I: BIRTH TO HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION
1_The Untimely Demise of Horace Finch a.k.a. The Last Straw 2001 (NR) [1st film]
Disgruntled employee takes revenge against his despicable boss.
Our thoughts: Wow! What a debut! Sure-- in many ways it is rough around the edges, but for a film made when Casey was still an early teen we see a lot of the thematic and technical skill that he would hone in on and grow over the course of his career (to this point). Bravo!
Casey’s thoughts: It’s the kind of movie you make with your best friend and a VHS camera when you’re a teen.
TRT: ??min Cast: Andy Scalzo, Casey Puccini D: Casey Puccini P: Casey Puccini & Andy Scalzo W: Casey Puccini S: Casey Puccini & Andy Scalzo C: Casey Puccini & Andy Scalzo E: Casey Puccini M: Boomtown Rats & Manfred Mann
2_The Chase 2001 [not-completed]
Man finds himself in a never-ending game of cat-and-mouse.
Our thoughts: This is pretty special-- though the film was never complete, it seems like a real step forward in storytelling and visual expression for Puccini. Cyclical narratives, roving POV camera; these are just some of the techniques Puccini experimented with and really, if not mastered, got a strong handle on. Really strong work from a piece that was never finished.
Casey’s thought: Gave up on this one halfway through. Now that I think about Lit, this also may have been my favorite movie to shoot. Shoulda finished it.
TRT: 10 min [speculated]Cast: Andy Scalzo, Casey Puccini D: Casey Puccini P: Casey Puccini & Andy Scalzo W: Casey Puccini S: Casey Puccini & Andy Scalzo C: Casey Puccini & Andy Scalzo
3_Double Barrel Dan 2002 [not-completed]
Teenager kills his family because they constantly make him eat peas for dinner.
Our Thoughts: Now this is a special one-- what we got to see of this film is a real treat. It was definitely on the way to being Casey’s high school magnus opus. A cast of several, special effects and the first film shot on mini DV, Double Barrel Dan sounds like it was going to rival the work of auteurs at the same age in their filmmaking career. Arguably, because of access to video and digital editing, superior to some of that work.
Casey’s Thought: This was my first attempt at a “real” movie-- spent a summer shooting at editing before I gave up on it.
TRT: 25 min [speculated] Cast: Emmett Wilson, Peter Puccini, Matthew Puccini, Casey Puccini, Andy Scalzo D: Casey Puccini P: Casey Puccini & Peter Puccini
​4_The Dinner Party 2004 [Mostly written, never produced]
Madness ensues at a suburban family's dinner party.
Our Thoughts: The script for the Dinner Party is pretty special. Though it is not finished, between the multiple drafts of the intro seen, and a multitude of notes, you can really get a sense of what Puccini was developing with this film. Clearly something he had to make with professional actors and a cast, which was well beyond his means at this time (remember he started this when he was 15!!(wow!!)). So it is clear to see how some of these practicalities made it difficult to realize this project. You could say that many famous filmmakers at his age probably would have done far less with the same opportunity so it is clear to see his determination is strong, his vision clear, and his energy endure.
Casey’s Thought: This would have been an amazing film and, if I ever actually write the script, will be a great film.
W: Casey Puccini
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II: THE COLLEGE YEARS
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5_Park Beethoven Feb 2007 (NR)
A document of Beethoven Park on Seminary St. in Binghamton, New York.
Our Thoughts: It’s amazing how good cinema can transport, and make even the most banal locations come to life. A park in a dying city in upstate New York becomes a symphony (no pun intended) of cinematic delight. Whatever is missing the silent soundtrack, is audible in the activity of the visuals. Really great stuff.
Casey’s Thought: This one falls under the category of “technically images on a strip of celluloid can be called a film.”
TRT: ~3 min D: Casey Puccini C: Casey Puccini E: Casey Puccini
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6_Bring on the Dancing Girls Mar 2007 (NR)
A lonely man makes a friend.
Our Thoughts: Fun and eventive 16mm short. You can really see Puccini’s voice developing, especially his sense of humor and the macabre. Crazy to think this is a student film.
Casey’s Thought: It is, very much, a student film.
