Last night, before the screening of the classic kids’ film Toy Story 2, the audience at Maspeth Federal Savings were treated to another film. The 13-minute short, entitled The Halloween Pranksta, was directed and written by one of Maspeth’s own: Carl Paolino.

A veteran in the entertainment business, Paolino has worked on a number of animation projects throughout his career, including working on MTV’s “Celebrity Death Match.” He’s also a two-time author and is currently working on his third book.

“I love animation in general, I’ve been doing professional stop-animation for over 30 years, and it just felt like it would be a great subject matter for a TV and Halloween special,” he said.

The allegorical film, which took nearly four years to complete and was put completely together in Maspeth, follows a mischievous young boy who eventually deals with spooky consequences to his behavior.

The short features voiceovers from some famous actors, including Mark Hamill who played Luke Skywalker in the first trilogy of Star Wars. Hamill and Paolino have worked together in the past and bringing Hamill onto the project was a natural process.

“He’s a great voice actor,” Paolino said. “He did the snake and the tarantula.”

Paolino is currently scouting other venues to screen the film just in time for Halloween.

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