Each month we will showcase a City agency employee or an industry specialist who helps to facilitate production in New York City. February 1, 2006 - Monty Ross, Spike Lee’s co-producer on such groundbreaking “Made in NY” productions as School Daze, She’s Gotta Have it, Do the Right Thing, Jungle Fever, Malcolm X and Crooklyn, started his career with the Atlanta Street Theatre, a small resident theatre company in Atlanta, Georgia. He moved to New York City to pursue his career in 1985, quickly partnering with Lee on She’s Gotta Have It, the film shot in Ft. Greene, Brooklyn which he credits with launching his career. Over the past 20 years, his roles at 40 Acres and a Mule Productions have been multi-faceted, from Production Assistant to Vice President of Production; in 1991, Ross even starred in the film Joe’s Bed-Stuy Barbershop. While co-producing a film each year, he has also worked on advertising campaigns for brands such as Nike’s Air Jordans and Levi’s 501 campaign, as well as music videos for artists such as Stevie Wonder and Prince. Most recently, he worked on the New York City production Inside Man, starring Denzel Washington, Clive Own and Jodie Foster, which will release in theatres next month. Currently, Ross serves as 40 Acres’ Special Projects Coordinator, a role which allows him to coordinate the company’s community outreach including its internship program, through which 40 Acres stages a “Boot Camp” providing a week of training and networking opportunities, and then places interns in various departments during the production of each of its films. Ross is also acting as a consultant during the development of the City’s training program for Production Assistants, a new initiative that will connect New Yorkers with entry-level jobs in the industry. Ross credits the City’s energy with helping him to persevere in his early days as a filmmaker. “There is a basic New York mentality that with hard work, drive and skill, you can achieve your goals – it is an overall feeling that anyone can succeed,” he said. “And to help us achieve our goals we received such support from the industry and New Yorkers in general.” For Ross, the City’s crews are its most attractive feature to filmmakers. “The crews here are really dedicated to their craft,” he said. “They are very focused on getting through the shoot days, and they do it in a cooperative manner.” Ross says New York’s crews are complemented by the locations throughout diverse neighborhoods and acting community. “Everyone is here, from Broadway stars to Hollywood veterans to rising talent,” he said. Ross and Lee imbue their films with an appreciation for the art of making movies and carry on the tradition of great New York filmmakers. Before producing Inside Man, they screened films such as Manhattan and Dog Day Afternoon to get a feel for the history of moviemaking in this City and the impact that great New York films have made. And Ross said the cooperation the company received from local communities – particularly the residents and local businesses on Wall Street – allowed them to shoot the film here in the City. “I think New York will be proud of what we did in this film,” he said. For individuals interested in breaking into the industry, Ross recommends first educating themselves about the various roles and responsibilities within the field. “The sky is the limit, and it all depends on your perspective,” he said. “The industry is vast with great opportunities. But before you begin your journey ask yourself this question: What is that you would like to contribute to the industry to make it better?” Click here for more information 40 Acres' internship program More Industry Stars design by    The City of New York Mayor's Office of Film Theatre & Broadcasting 1697 Broadway Suite 602, New York, New York 10019.
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