TRT: ~4 min Cast: Vinny Vess, Jenelle Prince D: Casey Puccini P: Casey Puccini W: Casey Puccini C: Casey Puccini E: Casey Puccini S: Casey Puccini PD: Casey Puccini
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7_The Atomic Palace May 2007 (NR)
The true history of Thomas Watson and IBM.
Our Thoughts: Oh wow. This is really something special. We can already see Puccini’s strength as a visual storyteller in all his previous works, but this film pushes the story to the next level! Employing tactics of hyper-storytelling and sound/image irony, this film takes us on a rollercoaster ride, without ever leaving our desk chair. And when that ride ends, we run immediately back into the line. “Another ticket, please! Actually… make it two.”
Casey’s Thought: I won a camera from this film, so you could say it is my most successful.
TRT:~5 min Cast: Casey Puccini, Mike Lutz D: Casey Puccini P: Casey Puccini W: Casey Puccini C: Casey Puccini E: Casey Puccini S: Casey Puccini
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8_Rattle-Me-Bones Sept 2007 (NR)
A symphony of body parts.
Our Thoughts: This is Puccini’s first animation-- but you wouldn’t know it. What a special treat! A symphony of pain orchestrated masterfully by Puccini to cause each grind, crack or pop to hurt you more that the monochromatic subject, while still giving you the pleasure of experiencing the work. A balancing act made easy by the burgeoning master.
Casey’s Thought: You’re really including this film on this list?
TRT: 3 min D: Casey Puccini P: Casey Puccini W: Casey Puccini C: Casey Puccini E: Casey Puccini S: Casey Puccini
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9_Station Nov 2007 (NR)
A meditation on media and the mind.
Our Thoughts: There is so much to say about Station that we have a follow up essay on the way with more thoughts, but wow… just wow. We understand this is a fansite so there is some bias, but we would be hard-pressed to find even the biggest critic of his work to find fault with this film. IIt has all the essential elements of a masterpiece, and true evidence of his aesthetic and storytelling ability. We won't spoil the plot, or the ending, but we can safely say, you;ve never seen anything like this before and experiencing it will change you. Enjoy!
Casey’s Thought: I will never make a better movie than this.
TRT: 10 min Cast: Anthony Ercole, Andy Simek, Sean Cunningham, Daniel Campagna, Milani Cardona, Robert Balsano, Vincent Vess. D: Casey Puccini P: Casey Puccini W: Casey Puccini C: Casey Puccini AC: Sean Cunningham E: Casey Puccini S: Casey Puccini
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10_‘chester Bizkitz Dec 2007 (NR)
The story of a gentleman’s morning. Our Thoughts: A weird and fun romp with Casey’s go-to at the time, Vinny Vess. Really great humor and spirit, and though we are not exactly sure what it is about, you can tell these two were cooking something. Perhaps a sketch for Vinny’s incredible character in Lovesick? Casey’s Thought: Correction, I will never make anything better than this.
TRT: ~2 min Cast: Vincent Vess D: Casey Puccini P: Casey Puccini W: Casey Puccini C: Casey Puccini E: Casey Puccini S: Casey Puccini
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11_Smoker’s Cough Dec 2007 (NR)
A document of a day in the life of an early 20 year old.
Our Thoughts: If chester bizkits is out of this world, this is its grounded brother. What a treat this piece is! Puccini effortlessly uses the non-fiction form (a form that he will really push until it breaks in his late work *no spoilers* :P) to convey the same information and emotions he employes in his ‘fiction’ work (we use quotations because you’ll see that Puccini finds both fiction and non-fiction to be vague constructs of the form and, unlike many film artists in the 21st century, finds these and interchangeable space for play.) With much of the same success. In a few short minutes, we know Pat, we like Pat, and we wanna spend more time with Pat. Cool song too!!
Casey’s Thought: This is how Pat spent his 20’s. Seriously though-- if I followed this through it might have been a great little doc and if I kept it up I’d have been on Filmmaker Magazine's 25 New Faces by now.
TRT: 3 min Cast: Pat Marrapese D: Casey Puccini P: Casey Puccini W: Casey Puccini C: Casey Puccini E: Casey Puccini S: Casey Puccini M: Pat Marrapese
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12_Lovesick Jan 2008 (NR)
A lonely man discovers true love through a doll he finds in an alley.
