Richard Martini (director)
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Richard Martini (born 12 March 1955) is an American
film director A film director or filmmaker is a person who controls a film's artistic and dramatic aspects and visualizes the screenplay (or script) while guiding the film crew and actors in the fulfillment of that Goal, vision. The director has a key role ...
, producer,
screenwriter A screenwriter (also called scriptwriter, scribe, or scenarist) is a person who practices the craft of writing for visual mass media, known as screenwriting. These can include short films, feature-length films, television programs, television ...
and freelance
journalist A journalist is a person who gathers information in the form of text, audio or pictures, processes it into a newsworthy form and disseminates it to the public. This is called journalism. Roles Journalists can work in broadcast, print, advertis ...
.


Early life and education

Martini was born in 1955 and grew up in
Northbrook, Illinois Northbrook is a suburb of Chicago, located at the northern edge of Cook County, Illinois, United States, on the border of Lake County, Illinois, Lake County. It is part of a collection of upscale residential communities north of Chicago and belon ...
. He attended local public schools. He graduated magna cum laude from
Boston University Boston University (BU) is a Private university, private research university in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. BU was founded in 1839 by a group of Boston Methodism, Methodists with its original campus in Newbury (town), Vermont, Newbur ...
with a degree in Humanities, attended University of Southern California
Film School A film school is an educational institution dedicated to teaching aspects of filmmaking, including such subjects as film production, film theory, digital media production, and screenwriting. Film history courses and hands-on technical training are ...
and is a 2008 graduate of the
Master of Professional Writing Program A Master of Professional Writing Program is a type of graduate degree program in professional writing. Chatham University in Pennsylvania has an online MPW program. The University of Southern California's MPW program ended in May 2016, at which poin ...
at USC. His student short film, ''Lost Angels,'' was the film debut of fellow Chicago native, actress
Daryl Hannah Daryl Hannah (born December 3, 1960) is an American actress and environmental activist. She made her film debut in Brian De Palma's supernatural horror film ''The Fury (1978 film), The Fury'' (1978). She has starred in various films across the ...
. He took improv classes at Second City in Chicago under Jo Forsberg, and with the Harvey Lembeck Workshop in Los Angeles. His first documentary film, ''Special Olympians,'' won the top prize at the 1980 Mexico City International Film Festival. He made his feature film directorial debut with ''
You Can't Hurry Love "You Can't Hurry Love" is a song originally recorded by the Supremes on the Motown label. It was released on July 25, 1966 as the second single (music), single from their studio album ''The Supremes A' Go-Go''. Written and produced by Motown p ...
,'' which featured the debut of
Bridget Fonda Bridget Jane Fonda (born January 27, 1964) is a retired American actress, known for her roles in films such as ''The Godfather Part III'' (1990), '' Single White Female'' (1992), '' Singles'' (1992), ''Point of No Return'' (1993), '' It Could Ha ...
.
TNT Troponin T (shortened TnT or TropT) is a part of the troponin complex, which are proteins integral to the contraction of skeletal and heart muscles. They are expressed in skeletal and cardiac myocytes. Troponin T binds to tropomyosin and helps ...
described it as the "quintessential 80's comedy." Martini left USC to work for writer/director
Robert Towne Robert Towne (born Robert Bertram Schwartz; November 23, 1934 – July 1, 2024) was an American screenwriter and director. He started writing films for Roger Corman, including '' The Tomb of Ligeia'' in 1964, and was later part of the New Hollyw ...
(''Chinatown,'' ''Mission: Impossible''); he served as an acting coach for
Robert Evans Robert Evans (born Robert J. Shapera; June 29, 1930 – October 26, 2019) was an American film producer who worked on ''Rosemary's Baby (film), Rosemary's Baby'' (1968), ''Love Story (1970 film), Love Story'' (1970), ''The Godfather'' (1972), ...
on the original ''The Two Jakes.'' After that Martini wrote his first feature ''My Champion,'' which starred Christopher (son of Robert) Mitchum and Yoko Shimada (Shogun). He wrote the comedy ''Three For the Road'' for Vista Films, which starred
Charlie Sheen Carlos Irwin Estévez (born September 3, 1965), known professionally as Charlie Sheen, is an American actor. He is known as a leading man in film and television. Sheen has received numerous accolades including a Golden Globe Award as well as ...
