Disc Golf Digest

Consistently stepping outside of my comfort zone is the only way to grow. A few weeks ago, we had a small screening for a documentary piece I directed/produced/edited about plastics reduction and the community behind it. I think it really says something about my personal style of interviewing and empathy that really shows how much people support me and projects that I can be proud of.

I'm the worst at hyping myself up, promoting myself, and getting excited for things that put me on a pedestal. But I'm glad I have friends that will totally do all that for me! Appreciate everyone that came out and had a great night!

If you told me, I'd be doing public speaking to talk about videos I made, I'd call you crazy, but here we are!

ps. Photos by my son for most of these, I forgot to take pics with lot of friends. and I've done enough socializing for the next month 😆, going back into my editing cave.

From a few weekends ago. But here’s HIGHLAND!

So I can finally share what I've been building the past couple of months... It's been quite the journey but I am proud to say I am a documentary filmmaker for PBS & Illinois Public Media.

As a kid, I grew up with PBS constantly, from reading rainbow, sesame street, and everything in between. so getting to direct, produce, and edit a documentary for them feels surreal.

PBS & Illinois Public Media reached out to ME last year to produce a documentary story about plastic reduction, eco-friendly waste solutions, and the environmental impact in urban and rural environments. I pitched the idea, that we can do a story about a local store (Eco Flamingo) and talk about how they can survive and thrive as an conscious story in Chicago. The team at PBS, trusted me with the vision and off we went!

Through my natural storytelling style, it turned into much more than that. This turned into a story about community and helping one another.

Over the last few years, I've really turned my storytelling into a niche product and I have always been working on community focused, character driven documentary style storytelling.

Documentary has ALWAYS been my passion and I'm not just throwing that around lightly. It's one of the toughest, yet rewarding style to film and especially edit. Pouring over tons of footage and soundbites, to turn it into something cohesive and emotional, it's what I have become and expert in.

Here's a few of my most notable pieces:

Schlitt's Creek, a Disc Golf Documentary, the journey of local pro, Dan Schlitter winning his first DGPT event, and what it was like to go against some of the best in the sport, in a dramatic playoff finish that captured the hearts of many. (Premiere at The Roxy Theatre)

The 77: A City of Neighborhoods (5 episodes), a community documentary series celebrating the city's diverse neighborhoods and the people who define them. Earned 2 Emmy Awards and 13 Telly Awards. (Premiere at CIBC Theatre)

The McBeth Effect, An 8 episode series chronicling the European tour of Paul McBeth, capturing tournament victories and setbacks while centering the story on the sport's profound impact on community and human connection.

DGPT On-Tour — a 5-episode disc golf documentary series distributed on ESPN.

My latest documentary, The Eco Flamingo Story, premieres as part of Earth Day programming. The shop is even hosting a small premiere (DM me if you want details.)

I say this after every premiere, I go to but "I don't know when or IF I'll ever do another live premiere again."

Director: Ryan Aquino
Gaffer / Cam OP: Parker Taitel
Distribution: PBS

leagues at Summit!!

Solo dolo round at Castaldo.