Raymond G. Mongelli III is a multifaceted creative individual, encompassing the roles of Cinematographer, Director, Producer, Maker, and Tinkerer, whose fascination with the art of illusion was sparked by the works of legendary magicians such as Houdini, Blackstone, Copperfield, and Penn & Teller. This early exposure to the world of entertainment ignited a passion that has continued to grow and evolve over time.
Mongelli's educational background is marked by his attendance at the prestigious Pittsburgh School for the Creative and Performing Arts, where he completed the Media Arts Program. This program provided him with a solid foundation in production techniques, encompassing analog and early digital equipment for film, video, audio, and photography, as well as traditional fine arts studies. This diverse range of experiences and knowledge ultimately led him to discover his true calling: storytelling through the art of filmmaking.
Throughout his career, Mongelli has developed a distinctive style of storytelling, often incorporating nontraditional methods to create an emotional impact. He has earned the nickname "Mad Scientist" for his unorthodox approach to filmmaking, which involves combining raw materials and technology in innovative and functional ways to achieve artistic perfection. According to Mongelli, the filmmaking process is a culmination of all the art forms and technologies he has always been drawn to, coming together in a complete and harmonious way.
In addition to his work in traditional filmmaking, Mongelli is an accomplished UAV pilot and has designed, built, and operated his own automated motion control and remote-controlled creations. Many of these machines have been utilized on the sets of various independent film projects.
Mongelli's extensive experience in the entertainment industry has led him to work behind the scenes and on stage at numerous venues, including the Star Lake Amphitheater, The Benedum Center, City of Pittsburgh, Salute to Liberty Celebration, Don Brockett Productions, Mild High Studios, and USA Network, where he won a National Music Video Grand Prize.
In recent years, Mongelli has been incredibly productive, earning a nomination for Best Director at HorrorHound 2015 for the feature film "The Other Side," which he co-directed with Chris Niespodzianski. He continues to build his resume as a cinematographer, Director of Photography, and Steadicam Operator on various Pittsburgh-produced feature film projects, while also maintaining his skills through work on creative feature films, shorts, music videos, podcasts, and online series concepts within the region.
