Photographer Joe Oppedisano Joins ‘Blue Movie' Team

SAN FRANCISCO - Celebrated New York photographer Joe Oppedisano has joined the production team for the Steve Cruz and Leif Gobo-helmed Mustang Studios film Blue Movie. Oppedisano will produce all still photography for the film, the studio said.

Oppedisano has an international following. His photography has appeared in a myriad of publications including The New York Times, Gay Times, Playboy, Playgirl, Esquire and Manner Aktuell. In 2006 he released a debut coffee-table book, Testosterone, to critical acclaim. Since then he has released a second book, Uncensored, two calendars and the erotic film Knockout (shot at the world-famous Gleason's Gym in New York).

"Joe's photography is raw, bold, uninhibited and masculine," said Troy Prickett, director of promotions for Mustang parent company Falcon Entertainment. "His style is immediately recognizable and perfect for our Mustang line of films. It's an honor to have him as part of the Mustang team."

Oppedisano is no stranger to Mustang or to Cruz and Gobo. In December of 2006 he worked alongside both men on the Mustang film Limits. Their admiration was mutual, the men said.

"I first met Joe at a book signing for Testosterone," Cruz said. "I went with the hopes he might ask me to shoot with him. As it turned out, he was scheduled the next day to do photography for Limits, which I was a cast member of. We clicked immediately, and thus started an amazing professional relationship and friendship.

"We have worked together several times since Limits, and when the opportunity arose to direct for Mustang I knew exactly who I wanted for our still photographer."

Gobo added, "I'm a huge fan of Joe's photography, and I'm very excited to work with him again. Because his background is fashion, he brings a fresh perspective to male erotica. His aesthetic is exactly the tone we are looking for."

Oppedisano also provided photography for the Mustang films Afterhours and Forced Entry.

"I'm completely excited to work with Steve Cruz and Leif Gobo," he said. "These guys share my passion and vision for what male sexuality is all about. I feel a great synergy with them.

"Over the years Cruz has become somewhat of a muse for me: His energy is infectious, and his over-the-top sexuality is what landed him on the cover of my most recent book, Uncensored. I'm looking forward to an ongoing relationship with these two guys."