Imagine starting a filmmaker's bio with tales of shooting films on an 8mm camera as a spirited thirteen-year-old. Well, that wasn't my path. Raised in a vibrant Italian household in San Jose, California, my childhood was filled with captivating moments by the fireplace, where my grandfather, with a glass of wine and unfiltered cigarettes, spun thrilling yarns of pirates, sunken treasure, and daring escapades. His stories sparked a fire within me, leading me to dive headfirst into the world of underwater archaeology, captivated by the exploits of legendary treasure hunters like Mel Fisher and Robert F. Marx.

However, fate had other plans when I found myself in Eugene, Oregon, for college. The dream of unearthing hidden treasures beneath the waves vanished as I realized I lacked scuba diving skills, and the chilly waters of the northwest coast posed a formidable challenge. Undeterred, I embarked on a soul-searching journey, and at the ripe age of 23, I redirected my focus toward the art of filmmaking. If I couldn't excavate stories from the past, I would forge narratives for the future, forever hopeful that the realms of history and creation would one day intertwine in extraordinary ways.