My interest in Film and TV and other screen industries stems from an early fascination with cinema while growing up in Italy, where I was born in Milan on 5 June 1964. I was one of the co-founders (at age 13) of a film club for young people in my home town that had over 300 members and later became the youngest member of the managerial team running the senior film society (with over 700 members).

I worked in a variety of media outlets (especially radio where I co-produced and presented a live show for two years. I also worked in a local TV stations and print magazine). After being awarded two scholarships (one from local government for sustenance, the other from the EU for my fees) I decided to move to the UK to study Film and Literature at University (Warwick). During that time I also worked part-time on several productions, including a professional show for children that aired on Channel 4.
Following an MA in Mass Communication (Leicester) I wrote a PhD in film (on film sound, and Dolby in particular).
The research I carried out as part of my thesis allowed me to build a network of contacts with leading industry professionals and executives in some of Hollywood's leading companies, including Lucasfilm, Fox, Dolby and the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences amongst others.
This in turn helped me develop a keen interest in filmmakers and filmmaking practices, including studio operations and exhibition. This focus on cinema forms the cornerstone of my current and future research. I have published three books in this area as well as a major industry report on studios practices.