QUEENS - NY Parenting

My son, the actorA 7-year-oldboy gets hisfirst film roleMatthew gets advice from a castmate.BY ROBERT TROTTAThis year was definitely a yearto remember for my Astoria,Queens, family.It marked the 10-year weddinganniversary for my wife, Giovanna,and me. I began my 15th year as anEnglish teacher at John Adams HighSchool in Ozone Park. And our son,Matthew, not only started secondgrade in September, but also wascast in an independent film shot inour borough.Matthew turned 7 in June and, likethe past six years, he has been thebest and brightest part of the year.Watching him learn and grow, breakout of his “shy shell,” and hearing hisexcited voice shout “Papa’s home!”as I’m walking up the stairs, are giftsthat I truly treasure.During the summer, a new chapterand a unique adventure began whenMatthew received a contractfrom a talent andmodeling agency. As hisparents, we have alwaysfelt that Matthew is a beautiful littleboy with a heart of gold and a warmsmile. Many friends have told us thathe is very photogenic — and we havealways agreed. My wife and I envisionedthe possibility that Matthewmight one day be able to land a gigposing in a print ad. But this Octoberwas surreal, magical, and unforgettablefor our family.PERSONAL ESSAYAt Fort Totten in Bayside, Queens,a film crew, led by writer and directorMichael Weinstein, was shooting anindependent film set during the Holocaust,titled, “If the Trees Could Talk.”And on one beautiful, warm Fridayafternoon in early October, Matthewwas in one of the scenes, portrayinga young Jewish boy who was beingtaken away from his onscreen mother(Anna Myrha) by a Nazi officer.Fort Totten used to be a U.S. militarybase, and it was an amazing sitethat worked remarkably well for thefilm. There were concrete structurescontaining small rooms with rustybars in front of small windows, varioustunnels and staircases, and plentyof greenery. We could not fathom howauthentic and eerie things were in aplace that was right in the borough wecall home (Matthew and I even spentpart of the morning playing hide andseek, and it was not easy for either ofus to find the other).Dressed in brown corduroyshorts, boots, a white, buttoned shirtwith a beige sweater vest over it, anda grey wool cap, Matthew earnedhis first movie credit. Emotionally,it wasn’t an easy task for him. Afterall, the scene took place in a darkroom. There were actors portrayingNazi soldiers, equipped with riflesand yelling loudly in German. Oneof the soldiers, portrayed by actorStephan Goldbach, was pulling Matthewaway from his “mother,” whoserole demanded that she scream forhim to not be taken away from her.Following the scene, one of theactors, Ben Heyman, said somethingvery soothing to me: “If this scenewould have been easy for Matthew,then, as a parent, you would havethought, ‘Why is he not upset duringsuch a difficult and intense scene?’ ”I thanked Stephan via e-mail forhis support and compassion towardsMatthew on the set. The same day,he replied, “This scene was one thatgot very real, thanks to Matthew. Hewas a great little trooper.”I don’t know what will happen orpossibly unfold in 2014, but my familyis enjoying the ride so far. And nomatter what, Matthew has made usincredibly proud, and he has givenus something to remember for therest of our lives — a spectacular dayin Queens.Robert Trotta is a New York City publichigh-school teacher and a freelancewriter. He lives with his wife Giovanna,their son Matthew, and a family catnamed Ralphie.10 QUEENS Family • December 2013