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Dominic Mercurio


WRITER. DIRECTOR. EDITOR. MUSICIAN.

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Dominic Mercurio


WRITER. DIRECTOR. EDITOR. MUSICIAN.

He Won’t Belong is a narrative short film written, directed, and edited by Dominic Mercurio. The film premiered through Film Shortage as a Featured Short and was an Official Selection at numerous film festivals in 2023. Visit www.hewontbelong.com for up to date information on screenings.

In the midst of a storm on a desolate strip of California's lost coast, two strangers begin to uncover each other's past.

written, directed, and edited by Dominic Mercurio
produced by Jaena Sta. Ana
starring Cole Doman and Joel DeCandio
director of photography Matt Rome
production design Deb Leal
original score by Akiyoshi Ehara

 

ABOUT

Dominic Mercurio is an award-winning San Francisco based filmmaker and musician. His video work has premiered on Billboard, FADER, PopMatters, The Bay Bridged, and has been featured at SFMOMA. He’s worked with Tune-Yards, The Seshen, Pomplamoose, Foxtails Brigade, and more. He was selected as a 2023 SFFILM FilmHouse Resident.

While he has become known for his surreal and nightmarish narrative-driven music videos like the CYAN series, Dominic recently completed his first narrative short to hit the festival circuit titled He Won't Belong. This queer drama shot in Sea Ranch, CA and starring Cole Doman and Joel DeCandio, tells the story of two men who meet in the midst of a coastal storm. While they wait for the storm to pass, they begin to uncover each others past. The film is currently playing in film festivals.

Outside of film, he co-hosts a film review podcast Totally Tell Me and plays drums in the Oakland-based band Foxtails Brigade. He has played at major venues and festivals across San Francisco and beyond; such as The Fillmore, Great American Music Hall, El Rey Theatre, Noise Pop, and SXSW.

Born and raised in the SF Bay Area, Dominic has a B.S. in Digital Film and Video Production from the Art Institute of California – San Francisco.

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FEATURED WORK


MUSIC VIDEOS. SHORT FILMS. LIVE PERFORMANCE.

FEATURED WORK


MUSIC VIDEOS. SHORT FILMS. LIVE PERFORMANCE.

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Contact


Contact


contact me at dominicmercurio@gmail.com

or find me on the following social platforms

San Franciscan Dominic Mercurio’s 22-minute narrative “He Won’t Belong” reveals a talented, up-and-coming filmmaker with a distinct vision and a confident grasp for creative, visual storytelling. His sexy and atmospheric two-hander is polished, well-acted and beautifully shot. It’s about a man named Theo (Joel DeCandio) who offers a ride during a downpour to the downtrodden Connor (Cole Doman), who’s walking on the side of the road; the gesture results in the troubled San Franciscan staying at Theo’s Sea Ranch home. Don’t miss it
— Randy Myers | Local News Matters
[We Are Not Ourselves] screams cute with its wall of guinea pig portraits and ‘50s all-American girl wardrobe... until you see the blood and dark magic and the question-raising gift box... Drummer Dominic Mercurio does double duty as director of the music video... It’s a modern day Grimms’ fairytale of a doppelganger’s ability to dupe even those closest to you, complementing the song’s orchestral pop peppered with flashes of yelping and chaos.
— Billboard
Beautiful, soulful, and just a little otherworldly. There’s a tight simplicity at the core of both this song [Flames and Figures] and its video: a voice, a woman, an empty room, piano notes spiraling upward.
— PopMatters
Combining cheeky Americana imagery (like a fanatically distorted depiction of “Leave It to Beaver”) with a touch of Dostoevsky’s eerie novella “The Double,” [We Are Not Ourselves] is a frightening and fascinating descent into the murderous thoughts and deadly fantasies normally suppressed by the stiflingly artificial veneer of everyday life. It’s the id run amok, finally unrestrained by the petty chains of morality and conscience. If the video doesn’t freak you out too much, you’ll definitely enjoy the dark comedy and bitter playfulness of it all.
— The Bay Bridged
[Faster Than Before] is a thrilling new chapter in fittingly moody grayscale...It features non-stop action that, as the emotions on lead singer Lalin St. Juste’s face and in her fluid movements make clear, is as much psychological as it is physical.
— Pop Matters
[We Are Not Ourselves is] a Vincent Price meets Tim Burton world of chilling horror and bloodcurdling macabre...It’s OK if you need to watch with your hands covering your eyes.
— Music Savage
If a young Stanley Kubrick had directed a version of Alice In Wonderland it would probably look a lot like the new music video for Foxtails Brigade’s latest single “Far Away And Long Ago”. The creepy scenery and horrific, faceless socialites are the perfect match for the song’s warped orchestral sonics and dreamy vocals. Filmed in one shot in a crazy-looking mansion, this is a video that demands multiple viewings.
— Audiocred
Watching the music videos for “We Are Not Ourselves” and “Far Away and Long Ago,” [Foxtails Brigade] keeps you hooked with stunning set design, creative storytelling and a certain darkness reflected both in the lyrics and the visuals themselves.
— Source Weekly
Before finding Dominic, we worked with several videographers. Hands-down Dominic is the best videographer we’ve worked with. Since joining us 3+ years ago he has produced over 900 videos. Dominic can do everything from script writing, directing, shooting, lighting, editing, and more. His work has made our product more understandable and approachable to our customers.
— Karen Johnson | Senior Marketing Manager at TCI