Portland filmmaker Luigi Scarcelli, known for his Maine-made holiday movie A Downeast Christmas, is set to premiere an all-Maine sitcom called Backstage. The sitcom, which will air on Portland Media Center’s Channel 5 and be available on Scarcelli’s YouTube page, revolves around a group of aspiring stand-up comedians in a run-down comedy club in Maine. Scarcelli describes the show as a workplace hangout comedy, akin to The Office and 30 Rock, but with a focus on the stand-up comedy scene. The pilot episode features a talented cast of local actors and aims to introduce the characters through an open mic competition.
Scarcelli hopes that Backstage will receive a positive response, particularly from local viewers, as he is currently funding the project out of pocket and is seeking sponsorships from local companies. He sees Channel 5 as a potential hub for Maine media and creativity and aims to showcase the talent emerging from the area. In addition to Backstage, Scarcelli and his team have several other holiday-themed projects planned for Portland Media Center’s programming, including a miniseries drama called The Record and a live Halloween film set in the Channel 5 studios.
Scarcelli believes that the current landscape of the entertainment industry, with streaming and less monopolization, offers unique opportunities for filmmakers operating outside of Hollywood. He emphasizes the importance of just doing it and not getting bogged down by details, encouraging creative individuals to take action and improve with each project. Scarcelli’s enthusiasm for Channel 5 as a platform for collaboration and community-building reflects his belief in the potential of local film communities to thrive.
Backstage will premiere on Channel 5 at 9 p.m. on Friday, and viewers can also watch the show on pmcwatch.com and Scarcelli’s YouTube channel. Scarcelli’s weekly show, Friday PM, will feature the pilot episode of Backstage, along with a Q&A with Scarcelli and members of the cast.
In summary, Luigi Scarcelli, a Portland filmmaker, is premiering an all-Maine sitcom called Backstage on Channel 5. The show revolves around aspiring stand-up comedians in a Maine comedy club and aims to be a workplace hangout comedy similar to The Office and 30 Rock. Scarcelli hopes for a positive response and sponsorship to support the project. He sees Channel 5 as a hub for creativity and has several other holiday-themed projects in the works. Scarcelli highlights the opportunities for filmmakers outside of Hollywood and emphasizes the importance of taking action and improving with each project.
