Resilience is the unthinkable power people possess to alter their circumstances as well as the circumstances of others. And when this remarkable sense of tenacity is rooted in good intentions, people can surpass themselves in ways they would never have imagined. As one of the first responders who braved the 9/11 tragedy with an undaunted spirit, Paul Eliacin shows the world how powerful a single act of service can be.
By diving in courageously and rescuing those who have fallen, Paul did not only change the lives of other people, but he was also able to discover something about himself: that he was stronger than he thought he was. Society may not know but local 52 IATSE, motion picture studio mechanic. Along with local 817 IBT theatrical Teamsters. Selflessly Played a major role during the world trade center attack, by operating generators, movie lights, on top of grip stands running cables, to light the pile at night for the firefighters to save lives. As they do daily in the movie sets.
Driven to inspire young filmmakers who dream of documenting cultural trends that stir emotions and awaken the senses, Paul put up his film company, which is called Up in Harlem, LLC. His career in the film industry began in 1990 with Matty Rich’s Straight Out of Brooklyn. At that time, he went on to become a theatrical teamster with Local 817. And from there, he has been working on various movies such as Boomerang, One Fine Day, Conspiracy Theory, Men in Black, and First Wives Club.
Aside from movies, Paul also poured his heart out on TV shows like New York Undercover, Sopranos, Law and Order, Law and Order: Criminal Intent, and Law and Order: SVU, where he has been assigned for the past 20 years. On top of that, the esteemed filmmaker also takes pride in being the field producer of The Week In Review, which is a highly-rated political talk show that aired on WRKS-FM in New York City.
Continually blowing the film industry away with his brilliance, Paul is marching forward with an upcoming project, Up in Harlem. The said urban action film will be featuring Ice-T and will be depicting the life of a family struggling to survive the ghetto.
Paul may be known for his ever-perceptive eye as a filmmaker, but it is his deep-rooted strength that makes him stand out. Having endured the unfortunate turn of events during the 9/11 attack, he developed a sense of longing to be an impetus for a positive change in the community.
Being a part of history himself, Paul was able to get hold of over three hundred photos and five-hour footage of the tragic attack. He is planning to use this compiled never-before-seen documentation in the upcoming 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attack as a way of commemorating the various acts of bravery shown that day. And to further his goal, he hopes to partner with like-minded individuals to come up with a thought-provoking docuseries.
When Paul got caught up in a moment of risk, he committed the full measure of devotion to his dreams and ideals. And in the face of danger, he was gifted with the opportunity to spark a revolutionary movement. To get in touch with Paul Eliacin and to know more about the never-before-seen footage and photos he has of the 9/11 tragedy, you may visit his website or send him an email at [email protected]. Instagram @paulee_paul
