Biofile with Sam Borowski

Movie men: Borowski, on left, with Palminteiri.  | read this item

Movie making men: Borowski, on left, with Chazz Palminteri.

Status: Motion picture director/producer.

Inspiration(s): There have been several in my life, directors such as Alfred Hitchcock, Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino have been big influences on me, as has been producer/director Samuel M. Sherman who has been like a second father and taught me the producing game very well. Other writers who have influenced me include Elmore Leonard.

Last Book Read: There have been so many, as I have read three books on the life of “St. Rita of Cascia” in preparation for a future film, however recently I read a sweet little book called “Directions to a Happy Life: Answers to Life and Minutes of Wisdom” by Larry Delrose. It should be noted that I actually know the author since reading that book and he is exec-producing my next film, “Night Club.” How’s that for a book helping instill a positive change in one’s life?

Hobbies/Leisure Activities: These days work is going so well, I don’t have a ton of free time, but I have to admit, the reason I work in the movies, is I still enjoy the experience of going to the movies and smelling the popcorn in the air. I also love going to revamped movie palaces such as The Loews Jersey City in Journal Square and seeing classic, older movies play on the really big screen. I would also say getting to spend some time with the people I truly care about is also something I find a way to make time for.

Early Film Memory: I would have to say there are several. When I was practically a baby, I can still remember them coming blocks from where I lived at that time – and the same area I moved back to years later – to film the original “Godfather.” Or my father, Sam Borowski Sr. taking me to see “Jaws” even though I was nowhere near old enough to go to it. But, there was something amazing about being scared in the movie – it made you feel alive. And of course, my mother Joan Borowski, currently battling Alzheimer’s, who used to take us to a Disney double feature every Wednesday in the summer when I as a little child. I really looked forward to doing that. It’s certainly one of the reasons, I am a filmmaker to this day.

First Job: As a busboy at the old “Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant” at the Staten Island Mall. It used to be a chain, but to my knowledge they aren’t around anymore, at least not at the S.I. Mall. I quickly realized then, that it was better to be the boss than the guy cleaning tables. In addition, I also believe I learned on that job that you should always treat your employees fairly, because if you do, they will work hard for you and give you their all. Hey, it wasn’t all that bad, one time, a cute girl came in with her family and tried to tip me instead of the waiter. It was kind of a perfect high school job, and it allowed me to stay out real late on school nights, but most of all, like everything in my life, it was a good learning experience, and probably the time where I learned to branch out on my own.

Current Car: A black Ford Mustang, incidentally the last real muscle car.

Favorite Movies: I will bless you with my Top Ten: 1. “It’s A Wonderful Life” 2.” Get Shorty” 3. “The Godfather” 4. “Creature From the Black Lagoon” 5. “Pulp Fiction” 6. “Jaws” 7.” The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” 8. “Live and Let Die” 9. “Saturday Night Fever” 10. “Bride of Frankenstein.”  ”Jackie Brown” would be the next highest followed by the early Ron Howard gem, “Night Shift,” only the second film he ever directed.

Favorite TV Shows:  “The Sopranos” – still mourning the loss of that show. In fact, when I had the pleasure to produce the independent film “Rex,” shot almost entirely on location in the Peach State, it was the final season of “The Sopranos”, and I made sure not to be disturbed in my hotel room or at the director’s house every Sunday night.

Musical Tastes: Like movies, I have a very eclectic taste in music. I love all the classics, including classic rock and roll by who else but “The King.” Love “The Chairman of the Board” Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, but I love current music, as well, and think that Taylor Swift has an interesting sound. Loved the super sounds of the 70’s, and the Bee Gees, but can also be in the mood for different kinds of jazz, as well. Most importantly, I love discovering new talent in music that can be showcased in my films.

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Would have to be between french vanilla, really good strawberry – because a good strawberry ice cream is a lot like a fine wine – and perhaps chocolate chip mint.

Favorite Meal: Well, I am three quarters Italian, so don’t be fooled by my last name. But I still say that a really well-cooked steak with a baked potato or some steak fries, is the greatest meal you can have. Hey, what can I say, I’m a meat-and-potatoes man. But, I love Italian, as well, although these days, I am just looking to eat as healthy as I can to have the longest life and the greatest quality of life. But, yeah, every once in a while, it’s nice to have a great steak!

Childhood Dream(s): Bro, I’m living it right now.

Greatest Career Moment: Funny you should ask that, because it was recent. And I would call it my Greatest Career Moment To Date, as I am of the belief that my Greatest Career Moment is always ahead of me. However, although I make features for theatrical release, I recently wrote, directed and produced a short film, “The Mandala Maker,” that was one of only 71 live-action shorts to qualify worldwide for the 2010 Academy Awards, and made the first round of cuts. And, although we weren’t one of the five to get nominated, for Oscar to notice our work, it was a great start. Around this same time, we just won three very prestigious awards in the Accolade Competition – two Awards of Merit for Direction and Short Film for myself, and an Award of Excellence for lead actor (Courtney Hogan, who played “Naomi.”) Interesting to note, The Accolade Competition does not distinguish between males and females in the category of lead actor. It’s both a wonderful and prestigious competition, and we are so proud of those three statuettes in particular. But, again, I still believe my greatest moment is still in front of me.

Most Painful Career Moment: These days I try not to reflect on the painful moments anymore. In this business, you have to learn to move on. After all, there’s always another deal to be made.

Embarrassing Career Memory: I’d rather learn from any of these experiences than continue to reflect on them.

