Pleasant Valley H.S. Grad & Air Force Vet is L.A. Filmmaker

Ralph Lucchese, a 2010 graduate of Pleasant Valley High School in Brodheadsville, is gaining traction in the entertainment industry as a film producer and director. He also brings a unique background to his work in Hollywood: he’s a decorated Air Force veteran.

“The most important skill that I developed in the Air Force is efficient time management,” says Lucchese, who was an Aircraft Fuel Systems Specialist in the 305MXS squadron and was stationed at McGuire Air Force Base in Burlington County, NJ.

“I learned how to value my time and also how valuable everyone else's time is. That kind of discipline, consistency, and desire to push myself allowed me to develop a strong work ethic that people have noticed and appreciated on the film sets where I’ve worked.”

Lucchese developed an interest in filmmaking when he was a child. Growing up, his favorite movies were “Casino” and “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, and his favorite director was Martin Scorsese. After high school, he joined the Air Force in 2011 and was discharged in 2016 as a Senior Airman (E4) with a variety of military honors - including Meritorious Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon (gold border).

Ready to take on his next mission, Lucchese followed his passion for film and decided to pursue academic training at a top film school in Hollywood. He considered the esteemed programs at UCLA, University of Southern California (USC), and New York Film Academy (NYFA), but ultimately chose to enroll at The Los Angeles Film School, where he earned a Bachelors of Science in Film Production in 2019, and graduated Magna Cum Laude.

“A big difference in L.A. Film School’s program that has really helped me as a filmmaker was the emphasis in the curriculum on the importance of story,” says Lucchese, who has worked as a production assistant on such hit TV shows as “S.W.A.T.” (CBS), “Star Trek: Picard” (CBS), and ”9-1-1” (Fox), as well as projects for Disney and Warner Bros. Entertainment.

“Once you learn how to craft a tight and compelling story, the rest of the film naturally falls into place. My understanding of story prepared me well for my filmmaking journey, and it’s given me an advantage over the grads from other programs who were required to focus on other areas in their studies.”

Along with his for-hire work for TV and film companies, Lucchese also co-owns a production company called Strime Entertainment. His award-winning documentary short film “How to Be A PJ” is about members of the United States Air Force Special Operations Command and Air Combat Command, who are tasked with recovery and medical treatment of personnel in humanitarian and combat environments. Lucchese is currently finishing up a new documentary called “Blue Ridge: The Randy Detrick Story.” The film, which Lucchese produced and directed, explores the life of Detrick, an Olympic World Cup skier turned winemaker. It will debut at the Blue Ridge Winery in Saylorsburg on November 24.