‘It gives me pleasure to know that I can turn a story into something bigger than what it is on the page.’

Elyssa Rabinowitz, Halesite

“I never had any idea that I’d end up in the arts or production. I loved entertainment, but I didn’t know you could make a career out of it. After I graduated from college with a degree in psychology, my friend asked if I’d help him put on a reading of his play when it was accepted into a festival. I said, ‘Why not?’ When he was later asked to put on a full production, I got my first taste of producing. I had no idea what I was doing, but I learned as I went. The play was a huge hit. I started a production company as a passion project. I wasn’t thinking about doing it for a career.

“Later, I met a filmmaker who became my producing partner. He said, ‘I’m working on a film, would you be interested in producing it?’ I learned as I went, and decided I needed to produce as a career. We changed my production company to Without a Net Productions because both of us jump feet first and hopefully land on our feet! We’ve been producing film and theater for 12 years now. I enjoy the collaboration and taking somebody’s vision and bringing it to life. It gives me pleasure to know that I can turn a story into something bigger than what it is on the page. I love being able to open people’s eyes through art.

“A few years ago, I was introduced to Michael Ricigliano; he was writing the script for a play called ‘Godless.’ I was so enamored with it and had the idea of turning the play into a movie because it’s something the whole world needs to see. We shot it in Huntington and Great Neck. It was a wonderful experience because I was able to be in the neighborhood where I grew up. ‘Godless’ is about a female politician who is vying for the presidency, and the struggle with her internal faith and her political aspirations. The story can open a conversation about how we can find common ground. I’ve grown a lot since starting out. I’ve learned there’s a lot of power in my opinions. ‘Godless’ is the first movie on which we’ve been lead producers.

Interviewed by Iris Wiener