Steven Martini
| Steven Martini | |
|---|---|
| Born |
1975/1976 (age 39–40)[1] New York City |
| Occupation | screenwriter, actor, producer, composer, singer/songwriter |
Steven Martini is a writer, actor, composer, editor, and singer/songwriter. His first break was as Cadet Alex J. Stone in Major Payne. He and his brother Derick Martini, wrote the films Smiling Fish and Goat on Fire and Lymelife. Based on experiences from the Martinis' childhood, Lymelife won the FIPRESCI award at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival, and premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. Martini is also known for being the singer/songwriter for the Los Angeles-based band The Spaceship Martini.
Personal life
After the release of Major Payne, Martini moved to Los Angeles to work in film and television. Derick soon followed suit, and, before long, they started making Smiling Fish and Goat on Fire, in which they play the titular brother characters.[1] The Martini brothers have gone on to portray Alex and Morris Karnofsky in Louis, a silent film they co-wrote, based on the historical brothers who helped Louis Armstrong get his first trumpet.
The story of Lymelife is based on Steven and Derick's childhood in the New York suburbs of Long Island.[2] After the incidents of the film, Steven moved from Long Island back into his birthplace of New York City, where he attended the Professional Children's School.[3] There, he met the Culkin brothers, who would go on to portray the Martini brothers on film. It was during this period that Steven met his first true love, Adrianna, whose father had Lyme disease. This relationship is the basis of the love story between Rory Culkin and Emma Roberts in the film.
During the Sundance Labs, Kieran Culkin played the role of Scott, which is based on Steven, and was later played by his brother Rory Culkin. Steven played Jimmy, the role eventually played by Kieran, and based on older brother Derick. Alec Baldwin played their father. His brother William Baldwin co-produced Lymelife.
Career
Early roles include Major Payne and the TV series Prince Street Steven's writing career began with Smiling Fish and Goat on Fire, a film he and his brother financed for $50,000 and starred as the title roles, which won the Discovery Award at the 1999 Toronto International Film Festival. Smiling Fish was co-written and directed by Steven's friend and fellow Professional Children's School alumni, Kevin Jordan.[1] The film drew from experiences in the Martini brothers' lives.[4]
His second script, Lymelife, was accepted in the Sundance Institute's Film Program, where he and Derick shot, edited, and scored several scenes, which were reviewed by celebrity creative advisers.[5] Some of this experience was recorded in "Sundance 20", a documentary film made by director Doug Pray.
Martini is currently the singer/songwriter of The Spaceship Martini, who recorded the score of Lymelife and the end credits song Running Out of Empty.[6] "Spaceship" is Martini's nickname, based on his "out there" demeanor.[7]
Martini started editing Lymelife during the 22 day film shoot in New Jersey on Final Cut Pro, a program he learned during pre-production. The film's score evolved out of the editing process.
References
- 1 2 3 Wallace, Amy (1999-10-18). "In Search of a Home for a 'Goat on Fire'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2014-08-28.
- ↑ Cieply, Michael (2008-09-02). "A Nostalgia for New York, by Way of the Toronto Film Festival". The New York Times. Retrieved 2014-08-28.
- ↑ Mallozzi, Vincent M. (2000-08-27). "Syosset Men Put Brotherly Love on Film". The New York Times. Retrieved 2014-08-28.
- ↑ Barron, James; Lee, Linda (2000-08-16). "PUBLIC LIVES". The New York Times. Retrieved 2014-08-28.
- ↑ Harris, Dana (2000-12-17). "Sundance selects writers". Variety. Retrieved 2014-08-28.
- ↑ Dargis, Manohla (2009-04-07). "Lymelife (2008)". The New York Times. Retrieved 2014-08-28.
- ↑ Piccalo, Gina (2009-04-19). "Kieran and Rory Culkin team in 'Lymelife'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2014-08-28.