Our Thoughts: This is a major step forward for a many who’s already made several major steps forward and, to put it in context, has not even been able to legally drink for a year at this point. But what where they smoking with this film, you may ask! What a trip! You may think this is one to truly appreciate “under the influence” (if you know what we mean), and of course it is. But more than that, it is both a strong accomplishment in terms of Puccini’s filmmaking prowess, but also a pointed and dead-on satire of modern relationships, both romantic and, in a lot of ways, all personal interactions. This film invites you in with it’s charm, but keeps you there with what it has to say. And, on our end, we’re all ears!
Casey’s Thought: The script was written in bullet points and we bought the doll on the first day of shooting.
TRT: 15 min Cast: Vincent Vess, a doll D: Casey Puccini P: Casey Puccini & Vincent Vess W: Casey Puccini & Vincent Vess C: Casey Puccini E: Casey Puccini S: Casey Puccini M: Pat Marrapese
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13_88:88 Mar 2008 (NR)
A surreal wake up (or wake up call?? That is open for interpretation.)
Our Thoughts: You cannot tell us there is a better visual storyteller than Casey Puccini! It’s all here! And it’s all handled in an expertly crafted single shot. Move over Welles, Altman, Caurozon, Tarkovsky, Tarr, Noé, True Detective, Jansco, Avengers movies, de Palma, (keep listing more here.)
Casey’s Thought: My take on a “oner”. Watching it again it is, at least, better than the one at the starting of Lalaland.
TRT: 3.5 min Cast: Sean Cunningham, Anthony Ercole, Yuki Yamamura, Andy Simek, Daniel Campagna. D: Casey Puccini P: Casey Puccini W: Casey Puccini C: Casey Puccini E: Casey Puccini S: Casey Puccini
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14_RAE Apr 2008 (NR)
An outcast seeks to fit in, in a world he feels detached from.
Our Thoughts: Puccini’s first opus. This film erases any final doubt of the amateur in his work. A deft and deeply provoking tale of body dysmorphia, handily rendered through his orchestration and execution. This is truly the film where Puccini asserts his filmmaking comprehension. Funny enough, it was also his BFA senior thesis film. Yeah, its hard to guess what grade he got…. Just kidding, he graduated with High Honors in Cinema.
Casey’s Thought: This production truly burned me out. I had no sense of what the movie even was by the end. When I first screened it everyone was so effusive on how good it was. It went on to be denied from 20+ festivals and has never been publicly screened since.
TRT: 23 min Cast: Andy Horowitz, Milani Cardona, Sean Cunningham, Andrew Simek, Brian Goldblatt, Christopher Leaf, Daniel Campagna, Talia Horowitz, Elias Horowitz. D: Casey Puccini P: Casey Puccini W: Casey Puccini C: Casey Puccini E: Casey Puccini S: Casey Puccini
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III: RETURN TO ROCHESTER
15_dirt Aug 2008 [not-completed]
A lonely neat freak cannot escape the accumulating filth around him.
Our Thoughts: From what we’ve seen, this looks pretty special. A reteam with Vinny Vess. Almost like a spiritual sequel to lovesick. A shame it wasnt finished, but maybe some money can be rounded up to get Casey to finish. We know we’d support! Casey’s Thought: I’m sorry for being such a dick, Vinny.
TRT: 15 min [speculated] Cast: Vincent Vess D: Casey Puccini P: Casey Puccini W: Casey Puccini C: Casey Puccini AD: Pat Marrapese E: Casey Puccini S: Casey Puccini
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16_LIQ Sept 2008 (NR)
The world’s dumbest criminal meets the world’s worst employee.
Our Thoughts: This is like a super group but with filmmakers. Sean and Casey play so well off each other that it’s hard to tell who is responsible for what, but it’s cler that even with a quick film like this, they are bring their A game. If you look carefully ou will see their friend and filmmaker Andy Simek.
Casey’s Thought: Fun to make. In some ways I wish it was funnier, in others, I think it’s perfect for something that took 2 hours to make. Sean’s a pretty good filmmaker!
