BEN WEINSTEIN (Director of Photography) got his start at he age of four, lensing a documentary about the emotional brutality he sustained at his Montessori Nursery School in the hamlet of North Castle, New York. It was a story that had to be told, Weinstein told reporters, at the bottom of his driveway. Lawsuits followed, followed by countersuits, then more lawsuits thereafter.

Ben's next project was an independent feature, "Let It Snow" starring Bernadette Peters which went to Sundance as well as a handful of other festivals, taking prizes at the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival and the french Deauville Fetsival of American Films. Soon thereafter he shot a handful of commercials with director/actor Andy Dick. "Wet Hot" followed, then a string of music videos, the most noteworthy being Ryan Adams' "New York, NY" voted best Music video of 2001 by Entertainment Weekly.

Ben then shot the spoof "Being Ron Jeremy," and a handful of documentary work with subjects such as Moby, Tony Hawk, and Apple.

Weinstein next directed a comedy short, "The Ball Chair" which went to HBO's US Comedy Arts Festival. (2002) The film received critical acclaim, including a four star review in Film Threat. It took "Best Short Film" at the Slam Dunk Film Festival.

His next short film, "Doctor's Orders" (starring Ruth Klatzenberg) has not gone to festival but frequently plays at the local Ralph's on those cool flat screens while you check out.

Currently Weinstein is putting the finishing touches on a new short script, "The Hinkis Chronicles, Part 1."

"Chronicles" is a sweet story about deodorant and peach fuzz, sore nipples and uncontrollable school bus boners. It stars a hyperactive and hairy seventh grade metal-head who never leaves homeroom without a tattered issue of Guitar World rolled and shoved in the back pocket of his faded Lee jeans.

Ben is seeking financing for his short film in the 2-3M range, insisting that IMAX is the only format worthy of capturing his unique vision.

Ben's lifelong dream is to shoot a Stella short.