At the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Governor Cuomo noticed

that many New Yorkers weren't wearing a mask in public. So he

announced the "New York Tough PSA Video Contest," calling on New Yorkers

to create a :30 film that shows someone wearing a mask and explains

the importance of doing so. For such a worthy cause, me and my frequent

creative-partner, Mark Schruntek, felt obligated to take part.

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We had just 10 days, zero budget and due to the lockdown, a myriad of production

obstacles. But we eventually arrived at an easily producible idea that we felt captured

the Governor’s inspiring yet no-nonsense message of “New York Tough,” so we

quickly enlisted Mark's cousin and film editor, Michael Bellino, to help bring it to life.

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Here's what we came up with, based on the insight that some folks refuse

to wear a mask because they think it restricts communication.

Our point was that with your mouth covered, you actually speak volumes.