Coming Full Circle: John Paluzzi '93
Lights, cameras, and plenty of live-action are a part of the daily routine for video production professional and Castleton alumnus John Paluzzi ‘93. The Communication graduate has spent the past 27 years in the news and media industry, building his own global high-end live studio and video production company from the ground up.
“You have to always be on your game and get the shot,” Paluzzi said.
Paluzzi launched Full Circle Productions, based out of Fort Myers, Florida, in 1999 with a dream of making his creative passion for video and film production his professional career. Through the years he and his team have had the opportunity to work with high profile network stations and seasoned industry professionals while documenting historical events around the world.
“I love the variety of my work,” Paluzzi explained. “One day I am filming the Super Bowl pre-show and the next I am shooting a live heart surgery, commercial, or corporate video.”
Paluzzi’s recent 2020 Super Bowl LIV pre-show assignment involved capturing player interviews and specialty celebrity guest segments with actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and recording artist Pitbull prior to the Sunday big game kick-off. Often working alongside a qualified team of professionals, he describes collaborating with clients both large and small to require teamwork, drive, and extreme focus.
“Most people get to watch these events happen at home on TV, but I get to be a part of it,” he said. “It’s really cool to document and be a part of history.”
Other high-profile projects that Paluzzi has been a part of include traveling to Aruba with Fox News Channel to follow the Natalee Holloway case and spending a week with legendary cinematographer Al Giddings on his Montana ranch for Dreamtime Entertainment.
At the end of the day, Paluzzi enjoys the flexibility of this business, allowing him to easily balance work and personal engagements. He credits his Castleton education with giving him the necessary skills and knowledge to break into the film and video production industry, and encourages students to dream big and do what they love.
“It’s not all glamour. In my line of work, you are on call 24 hours a day. I never know where I am going to be or when,” said Paluzzi, adding that his job often demands long hours and extended travel, “But when you see your final product for the first time it makes it all worth it.”