TRT: 6 min Cast: Casey Puccini, Sean Cunningham D: Casey Puccini & Sean Cunningham P: Casey Puccini & Sean Cunningham W: Casey Puccini & Sean Cunningham C: Casey Puccini & Sean Cunningham E: Casey Puccini
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17_Have I Told You What I Do For a Living Oct 2008 [not-completed]
A twisted tail of espionage with convolution around every corner.
Our Thoughts: The only downside of Puccini’s oeuvre is all the incompleted films. From what we’ve seen this would, once again, revolutionize his cannon. But, at least, we get a really incredible trailer. This jaunty, new wave, crime flick is a new genre for Puccini. But, not surprisingly he handles it like an old pro.
Casey’s Thought: I smoked so much on this shoot my skin tinted blue. Would have been a terrible movie, makes for an all right trailer.
TRT: 25 min [speculated], trailer ~3 min Cast: Casey Puccini, Andy Simek, Sean Cunningham, Jenelle Prince D: Casey Puccini P: Casey Puccini W: Casey Puccini C: Casey Puccini AC: Sean Cunningham E: Casey Puccini S: Casey Puccini
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18_COFFEE Nov 2008 (NR)
Two old friends sit down for a cup of coffee.
Our Thoughts: A fine short video.
Casey’s Thought: This was a genuinely good time.
TRT: ~7 min Cast: Casey Puccini, Vincent Vess D: Casey Puccini P: Casey Puccini W: Casey Puccini & Vincent Vess C: Casey Puccini AC: Pat Marrapese E: Casey Puccini
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19_Besides Mar 2009 [not-completed]
Two idiots find a bag and a bungling adventure ensues.
Our Thoughts: Vess and Puccini back at it again! This time bringing Pat Marrapese into a more promenanent role in front of the camera. Lot of well stuctred silliness, and perhaps the most outwardly funny and random of Puccini’s films, from what we’ve seen.
Casey’s Thought: On one day of shooting, we were outside with sun and glare and I pressed “record” every time I thought I was pressing “stop”. Best way to sum up this film.
TRT: 18 min [speculated] Cast: Vincent Vess, Pat Marrapese, Casey Puccini, Jessica Brown D: Casey Puccini P: Casey Puccini W: Casey Puccini & Vincent Vess C: Casey Puccini AC: Andy Simek E: Casey Puccini
IV: THE GRAD SCHOOL YEARS
20_ Control Dec 2009 (NR)
A lonely man lives with domineering parents he made of used gears and garbage.
Our Thoughts: This film marks the start of Puccini’s Chicago period and it is really something special. Featuring some pretty fantastic production design and character work, the film went on to acclaim from some of his professors at the graduate program at Columbia College Chicago. It also marks the first film Puccini uploaded to his vimeo account, if you’re in to trivia!
Casey’s Thought: At the time I thought I could make a better film than this. It was genuinely nice that everyone offered their time, and Monte some of hims music. Also, fuck Brian Lange.
TRT: 9 min Cast: Jared Larsen, Steve Rimpici (voice), Danielle Brothers (voice) D: Casey Puccini P: Casey Puccini W: Casey Puccini C: Brian Lange AD: Sergio Favela E: Casey Puccini M: Monte McCollum
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21_Dinner May 2009 (not-completed) (NR)
A couple makes an awkward proposition to their friend over dinner.
Our Thoughts: The last, and arguably the best, of the lost films of Casey Puccini. It is perhaps best known to be Puccini’s first collaboration with Bryn Packard. A really fascinating character piece, with incredible performances from the cast.
Casey’s Thought: Spent a disgusting Chicago summer editing this until one day I stopped and couldn’t pick it up again. Also, fuck Brian Lange.
TRT: 15 min [speculated] Cast: Jennifer Oldham, Samuel Buti, Bryn Packard D: Casey Puccini P: Casey Puccini W: Casey Puccini C: Brian Lange AD: Sergio Favela S: Brian Wiebe E: Casey Puccini
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22_Uncle Bob Sept 2010 (NR)
A para-narrative documentary about the Puccini family, pre-Casey.
