA (Rocco lived there for a short time) and RI's Avon, Cable Car and Meadowbrook theaters. If things go really well and the film is finished by October, Rocco hopes to enter it into the Sundance Film Festival.
     At the time of enrolling in NEIT, Rocco had the dream of a career in film. He found the curriculum provided him with a good understanding of what happens on a set. In addition to learning about lighting and audio, Rocco says the training he received in how to control a group has proven invaluable in his work. The NEIT community looks forward with great anticipation to Rocco's dream becoming a reality. Hopefully, we'll all fit into the Avon for Lisa's first showing!