If you passed the Clearview Cinemas movie theater on Plandome Road around 5 p.m. last Tuesday evening, you would have noticed a lone cameraman in the vestibule, zooming in on one of the billboards that promotes current runs within the theater. While it's not every day there is a film crew along Plandome Road, the gentleman with the huge piece of equipment hoisted up on his shoulder seemed to garner little notice from the rush hour pedestrians and drivers passing by. It was a somewhat different story just a few hours later.

The cameraman was still at the theater, now with a crew, and youngsters giggled as they passed by his lens and sweeping spotlight. He was there, just like the more than 200 invited guests, to cover the screening of Serenity, a short movie from Manhasset's own aspiring filmmaker, Greg Manago.

Calling out greetings to neighbors and friends, the crowd chattered and craned their necks to read the billboards before reaching the interior theater, where they were greeted by Mr. Manago and one of the film's producers, Carol Manago (a/k/a Mom).

Once everyone was settled in, John Halecky, Clearview's vice president of corporate relations, greeted the visitors with "What an extraordinary evening this is turning out to be." Halecky then gave a brief history of filmmaking on Long Island, asking the question, "How many of you know where the famous 'Tie Her Up to the Railroad Tracks' scene in the film, The Perils of Pauline, took place?" Naturally, Greg knew the answer--on the LIRR Manhasset trestle, not far from the movie theater. Mr. Halecky noted, "Sometimes the movie maker had ended up on Long Island with the intention of finding, not an exact place on the map...but an exact place in his mind. That means leaving where you think you are at our front door, and suspending what you think you know, for a little while."

Mr. Halecky was no doubt referring to the fictitious town of Serenity, created by Mr. Manago, but also to the numerous Manhasset residents and Manago family members who came out to take part in the making of the film. Before introducing Greg, Mr. Halecky reflected that a filmmaker needs "the eloquence of a writer, the eye of a painter and the ear of a musician--not to mention the support of his family, the loyalty of a crew, the Patience of Job, and a lot of tenacity."

Anyone who has ever spent time around Greg Manago would know that all of the qualities Mr. Halecky mentioned are a part of who Greg is. He has a wonderful support system, as he has so many times graciously acknowledged and thanked--his parents and family, his neighbors and his crew. Anyone who was fortunate enough to view his film would also know that there is plenty of talent there too, along with a genuine love of the medium. Mr. Halecky summed it up, "Tonight's journey to Serenity is provided for your pleasure by local resident and filmmaker of the century, Greg Manago. His focus, dedication to the craft, and high degree of business savvy are well developed for his years, and his ability to talk about his work is formidable." With credentials like that, Manhasset is surely in for some memorable screenings in the years to come. In fact, Greg mentioned that he hoped everybody would be available for Serenity--The Feature Length Film. Greg, we can't wait.