Our Thoughts: This film is really the beginning of Puccini’s next phase of cinematic development, and another achieved plateau on his pretty constant career assent. Uncle Bob cleverly, and expertly, begins Puccini’s turning of the camera, on himself and his family with a delightfully wry comic portrait of his father’s first marriage. Puccini proves he can apply the same rich character depth while analyzing his own home, a skill that will only grow over the next decade of his work. An incredible prelude to an even more incredible remaining body of work.
Casey’s Thought: This is the first thing I showed to people in Chicago that I actually felt like they might have genuinely enjoyed. Also, I still felt people were just being nice.
TRT: ~2 min Cast: Casey Puccini (voice) D: Casey Puccini P: Casey Puccini W: Casey Puccini E: Casey Puccini S: Casey Puccini
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23_Tanya’s First Communion Oct 2010 (NR)
The sequel to Uncle Bob.
Our Thoughts: Second in the ‘Tatherford’ and a real treat to view. The mind reels where Casey could have taken this work and hope he continues this series soon!
Casey’s Thought: Not as well received as Uncle Bob. My sister Gianna complains that it is online.
TRT: ~3 min Cast: Casey Puccini (voice) D: Casey Puccini P: Casey Puccini W: Casey Puccini E: Casey Puccini S: Casey Puccini
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24_Geranium Apr 2011 (NR)
A lonely man’s relationship with his plant.
Our Thoughts: a breathtaking piece. Beauty and sadness vie for prominence as Puccini overwhelms our senses with immaculately rendered images of broken things. So raw are the rendered emotions that the film reads more as direct experiences than mediated interpretation but even if you hate the destination, you trust Puccini implicitly on this ride.
Casey’s Thought: A movie made in my apartment, if you couldn’t tell.
TRT: ~9 min Cast: Casey Puccini (voice) D: Casey Puccini P: Casey Puccini W: Casey Puccini & Peter Puccini E: Casey Puccini S: Casey Puccini
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25_Mayday June 2011 (not publicly screened) (NR)
A travelog through Western New York in May.
Our Thoughts: If you heard a sharp stripping sound, it was the cinematic artifce further being ripped away in this direct experience. Puccini places all of us, quite literally, in the middle of his often fun, while still quite profound, familial interactions and lets us all just sit in it and be. What a way to watch a movie.
Casey’s Thought: If I made 3 or 4 of these a year and honed my craft I’d be a known filmmaker now.
TRT: 18 min Cast: Casey Puccini, Peter Puccini, Matthew Puccini, Ann Casey D: Casey Puccini P: Casey Puccini W: Casey Puccini E: Casey Puccini S: Casey Puccini
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26_Children Without Parents May 2012 (R)
Four siblings cope with the untimely passing of their father.
Our Thoughts: The threshold has been crossed. After 25 films, scripts, fairy well shaped ideas, Puccini ventures down that long (at least 65min), well-tread road. The feature film. And wow. There is way too much to unpack in this– so I’ll leave you with this: how does someone perfect the craft they’ve already near perfected while still displaying grown and risk taking in equal measure with the assured old-hand of the masters? https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B076N285VJ/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r, you tell me.
Casey’s Thought: It’s nearly a real movie.
TRT: 79 min Cast: Bryn Packard, Sasha Gioppo, Kevin Stangler, Casey Puccini D: Casey Puccini P: Casey Puccini & Jessica Brown W: Casey Puccini C: Brian Wiebe E: Casey Puccini S: Taylor Wood Official Selection/Screening/Awards: Amazon, Fandependent Film, Reelheart international Film Festival (Best Feature, 3rd), Gene Siskel Film Center, D.I.Y. Film Festival, Canada Film Festival (Rising Star Award)
V: CASEY PUCCINI: PROFESSIONAL FILMMAKER
27_I Didn’t Start the Fire 2016 (not publicly screened) (NR)
A lonely man lip syncs a popular Billy Joel Song on his 30th birthday.
Our Thoughts: Now this is a real treat. Guaranteed to put a smile on your face!
Casey’s Thought: I love this and am saddened that nobody else does.
TRT: ~5 min Cast: Casey Puccini D: Casey Puccini P: Casey Puccini E: Casey Puccini M: Billy Joel
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28_I Don’t Care Aug 2018 (R)
A shitty filmmaker who can’t finish his film takes it out on his lead actor.
