By Carol Senavitis 

Susan Pellegrini is an independent filmmaker living in Asbury Park. Some of Susan's short films were recently featured at an event for ArtsCAP held at The Adriatic. This interview was conducted at that event. Susan is presently working on a documentary about author Stephen Crane. More information about Susan can be found at http://www.synergyproductions.net/. 

Carol Senavitis: What compels you to develop a particular storyline through film rather than two dimensional art?

Susan Pellegrini: Film is the most complete way of telling a story and affecting viewers. Whether it be a narrative or a visual poem it offers the opportunity to affect viewers emotionally on many levels. I love two-dimensional work as well- it's a slice of time, sometimes I take a frame from ~0ne of my films ,freeze it and expand it with paint, etc. 

CS: Whose work in film has inspired or influenced you?

SP: Actually I love foreign films because they develop the characters more than the plot. I like Fellini and Bergman, I also admire many American filmmakers, current and vintage for example the Coen Brothers and the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock. I could go on about this for hours! 

CS: What is Asbury Park's appeal to you as a film maker?

SP: The thing I love about Asbury Park is it is a place where you can be who you are without recrimination. I have done the New York scene and the art world there can influence how you work. Being yourself offers an enormous amount of freedom. If you come to Asbury Park and you have creative ability you are embraced and supported by the community. 

CS: Do you feel Asbury Park is identifiable as a community that supports the arts? 

SP: From the moment this place became a city it has always been a creative environment. Stephen Crane, the author, lived here in AP at the very beginning, he learned to write here and his creative energy is felt to present day. 

CS: If you had $500.00 to contribute to the arts in Asbury Park, what would you do? 

SP: I would give it to ArtsCAP. ArtsCAP is the hub promoting art in the city. In order to make a difference you have to know who you are and ArtsCAP is the organization to identify artists and art education programs that could benefit from the donation. 

CS: If you had $100,000 to contribute to the arts in Asbury Park, what would you do?

SP: If I had $100,000 it would actually finance the Stephen Crane documentary I am working on. It claims for this City a man who changed the face of American literature. The documentary celebrates Stephen Crane and AP as the city transforms and revitalizes. 

CS: Susan, you were a Communication Arts Coordinator in Sayreville for over a decade. What educational benefits did you see to teaching filmmaking?

SP: I feel it is an honor to be an inspiration to the next generation film makers. The studio is a nurturing environment filled with freedom and creativity. This space allows young people to go out and develop their own talents. 

CS: In your research for your documentary on Stephen Crane, have you noticed anything of the Asbury Park from Stephen Crane's time still with us today?

SP: Absolutely. The context of this documentary is the past, is the present, and the future. The City's revitalization is the spirit of Stephen Crane. He was for the people and made his views known, whether they were popular or not.

CS: What is your favorite Asbury Park hang out?

SP: The cool thing is to know that whether I go to Cookman Avenue or the Boardwalk there is always something going on. There are a lot of opportunities to participate, ArtsCAP, Jersey Shore Writers Group and many more. The Stephen Crane House, although it is a museum, it is not one with glass cases and artifacts; it is a living place for creativity, theater, writing, film etc. I know Stephen would love that this exists. 

CS: What is something you would like people to know about you they probably do not?

SP: Last year, I felt a calling to live in AP, I left my life and came here to make this film and bring my video company Synergy Productions to Asbury. I think there are people who feel connected to AP. So while it has been a courageous/crazy thing to do, I look forward to being a member of this community contributing to the revitalization with my talents and energies.