. Martini directed a comedy short, "Video Valentino," shot by fellow USC alum
John Schwartzman John Leonard Schwartzman, A.S.C. (born October 18, 1960) is an American cinematographer, and member of the Coppola family. He is best known for his work on ''Jurassic World'', ''The Amazing Spider-Man'', '' The Rock'' and ''Seabiscuit'', for whic ...
(DP of ''
The Amazing Spider-Man ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' is an ongoing American superhero American comic book, comic book series featuring the Marvel Comics superhero Spider-Man as its title character and main protagonist. Being in the Earth 616, mainstream continuity of t ...
'') and produced by Jonathan D. Krane. The short led to a deal with Vestron Pictures, where he made ''You Can't Hurry Love'' starring
Bridget Fonda Bridget Jane Fonda (born January 27, 1964) is a retired American actress, known for her roles in films such as ''The Godfather Part III'' (1990), '' Single White Female'' (1992), '' Singles'' (1992), ''Point of No Return'' (1993), '' It Could Ha ...
,
Charles Grodin Charles Sidney Grodin (April 21, 1935 – May 18, 2021) was an American actor, comedian, author, and television talk show host. Known for his deadpan delivery and often cast as a put-upon straight man, Grodin became familiar as a supporting acto ...
and
Kristy McNichol Christina Ann McNichol (born September 11, 1962) is an American former actress. Beginning her career as a child actress, she rose to fame in 1976 with her portrayal of teenaged daughter Letitia "Buddy" Lawrence in the TV drama ''Family'' for which ...
based on the short. Martini co-wrote and directed two films for producer Jonathan D. Krane: the
Faustian Faust ( , ) is the protagonist of a classic German legend based on the historical Johann Georg Faust (). The erudite Faust is highly successful yet dissatisfied with his life, which leads him to make a deal with the Devil at a crossroads, exc ...
comedy ''
Limit Up ''Limit Up'' is a 1989 comedy film starring Nancy Allen as Chicago commodities trader Casey Falls. The film was directed by Richard Martini and produced by Jonathan D. Krane. It was filmed through Chicago and prominently features scenes at the ...
'', set in Chicago, starring Nancy Allen and blues icon
Ray Charles Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential musicians in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Gen ...
, and ''
Point of Betrayal ''Point of Betrayal'' is a 1995 American thriller film about a man ( Rick Johnson) trying to drive his mother (Dina Merrill) insane in order to get her money. The film was directed by Richard Martini and produced by Jonathan D. Krane. Premise A ...
'' (1996) starring
Dina Merrill Dina Merrill (born Nedenia Marjorie Hutton; December 29, 1923 – May 22, 2017) was an American actress. She had more than a hundred film and television credits from the late 1950s until 2000s. She married three times. Early life Merrill was ...
,
Rod Taylor Rodney Sturt Taylor (11 January 1930 â€“ 7 January 2015) was an Australian actor. He appeared in more than 50 feature films, including '' Young Cassidy'' (1965), '' Nobody Runs Forever'' (1968), '' The Train Robbers'' (1973), and '' A Matt ...
and
Rebecca Broussard Rebecca Broussard (born January 3, 1963) is an American actress and model. She was born in Louisville, Kentucky. From 1987 to 1988, Broussard was married to Richard Perry, a record executive who produced albums for Harry Nilsson, Julio Iglesias ...
, which won the Palm Beach International Film Festival as Best Film. Martini then co-wrote and co-directed ''
Cannes Man ''Cannes Man'' is a 1996 independent comedy film directed by Richard Martini, and Susan Hillary Shapiro (scenes in Cannes). The film stars Seymour Cassel and Francesco Quinn. The film also features more than 15 famous Hollywood actors (mostly c ...
'' (released on iTunes in 2010) starring
Francesco Quinn Francesco Daniele Quinn (March 22, 1963 – August 5, 2011) was an Italian-born American actor. The first son of Oscar-winner Anthony Quinn and costume designer Iolanda Addolori (Anthony Quinn's second wife), Francesco is perhaps best known for ...
and
Seymour Cassel Seymour Joseph Cassel (January 22, 1935 – April 7, 2019) was an American actor who appeared in over 200 films and television shows, with a career spanning over 50 years. He first came to prominence in the 1960s in the pioneering independent f ...
, with appearances by
Johnny Depp John Christopher Depp II (born June 9, 1963) is an American actor and musician. He is the recipient of List of awards and nominations received by Johnny Depp, multiple accolades, including a Golden Globe Award as well as nominations for ...
and the "cast of characters who inhabit the film festival each year." Martini wrote and directed the
