SCM Student Dante Giannetta Produces Video for Arts Advocacy Day

Whether it’s advocating for the arts, writing about mixed martial artists or the Dallas Cowboys, even creating a public service announcement for Toni’s Kitchen in Montclair, Dante Giannetta is a storyteller, and he’s equally at home creating his narratives either through video, the printed word, even performing.

During the past semester, Giannetta, who will be graduating in December with a bachelor of arts in Television and Digital Media and a minor in Theatre, had the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C with a New Jersey delegation of arts advocates and as part of Arts Advocacy Day on March 7 and 8, participate in a nationwide discussion on the importance of the arts in all sectors of life. He also produced a video about the conference as well.  And, judging by the arc of Dante Giannetta’s life – he was the perfect choice for the job. 

Aside from his studies in television and digital media, Giannetta has been in at least one theatre production every year since he was five years old.  More recently, this past spring, he was cast in ensemble for the BFA Musical Theatre Department’s production of “The Producers,” and he was just cast in the ensemble of the BFA Acting Department’s production of “Iphigenia.”  Dante has also taken tap dancing for eight years and has studied voice.  

Then, there’s that passion for television and film. “I love to write, especially comedic sketches.  I frequently write stories and sketches in my free time, as well as short stage and screenplays.”  Lorne Michaels, be on notice.  One of Dante’s dreams is to write for “Saturday Night Live.”  I also love post production, specifically editing.” Editing for film and TV is another dream of Dante’s.

Giannetta explains how the opportunity to travel to the nation’s capital arose.  “One of my professors, Dave Sanders, came to my Carpe Diem class looking for anyone who would be interested in going to DC for Art Pride NJ on Arts Advocacy Day. It seemed like a great opportunity to get involved and advocate for the arts in education, so I volunteered.”

Dante explains, “I was trying to communicate how important art is in education. I personally believe art is really important, so for me, going to DC was simply the right thing to do.”

The video can be seen at: Art Pride NJ video. 

Though a college senior, Dante has fairly extensive experience editing videos.  For one of his classes, he edited a 30 second commercial for Toni’s Kitchen in Montclair and a two minute narrative, something he also wrote and directed. During the spring semester, he was cast in an improvisational sketch comedy troop on campus, where he wrote a number of sketches, which were performed live.  He also filmed and edited five videos for the troop.  Then, he also edited a video for a friend to promote her Zumba Fitness class.  He’s also set to edit something for “Iphigenia” when rehearsals start.

Just recently, Dante was hired as an intern at Dorian Orange, a post production house, where he’ll be editing professional work for clients.

Dante has also devoted a lot of time polishing his writing skills.  Last summer he had an internship writing about MMA fighters. His job was to interview them before they fought and promote the match for viewers on GoFightLive.  He currently has an internship writing about the Dallas Cowboys with an online magazine called Inside the Star.  “I write and analyze Dallas Cowboys news for Cowboys fans like myself.”

Dante Giannetta isn’t sure what he wants to do when he graduates. “I love to edit, I love to write, and I love to perform. If I can find a way to do all of those, I’ll be happy.” But, wherever Dante winds up, you can bet he’ll have a story to tell.

If you would like to learn more about Art Pride NJ, or become a volunteer, visit the organization at: http://www.artpridenj.com/