Anthony J. Rickert-Epstein, professionally known as A.J., is a talented filmmaker with a rich history of creating captivating content since the tender age of eight. Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, A.J.'s passion for filmmaking only grew stronger as he attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communications and a minor in Film Studies.
During his time at Miami University, A.J. took the initiative to establish the Miami Association of Filmmakers and Independent Actors (M.A.F.I.A.),an organization dedicated to the art of filmmaking and staying abreast of the latest technological advancements. This pioneering effort has led to M.A.F.I.A. remaining a thriving group to this day.
A.J.'s filmmaking journey continued at the prestigious NYU Tisch School of the Arts in Manhattan, where he honed his skills in working with traditional film stocks, creating five short films, and editing them using razor blades and tape on a Steenbeck editing table. This experience has since led to A.J.'s role as the main editor for several feature films, some of which have been uncredited.
Today, A.J. is a seasoned professional, boasting a diverse range of skills as an IATSE 600 cinematographer, visual effects supervisor, and editor. His impressive portfolio includes numerous feature-length films, television shows, music videos, and web series. Recent notable projects include lensing and VFX supervising the biopic "Salt-N-Pepa", directed by Mario Van Peebles, as well as lensing, VFX supervising, and editing the period piece "Songs of Solomon", which was the official 2020 Academy Awards submission by the country of Armenia for best international feature film, best cinematography, and best editing. "Songs of Solomon" is set to be released theatrically worldwide in 2021.
In his personal life, A.J. is married to the talented photographer Christina Napier, and they share three children together.
