TIMINGS

I’m incredibly excited to share my first feature film as a director: TIMINGS. This project has been a dream come true, and I feel so fortunate to have brought to life the wonderful script that Ricky crafted and entrusted me with.

TIMINGS explores the complexities of adult relationships in New York City—the kind that evolve and entangle as we navigate our lives. And, as with any complex relationship, there’s always a breaking point. In TIMINGS, seven of those relationships collide one evening at a party, setting the stage for a night of emotional reckoning.

The journey began with a wild idea shared over a few beers between Ricky, Nicole, and me. We had no money, no real plan for how to make a feature film—just the passion and the itch to create. Since I was a kid making music videos for local artists, directing a feature had always been the goal. But as life happens, bills need paying, and no one just hands you the budget to chase your dream. So, Ricky, Nicole and I decided to self-fund the entire endeavor. Our mindset was simple: no matter what, we’ll be able to look back and say we did it.

Visually, my vision was to blend the boldness of my music video background with raw storytelling. I leaned into funky, vibrant colors and carefully curated music to bring this world to life. I shot everything handheld on a 50mm lens to keep it grounded, gritty, and intimate—so the audience feels like they’re living right there in the moment with the characters.

Working with seven different leads was definitely daunting for a first-time director, but I had an incredible cast. Everyone poured their heart into this film. For many of them, it was their first time acting in a feature, which made their performances all the more magical. I’ll never forget the energy in the room during our first table read—such a special moment for Ricky, Nicole, and me.

Music played a major role in shaping the film’s tone. We worked exclusively with local New York City musicians—our only requirement when selecting songs. Their music doesn't just sit under the dialogue—it becomes a character in its own right, driving the emotion and momentum of each scene. Thanks to my background in music videos, I had the connections to make this part of the process both seamless and fun.

We shot the film in just eight days, mostly in an unheated warehouse in the middle of winter—including one overnight outdoor shoot on the coldest night of the season. At one point, the cold even shut down our main camera. Thankfully, we had a backup. It was chaotic, intense, and exhausting—but our incredible crew and cast powered through every challenge. I’ll never forget the feeling of racing the sunrise with a handful of shots planned but only enough time to get one, making a split-second decision on how to wrap the scene.

This film has been a true labor of love over the past two years. I couldn’t have done it without our cast and crew—and especially without Ricky and Nicole. We spent countless late nights dreaming, planning, and pushing this project forward together.

I’m so proud of what we’ve created and can’t wait to see what comes next. This is only the beginning.