Writer

After performing in numerous theatrical and filmic projects in Poughkeepsie, San Francisco, and New York City, Sarnow pivoted to writing when they realised that they and the people they loved were not being portrayed in theater or on screen. Sarnow decided to write those stories. After taking classes from Sackett Street and Catapult, Sarnow matriculated into the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), earning anMFA in Creative Nonfiction in 2024.Their writings about male awareness of sexual and domestic violence circulated around campus and the greater Wilmington community through their involvement in C.A.R.E. Sarnow’s script, “Skyline” is not taught to screenwriting students across multiple levels at UNCW. As a creative writing teaching assistant to dozens of undergraduates. Sarnow earned an average approval rating of 4.5 out of 5. Sarnow writes every day and always has new projects to share. Currently, they are writing an animated children’s film about goblins and environmental consciousness, a dramedy set at an Oregon winery, and a TV pilot: a farce on the Bay Area tech industry, with Samantha Alexa, Haley Celeste Baldwin, Alexandra Greenspan, and Sirisha Varigonda.

Filmmaker

With over a decade of being on film sets as an actor, director, producer, writer and production designer, Sarnow has worked multiple roles in the industry. Their feature film, The Last Day of Retrograde, completed an international award-winning festival run in 2022 and was chosen for distribution by Gravitas Ventures. Sarnow sourced a budget of 356K and guided the entire process as director, writer and executive producer. One reviewer commented, “What I absolutely value the most was the normalization of gender diversity and relationship modalities…in this current and rapidly heating political climate, it felt good to watch a piece of cinema that as an LGBTQ person made me feel seen.”Currently, they have two roles as a producer, working with Ginger Yifan Chen and Sirisha Varigonda on their short films. In partnership with Haley Celeste Baldwin, Sarnow’s production company, Chillers Productions, supports local film initiatives as well as curates and hosts events for the film and tech industries.

Mixologist

For over six years, Sarnow bartended at high-volume nightlife spaces: Brooklyn’s Mood Ring, a night club, and Wilmington’s The Blind Elephant, a speakeasy. Personal soft skills blossomed during these years: the ability to move fast without mistakes, heightened short-term memory and awareness, effortless multi-tasking, decisive decision making, de-escalatory conflict management, strengthened stamina, and self-assuredness in the power of their own voice.
Additionally, mixology bolstered Sarnow creatively. Spaces and environments must be curated to be aesthetically innovative and intriguing for everyone. The artistry of playing host at the historic Wilmington speakeasy led Sarnow to craft unique and complicated cocktails every two months. Sarnow is now a sought-after host or manager for private and public bar and party events, bringing organization, taste and levity to even the most challenging situations.

The Last Day Of Retrograde

Writer, Director, Executive Producer: Lukas K. Sarnow
Gravitas Ventures and Chillers Productions

After failing to impress an eccentric gallery owner, Fetsy, a hotheaded young artist, must rally an eclectic ragtag theatre troupe to put on a last-minute performance while grappling with the Palo Alto teen suicide epidemic of 2010.Run time: 97 minutes

Select Awards and Festivals

  • Merced Queer Film Festival, Best Feature Film, Queer Representation, and Comedic Performance

  • Louisanna Rainbow : LGBTQ+ Film Festival, Best Breakout Feature

  • Bright International Film Festival, Best Queer Narrative

  • Cinema Diverse: The Palm Springs LGBTQ+ Film Festival, Audience Favorite

  • San Diego Independent Filmmaker's Festival, Official Selection

  • qFLIX Philadelphia: The LGBTQ+ Film Festival, Official Selection

Education

Master of Fine Arts (Creative Writing, Nonfiction), University of North Carolina Wilmington – Wilmington, NC
May 2024

Bachelor of Arts (Drama, cum laude), Vassar College – Poughkeepsie, NY
May 2017

Relevant Experience

Writer/Director/Executive Producer, The Last Day of Retrograde – Palo Alto, CA
February 2021 – Present

  • Nurtured screenplay through seven drafts. Directed team of 30+ actors and crew for month-long production.

  • Oversaw six-month post-production period.

  • Won multiple awards at festivals, including best film at X, Y, Z.

  • Negotiated and attained distribution with Gravitas Ventures. Currently streaming on Apple TV, Netflix.

CEO, Chillers Productions – Palo Alto, CA
May 2021 – Present

  • Founded LLC: Negotiate contracts with distribution companies, Organize payroll, initiate projects..

  • Managed and procured funding for The Last Day of Retrograde (film)

  • Co-writing and procuring funding for Out of Office (series pilot).

Lecturer in Creative Writing, University of North Carolina Wilmington – Wilmington, NC
August 2023 – May 2024

  • Independently led creative writing class and workshop for freshman through senior undergrads.

  • Taught and assigned prompts and exercises.

  • Advised students on writing and fostered a kind atmosphere.Teacher evaluation score of 4.5.

Actor, Various Projects – Brooklyn, NY
June 2017 – March 2020

  • Starred in numerous short films, embodying countless people with many directors.

  • Collaborated in character creation.

  • Devised and performed live theater with multiple companies including ‘One Year Lease’ and ‘Woodshed.’

Assistant to Director, Zucker Productions – New York, NY
June 2017 – August 2017

  • Organized Jerry Zucker’s work and personal schedule.

  • Assisted in the rehearsal space as a script editor and general manager of actors’ and designers’ schedules.

Bartender, Mood Ring – Brooklyn, NY, and The Blind Elephant – Wilmington NC
October 2017 – March 2024

  • Bartender and mixologist at high volume nightclub (Brooklyn) and speakeasy lounge (Wilmington).

  • Created complex cocktail recipes for monthly features. Mastered de-escalation and space curation.

Additional Experience

CARE Men’s Prevention CoordinatorUniversity of North Carolina, Wilmington2022 – 2023
Cucalorus Head BartenderCucalorus Film Foundation, Wilmington, NC2022 – 2023
Poll ObserverMission for Arizona, Phoenix, AZ2020
CatererRestaurants Associates, Manhattan, NY2017 – 2018

Additional Leadership

Barback ManagerMood Ring, Brooklyn2017 – 2018
Drama Teacher’s AssistantVassar College Drama Department,
Poughkeepsie, NY		2015 – 2017
Non-Hierarchical CollaboratorWoodshed Theater Ensemble, Vassar College2014 – 2017
Residential AdvisorOffice of Residential Life – Vassar College,
Poughkeepsie, NY		2014 – 2015

Skills

  • Languages: English, German

  • Computer: Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), Photoshop, Illustrator, Adobe Premiere

  • Other: Classical Vocal Training, Drawing, Chess, Improvisation, Tennis, Dance, Movement Work, Weight Sharing, Public Speaking, Debate, Non-hierarchical Collaboration, Event Planning, Set Design.

Contact

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