Alan Del Tufo launched his career in the late 1990s as an actor, earning recognition for his role in the Robert De Niro–produced NBC mini-series Witness to the Mob, where he portrayed the childhood best friend of Sammy “The Bull” Gravano.
In 2012, he stepped behind the camera for his directorial debut with Eternal Damn Nation, a satirical horror feature produced on a shoestring budget of $7,500. Despite its modest origins, the film reached audiences worldwide through theatrical, VOD, and DVD distribution.
Following its release, Alan pivoted to commercial and branded storytelling, spending the next decade crafting video content for global brands including NASCAR, T-Mobile, Doritos, Macy’s, Amazon Prime, and Advance Auto Parts.
New Jersey’s own Alan Del Tufo is making waves in the indie film world with the world premiere of his TV pilot, “The Cineplex,” at the 2025 Big Apple Film Festival. Alan opened up about the influence of his local upbringing on his storytelling style, the creative process behind his latest release, and the advice he shares with rising creatives in film and beyond
What first drew you to a career in the entertainment industry?
I started working at a movie theater, lol. I had two close friends going to film school in NY, and I was studying criminal justice at a local community college. I took a job at a movie theater and started watching everything that came out… like everything. Then when my two friends started doing their film projects, I was quick to jump in and want to help them. It didn’t take long for my passion to take over, and soon I was starring in all of their student films and producing and writing for some of them as well.
Can you share a pivotal moment that helped shape your creative journey?
Well, I think in the beginning most people struggle with belief, especially someone like me who never really thought about doing something like this. Is it possible? So I started out as an actor. I studied the Meisner technique and began auditioning for student & indie films. I was doing an NYU thesis film when the actor playing my brother was represented by a manager… who just so happened to be his mother. She offered to send me out on auditions. My first professional audition was for an NBC mini-series titled ”Witness to the Mob.” It was produced by Robert De Niro and starred Nicholas Turturro & Michael Imperioli. The role was to play Sammy ”the Bull” Gravano’s childhood best friend (played in older years by Imperioli). And I got the part! After that experience I realized… yes, this IS possible.
Who has been your greatest supporter or mentor throughout your career?
I have two. The first was a childhood friend that I’ve known since kindergarten and was the best man at my wedding, Brett Freitag. The other is a friend I met during my college years, a film student, Patrick Dolan. These two have taught me so much, especially in the beginning when I shifted from acting over to the other side of the camera. They have supported me with all of my projects for over two decades! There’s no way I could have done it all without them.
What achievement are you most proud of so far, and what makes it especially meaningful?
I would have to say this project right here, ”The Cineplex.” This is a passion project that I have wanted to make for the past 25 years. It was always my ”white whale.” A project that was very hard to make due to its filming location. I originally wanted to make it as a feature film. 15 years ago I wrote a script and shot a trailer for the idea. I shopped it around and received a lot of interest. Ultimately, I was never able to get things off the ground due to the budgetary restrictions of filming in an actual movie theater. Recently, with TV really having its moment, I had the idea to change formats and produce the idea as a TV show, with a 20-minute run time (being significantly shorter than a 95-minute movie). I got lucky with the location, and we were off and running.
Is there a fun or unexpected fact about you that fans might not know?
I actually grew up an athlete and showed little to no interest in the arts. I played baseball and football and was a Golden Glove boxing champion.
Congratulations on the world premiere of “The Cineplex”! As a New Jersey native, what does it mean to present your work at such a renowned festival, and how does this milestone resonate with you personally?
It really is amazing. Getting accepted into any NYC film festival is difficult… very difficult. The odds are severely stacked against you. Some of these festivals receive hundreds, if not thousands, of submissions each year. And in the end they choose somewhere around 12 TV pilots to show at their event. After our premiere at the Big Apple, we screened at SOHO International in October and will screen at the NYC Web Fest in November. So we are very pleased with the results so far.
“The Cineplex” has a unique energy and sense of community. What personal experiences or local influences inspired the story and its characters?
All of the characters and stories are based on real life. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with many different types of personalities over the years. They make for great characters when I can combine elements from each.
Every creative project faces challenges. Was there a defining moment or obstacle during the making of “The Cineplex” that ultimately shaped the final pilot?
The location has always been the greatest challenge. We were lucky enough to find a movie theater that was closed for a few weeks due to a renovation. You can see in the trailer it has an amazing look and really adds to the story. I always said that the theater itself is more than just a location in my story; it’s one of the characters.
How has New Jersey’s vibrant cultural and artistic scene influenced your approach to filmmaking and storytelling?
I feel like we have our own brand of humor here in NJ. It translates really well to the screen. Most of the my works have been in the world of comedy. If you live in NJ and don’t have a good sense of humor, I feel really sorry for you.
Your pilot explores themes such as nostalgia for cinema, community, and Corporate America. Why are these themes important to you, and what do you hope viewers take away from your work?
I miss the glory days of movie theaters. Those theaters weren’t just places where films played, they were microcosms of life. “The Cineplex” is my love letter to those years and to everyone who’s ever felt at home in the aisles of a theater. At it’s heart, this show is about people… misfits and dreamers who might not fit the corporate mold, but who thrive in a space that celebrates their individuality. My distain for Corporate America is very evidence in my writing. This project gave me a great opportunity to poke fun at it.
Indie filmmaking demands resilience and adaptability. What key lessons have you learned as an independent filmmaker?
To never give up. There is always a way… you just have to keep searching for it.
Collaboration is vital in film. How did your team help bring “The Cineplex” to life, and are there any memorable moments from working together you’d like to highlight?
The entire team was ”all in”. Working on such a tight schedule with a limited budget… this was essential. Each member of the crew wore multiple hats, and each cast member brought such authenticity to their characters. And some of them even stayed in character the entire time too. There was this one scene we were filming near the glass exit doors. The actor who plays the security guard, Kelsey McClarnon, was supposed to open the doors, look out and then return inside… The only thing is when he opened the door, an elderly couple was pulling up to the theater with a question, as they weren’t aware that the theater was closed. Kelsey stayed in character and answered their question as if he was really working there. We actually used it in the final cut, swapping out the elderly couple’s dialog in post.
For those hoping to follow in your footsteps, what practical advice or encouragement would you share about pursuing filmmaking and staying authentic to their vision?
First off I would say, “Write what you know.” Audiences can tell if you’re not being authentic. And stay true to your own voice. People will try and tell you throughout your career how to do things. Don’t listen to them. Staying true to your vision will give you a unique style.
Looking ahead, what creative goals or new projects are you most excited about? How do you envision your work evolving in the future?
What I’m most excited about is putting together more episodes of ”The Cineplex”… either as a season 2 webseries, or a full season 1 TV show. I’m also working on a script for a feature film… another comedy involving the use of AI.
Lastly, where can fans and followers connect with you and stay updated on your latest projects?
You can follow me on IG @adeltufo and you can follow “The Cineplex” on all social platforms @thecineplextvshow And don’t forget to check out our trailer at www.thecineplextvshow.com
Thank you, Alan, for sharing your journey and creative insights with Divine Magazine®. We look forward to following your continued success and the impact “The Cineplex” will have on audiences everywhere.
