“Grasso, Beyond the Paint” Film Premier at Cape May Stage

Grasso, Beyond the Paint is a cinematic fruition of two unique artistic minds: filmmaker Frank Weiss and painter Victor Grasso.
It will premier Monday, Nov. 11, 7 p.m., at Cape May Stage’s Robert Shackleton Playhouse, 405 Lafayette Street, Cape May.
Weiss, of Wildwood, describes the film as a hybrid, a project that blends both traditional documentary narrative with artistic cinema. The goal was to part the curtain to reveal a glimpse of the man behind the work, while communicating the essence of the Cape May artist’s unique creative vision on film.
The film was produced by ArtC, a grassroots organization dedicated to promoting the arts in southern New Jersey. “This is without doubt the most ambitious and creative project ArtC has initiated to date,” said Bill Horin, ArtC executive director and the film’s producer. “Frank is one of the most talented photographers and filmmakers I’ve encountered. And Victor’s work is always on the edge, both technically and aesthetically. I knew putting them together would result in something extraordinary,” he said.
The film includes a one-on-one intervi ew conducted by painter Frank Kallop of Ocean City, as well as interviews with some of Grasso’s mentors, models, collaborators, admirers, family members and competitors. The soundtrack includes performances by area musicians.
“We had Victor’s full cooperation, but we definitely challenged each other,” Weiss said. Grasso wasn’t keen on every idea Weiss came up with and vice- versa. But in the end, the result was greater than the sum of its parts as Grasso stretched into the world of cinema and Weiss worked to capture Grasso’s inspiration. That required a lot of improvisation and even the design and creation of some custom filmmaking hardware, on the fly.
“We’re both obsessed with film, so I was excited to get into the project with Victor,” Weiss said. But the collaboration also represented a challenge. As a painter, Grasso has near total command of his subjects and medium. Ceding control to director Weiss was occasionally outside his comfort zone. “But as m any an artist will tell you, the best work usually happens outside the comfort zone,” said Weiss.
Tickets are $12. The film will be presented a second time Tuesday, Nov. 12 also at 7 p.m. For information visit www.capemaystage.com or call (609) 770-8311.
To view trailer, go to: http://artcnow.com/Grasso/
The film will be presented a second time Tuesday , Nov. 12, 7 p.m.