Director : Ronni Thomas

                The story of my career is one of self discovery and adventure rather than the typical quest for fame and fortune some artists seek. In 1999 I was working as a computer engineer at a community college in Brooklyn when a friend who knew of my love of shock horror, punk rock and filmmaking asked if I’d be interested in being an extra in The Toxic Avenger part 4 - a chance I instantly agreed to. From that day on, my life took a radical shift toward a surreal and magnificent career as a filmmaker. I was hired at TROMA literally ‘on-the-spot’ and worked along side some of the most awe-inspiring creative minds, including James Gunn, Trey Parker and Matt Stone (and from time to time Lemmy would show up).  From there, I teamed up with underground maverick Lech Kowlaski (DOA, Born To Lose) to make HEY IS DEE DEE HOME with Punk icon Dee Dee Ramone. I spent an eye-opening 3 years working with commercial icon Bob Giraldi, and even briefly teaching at SVA. Combining my DIY, punk ethos with high-end commercial sensibility gave me an unexpected edge and I found a niche putting together top shelf content for any budget.  Eventually I found my place in short film and digital content working heavily with my dear friends at MORBID ANATOMY and the Brooklyn Observatory.   In 2012, my award winning short narrative RADIO GIRL featured collaboration with long time composer and friend Stephen Coates (THE REAL TUESDAY WELD) and THE VVITCH director, Robert Eggers.  My MIDNIGHT ARCHIVE web series went on to critical acclaim both on the small and big screens,  garnering praise from Time magazine, boingboing, io9, and even Forbes magazine, before being co-opted for Discovery Channel's digital network.  Perhaps my biggest surprise was when my short doc, WALTER POTTER : THE MAN WHO MARRIED KITTENS, was nominated for best short at the prestigious Tribeca Film festival, Raindance Film Fest, and Hot Springs International and won honors at Morbido fest Puebla, Mexico. To this day I get emails from around the world from people who are inspired by that film. Another jawdropper was being asked to produce and direct an AMC digital series, THE BROKEN AND THE BAD, which is a 6 film docu-series on the real-life themes of BREAKING BAD and BETTER CALL SAUL and features Giancarlo Esposito. In 2022, my first feature film, THE KYBALION, was released through 1091 Films and won Best Direction in Turin, Italy and well as Best Documentary in Venice. That same year, I was given a film residency at THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE in Philedelphia, PA where I put my love of science and engineering in front of the camera and made the Webby nominated series GUIDE TO THE COSMOS and the 2023 epic ROAD TO 2050 - an adventure that would span 3 continents, and over a dozen cities. So… from a bit part in a blood spattered scene to stepping foot on nearly every continent on earth and getting to spend time with some of the most fascinating people on the planet, I’ve got stories to last several lifetimes and I am endlessly grateful for the journey it’s been.

          My latest project, VON COSEL, focuses on Key West necrophile Carl von Cosel.  The film is a feature length narrative that chronicles the stranger-than-fiction story of a man who spent 7 years sleeping with the corpse of a patient he felt an immortal bond with.   For films and more information, visit themidnightarchive.com