New York-based actor, producer and writer Vinny Petrosini visited Oceanside High School on Jan. 12 to speak with students about career exploration, entrepreneurship and the changing landscape of the film industry. His visit was part of the school’s Work-Based Learning program.
Petrosini met with students in Film Studies, Business and Road Map to Success classes, sharing his unconventional career path and encouraging students to remain open to multiple professional opportunities. He emphasized that success doesn’t always come from choosing a single track early on, but from building skills, relationships and experience over time.
“I fit the bill because I don’t just do one thing,” Petrosini said, explaining that his career spans finance, retail and entertainment.
He began his professional life as a financial advisor and continues to operate a private money management practice on Long Island through LPL Financial. He later launched an online retail business specializing in movie memorabilia before entering the acting world unexpectedly more than 20 years ago.
Petrosini’s acting career began when a friend making an MTV film asked him to fill in for a missing actor. The experience led to additional opportunities in commercials, television and film. About 15 years ago, his background in finance led him into producing when a director sought help salvaging a troubled project. The film was completed on time and under budget, launching a steady stream of producing work through Petrosini’s company, Without a Net Productions.
His screen credits include a co-starring role in the drama series “Parallels,” and producing work on television shows and films, including “Doomsday,” for which he earned an Emmy nomination, and “Godless,” which was filmed entirely on Long Island. Petrosini has also received nominations for the Independent Spirit Award and the Spotlight Award at The Big Apple Film Festival.
Petrosini spoke candidly about the challenges of managing multiple careers and navigating the modern entertainment industry.
“Most of what I do is manage personalities,” he said. “On the movie side, I have to know who’s a great artist, who’s number-focused, how people work together. There’s no chapter in a textbook for that.”
He also discussed how social media and audience engagement now influence storytelling and distribution, describing the learning curve of adapting to platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
Students actively participated in the discussion, asking questions about balancing careers, managing time and protecting creative work in a business-driven industry.
“I tell students how to protect themselves as an artist, how to communicate effectively and how to work with different personalities,” he said. “That’s what makes a project succeed.”
Freshman Sophia Circosta, who plans to pursue a career in the medical field, said she was inspired by Petrosini’s multifaceted background.
“I didn’t know it was actually possible that you could own a business firm and be a producer at the same time,” she said. “It showed that even small jobs matter and that everybody has a role in the world. You shouldn’t treat anyone like you’re better than them.”
As a student in the Road Map to Success class, Circosta said the visit offered insights she wouldn’t get from a traditional classroom lesson.
“Instead of just sitting and writing things down, you’re actually interacting with a real-world professional,” she said. “You’re learning from someone who’s actually lived it. It makes me feel more confident about thinking ahead to the real world.”
This was Petrosini’s second visit to the school through the Work-Based Learning program, and he said he hopes to continue supporting similar initiatives.
“It breaks up the monotony of the school day,” Petrosini said. “If students leave with even one new idea or perspective, then it’s worth it.”