Dogme 95 Dogme 95 (; Danish for "Dogma 95") was a Danish avant-garde filmmaking movement founded by Lars von Trier and Thomas Vinterberg, who created the "Dogme 95 Manifesto" and the "Vows of Chastity" (). These were rules to create films based on the t ...
film ''Camera – Dogme #15,''shot on digital video; it follows the life of a video camera around the world. He has also directed documentaries: ''Tibetan Refugee'' explores the Tibetan community in Dharamsala, ''White City/Windy City'' explores the relationship between Chicago and Casablanca in the Eisenhower "
Sister Cities A sister city or a twin town relationship is International relations, a form of legal or social agreement between two geographically and politically distinct localities for the purpose of promoting cultural and commercial ties. While there ar ...
" program, and ''Journey Into Tibet'', follows Buddhist scholar and author
Robert Thurman Robert Alexander Farrar Thurman (born August 3, 1941) is an American Buddhist author and academic who has written, edited, and translated several books on Tibetan Buddhism. He was the Je Tsongkhapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at ...
on a sacred journey around
Mount Kailash Mount Kailash (also Kailasa; ''Kangrinboqê'' or ''Gang Rinpoche''; ; ; , ) is a mountain in Ngari Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region of China. It lies in the Kailash Range (Gangdisê Mountains) of the Transhimalaya, in the western part ...
in western Tibet. Martini co-wrote and produced '' My Bollywood Bride'' starring Jason Lewis and Sanjay Suri (released as ''My Faraway Bride''). Martini's television credits include producing segments and appearing on the award-winning ''Charles Grodin Show'' on
CNBC CNBC is an American List of business news channels, business news channel owned by the NBCUniversal News Group, a unit of Comcast's NBCUniversal. The network broadcasts live business news and analysis programming during the morning, Day ...
. He wrote an upcoming miniseries for HBO about the notorious
House of Medici The House of Medici ( , ; ) was an Italian banking family and political dynasty that first consolidated power in the Republic of Florence under Cosimo de' Medici and his grandson Lorenzo de' Medici, Lorenzo "the Magnificent" during the first h ...
. He has also written freelance articles for ''
Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...
'', ''
Premiere A premiere, also spelled première, (from , ) is the debut (first public presentation) of a work, i.e. play, film, dance, musical composition, or even a performer in that work. History Raymond F. Betts attributes the introduction of the ...
'', Inc.com, edited and wrote Epicurean Rendezvous' "Best 100 Restaurants in Los Angeles" and appeared in ''
USA Today ''USA Today'' (often stylized in all caps) is an American daily middle-market newspaper and news broadcasting company. Founded by Al Neuharth in 1980 and launched on September 14, 1982, the newspaper operates from Gannett's corporate headq ...
'' as a commentator about "
American Idol ''American Idol'' is an American Music competition, singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle (company), Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America. It a ...
." He also contributed a chapter to
Charles Grodin Charles Sidney Grodin (April 21, 1935 – May 18, 2021) was an American actor, comedian, author, and television talk show host. Known for his deadpan delivery and often cast as a put-upon straight man, Grodin became familiar as a supporting acto ...
's book "If I Only Knew Then... Learning from our mistakes." ( Springboard Press.) He worked on the films '' Amelia'' and ''
Salt In common usage, salt is a mineral composed primarily of sodium chloride (NaCl). When used in food, especially in granulated form, it is more formally called table salt. In the form of a natural crystalline mineral, salt is also known as r ...
'' as a digital media curator, pioneering a method of pre-visualizing a film online. Film director
Phillip Noyce Phillip Roger Noyce (born 29 April 1950) is an Australian film and television director. Since 1977, he has directed over 19 feature films in various genres, including historical drama ('' Newsfront'', '' Rabbit-Proof Fence'', '' The Quiet Amer ...
hired him to work on both films. Based on his documentary about
hypnotherapy Hypnotherapy, also known as hypnotic medicine, is the use of hypnosis in psychotherapy. Hypnotherapy is generally not considered to be based on scientific evidence, and is rarely recommended in clinical practice guidelines. However, several p ...
and between life therapist Michael Newton's work '' Destiny of Souls,'' Martini's book on the afterlife, ''Flipside: A Tourist's Guide on How To Navigate the Afterlife,'' has become a best seller at Amazon. The documentary based on the book was picked up by Gaiam TV for distribution in 2014. The book went to #1 at Amazon in all its genres twice. The series ''It's a Wonderful Afterlife: Further Adventures into the Flipside Volume One'' and Volume Two includes interviews with Dr.
