By: Alex Trouly
Steve Stanulis is an acclaimed producer who began his career as a decorated NYPD officer. When he was injured on the job, Steve worked security for a number of A-list celebrities, such as Leonardo DiCaprio. His A-list clients suggested that Steve pursue an acting career, and after studying at Manhattan’s HB Studios, he was cast in The Replacements and Gangs of New York. As a working actor, Stanulis appeared in major studio movies (The Interpreter, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry), acclaimed indie films (Cupidity, Over the GW), and TV shows (The Sopranos, the new HBO series The Deuce).
In 2012, Steve Stanulis founded Stanulis Productions, Inc., with the feature film Long Shot Louie, starring Jake Robinson (The Carrie Diaries), winning Best Drama at the Williamsburg Film Festival. The film is available on Amazon Prime. Steve then created the Off-Broadway play Stripped, based on his experiences as a Chippendale dancer. Acclaimed in the New York Times, it was picked up by Planet Hollywood for a successful run on the Las Vegas strip.
In 2018, Steve directed his first documentary called Wasted Talent. It is based on the rise and fall of actor Lillo Brancato, from A Bronx Tale. It won Best Documentary at the NYCIFF and was released on Netflix and other major platforms, through Freestyle Digital Media. Also, in 2018, Steve directed a horror film called Clinton Road, starring Ice-T, Vincent Pastore, and Ace Young. The film won Best Horror in both the GSIFF and the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival. It was picked up by Midnight Releasing and had a 15-state theatrical release. It is now on every major platform.
In 2019, Steve created Stanulis Films with a creative structure to constantly make profitable projects. Steve then directed a film called Fifth Borough, starring Tara Reid and James Russo. It was released in 2020 by all major platforms. Other films Steve directed that was released in 2020 include Hinsdale House, which was shot in the actual house, and Chronicle of a Serial Killer, starring Brendan Sexton, James Russo, and DMX. Steve delved into the world of television, creating Ghost Guidos, a parody of Jersey Shore meets Ghost Hunters. Negotiations are being made with Travel Channel and A&E. In addition, Steve directed a controversial documentary called Race Against Time, which follows a father’s journey to help find a cure for his son’s illness. It recently won Best Documentary at the NYCTVF. Steve created a podcast called Indie World, which received a lot of positive attention due to the guests. Some of the guests included Constantine Maroulis, Freedom Williams, DMX, and Lillo Brancato.
In 2021, Stanulis Films executive produced “Monica”, starring Emily Browning and Patricia Clarkson, which was nominated for Spirit Award for Best Performance and Cinematography. We sat down with Steve Stanulis.
You are a multi-hyphenate, actor, writer, director-producer. How do you do it all?
Balancing multiple roles in the entertainment industry comes down to a combination of passion, organization, and perseverance. As an actor, writer, director, and producer, I thrive on the diversity and challenges that each role presents. I approach each project with dedication and enthusiasm, leveraging my creative talents to bring stories to life on screen. I do emphasize the importance of time management and prioritization, ensuring that I allocate sufficient energy and focus to each aspect of my work. Additionally, I surrounds myself with a supportive team of collaborators who share the vision and contribute their expertise to the projects. Ultimately, I believe in the power of hard work and determination to achieve success in the competitive world of entertainment.
Season 2 for Great Kills shoots this month. How will you capitalize on the success of Season One?
For Season 2 of Great Kills, we plan to capitalize on the success of Season One by building on the momentum and viewer engagement we’ve already established. This includes expanding our marketing efforts to reach a wider audience by exploring new avenues for distribution and promotion. Additionally, we’ll leverage feedback and insights from Season One to fine-tune our storytelling and character development, ensuring that Season 2 resonates even more deeply with our audience. With the addition of esteemed talents like Eric Roberts, Cathy Moriarty, and Bai Ling, we’re confident that Season 2 will exceed the expectations set by Season One and deliver an even more compelling and memorable viewing experience.
As a native of Staten Island, what is the appeal of the fifth borough?
As a native of Staten Island, the appeal of the fifth borough lies in its unique blend of suburban tranquility and urban amenities. With its strong sense of community, Staten Island has the hustle and bustle of city life while still providing convenient access to the cultural attractions and opportunities of New York City. Additionally, its rich history and tight-knit communities make Staten Island a place where people take pride in their roots and forge lasting connections with their neighbors. Once a Staten Islander, always a member of the ‘forgotten borough’ club, where pizza slices are king, traffic is eternal, and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge is our gateway to the city that never sleeps!
What advice would you give to someone trying to break into the industry?
Keep pushing forward, stay resilient, and never underestimate the power of hard work. Success in this industry often comes to those who are willing to go the extra mile, so don’t be afraid to hustle and make your own opportunities.
Tell us about the projects you have in the works for 2024.
In 2024, we’re excited to be working on our next film, ‘Red Money,’ which promises to be a thrilling project. As for our other projects, we have some exciting things in the works, but they’re still under wraps for now. Stay tuned for more updates and announcements.
Great Kills Season 2, starring Eric Roberts, Bai Ling, and Cathy Moriarty will begin shooting this March on Staten Island, NY. The dark comedy/mockumentary-style series was created by James Meredino and Lisa Hammer and stars Staten Island native, Steve Stanulis in the lead role as the hitman, Tom Lynch. Season One premiered on Tubi on March 25, 2023.
The synopsis of the show is “a documentary film crew callously record the life and violent crimes of a lonely hit man from Great Kills, Staten Island.” Shot solely on Staten Island, the fifth borough, the name is a double pun, as the main character is a hitman and he lives in the Great Kills neighborhood. The show is entirely unscripted and improvised, shot documentary style, and according to Stanulis “reveals a pathetically empty and misguided man and the callousness of the filmmakers who just want to get the shots, unmoved by torture and murder. The contradiction between personal life and job, and the apathy of the people making the documentary reflects satirically the dispassion of the media.”
Steve recently moved to New Jersey with his wife and three kids but his heart will always be in Staten Island. www.stanulisfilms.com
Published by: Martin De Juan
