Aug. 13, 2004
Staff Writer
Somewhere between Philadelphia and Atlantic City lies a seamy underworld of crime. Bosses in the two cities use "runners" to ship packages between areas. These runners often find themselves on the Atlantic City Expressway.
The oft-maligned roadway serves as the title of Millville filmmaker Jeff Profitt's second feature-length movie, "Atlantic City Expressway."
"I play Andrew McCall. I was raised by my grandmother to be a good Christian after my parents were killed in a car accident," said Profitt, who wrote, directed and stars in the film. "I work making deliveries for my uncle in Philly."
"The movie is about the struggle between my faith and my loyalty to my family," he said.
Profitt developed a love for the stage when he took a theater class as a junior at Millville High School. He said that he took the class because it fit into a hole in his class schedule and "it sounded like an easy 'A'"
"I really started to get into it," he said. "I remember my first monologue, 'Superman Gets a New Job;' the response was amazing."
After high school, Profitt began his quest to become an actor. He scored his first starring role in the 1998 independent film, "Cold Storage." He also took part in a re-enactment scene in a David Berkowitz documentary on the Discovery Channel.
Though he said his first love is acting, Profitt wanted more control over his work. That desire led him to the director's chair.
"Writing and directing came from wanting control. When I did my first movie, I was listening to the director setting up the next shot and I tried to chime in. I was told that I'm the actor and should just act," he said.
As a director, Profitt said that he welcomes input from his actors.
"Sometimes its setting up a camera a different way or reading a line differently," he said. "Sometimes, the final result may be (the actor's)."
Vineland actor Tommy Modesto, 31, would agree.
"Jeff is excellent. I didn't know what to expect from him, but I came prepared and he let me just wing it," said Modesto, who plays an FBI agent tracking Profitt's character in "Expressway." "He let me do my character my own way. He was great to work with."
Modesto said he loved his first acting experience.
"I wish I could do this full time," he said.
"Expressway" was filmed over nine days, in Atlantic City, Vineland and Millville, for a total of about $1,000. Profitt said he funded the 40-minute film with earnings from his first movie, the largely autobiographical "Blue Collar Actor."
"I wanted to improve on the first film in every way," he said. "That one took 38 days. I wanted to cut that in half, but we did even better."
Of course, $1,000 won't make "The Matrix." Profitt's film, like most indie productions, lacks the special effects of big-budget films and suffers from poor lighting that sometimes leaves actors obscured in shadows. These elements can be distracting to the unexpecting viewer.
"My movies are for anyone who likes a good independent film with a message and a meaning," Profitt said.
"Expressway" will be available on DVD for $8.99 at www. atlanticcityexpresswaythemovie.com beginning Aug. 24. Preorders will be accepted beginning Aug. 10.
Profitt plans to employ "guerrilla marketing" techniques to publicize and sell his movie, posting fliers, reaching out to the media.
Now that "Expressway" is finished and ready to be released, Profitt is busy planning his next project. He has an idea for a reality television program featuring bands, singers and filmmakers.
"I want to shoot a pilot and pitch it to local and national networks. I want to help others trying to break in," he said.
Profitt also is considering expanding one of his short films, "Choice and Consequence" into a feature.
Before that, he is waiting to see himself on the screen in his new movie. Profitt said that watching himself in a movie is "like a high."
"It drives me crazy to hear actors say they are shy. They are lying. Why get into this business then? It's all about the gratification of seeing others watch you perform.
"I love it. When you see yourself on the big screen, the feeling overcomes you. You want to do more. The gratification comes from the reaction you get. I want people to look and say I did a really good job," he said.
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