Joseph Servodio, a 2013 graduate of the Career & Technical Institute’s TV & Film program and Hyde Park’s FDR High School, had a lot to celebrate this September. He won an Emmy award for his special effects work on the Netflix series “Ripley.”
It was not a complete surprise to Servodio when he was nominated because the show was submitted for nomination. Winning the award was a different story.
“I don't really remember what I even said on stage when accepting so I'm glad there's a video,” Servodio recalled. “It really is an incredible honor; the Emmy is considered the most prestigious award you can receive in television and it's voted on by your industry peers.”
As a visual effects producer, Servodio oversees the entire visual effects department of a show, assuring all shots are delivered on time, on budget and align creatively with the director's vision. For “Ripley,” more than 300 artists from eight visual effects companies spanning four continents completed more than 2,200 shots in three years.
“Every show has its own unique challenges, creatively and logistically, but I think that's what makes working in film and television so fun,” he explained. “Some of the challenges working on ‘Ripley’ were creating visual effects shots that were entirely invisible to the viewer since it is a period accurate drama based in reality.”
Servodio considers graduating from the TV & Film program as one his most enjoyable high school experiences because he got a solid education that helped him be ahead of his classmates when he got to film school. He credits former program instructor Craig Brendli, as well as current instructors Michael White, who teaches English, and Stephen Lawson, who teaches graphic design, for being excellent teachers who made an informative and fun learning environment.
“They really allowed the students to tailor each assignment or project to fit our individual interests, passions, and goals,” Servodio said. “Attending BOCES was the best and most rewarding decision of my high school career.”
White knew Servodio as an artistic student who had high expectations for himself and his classmates, so it was not totally surprising to him to hear the good news. He recalled Servodio working on a film where he had his classmates turn off the lights in the upper A-wing hallway to create a shadow effect that added brevity to a scene where White, portraying a vampire, rises.
“When it came out, it looked very good, better than your average student film,” White said of the film. “He has a way of creating respect and building personal investment.”
Lawson had Servodio for a half a year in his course and is happy to see him achieve this honor.
“He was a very talented guy,” Lawson said of Servodio. “I was able to see his progression and passion for what he was doing.”
For anyone interested in getting into the entertainment industry, Servodio recommends attending a school that provides a hands-on learning approach, as well as watching movies and reading screenplays to understand the appropriate terminology.
“So much of the filmmaking process is about in-person logistical and creative collaboration and that's not something that can be taught from a textbook,” Servodio said. “No matter what department you work within in film and television, you need to understand the art and structure of the screenplay.”
Servodio is now working on a series for Amazon, “The Better Sister.” Previously, he worked on “Dune: Part One,” “The Mandalorian,” and “The Falcon and Winter Soldier,” among others.