How did I become a film producer?  Serendipity and a true blessing.  Little did I know when I hired Michael Levine to shoot my sizzle reel on michaelgreen.com that six months later we would be partnering to make a film together!

While we were down shooting last July for the Food Network Atlantic City Wine and Food Festival, Michael told me, over drinks, an idea he had for a documentary.  My first response was “This has been done before!”  He said no.  My response was something to the effect of: Michael I get presented with ideas every week but this one… I need to hear more!

Michael Levine

Michael did an awesome job on my sizzle reel.  He took 14 hours of footage and condensed to a bit over three minutes, and nailed it on the first edit.  It was then that I realized that Michael not only is adept with a camera but is a great a story teller. AKA, an awesome editor.  (Editing.  Perhaps the most underrated category at the Oscars!)

Michael did more work for me.  We built trust and a strong friendship.  We continued talking about the documentary, and in late November I told him that while I don’t yet exactly how I might be involved in making this film, I think I can get you to the starting line.  And we both worked together to acquire the rights to the story and take care of all the non-so-exciting legal matters that would clear the way for him to do what we both wanted to do: tell this story!

It was a late afternoon in November after a lawyer meeting that I approached Michael with a proposal: I cautioned him that if it didn’t feel right, no worries – we have a strong friendship and there would be other work we could do together.

Within 5 minutes a deal was struck.  Michael would direct the documentary and we would both produce.  I felt and feel so strongly that this film will be a game changer that I also told him I want to have the right of first refusal to co-produce his next two films.  Michael agreed.

I told him candidly– I have worked in TV, radio, and print but this will be my first film.  I am a quick learner and I will do whatever it takes to get this film made.  Well, now we are three months into shooting and it has been one of the most joyful experiences of my professional career.

Okay what’s the film about?

The film is called “Streit’s: Matzo and The American Dream,” and it tells the story of the Streit’s Matzo factory on New York’s famed Lower East Side. As a fifth generation family business, and the last family-owned matzo factory in the country, Streit’s produces 40% of the nation’s matzo in four tenement buildings, where it has been located since 1925, using equipment as old as the factory itself. Set amidst the story of the rapidly changing neighborhood they call home, the story of Streit’s is truly an untold gem: a story of food, culture, immigration, history, community, family, and tradition.

And in what has been a thrilling experience in itself, we are now in the midst of a Kickstarter campaign to raise the funds needed to complete the film.  It has been so inspiring to Michael and myself to see so many people – some friends and fans, some who found the project on their own – joining in the effort, becoming part of the team that will see this story through.  Whether it’s been one dollar or one thousand dollars, it’s just been so exciting to see people as enthusiastic as we are to have this story told!

You will be hearing more about this film and more about Michael Levine!