Nick Carbonaro Nick Carbonaro, Babylon High School class of 2000, and co-founder and executive producer of Seaworthy Films, will be directing and shooting a film in Babylon Village in October.

Carbonaro lives and works in Brooklyn, but keeps coming back to Babylon to work on various projects, because, he says "it is my hometown, and the community is largely responsible for the path I have taken with my career."

The film, Standing Up, is the first narrative film Carbonaro has directed, and will require the participation of the Babylon community to help make it a success, he said. Standing Up tells the story of twins, a boy Bobby and a girl Becky and follows them as they enter a new junior high school. They cope with various life choices and growing up. The movie deals with such relevant issues such as decision making, peer pressure and self awareness. "In an age of movies like American Pie, Superbad and High School Musical, which paint high school as nothing but an endless party….I'm hoping that Standing Up will shed a little light on that side of the world," said Carbonaro. "Junior High School is a point where youngsters become young adults…I know it was a turning point in my life when I had to make important decisions."

Standing Up is the first fictional film Carbonaro has directed, but he is not new to the film industry. Some of his past projects include directing music videos and commercials for Warner Brothers, Virgin Records, Virgin Mobile and Atari. He also produced the movies Dog Eat Dog and Killswitch, which were featured, respectively, in the Austin Film Festival in Texas, and the Cannes Film Festival in France. In high school, Carbonaro took photography classes and acted in the plays and musicals at BHS. He decided later that he wanted to combine "visual stimulation and storytelling" to create films. His focus is to tap into the universal, creating "smaller films that reveal hidden truths about people and everyday life," like Standing Up. Carbonaro will be holding auditions for Standing Up once school is back in session, and will be in contact with Babylon High School to find students between the ages of 10 and 16 who may be interested in trying out for a role in his newest film.

Carbonaro is the son of Robyn and Rich Carbonaro of 153 Cockenoe Ave., Babylon. His parents are holding a fundraiser at their home, Sat., Aug. 9, at 4 p.m. Wine and hors d'oeuvres will be served and all are welcome. Please RSVP to nick@seaworthyfilms.com.