Meet Domenico Pontoriero

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Domenico Pontoriero a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Domenico, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.

Imposter syndrome is one obstacle that has been the most hurtful throughout my life and creative endeavors. For a long time, I would be embarrassed to even describe myself as an artist or musician or really anything of that sort. And I think that, to me, it all felt like play. And how could anyone take me seriously if all that I created was out of fun? Overcoming that took time. Continuing to do the things I wanted while learning that there isn’t a set formula to becoming an artist of any kind helped empower myself with confidence. Art, music, film – these aren’t necessarily things that you set out to do as a career but instead creative endeavors that we can achieve alongside life. Always making room in life for that creative outlet – no matter how good or bad you think you are at it – is what’s important. That’s what will get you through imposter syndrome and allow you to do the things you want and claim the life that’s yours

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

This is a tough one to answer concisely because I have a few “brands.” I do most of my visual art under “DXP.” My original piano solos all fall under the moniker of “Boy in the Rain.” And now I’ve started working on films under my given name, Domenico Pontoriero. And, of course, anything I’ve done in the community has been under my given name as well. Each of these different brands have their own origin story.

Lately, I’ve been more proud and comfortable in using my full given name for projects. And for my recent short film project, “Becoming,” I used my full name as director but credited Boy in the Rain for the music. That was pretty convenient because it allows viewers to easily find my music if they’re interested in exploring that more. (I’ve also always felt it was a red flag to see someone’s name more than once in the credits of a film.)

I’m currently most excited about my film project “Becoming” which was just last week selected for three more film festivals: Sunscreen, Beacon, and Queer Mvmnt. I’m so happy to have taken my creativity in this new and exciting direction, and working with film festivals has been fun. I’ve also started working on a radio/podcast series called “Filmmakers Roundtable” that will be aired on the local community station Radio St Pete/Sunshine 96.7 FM. I’m very excited to do more with the awesome people that have built Radio St Pete.

In the community, I’m collaborating with my friend and talented artist Rhys Meatyard and the Saint Petersburg Museum of History on a self-guided outdoor museum of the Historic Roster Park neighborhood. And I’m also working on converting an abandoned city lot into an ocean friendly garden.

I’m excited about all of this, and I love that I’ve let my creativity express itself in a multitude of ways. It’s not only expressive, but I’ve found ways to use that energy to engage with amazing people and contribute to my communities.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

1.) Adaptability. All projects will have hiccups and hurdles, some more devastating than others. Being flexible and able to pivot without losing energy has been so important. When I was filming, the venue where we were set to film backed out a week before shooting. And my storyboarding was so specific to that space. I had to regroup, use my resources, and rethink the project.

2.) Collaborative. While some of my work, like composing music, can be a very solitary endeavor, I think all my projects are better when I can collaborate with others. There is something about the process that is greatly improved when you involve others who you respect and enjoy working with.

3.) Patience. It is so fundamental to be patient, not only with others but with yourself as well. Projects take time, art can’t be forced, and sometimes there are delays. That’s okay. Learn when to push yourself and when to take a deep breath and slow down.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

We often learn skills from unassuming teachers in unexpected ways. I remember when I was in high school, I had after school piano lessons once a month. I was oftentimes going in without enough practice in between sessions, and I would explain that I just didn’t have time to practice. So one day, my piano teacher, Miss K, took out a little planner and explained how to prioritize and plan. And quite honestly, that had to be one of the most important lessons ever. Prioritizing is something that I struggle with today – I think most adults do. And I think that in our society, we’ve learned that things like work can be prioritized but play or self care cannot. But that’s not true. There is no such thing as “I don’t have time” – it is always “I did not prioritize this.” And not being able to prioritize the things that matter to you will send you to a dark place.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Boyintherain.com
• Instagram: @Boy.in.the.rain
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/boyintherain
• Other: Spotify profile https://open.spotify.com/user/1211280890?si=8TI1-D_PQ8e8FUugt6ZPww

  Spotify artist page https://open.spotify.com/artist/06xn6B0m62M70ou7szZ8kR?si=mxJ4C8jTRmS2oQFIWPp5LQ

Image Credits

personal photo/”Becoming” cover art – Khalid Amin