By Nicole Falco
"Michael Wright was going from my independent movie to the set of 'The Interpretor,' which was shot in the U.N. - the first feature film shot in the U.N. - and he used to joke that his trailor on that
Ariola, who quit his job as an operating engineer with Local 15 to pursue his passion, wrote, directed and co-produced "Coalition," which was filmed in 2004. While that film never made it to theaters
"We entered it in Sundance," Ariola said. "There are about 3,000 films submitted and only 50 make it. 'Coalition' didn't make it. It's my first feature film out of the box and they say only about 3 pe
While he is still trying to make things happen for "Coalition" - a realistic depiction of the affect labor coalitions have on New York's construction business- including finding a distributor for the
His latest effort is a horror film that he hopes will have the same appeal as the classics "Friday the 13th" and "Halloween." He started writing the screenplay for "Knock Knock" as soon as "Coalition"
Unlike "Coalition," a gritty, urban film that might only do well in large markets, Ariola believes that horror has a more universal audience,a theory tested on his wife, Mary, and daughters, Jessica,
With "Coalition," Ariola was able to attract some well-known names to star in his film, including Wright, Raekwon, Chuck Zito of HBO's "OZ" and Frank Vincent of "The Sopranos." For "Knock Knock," he
"Indie films don't get enough credit for giving those actors their breaks," Ariola said. "There is so much great, strong talent on the street that people don't realize independent films give people th
"Knock Knock" was shot in 24 days in September and October on location at Fort Totten, at Msgr. Farrell High School on Staten Island, at Tony's Auto in Valley Stream and at the East Rockaway home of o
"I still think I went at it the same way," Ariola said. "It's nervous energy, but I'm not nervous. For me to be able to wake up everyday and say I'm making a movie - how could I be nervous about that?
While Ariola believes the soundtrack to "Coalition" helps tell the movie's story, "Knock Knock" has a memorable tag - "Answering the door will never be the same" - and the prospect of merchandising.
Ultimately, for Ariola it's less about whether the film makes it to theaters or is a direct-to-DVD release, and more about the process.
"Watching the stuff develop, shooting it, seeing it when its complete - I think that's the bigger payoff, and getting to work with friends and family," Ariola said. "I don't think there's a bigger pay
