Stephen is a martial artist, SAG-AFTRA Stunt Performer and filmmaker with black belts in Tae Kwon Do, Judo, a Master of Sport of Russia in Combat Sambo and a Purple Belt in BJJ. He is head coach of New York Combat Sambo, which he founded in 2003.
Since childhood Stephen dreamed of working in the film and television; even attending filmmaking camp in his youth. As he grew older he continued with filmmaking. At first with an old super 8 camera of his father's and later with modern digital technology. After high school, where Stephen focused on visual art, he earned his BFA the School of Visual Arts on a full scholarship, and his Master's Degree from Hofstra University. in 2022 Stephen completed the NYU Tisch/Yellowbrick Television and Film certificate program.
Recognized for his martial arts expertise, he began his professional foray into TV in 2007 as a technical adviser for HUMAN WEAPON (History Channel). Shortly after, he appeared as himself in DHANI TACKLES THE GLOBE (Travel Channel, 2009). He has since appeared as himself in many combat sports related programs including BELLATOR NYC: COUNTDOWN TO SONNEN VS. SILVA (2017), BELLATOR MMA LIVE (2020), and others.
Behind the lens, Stephen has produced several short films and documentaries, including CONCRETE AND CRASHPADS: STUNTS IN NEW YORK (2016) and NEW YORK MIXED MARTIAL ARTS (2011), which obtained distribution through FilmBuff and appeared on HULU for many years. As a stunt performer, he has been fortunate enough to work on JOHN WICK CHAPTER THREE (2019), SAVE YOURSELVES (2020), THE BLACKLIST (NBC), DEVS (FX on HULU), THE PUNISHER (Netflix) and RAY DONOVAN (Showtime).
Winner: Best Fight (short)
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2020 HBO/Cinemax Urban Action Showcase
New York, New York
2019
Award of Excellence
Concrete and Crashpads: Stunts in New York
2017 Best Shorts Competition
La Jolla, California
2017
Official Selection
Concrete and Crashpads: Stunts in New York
2016 HBO/Cinemax's Urban Action Showcase and Expo
New York City, NY
2016
Finalist, Best Drama, Micro Short
Hogger
2022 Oregon Short Film Festival
Oregon
Finalist, Best Drama
Hogger
2022 Austin Micro Film Festival
Austin, Texas
Winner, Best Film
Hogger
2022 NYC Smart Phone Film Festival
New York City, NY
Honorable Mention
Hogger Script
2022 Big Apple Film Festival
New York City, NY
Semi Finalist (under 5 min shortts)
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2020 Best Short Fest
Official Selection
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2020 Austin Micro Short Film Festival
Austin, Texas
Official Selection
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2020 Action on Film Festival
Las Vegas, Nevada
Winner, Best Action Team
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2020 IDTV Action Fest
Austin, Texas
Official Selection
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2020 Fighting Spirit Film Festival
London
Finalist
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2020 Oregan Short Film Festival
Portland, Oregon
Winner: Award of Recognition (Web Tube Length Video)
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2020 Best Shorts Competition
Winner: Best Action Team (September 2019)
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2020 International Action Film Awards
Winner: Best Choreography (September 2019)
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2020 International Action Film Awards
Screening
Concrete and Crashpads: Stunts in New York
2017 SAG-AFTRA Foundation - The Business
New York City, NY
Nominated, Best Editing of a Documentary
Concrete and Crashpads: Stunts in New York
2017 Action On Film Festival
Las Vegas, Nevada
Official Selection
Concrete and Crashpads: Stunts in New York
2017 New York State International Film Festival
Albany, New York
Official Selection
Concrete and Crashpads: Stunts in New York
2017 Manhattan Independent Film Festival
New York City, NY
Official Selection
Concrete and Crashpads: Stunts in New York
2017 YofiFest, Yonkers Film Festival
Yonkers, New York
Official Selection
Concrete and Crashpads: Stunts in New York
2017 Movies4Movies Summer Festival
Dobbs Ferry, NY
Official Selection
Concrete and Crashpads: Stunts in New York
2017 Rahway International Film Festival
Rahway, New Jersey
Winner: Audience Choice
Concrete and Crashpads: Stunts in New York
2017 Iron DragonTV ActionFest/IDTVFlix Fest
Austin, Texas
College
School of Visual Arts
Bachelor of Fine Arts
19861990
College
Hofstra University
Master of Arts
1998
College
NYU Tisch
NYU/Yellowbrick TV & Film Essentials Certificate Program
20212022
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