Riverview Profile
Actor Joe Sernio
BY: Evelyn Bonilla

October 2005 Issue

He’s smart, young and talented and moving into the film industry at record speed. Joe Sernio became inspired to act while watching his high school friend Kevin Interdonato perform. Interdonato a talented actor in his own right, has starred in several film productions and is the star of an independent film entitled, “Milking the Chicken” by director Mark Nistico.

The motivation to act felt like a natural element to Sernio, he knew instantly that this is what he wanted to do. He enrolled in the Ted Bardy Institute in New York and studied under the acting direction of Mr. Ted Bardy. After completion he decided it was time to do what he loved to do, and that was “act”. He auditioned for several roles and acquired additional expertise in his field.

One day while at his restaurant, he co-owns 455 in Jersey City; he had the opportunity to meet Joey B. and Laurie Draz - two talented performers. They informed him of a place in New York where people in the film industry gathered on Tuesday nights. The location RueB’s in the East Village, hosted by actor, Vinny Vella from “Casino”, “Sopranos” and “Coffee and Cigarettes”. One Tuesday night while at RueBís, Sernio was approached by Dorothy Palmer from The Dorothy Palmer Talent Agency. He was quickly signed and has been moving non-stop toward his role of becoming a well-known name. Currently he is reviewing a script entitled, “The Burnt Hand”, by writer-producer Carroll Raver.

He has also been interviewed on film by “NY Rocks” a cable T.V. show that films reality T.V.; they filmed Sernio’s life as an actor. The show which is based out of Staten Island, N.Y can be viewed on channel 35 in Staten Island on Friday nights at 11:00 p.m. and
channel 67 in New Jersey on Fridays at 12:00 p.m. But it would be his most recent role that would prove the most challenging for Sernio.
He is currently casted in a Mark Nistico film entitled, “Lime Vegas” - an Independent film by Silent Sea Productions, which depicts the rise
and fall of character Daxter Tarta, a crime syndicate boss of Crystal City. Also casted in the film is Sernio’s high school friend Kevin Interdonato. This is the first time the two actors will be in a film together. Equipped with an A-list cast which includes Vinny Vella (Casino, Sopranos, Coffee and Cigarettes) and Perry Facciano (HBO’s Oz) and the masterful direction of Mark Nistico, this is one film not to miss.

When asked how he felt about the direction his life has taken in the film industry Sernio replied, “I owe so much to everyone who is and has been helping and supporting me, my way of saying “thank you” will be by accomplishing my goals as an actor. And also by letting them know that without their help I wouldn’t have been able to do this.” He also added, “I know everyone probably thinks this, but I really do not want to do this for the money or even the popularity that it sometimes brings. I just want to show what I can do and master the craft of acting at the same time. . . and smile the whole way up.” Smiling is definitely one thing this talented actor can begin to do, with a successful future in the works and a role in a major independent film production here’s no telling where this “rising star” will end up next. Interested in viewing a trailer of the film “Lime Vegas” sign on to www.silentseaproductions.com

This article is available at www.riverviewobserver.com for a copy of this please email tom@riverviewobserver.com

- Story Written By Evelyn Bonilla
  October 2005 Issue