Ladies and gentlemen, friends and colleagues, film makers and film buffs...
Welcome to LennyManzo.com!
This site is about movies. I will be reviewing new feature films from Hollywood, checking out hot new independent movies, and giving you great Netflix picks from the near and distant past. I’ll let you know what’s happening behind the scenes in the world of entertainment and give you an insight into the movie making process.
I have been kicking around the movie industry for almost 20 years. I’ve worked on a lot of movies and in practically every capacity. I’ve produced, directed, and acted. I’ve worked in sound, lighting, and prop making on major motion pictures. This web site is the next step in my long career in the world of film and video.
In the near future more features will be added to the site. I want to make the site more interactive, giving a voice to the film community of which I am a part. This web site is a constant work in progress and dedicated to quality.
In order to build that community at LennyManzo.com, I want to hear from you, my colleagues, my friends and fans. There is a “talk to Lenny” box on the navigation bar. I’d like to get your input. I have always felt that, when done correctly, film making is a truly collaborative art form. That is why I would like to hear from you – What would you like to hear about? What information do you want? What interests you in the movie world? What do you want to know about the movies? Just click the talk to lenny link and drop me a line.
Thank you for stopping by LennyManzo.com. I hope you enjoy your visit.
-- Lenny Manzo
"The Lenny Manzo Story"
I got into this business by slipping on a banana peel. I needed work and was looking for something to fall into to earn some money. I had a good friend who was just getting into the movie business in New York as a location sound mixer. He needed $20k to buy equipment to record sound for feature films – as a sound mixer it is essential to have your own gear. He didn't have all the money and asked if I would be interested in splitting the cost. I had about 5 grand to my name, borrowed the rest from my family, and started booming features and short films in New York City.
Having no previous knowledge of movie making or sound recording, I learned everything on the fly. Sink or swim. I read some books that helped a bit and I was on my way. I did this for a couple of years but quickly grew tired of commuting back and forth from Boston to New York. After 2 years in the biz, I bought my own sound package and became a sound mixer in Boston.
Over the next 7 years I mixed sound on features, shorts, commercials, and documentaries. In that time I worked on Next Stop Wonderland with Hope Davis. To this day, it was one of the best experiences I had working with an actor. I also recorded sound on the Perfect Storm, my biggest movie to date, which starred George Clooney and Mark Walberg. It was shot in 1999 for $90M.
I kept buying more equipment and before I knew it I was running a rental shop with not only audio gear but lighting and grip gear as well. As the rental business grew, I decided to segue into producing. Though I hadn't realized it before, this was my real niche in the business – more conducive to my personality. I liked making deals. I liked putting the whole thing together as opposed to focusing on just one part. Producing offered me more creative latitude in the business. I started by producing commercials and music videos, including one for Public Enemy. This work eventually led me back to the world of features.
My first feature-producing gig was a Roger Corman production. This was a great experience. Corman partnered with a local film school in Boston so part of my job was to teach student apprentices. This opened up another door for me. I enjoyed teaching the craft. I have since lectured and taught various classes on movie making.
Since that first project, I’ve produced a variety of genres including horror, psychological thriller, urban drama, etc. I produced and directed a documentary on Red Sox fans called The Nation – a fascinating look at Red Sox fans, what makes them so enthralled with the team, and why the team means so much to them. My latest success is a Christmas movie called Noelle, which saw an initial theatrical engagement followed by a Paramount DVD release in November 2008. The film was re-released on DVD in November 2009.
When I’m not producing, I continue to spend time working on big Hollywood features in various capacities. These jobs have been a great experience and have greatly broadened my skills. On Underdog I worked in the art department. On the Game Plan I built sets. On The Pink Panther I worked in the lighting department. At this point there is nothing I haven’t done in the movie business. I firmly believe that by working in all these different crafts I am a better producer. I understand each department from the inside and understand their needs and limitations.
And now, all my experience in the world of film and movie making has led me to this point, this web site, lennymanzo.com. I will be reviewing movies, discussing movie making, seeking out undiscovered movies and sharing my knowledge of the craft – all while continuing to produce. I look forward to sharing my experiences with you as I start this new chapter in my movie career.
Noelle, Paramount Pictures, Producer/Line Producer, 35mm feature shot on location on Cape Cod, MA. Released nationally in theaters in 2007, released nationally on DVD in 2008 and will be re-released on DVD in December 2009.
The Nation, Cine King Studios, Producer/Director, HD Documentary about Red Sox fans, shot on location in New England and New York. Released on DVD in 2005.
Public Enemy, Produced music video
Lectures:Boston University
Emerson
Northeastern University
Rhode Island School of Design
Mass Art
Boston Film & Video Foundation