Our Thoughts: He did it. Camera turned 180°. I know it’s been said to the point of sycophantic pseudo-obsession to get in the good graces of a barely-existent filmmaker for the hopes of maybe getting someone to produce our newest screenplay on this site, but Puccini again sets his goals un achievable high only to tackle them with the skill, ease and grace of someone far older and far more European than him. I Don’t Care (which doesn’t even need to be stated here that there is so much to unpack in it we could literally write a book about it) challenges both the viewer and creative team a like, getting all involved to look into so many mirrors that they can hardly tell who is looking back at them, but they know they’ve been through something changing, and important. There are few pieces of art that, quite literally, make us question our hearts in such a raw and true way we may be changed after. If you crave that experience, and have 1 hr and 43 min, email us for a vimeo link.
Casey’s Thought: I told myself that I’ll make this film to keep myself in check from being a douchebag director, but I think I just became a different flavor of douchebag director. Sorry for using ‘flavor’ in that way.
TRT: 106 min Cast: Casey Puccini, Sasha Gioppo, Bryn Packard, Kevin Stangler, Cameron Worden, Brian Wiebe, Taylor Wood, Greg Reigh, and more D: Casey Puccini W: Casey Puccini & Sasha Gioppo & the Cast P: Casey Puccini, Sasha Gioppo, Joey Car & Jessica Brown C: Joey Carr E: Casey Puccini M: Pat Marrapese
Official Selection/Screening: Illinois International Film Festival, Chicago Filmmakers, The Nightingale Cinema.
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29_Everybody Smile Nov 2018 (not publicly screened) (NR)
A portrait of a family channeled through a misguided wedding video.
Our Thoughts: When, in art, have you been treated with the true generosity of someone inviting you into their lives? Their family? Into the deepest recesses of their core as a person? And not with the goal of exposing a family member who fucked them or stole their money? Not often, because we don’t call people who do that artists, we call them friends. Casey Puccini is our friend.
Casey’s Thought: Again-- If I made more of these and there was more context, I’d be a known filmmaker.
TRT: 20 min Cast: Peter Puccini, Linda Bleich, Ann Casey, Angel Puccini, Tanya Puccini, Gianna Puccini, Matthew Puccini, Patrick Puccini, Casey Puccini, Lana Livingston, Gary Tabor, Jenna Tabor-Godwin, Vincent Vess D: Casey Puccini P: Casey Puccini W: Casey Puccini C: Casey Puccini AC: Jessica Brown, Patrick Puccini, Gianna Puccini E: Casey Puccini S: Casey Puccini
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30_I Don’t Know When the Armageddon Is Mar 2019 (NR)
A romp through the woods with the Puccini fam.
Our Thoughts: This film is like tripping in front of your parents, if that’s something you would want to do.
Casey’s Thought: As long as it’s under 10 min, people will screen it.
TRT: 6 min Cast: Casey Puccini, Peter Puccini, Tanya Puccini, Matthew Puccini D: Casey Puccini P: Casey Puccini C: Casey Puccini E: Casey Puccini S: Casey Puccini Official Selection: Onion City Experimental Film + Video Festival 2019, Denver Underground Film Festival 2019, Revelation Perth International Film Festival 2019, Athens International Film + Video Festival 2021
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31_Filmmaker in Attendance 2023 [work in progress]
A movie director gets his micro budget feature into a festival but still complains.
Our Thoughts: It is still in progress, but from what we’ve seen so far we can tell you, I think you’re gonna like this one! Casey’s Thought: Got some fun stuff in it.
TRT: 60+ min [speculated] Cast: Casey Puccini, Jessica Brown, Cutey D: Casey Puccini P: Casey Puccini & Jessica Brown W: Casey Puccini C: Casey Puccini & Jessica Brown E: Casey Puccini S: Casey Puccini
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32_The Bathroom I Grew Up In 202? [work in progress]
A memorial to my childhood bathroom.
Our Thoughts: We CANT WAIT to see this! From the little we’ve seen so far, we think it’s gonna be something special.
Casey’s Thought: At this point-- it could be anything…
TRT: 10ish min [speculated]
