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William DeVizia

@wdevizia

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Father, Filmmaker, storyteller, enthusiastic artichoke stuffer.

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Some of the passings cut close.. I had the privilege of spending time with Cassandra Wilson in 2008, during the making of her record Loverly for Blue Note Records.

Over the course of filming her, I fell in love with her fearless approach to singing. Her voice came from someplace deep and courageous — utterly her own and impossible to imitate.

Bruce Lundvall described her as “an artist who was touched on the shoulder by God himself.” I understood exactly what he meant.

Safe passage, Cassandra. 🙏

(The live footage here is from the Blue Note in New York with Reginald Veal on bass, Herlin Riley on drums, and a new kid on piano named Jon Batiste, whom very few had yet heard of). #cassandrawilson taken in New York City by @wdevizia

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10 months ago

Our #nyknicks have won... something! Might just be the NBA cup.. but they won, something!!!! Go NY, Go NY GO!!!! by @wdevizia

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a year ago

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Joining the ranks of so many today, mourning the loss of a legend, Tim Cronin. I was enamored when I first met him fronting the Ribeye Brothers- I was blown away by the raw sincerity and no frills air about their songs and their performances- and how Tim would matter of factly take a cold beer mid-song, and wipe his brow with the can or bottle to cool off. Self deprecating, and way ahead of trying to be anything other than what he was, in such an unbelievably cool and unassuming way.
For few years, I caught every gig I could, and the next morning after each show, without fail, Tim would send a thank you text- for the cold beer and for coming to the show. I'm pretty sure he sent those texts to everyone but it sure made me feel special. We were over the moon when Lorraine and I asked them to play our wedding.... in our garage, and they said yes!
Tim and the Ribeyes allowed us permission to use their music on the soundtrack of Let Me Down Hard - there are 5-6 of their songs in the movie, and they are the thread that ties that narrative together. It sounds like what Asbury Park felt like in the early days of the rebound- unapologetically raw, and full of talent. They travelled with us to a film festival in Winchester, VA to play in support of the movie screening... one of my best memories. On the way home we stopped at a used vinyl store in the middle of nowhere, and of course I was impressed by how much he knew about nearly all of the records.
When something like this happens, we are saddened by our loss- in Tim's case, even more, this feels like a communal loss- so many people loved him. I'm gutted for his family, and bandmates especially- but I'm also celebrating a guy who represented what was good about our community - a standup guy, loved by everyone who met him. There are few people in the world like Tim, and today, there's one less. I'm sure the last few months had to have been hard in ways we cant imagine, but comforting to know he wont suffer anymore than he had to. his memory will live on through his music, kindness and generosity of spirit. In the words of an infamous Ribeyes song, "If I end it here, I wont have to get too old". Safe Passage, Tim by @wdevizia

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#washingtondc giving off some morning #paris vibes by @wdevizia

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7 years of bad luck? #superstition #helpmesteviewonder by @wdevizia

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A Message from the WAY Back Machine… #Unzipped

In 1993, as an intern at @tribecaproductions, I was on my to janerosenthal 's office at #TribecaFilmCenter—and met @michaelalden in the elevator. Michael complimented my tie…That small moment led to my first paid job in the film industry, wrapping post on A Bronx Tale. A few months later, I found myself as the Production Manager on a fully funded documentary about @imisaacmizrahi —Unzipped.

With @DougKeeve directing, @realellenkuras as DP, and an incredible crew, we set out to create a vérité-style doc that captured the energy of the fashion business in the ’90’s. We shot on film, still in the days before high quality digital was a thing, and took creative risks that felt both exhilarating and uncertain. When we finished, distributors didn’t know what to do with the film—until Unzipped premiered at the 1995 #SundanceFilmFestival. It found its audience, won the Audience Award, and ignited my career in the film business.

This week, Unzipped screened again at #Sundance2025 for its 30th anniversary, restored and holding up in a timeless way that celebrates the creative process, and a pre 9/11 NYC. Being back with the Unzipped crew reminded me of what makes filmmaking magical—the creative struggle, the risk-taking, and the friendships that last a lifetime.

Moral of the story? Get dressed for work, say hello to people in elevators, and take creative risks. You never know where it might lead you—30 years later!

#Unzipped #Sundance #Filmmaking #CreativePerseverance taken in Park City Utah by @wdevizia

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Better than being the Princess of Cows, I suppose?

#cbsny #spellcheckfail by @wdevizia

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Nephew is the DJ
(Set to the tune of "rhythm is a dancer... u can feel it everywhere) by @wdevizia

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by @wdevizia

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