MD: You've been back in Providence for about a year now. Are you still glad you made the move?

MC: Oh yes! In fact I feel more comfortable inside my own skin now than I ever have before. After 25 years in [the milieu of] New York and LA, I'm glad to be back.

The full-length feature “Brooklyn Rules” has been “in development” for a long time, according to Corrente. He believes in doing things right, not doing them fast. He works the craft of the story until all the elements are right, and financing is in place. Then he begins. Although “Brooklyn Rules” does involve elements of the mob, and violence is a key element in the story, it's not really a “wiseguy” movie. It's about people – all of us, and how we deal with the hand we are dealt.

MD: Do you feel more drawn to your roots as you get older?

MC: Oh definitely. This film is more “me” than any other I've done. As you get older you have a better understanding that who you are is very much a part of where you came from. This film is about growing up as part of a neighborhood. I think today's young people will be able to relate to it.

Corrente believes “Brooklyn Rules” will be more accessible to young people than some other mob films have been.

MC: I think young people will be able to see themselves in this film. If you come from a neighborhood, you'll recognize these characters.

MD: So it's different from “Goodfellas” or “The Godfather” for example.

MC: Those were great films….really great films. But I think in “Brooklyn Rules” you'll see a situation that you might actually find yourself in. These things might really happen to you. These choices might be your choices.

Corrente and I connected when talking about the impact of our childhood experiences. I was raised in a conservative, Catholic neighborhood in the 1960's and 1970's and was under the ever-watchful, but frankly sometimes physically violent, eye of the nuns in school. I understood that the violence in Corrente's film, “Brooklyn Rules” is not gratuitous, but a central element to the environment in which these characters grew up. The mob, and the church at the time, ruled by fear. Each of us has to decide if we are smart enough or strong enough to pull away from the forces we want to avoid.

Perhaps the most surprising thing about Corrente is that he is humble about his success. After working with Hollywood “A” - listers, he could be forgiven a bit of ego. But any self-congratulatory attitude is not apparent. He gave a brief, heartfelt speech before the invitational screening last week and was honestly grateful for the love and support given to him by the people in the audience.

MD: What do you think is different about you that makes actors of the caliber of Dustin Hoffman and Robert Duvall want to work with you again and again?

MC: Because I started out as an actor. And these actors know that we speak the same language. We're able to connect in a way, with a language, an understanding, that lets them trust me as a director. They trust me enough to become comfortable giving a performance with mistakes. But “happy” mistakes that can become an integral and surprising part of the scene.

After Corrente honed his skills early on as a thespian, he turned to become a self-taught filmmaker. (Check IMDB.com for a full listing) He currently has numerous projects in various stages of preparation and production and seems to have boundless energy to devote to all of them. Watching Corrente “work” the room is a bit like watching the Tasmanian Devil whirl about.

But Corrente's every movement has a purpose. He isn't restless, he isn't bored, he isn't impatient. He just has so much energy and enthusiasm for his work that he can't help but keep at it. Because of his numerous projects, I thought it would take a complete production company just to keep track. When I ask, his enthusiasm explodes.

MD: So are you forming a production company here?

MC: I am a production company! I do it all - I write, direct, produce, secure financing! And I had to learn it all on my own.

Corrente is a firm believer in the value of education. It is a strong theme in “Brooklyn Rules” too. But Corrente doesn't beat you over the head with it. And he is quite willing to share his hard-earned knowledge with the local film community.

MD: Do you have a protégé or apprentice?

MC: (Gestures to the two young men in the office) There they are...Ryan Murphy and Tony D'Annuci. They get it. They stepped up and will learn more in one year than anyone working on a regular film will in five years. I'm willing to give anyone a chance to intern and to learn.

MD: What is the greatest strength the area has to offer to you and the film community at large?

MC: The energy and enthusiasm of the people here. It's terrific! People are genuinely into filmmaking here.

MD: And what do we need more of?

MC: The crew base needs to expand. We need to build up more available, experienced crew people.

I suggested that there are many opportunities, both paid and unpaid, in this area to practice acting skills. However, there is not as much opportunity to practice or train in the technical fields. He nodded in agreement and the mental wheels started turning even faster.

MD: I think it would be great if there were some kind of apprentice program here for the technical side of filmmaking.

MC: That's a good idea. Like lighting and sound, set design. I might start an apprentice program.

Corrente already has many irons in the fire and he's willing to start up even more. Besides promoting the premiere of “Brooklyn Rules”, he is at the ready to begin pre-production for his movie about Buddy Cianci.

MD: Do you have a beginning shoot date or pre-production date yet for “Buddy”?

MC: As soon as the lead actor signs the contract, I'll be in pre-production 24 hours a day!

In addition, Corrente is planning to make ten horror films here in Rhode Island . The first two scripts have already been chosen. The others will be picked from a screenwriting contest that will be announced shortly. And then he wants to do a story about a character he knows – Bob Wallison. And then….well, the ideas seem to pop up non-stop.

MD: In the past year, the film scene seems to have just exploded here….

MC: Just wait! Wait until you see! I have seven or eight projects I've been growing over the past couple of years.And there's going to be so much more!

After more than twenty years of success, Michael Corrente is just getting warmed up.