Louis Magnifico

Louis Anthony Magnifico was born July 11, 1974 in Memphis, Tennessee. He wrote, produced, and directed two motion pictures and several short films in the 1990s in Memphis, TN around the time that many studios began filming major motion pictures such as "The Firm" [http://imdb.com/title/tt0106918/] in Memphis. In addition to his film credits, Magnifico has been involved in the local Memphis music scene for several years, most notably with the heavily Cheap Trick influenced power pop band Kiss Me Quick and currently with Tuesday Sun [http://www.tuesdaysun.com] . He is also the founder of Digital Deacons [http://www.digitaldeacons.com] , a technology and internet design firm in Memphis.

Magnifico is viewed as one of the pioneers of the independent film projects that have become so common in the Memphis area since the early 1990s. In the July / August 1994 edition of Memphis Magazine, the entertainment editors noted the similarities between what Magnifico was doing in Memphis with what film director George A Romero did in Pittsburgh in 1968 with his infamous independent film, "Night of the Living Dead [http://imdb.com/title/tt0063350/] " The reference was right on target as "Call of the Dark" did catch the attention of Karl Hardman who produced and played the role of Harry Cooper in the 1968 classic. Indeed, Hardman and Magnifico did make contact during the filming of "Call of the Dark" and Magnifico dedicated his film to the cast of crew of Hardman and Romero's film in celebration of its 25th anniversary. One of the more notable collector's items from Magnifico's first film is a movie poster displaying this dedication.

In spite of the impact Magnifico had on the early days of the Memphis independent film movement, he is practically non-existent in today's current crop of films made in Memphis or by Memphis based producers (such as Craig Brewer's "Hustle and Flow".

Film career

Magnifico started Kaleidoscope Film Group in 1992 with partners Lee Lieberman and Erik Riker with the intent to produce a low-budget film in Memphis, TN for theatrical and video release. Magnifico's efforts were well received around Memphis, landing him heavy publicity in the press such as the prestigious Memphis Magazine [http://www.memphismagazine.com] , Memphis Flyer, Commercial Appeal [http://www.commercialappeal.com] , etc. The movie, "Call of the Dark", premiered on June 4, 1994, at the Farris Auditorium in Memphis to a packed house of local film enthusiasts. The movie's soundtrack was written by local favorites Nine Daze Wonder (who also starred in the film) and Louis himself. The movie had further theatrical presentations through October, 2004 and was available for a number of years on VHS. To date, the film has never been released on DVD. Actors in "Call of the Dark" included former Bud Light Daredevil and acclaimed artist Guy Cobb [http://www.livefrommemphis.com/memdir/profile?directoryProfileID=1594] .

Magnifico's second picture was "Straw Man", shot on 16mm film. It was released on VHS along with a featurette entitled "Aliens Among Us", which was a comedic spoof of alien abduction documentaries.

Magnifico's film shorts, however, are his crowning achievements. The comical parody "Nina Terminator", artsy "Skeleton", and humorous "Sanford and Son" (a parody of the famous sitcom) are among his best works.

There is no indication Magnifico will return to the film industry.

Music career

Magnifico's most prolific time in the Memphis music scene was in the early 1990s alternative / grunge movement. He served as songwriter and bassist for Kiss Me Quick until their disbandment in the mid 1990s. Kiss Me Quick released one album, "Hounds Tooth Rock", on the independent SuperCar Records, which was owned by Memphian Daniel Jones (who now serves the local community as "Memphis Jones" [http://www.memphisjones.com] ). For a brief period of time, the three-piece Kiss Me Quick brought on a fourth member to the band, John Williams, who was a cousin of Survivor's [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivor_%28band%29] Jimi Jamison.

Currently, Louis is a songwriter and bassist for Tuesday Sun [http://www.tuesdaysun.com] , a Christian band based in Memphis.