The Elon alumnus makes his directorial debut with “Crusty Fouler,” a psychological drama he wrote, directed and starred in after years of trying to break into the film industry. The film will premiere on Tuesday, June 24, at the Dances With Films festival in Los Angeles.
For more than a decade, Elon alumnus John Giacobbe ’14 wrestled with the same daunting question that haunts many aspiring filmmakers: How do you actually get a movie made?
After graduating from Elon University in 2014 with a degree in media arts and entertainment, Giacobbe spent 10 years writing feature-length scripts — stories he believed in, characters he cared about — but with no clear roadmap to production. Eventually, the Medway, Massachusetts, native stopped waiting for his break – and decided to make his own.
“After years of kicking rocks in Los Angeles, I decided to give myself strict parameters and write an ‘achievable’ feature film from my gut that I could finance myself with the help of a few friends,” he said.
The result is “Crusty Fouler,” a 72-minute psychological drama shot on a shoestring budget almost entirely aboard a 26-foot sailboat in Northern California. Giacobbe not only wrote and directed the film, but also starred in it — not by design, but out of necessity.
“Truth be told, I never wanted to act in the film,” he said. “But we couldn’t fit anyone else on board.”
To prepare, Giacobbe storyboarded the entire film on notecards and even shot a full version on an iPhone months before production. That groundwork allowed him to navigate the logistical and creative challenges of directing from within the frame.
The film follows a couple in mourning who set off on an impromptu sail, each carrying a dark secret. Giacobbe hopes audiences embrace the story and the scrappy spirit behind the project. “We put a lot of love and work into it,” he said. “I hope people give it a chance.”
That chance comes this month, when “Crusty Fouler” makes its world premiere at the Dances With Films festival in Los Angeles. The screening is scheduled for Tuesday, June 24, at 9:30 p.m. at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre.
“I’m quite nervous, but excited,” Giacobbe said. “The theatrical experience means everything to me. I really believe in it — and I’ll continue to fight for it.”
Giacobbe also expressed deep gratitude for the Elon alumni who helped bring the project to life, several of whom served as executive producers on the film. That support team included Rudy Biagi ’16, Zachary Feldman ’14, Stewart Finney ’14, Michael Gallagher ’13, Patrick Grady ’14, Connor Kelley ’14, Andrew Koch ’14, Adam Miller ’17, Roger Miller ’15, Luke Raffa ’15, Erich Schwer ’15 and Kevin Werner ’14.
