We had the good fortune of connecting with John Mangiapane Jr. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi John, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
One of my favorite quotes is by John Wooden “Be true to yourself. Make each day a masterpiece” I love this quote because it really helps me stay in the moment of each day. These moments in the present are your future history. I strive to take advantage of every minute, and I believe this quote fully embodies that.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Since small, I have been mesmerized by the power and exhilaration of the motion picture. My Mom took me to see Jurassic Park in the theatre and the next day I tried creating my own miniature mountain and dinosaur models out of papier-mâché. Ever since then, it became my passion to make movies. I would use my Dad’s camcorder to video and try to create films with my neighborhood friends. Fast forward 20 years later and I pursued these dreams in college at UCSD. My first real success came in a final project for one of my classes in 2005, when I made a documentary on my Dad’s life as a fisherman titled “My Father the Fisherman” (available on the iMDB). After graduating college in 2006 I was eager to begin making my own feature length movie, of which I would financially produce, write, film, direct and edit (looking back it was a very daunting task considering I wouldn’t finish the movie until 2020!) There wasn’t any money coming in from this passion venture, I needed to make a living, so I decided to begin my own video business based on my abilities learned, specializing in event/wedding videography and commercial production. I was slowly able to build up a good clientele through word of mouth, while still pursuing my ultimate dream of making a feature movie on the side. The experiences filming and capturing the life’s cherished moments, have been invaluable to developing and applying my craft. Whether it is an event or wedding, there is a special story to be told, and from a video standpoint, the client is giving me the precious responsibility to film and unlock that emotion to uniquely replicate one of the most special days of their life.
After years of trials, tribulations and and in between video work from my production business, COVID hit and all of our work came to a standstill. During this time, I was finally able to finish the editing on my feature movie titled “Shells of Men” in July of 2020. It would go on to win Best Feature at the 2021 International New York Film Festival.

It certainly has not been a smooth road, and I like to think the hard times make you appreciate the good times that much more. My wife Gina and I have been together since high school-together for 20 years and married for 11. We got married in 2010, on top of the world, with our whole life planned to how we envision it. Things don’t always work out according to your perfect plan, which is part of the gift and curse of life’s spontaneity. She began having some health issues in 2014, which still to this day remains unresolved. To not get too much in the medical details, she lives every day with a constant aching pain behind her right eye.
Going back to “Shells of Men”, Gina plays an integral character in the movie, but had been unable to finish her scenes due to her health. However, knowing how much it meant to me, one night she did all she could to grin and bear the discomfort in her eye to put makeup on and get all done up to film the remaining scenes. We filmed about 10 hours straight until 3 or 4 in the morning but got everything that was needed to finish the movie.
She inspires me with her veracity to cope with this pain and we stay hopeful every day that we will find a resolution. I am most proud of the 2 films I have made to this point (My Father the Fisherman and Shells of Men) and the recognition they have received through awards and being on the iMDB. It is also extremely gratifying every time a client comments about how much they love the work I have done for them, or a wedding couple that can’t thank me enough for how beautiful and emotional their wedding video is and how they intend to watch it over and over again throughout their life. That is the power of the motion picture that I refer to and what I love most- the ability to preserve a moment in time or in some cases, create that moment in time that lives forever.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My favorite place in the city is driving along Harbor Drive Blvd, right along the bay with the city on one side. I would book a hotel by Seaport Village, and eat at Mona Lisa’s in Little Italy. Stay along the board walk where there are many activities and sights to take in.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The people most essential for me to shoutout would be my wife Gina, and my parents. We operate a close knit and humble operation in creating grand results. I couldn’t do it without them!

Website: http://www.johnbproductions.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-mangiapane-jr-a8241261/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/john-b-productions-inc-san-diego?osq=John+b+productions

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK6dQ5e0D2jbrEg5H7xoSug

Image Credits
John B. Mangiapane Jr.