As a filmmaker, Zak Ciotti has produced and co-hosted on European television in "People 2 People" (2019-2021 documentary series), produced Gravitas Ventures’ "American Tragedy" (2019 Winner Best Feature Documentary, Boston Film Festival), co-produced "Going Sane" (2017), reality series "The Holderness Family" (2015), "Wayne Newton: A Native American Legend" (2011), co-directed "Blackfire: A Modern Warcry" (2009).
Previous works include: two Emmy® and three ADDY® winning ad campaigns, millions of views on viral ads for "Poo~Pourri" (2013-2016) and online parodies, crew on feature narrative "Beauty and the Least" (2012) and Disney’s tv feature "Good Luck Charlie, It’s Christmas!" (2011) and collaborated on other indie documentaries "Rebels Forever" (2009) and "Liquid Desert" (2010) which featured period narrative sequences.
he formed a partnership, Boldrush!, WHICH has been the production company on multiple feature documentary films and successful advertising campaigns.
Currently, he is producing A feature documentary about at-risk youth, 'Boys Town' (2023), a WAR docu-drama SERIES (2023) and a true-crime mystery documentary series (2023).
Several fictional narrative projects are ALSO in development.
Several fictional narrative projects are ALSO in development.
He directs and produces aesthetic and strategic stories by studying trends, innovating workflows, and organizing hierarchical collaborations. He's passionate about collaboration and sharing methods. He considers himself an autodidact and kinesthetic learner, and attributes his cinematography and writing inspiration to synesthesia.
Zak Ciotti's work as a commercial film director and entrepreneur focuses on shifting cognitive world-views, improving business culture and uniting different perspectives to focus on the most essential issues in communications and society.
Zak Ciotti is a positive change agent. As an individual originating from an emerging market, he frequently allocates time and resources to encourage those from similar backgrounds and other countries to study, work with passion and persistence, leverage the internet and network in order to participate in the global economy, which benefits his audiences and the broader world.
No story of success is more exciting than how someone broke into the film industry.
I'm a believer that we should share industry secrets.
I'm a believer that we should share industry secrets.
Due to frequent requests over the years TO HELP THOSE TRYING TO BREAK INTO A CREATIVE INDUSTRY, BELOW is a breakdown of principles that I followed THROUGHOUT MY CAREER:
CAREER PATH TIMELINE
2022
BEGINS NEW COLLABORATIONS with EAST-COAST Agencies and filmmakers across the country
Develops streamlined Pitch materials for commercial and film productions
2021
Successfully fundraises to complete Feature Documentary
Completes international TV series with TeleFilm ChișinAU
Begins development on large-scale FACTUAL PROGRAMMING
2020
an increased need for messaging enables BOLDRUSH! to survive the PANDEMIC
SIGNS WITH GRAVITAS VENTURES to DISTRIBUTE "AMERICAN TRAGEDY"
2019
"American Tragedy" Wins Best Feature Doc @ Boston Film Festival
Co-produces / co-hosts international TV series with TeleFilm Chișinău
2018
Becomes FAA Certified UAS Pilot
Wins Award from an agency in New York
2017
Feature Documentary "Going Sane" Wins FESTIVAL Award & is selected in VARIOUS festivals
Collaborates with ad agencies in Raleigh, Greensboro and New York
2016
Wins Three Local American AdvertisingⓇ Awards & several others
Announces the collective & LAUNCHES BOLDRUSH.org
2015
Work Wins two MARKETING & PROMOTION industry awards
Develops business plan & branding for AN INDEPENDENT CREATIVE PRODUCTION COLLECTIVE
2014
Wins Second EmmyⓇ Award (& others) FOR PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN
Becomes Director of Media Production @ Greenroom COMMUNICATIONS
Collaborates on multiple viral client videos
2013
Wins First Midsouth EmmyⓇ Award FOR PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN
Becomes Contract Producer @ Greenroom COMMUNICATIONS
2012
Collaborates on First viral client videos FOR POO~POURRI & THE PIANO GUYS
Becomes Senior Marketing Producer @ NBC AFFILIATE
Earns Bachelor of Science in Film @ UTU
2011
Becomes Brand CONTENT Producer @ ENDEVR
Wins Cash-Prize award for best commercial for Las Vegas Law firm
2010
Films for Documentaries, Shorts, Motion Graphics, Seminars @ CENTER FOR MEDIA INNOVATION
Becomes Contract Producer @ Vive Studio INC.
2009
Directs First Commercial @ CENTER FOR MEDIA INNOVATION BY Invitation
Becomes Promotion Producer @ KCSG TV
2008
Learns Motion Graphics + Visual Effects DURING TENURE @ Adobe SYSTEMS INC
INVESTS IN First Limited Liability Company, Equipment & Training
2007
Organizes First Team - "The Alignment" - researches and pitches for funding feature documentary
Creates First Visual Effects within First Scripted Short Films
2006
Begins Non-linear Editing in a series of short films
2005
Produces Various Single-take Shorts DURING TWO-YEAR MISSION IN LATVIA, LITHUANIA & FINLAND
Experiments with in-camera photography effects
2001
Tapes First Narrative-STYLE Scene
1998
PARTICIPATES IN DOCUMENTING Historical Interviews
1995
INDEPENDENTLY Creates First motion graphic Animations on DOS computer
FIRST TIME WITH A CAMERA