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The Berry Family - Sampling the Generations

Brief biographies and selected resources about members of the extended Berry family, prepared for the Berry Family Reunion@Berry College, April 18-21, 2013

John A. Corso: Filmmaker, Producer and Director

John A. Corso is married to Elena Droutzkoy Corso, grand-daughter of Eugenia Berry Ruspoli.

A native New Yorker and veteran filmmaker, John enjoys an entertainment industry career spanning more than three decades with achievements on major motion pictures, television, documentaries, music videos, and screenplays.

As producer and director, John is preparing to film the IMAX 3D science-nature film Baikal: The Blue Pearl of Siberia on location in spring 2013, with Elena as executive-producer. The film will present a spectacular view of the world’s deepest lake and its unique ecosystem and will explore the remote and stunningly beautiful region that it sustains. The film is a step toward improved understanding and management of freshwater resources. A short promo narrated by author-environmentalist Peter Matthiessen may be viewed via the link below.

John is also developing several film and TV projects including the World War II era TV series, Winged Victory. In 2008/2009 he was executive producer of Jury Duty, the nationally syndicated TV series “Where Hollywood Holds Court!” with 130 episodes produced in association with Winged Victory Films starring “Judge Bruce Cutler” and 100 “celebrity” jurors.

Perhaps one of the youngest cinematographers to be accepted into the Cinematographer's Guild as a director of photography, he achieved significant feature credentials and a world-wide reputation in his early twenties. As a cinematographer, he was a pioneer in the use of Steadicam cinematography under the tutelage of its Oscar-winning inventor. Corso directed Blood Circus, a sci-fi/wresting cult favorite, and filmed the Oscar-nominated documentary Spaces: The Architecture Of Paul Rudolph. Other career highlights include The First Wives' ClubFatal AttractionGremlins 2Funny FarmRoundersGhostbusters 2LassieSearching for Bobby FischerClockersGet On The Bus! and American Buffalo. TV credits include: Spin CityThe Frank Sinatra StoryThe Odd Couple MovieNew York UndercoverCosby MysteriesThe Memoirs of Sally HemingsThe Law & Harry McGrawHoward Stern, and Murder, She Wrote

Elena Droutzkoy Corso: Berry College Board of Visitors

Elena Droutzkoy Corso, grand-daughter of Jennie Enfield Berry (Eugenia Ruspoli), was born in New York City, January 26, 1950. Elena was educated in New York and Switzerland. She is a graduate of Marymount Manhattan College with a BA summa cum laude, Liberal Arts major and Hispanic Studies minor. In the past, Elena worked as a New York Residential Real Estate Agent. In January 1996, Elena married John A. Corso at St. Vincent Ferrer Church in New York. At present, she is executive producer of an IMAX 3D science-nature film, Baikal: The Blue Pearl of Siberia, to be produced and directed by her husband. Elena is a member of the Berry College Board of Visitors and continues to be very involved as an alumna of the Brearley School where she held a number of Board positions.

 

April 2013