Anthony J. Rickert-Epstein

Anthony J. Rickert-Epstein, known as A.J., hails from Cincinnati, Ohio, where his passion for filmmaking ignited at the tender age of eight. He pursued higher education at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, earning a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communications with a minor in Film Studies by the age of twenty. A.J. frequently returns to his university to inspire and guide budding filmmakers. During his college years, he founded the Miami Association of Filmmakers and Independent Actors (M.A.F.I.A.), an enduring organization dedicated to film production and technological advancements in the industry.

In 2003, A.J. expanded his expertise at NYU Tisch School of the Arts in New York City, where he honed his skills in traditional film techniques. He created five short films during his studies, utilizing classic editing methods with a Steenbeck editing table. His experience includes serving as the primary editor for various feature films, some of which remain uncredited.

Currently, A.J. is an esteemed cinematographer with IATSE 600, as well as a skilled visual effects supervisor and editor. His impressive portfolio features work across numerous films, television shows, music videos, and web series. Notably, he contributed as a cinematographer and VFX supervisor for the acclaimed biopic "Salt-N-Pepa," directed by Mario Van Peebles, and played a pivotal role in the period drama "Songs of Solomon." This film represented Armenia in the 2020 Academy Awards in several categories, including Best International Feature and Best Cinematography.

A.J. shares his life with his wife, photographer Christina Napier, and their three children.