Bruce Greyson Charles Bruce Greyson (born October 1946) is an American psychiatrist and near-death experience researcher. During his research of near-death experiences, known as near-death studies, he has documented many accounts of near-death experiences, an ...
on
consciousness Consciousness, at its simplest, is awareness of a state or object, either internal to oneself or in one's external environment. However, its nature has led to millennia of analyses, explanations, and debate among philosophers, scientists, an ...
and the
near-death experience A near-death experience (NDE) is a profound personal experience associated with death or impending death, which researchers describe as having similar characteristics. When positive, which the great majority are, such experiences may encompa ...
,
Gary Schwartz Gary E. Schwartz is an American psychologist, author, parapsychologist and professor at the University of Arizona and the director of its Laboratory for Advances in Consciousness and Health. Schwartz researches the veracity of mediums and ene ...
on his research into
consciousness Consciousness, at its simplest, is awareness of a state or object, either internal to oneself or in one's external environment. However, its nature has led to millennia of analyses, explanations, and debate among philosophers, scientists, an ...
, and Mario Beauregard on his research in
neurotheology The neuroscience of religion, also known as "neurotheology" or "spiritual neuroscience," seeks to explain the biological and neurological processes behind religious experience. Researchers in this field study correlations of the ''biological neu ...
. Martini compares accounts of
near-death experience A near-death experience (NDE) is a profound personal experience associated with death or impending death, which researchers describe as having similar characteristics. When positive, which the great majority are, such experiences may encompa ...
s with transcripts of
hypnotherapy Hypnotherapy, also known as hypnotic medicine, is the use of hypnosis in psychotherapy. Hypnotherapy is generally not considered to be based on scientific evidence, and is rarely recommended in clinical practice guidelines. However, several p ...
sessions of people under deep
hypnosis Hypnosis is a human condition involving focused attention (the selective attention/selective inattention hypothesis, SASI), reduced peripheral awareness, and an enhanced capacity to respond to suggestion.In 2015, the American Psychological ...
to highlight their similarities. His book "Hacking the Afterlife," examines
mediumship Mediumship is the practice of purportedly mediating communication between familiar spirits or ghost, spirits of the dead and living human beings. Practitioners are known as "mediums" or "spirit mediums". There are different types of mediumship or ...
claims of "new information" from people no longer on the planet and compares these accounts to the near death experiences and afterlife reports from subjects under
hypnosis Hypnosis is a human condition involving focused attention (the selective attention/selective inattention hypothesis, SASI), reduced peripheral awareness, and an enhanced capacity to respond to suggestion.In 2015, the American Psychological ...
. He also penned "Backstage Pass to the Flipside: Talking to the Afterlife with Jennifer Shaffer" which includes a foreword by
Luana Anders Luana Anders (born Luana Margo Anderson; May 12, 1938 – July 21, 1996) was an American actress and screenwriter. Career Anders appeared in a number of low-budget films, including starring roles in '' Life Begins at 17'' and '' Reform School ...
. Martini has taught film directing at
Loyola Marymount University Loyola Marymount University (LMU) is a private Jesuit and Marymount research university in Los Angeles, California. LMU enrolls over 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students, making it the largest Catholic university on the west coast of the ...
, the
Maine Media Workshops The Maine Media Workshops (formerly the Maine Photographic Workshops) in Rockport, Maine is an international non-profit educational organization offering year-round workshops for photographers, filmmakers, and media artists. Students from acros ...
, and the John Felice Rome Center. He is married and has two children. The family lives in
Santa Monica, California Santa Monica (; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Santa Mónica'') is a city in Los Angeles County, California, Los Angeles County, situated along Santa Monica Bay on California's South Coast (California), South Coast. Santa Monica's 2020 United Sta ...
.


