Mario Ricciardi is an award-winning videographer who started Appleridge Productions and works with local business owners to make commercials.
Mario Ricciardi
After graduating from the Williamson College of Business at Youngstown State University, a local film enthusiast decided to start his own video production company.
Mario Ricciardi is an award-winning videographer who started Appleridge Productions and works with local business owners to make their vision for a high-quality commercial a reality.
Ricciardi said he started at YSU as a film student in the theatre department but switched over to business.
“When I was in college, there was a summer where I sent out a ton of resumes, like 50 resumes, and I didn’t get any response,” he said. “I either needed to get better, or the opportunity just wasn’t there for me right then. So, instead of waiting, I decided to try to create my opportunity for myself.”
In 2018, he started Appleridge Productions and produced videos for local organizations including the Youngstown Business Incubator, Penguin City Brewing Company, Youngstown Cityscape, MCCTC Adult Career Center, Golf Headquarters and Youngstown State University.
“We did a commercial for Penguin City. It was our first big corporate job,” he said. “I remember talking to my good friend Miles who helped me out when he lived in town. I said, ‘Dude, I think we can actually start charging for our work.’ We’d crossed the line from amateurish, film-school sort of videos to ones that look pretty professional for the Youngstown regional market.”
In 2020, he continued to work on more advertisements and public health service announcements like a fentanyl awareness video called “One Pill Can Kill.”
“It worked out during the COVID-19 pandemic because the need for virtual communication, or communicate a message from a distance, kind of increased, and we’re equipped to do that,” he said. “We ended up getting a lot more work than I anticipated. For the most part, it seems like we’ve had positive relationships with all of our clients, and they’ve continued to come to us year after year when they need video production work.”
Appleridge Productions is owned solely by Ricciardi, but he’ll bring in local contractors to help him produce the final product.
“I have people who work with me on sets or help me on post-production, depending on the project and also their interest,” he said. “About 90% of these projects require having at least one or two other people there to help balance all the different aspects of production. You’ll think you’re just trying to get one shot, but then you have to get the lighting right; you have to get the sound and the audio right and understand how it’s going to fit into the edit. You can’t do it without more people; you need to spread out the responsibility. That’s a huge, huge testament to everyone who’s willing to help out and join in on projects with me.”
Ricciardi has received several Addy Awards for his videos and cinematography skills, awarded by the American Advertising Federation of Akron.
“My favorite project is always the next one. Each project, we end up working, learning, and getting a little bit better,” he said. “I love working with the healthcare systems. I always think that’s a really fascinating part of corporate work. But we also get to make beer commercials, and that is one of the coolest things ever.”
Ricciardi’s independent film featured at screening
In addition to owning Appleridge Productions, Mario Ricciardi is also the writer and director of Midwest Sessions, an independent horror/science fiction film which premiered in 2024. Mario Ricciardi
In addition to owning Appleridge Productions, Ricciardi is also an avid fan of film and movies.
“I love film. That’s mostly why I’m in this and why I want to keep doing this. So while in college, we used to do creative projects every summer; I used to be very adamant about learning more from YouTube and from our mistakes,” he said. “We have to make stuff. After I graduated, I spent two years just doing corporate work to refine my lighting techniques and all that stuff. I still have a long way to go, obviously, but after two years, I felt it was time to try something creative again.”
In 2024, he wrote and directed Midwest Sessions, an independent horror/science fiction film.
He hosted a screening Nov. 17, 2024 at Movies 8 in Boardman.
“I am extremely grateful for all the people who help on set, even more so grateful for the clients that allow us to work alongside them and give us a chance and give us their business,” Ricciardi said. “We’re open for 2025, and we’re excited for the projects that come on and the people will get to meet as the year develops.”
