West Essex Native Produces His First Feature Film: 'Hamilton House'

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A West Essex native with an impressive film industry resume recently got a chance to produce his first feature film, which is scheduled for a premiere a week after Halloween.

Greg Contaldi got a chance to achieve a new career milestone when he produced “Hamilton House,” a film written and directed by Jordan Rowe. Other producers of the film include Rowe and Julianne Mason.

The Halloween-set comedy revolves around a group of young actors who live together in a cramped New York City basement apartment. When the wide-eyed Zach learns that a legendary horror film director is moving into their neighborhood, he convinces his girlfriend and other roommates to turn their home into a haunted house to get the filmmaker’s attention. But as Halloween grows closer, Zach’s plans begin to unravel – risking much more than his big break.

The film will have its New Jersey premiere on Nov. 7 at the Smodcastle Film Festival, following a world premiere at Dances with Films: LA and East Coast Premiere at The SOHO International Film Festival.

Contaldi was born and raised in Fairfield and graduated from West Essex High School in North Caldwell. He is a former daytime television producer (The Drew Barrymore Show; The Dr. Oz Show), and has written for Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

“Having the opportunity to bring my first film back to New Jersey is especially meaningful,” Contaldi said. “It feels like a true homecoming.”

Learn more about the film and see screening information here. Watch the trailer here, or view it below.

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