Filmography

*'' Flipside: A Journey into the Afterlife'

– 2012 – Writer, Director, Producer. Amazon. A documentary that explores the work of Michael Newton with interviews of hypnotherapists, footage of past life regressions and life between life sessions. *''
Salt In common usage, salt is a mineral composed primarily of sodium chloride (NaCl). When used in food, especially in granulated form, it is more formally called table salt. In the form of a natural crystalline mineral, salt is also known as r ...
'

– 2010 – Curated content, digital flashback sequences, Associate to Mr. Noyce. Sony. Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber. Phillip Noyce directed thriller. *''
Amelia (film) ''Amelia'' is a 2009 biographical film about the aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart. The film stars Hilary Swank as Earhart, and co-stars Richard Gere, Ewan McGregor, Christopher Eccleston and Joe Anderson. The film was directed by Mira Nair ...
'

– 2009 – Curated content, Researcher. Fox 2000. Hilary Swank, Richard Gere. The aviator's journey from 1928–1937. *'' My Bollywood Bride'

– 2006 – Co-Writer, Associate Producer. DreamTeam Pictures. Jason Lewis, Kashmira Shah, Sanjay Suri, Golshen Grover. Hollywood meets Bollywood in a romantic comedy. *''Cowboy Up

– Second Unit Dir. 2000 Xavier Koller, Kiefer Sutherland, Daryl Hannah. Orchid Prods. Championship Bull Riding. *''Camera – Dogme #15'

€“ Director, Writer. Odyssey Pictures Prod. 2001 Carol Alt,
Angie Everhart Angela Kay Everhart (born September 7, 1969) is an American actress and former model who appeared in several ''Sports Illustrated'' Swimsuit Issues in the 1990s and posed nude for ''Playboy'' in 2000. Early life Everhart was born on September 7 ...
,
Rebecca Broussard Rebecca Broussard (born January 3, 1963) is an American actress and model. She was born in Louisville, Kentucky. From 1987 to 1988, Broussard was married to Richard Perry, a record executive who produced albums for Harry Nilsson, Julio Iglesias ...
. Designated Dogme #15 by the Danish film group. *'' Cannes Man (film)'

– Director, Co-Writer, Music. Rocket Pictures. 1997. Tom Coleman Prod. Seymour Cassel, Francesco Quinn. Guest appearances by Johnny Depp, John Malkovich. ("Hilarious" Hollywood Rep. "Fast, furious, fun satire" NY Post) *''Point of Betrayal'

Director, Music. Trident/Dove International. 1996. Jonathan Krane Prod. Rod Taylor, Dina Merrill, Rebecca Broussard. Paramount Home Video (Rod Lurie – Buzz Magazine; "a terrific film" ) *''
Limit Up ''Limit Up'' is a 1989 comedy film starring Nancy Allen as Chicago commodities trader Casey Falls. The film was directed by Richard Martini and produced by Jonathan D. Krane. It was filmed through Chicago and prominently features scenes at the ...
'

– Writer/Director. MCEG. 1989 Jonathan Krane Prod. Nancy Allen, Dean Stockwell, Ray Charles. (Ent. Weekly – "Splendid, delightful, with good cast, good script, tidy direction.") *''
You Can't Hurry Love "You Can't Hurry Love" is a song originally recorded by the Supremes on the Motown label. It was released on July 25, 1966 as the second single (music), single from their studio album ''The Supremes A' Go-Go''. Written and produced by Motown p ...
'

– Writer/Director. Vestron 1988 J.D. Krane Prod. Bridget Fonda, Charles Grodin. (`Three stars' Chicago Sun Times.) *'' Three for the Road (1987 film), Three for the Road'

– Co-Writer, Story. Vista 1987 Charlie Sheen, Kerri Green. ("A jolly good time" NY Post "Charming" Newsday) *''My Champion'

– Writer. Chris Mitchum, Yoko Shimada. Directed by
Gwen Arner Gwen Arner (born 1936 or 1937) is an American director and actress. She co-founded the Los Angeles Actors' Theatre and directed stage productions there, as well as at the Mark Taper Forum and in the Midwestern United States. She also directed ...
.


Documentaries

*'' Hacking the Afterlife'

Director. Based on the best selling Amazon book (2021) *'' Talking to Paul Allen, Junior Seau, Dave Duerson'

Director. Multiple interviews with CTE victims offstage. (2020) *'' Talking to Bill Paxton''

Director. (2019) *'' Flipside A Journey into the Afterlife'

Director. Based on the best selling Amazon book (2012) *''Journey into Tibet with Robert Thurman'

Director. Tibet House NY. Trip around Mt. Kailash (2006) *''Sister Cities'' â€

Director. Layalina Productions. Chicago and Casablanca. (2005) *''Tibetan Refugee'

– Director. Story of 50 new arrivals in Dharamsala. (2001)


References


External links


Richard Martini webpage
*
Youtube Channel
{{DEFAULTSORT:Martini, Richard American Buddhists Boston University College of Arts and Sciences alumni People from Northbrook, Illinois 1955 births Living people Academic staff of the John Felice Rome Center USC School of Cinematic Arts alumni Film directors from Illinois