Antonia Scarpa is a multifaceted creative force, born and raised in the vibrant city of New York. Her family, hailing from the picturesque Sicilian town of Polizzi Generosa, shares a connection with none other than the renowned filmmaker Martin Scorsese.
As a teenager, Scarpa founded the alternative rock and performance art collective "Naked Sun", showcasing her talents as a musician and artist. This early venture led her to Los Angeles, where she became an integral part of the Silver Lake music scene, collaborating with bands such as "Don Knotts Overdrive" and "Lifter", which included Mike Coulter and Jeffrey Sebelia.
Scarpa's entrepreneurial spirit and artistic vision soon gave birth to the multimedia rock group "The Drummed", co-founded with Moni Ritchie. This innovative ensemble featured Rob Campanella of The Quarter After and The Brian Jonestown Massacre, as well as Christian Hejnal of Scarling. Scarpa's impressive range as a musician enabled her to play drums, synthesizers, and even create stunning visual projection shows for the band's performances.
After years of dedication, Scarpa's documentary, "Betty Blowtorch And Her Amazing True Life Adventures", a cinematic tribute to the Los Angeles band Betty Blowtorch, premiered at the American Film Institute's music documentary festival, setting attendance records and claiming the coveted "Audience Award" at the Silver Lake Film Festival. This remarkable achievement caught the attention of Philippe Diaz at Cinema Libre Studio, ultimately leading to the film's release.
In addition to her work with "The Drummed", Scarpa was also a founding member of the post-punk band "The Art of Safecracking", alongside Lance Webber of "Man Will Surrender", Melanie Makaiwi of "The Penny Dreadfuls", and Carlos Gutierrez of "Turndown". Her versatility as a musician and artist allowed her to excel on drums and synthesizers, as well as design the band's captivating live visual projections.
Scarpa's dramatic feature, "Grace", a poignant portrayal of a young woman's courageous battle with terminal illness, made its debut at the Cinequest film festival. This powerful and emotional film showcases Scarpa's remarkable storytelling abilities and her capacity to craft compelling characters.
Throughout her career, Scarpa has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to her artistic vision, fearlessly pushing boundaries and exploring new creative avenues. Her impressive body of work, spanning music, film, and performance art, is a testament to her boundless talent and dedication to her craft.