Funny Career Memory: Probably at the 25th Long Island Film Festival when “Rex” had its final screening on a cold Wednesday night in February of 2009, and we wound up getting a very good crowd. It certainly didn’t hurt that one of our leads Robin Anne Phipps, was from Long Island and a lot of people came out to support her. It was two nights before we wound up taking home several awards on closing night, including Audience Choice and Breakout Performance for Robin, who wound up winning the only acting award on that evening. But, on this cold Wednesday, we wound up doing a Q&A after the screening. Now, usually in Q&As it’s usually just me or me and a few others, but on this occasion, it was just myself and Robin, and the two of us proceeded to put on the most entertaining and original Q&A you ever heard. It was very humorous, and had a lot of personal memories in it – she and I always work well together as a team. But it was kind of cool, because in addition to a lot of Long Islanders, she had a lot of family in the audience, and the majority of the audience stayed very late in the evening asking us questions. They also had us on the stage on these giant chairs, and we each had a microphone, so we pretty much ran it as we wanted. Somewhere, I think someone has it on film, but I would love to see it again. Was definitely a fun night, considering it was a very cold night in February – just about a year ago this time. Since then, my career has gone dramatically upward, which is a wonderful feeling. But, that was a very fun night for me personally.

Toughest Part Of Being A Filmmaker: Very good question, and I can only answer it this way: This profession – it’s not for everyone. You have to be extremely dedicated and passionate, and willing to learn and grow – both as a filmmaker and a person. And you have to really hone your craft. And, if you get into it for money, you are getting into it for the wrong reasons. You do the above and the money will eventually come. Still, you have to be able to withstand the thin times, to reach the success and prosperity, and a lot of people I know can’t do that. Aren’t willing to do it. They give themselves a year, and if they don’t make it, oh well. That’s not how it works. Currently, I am experiencing a period of great prosperity and joy in my career and life, but it did not happen overnight. It can, but it rarely does. If you can withstand those thin, rough times, you can reach the rainbow.

Favorite Quotation(s): “You can do anything you want if you put your heart and your mind to it.” My father used to tell me that as a boy, and I still use it to this day. “If you work hard, great things can happen.” Samuel M. Sherman gave me that one. And anyone who knows me, knows I have to quote the great, but fictitious producer Chili Palmer, played by John Travolta in “Get Shorty”: “I say what I mean. If I want something from someone, I ask them straight out. If I want Martin Weir, I go get Martin Weir. I don’t f*%! around with his trainer’s shrink!”

Favorite Artists: There are many actors, whom I consider artists including the aforementioned John Travolta. I think it’s a given that Meryl Streep is the greatest actress of her era, and I think filmmakers like Martin Scorsese have not only contributed a lot in terms of filmmaking, but also in terms of preserving older films, and our movie history. And, I think of a guy like Ron Howard, who has truly stood the test of time – yes two Academy Awards and four nominations are wonderful, but so is his large and wonderful body of work. I also see Quentin Tarantino as more than just a rebel filmmaker, but an artist – truly an artist building an amazing body of work of his own.

Future Projects: I begin principal photography on March 15 on my next feature, a comedy called “Night Club” about a group of USC students, who take a job working the night shift at an old folks home in order to put themselves through school. To amuse themselves, and later some of the older folks, these three friends decide to start a night club in the home. They get a little help from one of the home’s residents, who unbeknownst to them, ran the hottest nightclub in Los Angeles for decades. It’s a wonderfully sweet film. After that, I may acquire the rights to a “Supernatural Book” franchise, which some regard as the next “Twilight.” I also have a cerebral, superhero action franchise in development–Nigel Read. I also have written and am producing with Daniel Roebuck and Samuel M. Sherman an “Ed Wood” like film called “Murder-A-Go-Go” about Sam and Director Al Adamson’s career making schlock for the drive-in. And I’ll be doing a feature – “Rita of Cascia: The Impossible Dream” – about the life of St. Rita of Cascia.

Dream Project: Many have regarded my film, “Nigel Read,” as the next great franchise and it is a dream project, but the chance to touch so many lives with “Rita of Cascia: The Impossible Dream” truly is something that is important to me. Her story has touched so many – and not just Catholics or Christians, I am talking Jews, Agnostics and others, as well. It is an inspirational story that I am going to tell – and I believe when you look at the state of the world today, we need a film like this. Again, it’s relevant even today -especially today.

People Qualities Most Admired: A lot of people talk in my business, but very few back it up. I’d like to think that I am one of the ones who have backed up my talk. To date, I have won seven awards, made a film that went far in the Oscar process and was one of only 71 worldwide to qualify in its category, and am about to produce my sixth film, and fourth feature. I admire others who get things done and don’t run when the going gets tough. Others who are willing to gamble and put themselves on the line, much like Sean Payton’s game plan in the Super Bowl. In life, just as in sports, you can never be playing not to lose. You have to play to win. Those are the kinds of people I admire. And I pride myself on being among them.

Topics: Alfred Hitchcock, Chazz Palminteri, Doub, Double Feature, Elmore Leonard, Film Night, Happy Life, Jersey City, Leisure Activities, Life Answers, Life Hobbies, Life Of St Rita Of Cascia, Loews, Martin Scorsese, Mother Joan, Motion Picture Director, Movie Palaces, Quentin Tarantino, Rita Of Cascia, Sam Borowski, Samuel M Sherman, St Rita Of Cascia, Three Books