Filmmaker Spotlight

Filmmaker Ariana Dubynin

Growing up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Ariana studied Chemistry in school, but was encouraged to be in friend's films. She graduated with a degree in Chemistry, and had planned to go on to med school, but her heart was with film.  Despite being dreadfully shy and nearly failing public speaking because of her anxiety of being in front of a crowd, she decided to take an acting class with Philadelphia casting director Mike Lemon.  She was hooked.

Ariana took the train up to New York for auditions that she found in Backstage East, while working at a pharmaceutical company in Philly.  She then moved up to New York, started doing extra work on shows like Law and Order SVU and Third Watch, to get the experience of being on set, while taking classes.  She performed in various student films, and independent projects there as well. 

Then Ariana made the move to Los Angeles.  She continued to do work in independent films, got her SAG card and started writing screenplays with fellow actors, with the intention of producing and acting in her own films.  Then her mom got sick.  She was devastated.  She moved back home to Philly, to be with her, and left Los Angeles and her career.  Her only solace was to write, even if it didn't make sense. She wrote draft after draft of emotions, feelings, scenarios, everything. 

Soon, she discovered that there was actually a thriving film community in Philadelphia. Ariana did a few student films here, and got involved with the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival. Then she got a call from Producer Steve Marra who asked her to star in his feature film "Amanda".  He flew to Philadelphia to convince her to play the title role of his film.  She agreed to do it.  She came back to Philadelphia after shooting, and continued with her writing.  It developed into a screenplay, which she calls "Little Girl Blue".  It's based in Philly and she's planning on producing it here.  Ariana really looks forward to continuing to do films in Philadelphia.  She is proud to call it home.

To view more of Ariana's work, click here.