Biography
In 1983, when Armanda Costanza was finishing her senior year at Middle Tennessee State University, a phenomenon called MTV first appeared on television. Armed with her new degree in Mass Communications with an emphasis in Film, Armanda deduced that country music would soon follow the lead of pop music and turn to music videos to promote their artists. With Nashville being the hub of country music, it was logical that there would soon be a thriving music video business. Looking for a niche to fill, Armanda realized that Nashville had no professional 16mm motion picture cameras available for local productions. Anyone shooting in Tennessee had to have their camera equipment shipped in at premium shipping rates. After doing some research Armanda convinced her parents to cosign a loan for $50,000 to purchase an Arriflex 16SR camera. She quickly went about the business of making herself proficient in every detail of her new equipment and spreading the word that Nashville now had a camera available locally. Before long, producers were scheduling their shoots according to Armanda's availability and she was going straight from one job to the next, working with notable DPs such as Barry Sonnenfeld, Bill Pope and Daniel Pearl. Realizing she needed help, Armanda began training her youngest brother Michael to be her 2nd assistant. By 1987 that first camera was entirely paid for, three years ahead of schedule. By 1989, with business booming and two more cameras in the inventory, it was time to expand the business. This time Armanda brought in her other brother Robert as Office Manager to oversee the booking of equipment as well as Armanda and Michael who were now working not only all over the state of Tennessee, but also throughout the entire US. In 1991 the decision was made to incorporate and Armanda was granted a $250,000 loan to purchase more equipment. Armanda's mother Sherry came on board full time to help Robert handle the office and to maintain Kodak film sales. In 1993 the company moved from the basement of Armanda's house to a 4000 square foot office near downtown Nashville. Two more assistant camera people were hired to meet the demand for personnel and Armanda's cousin Armand was hired as a technician to maintain the growing inventory of cameras and accessories. Today Armanda Costanza, Inc. / A.C., Inc. has over $4,000,000 worth of equipment and 10 full time employees. In addition to the 16mm & 35mm Aaton and Arriflex film cameras, the inventory now includes 24p digital cameras including the Sony 900 and the Panasonic Varicam. Armanda's cameras and accessories are shipped all over the Country as well as Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe and Russia. Armanda's equipment has been used on many studio and independent features, commercials, documentaries, music videos and television projects, including the latest...the series "Scrubs." Armanda herself has graduated to directing and shooting feature films, music videos, commercials and television movies. In 1997 she directed her first full-length feature film called "Blood, Friends & Money" starring her friend Jim Varney. In 2001 Armanda directed her first TV Pilot, "On Music Row" starring Jennifer O'Neil and Lari White. That same year it won Best TV Pilot at the Nashville Film Festival and CMT in Canada has aired the show numerous times. In 2003 Armanda worked with John Landis as Camera Operator on his latest film "Slasher." In 1999, Armanda was a Top Ten Finalist for the prestigious Kodak Vision Award. In 1996 A.C., Inc. was named a sedignee of the Blue Chip Enterprise Initiative for their successful and creative use of resources to meet business challenges and prosper. They were chosen from among 600 Tennessee applicants to the Initaiative, which is sponsored by Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company, the US Chamber of Commerce and Nation's Business Magazine. Armanda herself has also been listed as a member of Who's Who in Executives and Professionals since 1996, and has received a number of local awards and accolades. With the camera rental business continuing to thrive, Armanda is continuing her quest to boost Nashville's ruputation as a major film center. She has two full-length feature films in development and is currently working with her Mother, Sherry, on their third script.
