Originally a photographer, Sferrazza found a passion for cinematography and film during his time at New York Queens College, inspired by Italian Neo Realism films which influence his work to date. As to date he is an award winning TVC director, and has now turned his focus to long form, excited by the prospects of new media development.
Beast, a self-funded production, explores the extreme and haunting lengths people will go to in the name of love and family.
The twenty-minute film follows the relationship between grandmother and grandson and their unwavering commitment to one another in the face of a dark and twisted family history.
“I got thinking about love and family and how there’s so little we wouldn’t do to protect the people closest to us,” said Sferrazza.
“I wondered how far love could go; what extremes would we go to when faced with the unimaginable?” he continues.
True to style, Sferrazza has employed the use of a documentary style with juxtaposed performances in Beast, creating a chilling, edge-of-your-seat aesthetic.
Being a drama/thriller, Beast is a break from his usual commercial work which is mostly comedic. Approaching the project with this different style is a new path for Sferrazza and one that he is hoping to develop further in his films.
“At first, Beast seems like ordinary people going about their ordinary lives, but there’s this dark ominous feel which builds and reaches an unexpected crescendo.”
“I wanted to create something which shocks people and leaves them hanging and I think I’ve done that with Beast.”
Beast has now been selected for entry to the 2018 Academy Awards. Following awards season, Beast will be included as part of Virgin Australia’s in-flight cinema programming.
Thriller/Suspense Film and Writing Festival 