Constantine Makris -Celebrated Director and Cinematographer
It is with great pride that St. Paul's has a parishioner, Constantine Makris, who has achieved acclaimed celebrity status as a director and a cinematographer on the award-winning television series Law and Order. “Gus” as his friends call him, has been responsible for the many interesting and entertaining episodes to which many of us are addicted to viewing every week.
His involvement in the field of television developed through a "lucky break". In Queens College, he majored in political science, aspiring to become an attorney. However, his interest in radio and television inspired him to enroll in communication courses as well. Through a "fluke," as he says, he was hired as a production assistant on television for a commercial. He enrolled in Brooklyn College as a graduate student and studied broadcasting for one year but continued as a production assistant on television commercials. Eventually this led to his work in films as a grip for several years, progressed to assistant cameraman and then became a camera operator. During the ten years that he worked as a camera operator, he traveled across the country and eventually became director of photography and was the camera operator for the movie "Ironweed" which starred Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson.
Gus has been affiliated with Law & Order for 19 seasons, since its first season. He started on the show as director of photography, also known as a cinematographer. From 1994-2001, he had two careers on Law and Order, alternating as the director and as the cinematographer. Since 2001, he has been the show's full-time director and he directs all the spin-off shows of Law and Order as well -Special Victims Unit and Criminal Intent.
His schedule is very demanding. Preparation for each show involves eight days of reading the script, finding the proper locations, which are mostly in Manhattan, and casting the guest parts. For the following eight days, the show is "shot" at the outdoor locations and on the interior sets. During these periods his workday consists of 12-16 hours. Despite this demanding schedule, he says he loves his work.
The industry has recognized his talent and dedication by awarding him the Emmy for Best Cinematographer in 1992, 1997 and 1998. Articles about Gus have appeared in several magazines particularly in "American Cinematography" in which Gus revealed that directing has made him a better cinematographer. There is one aspiration he hopes to realize some day and that is to be a director and a cinematographer for the same movie. Based on his illustrious history, it's very possible that he will achieve this goal!
Gus was born in Brooklyn, New York but grew up with his two older sisters in Jackson Heights. His father Michael V. Makris born in Volada, Karpathos, owned the Heights Diner in Jackson Heights. His mother Rego Sakellarides, also from Volada was a homemaker. Gus revealed that his mother learned the English language by attending school but also learned certain aspects and American expressions of the language by watching movies, a favorite pastime. Since Gus also watched movies with his mother, often late into the evening, he attributes his interest and love for the industry through this experience.
Gus and his wife Penny, who was president of our Mr. & Mrs. Club for two terms, have three children. Calliope, his oldest daughter, graduated college with a teaching degree. His son, Michael is a junior at the Univ. of Towson in Md. Theodora his youngest daughter, is a freshman in high school. They have been members of our church community since their marriage 21 years ago. The family enjoys leisure time at their East End home on Long Island, N.Y. as often as they can. Recently, they enjoyed several weeks in Greece, a well - deserved respite for Gus from his demanding schedule.
We are very proud that one of our own has achieved such success and we wish him continued good fortune in his future endeavors.
The Epistle, published by the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Paul
Click on links below to book your visit to Karpathos
