Director, Writer, and Producer: Mitchell Stuart
Producers: Trish Hunter Shannon, Elvis Duran, David Katz and John McConnell
Cast: Scott Shannon, Elvis Duran, Jon Bon Jovi, Nile Rodgers, Clive Davis, Debbie Gibson, Joan Jett, Taylor Dayne, Tony Orlando, Joe Piscopo, “Magic” Matthew Alan, “Professor” Jonathan B. Bell, Anita Bonita, Ross Brittain, Pete Cosenza, Michael Ellis, Gavin DeGraw, Cathy Donovan, Gary Fisher, Frank Foti, Sean “Hollywood” Hamilton, David Hinckley, Donnie Lenner, Jim Kerr, Steve Kingston, Ken Lane, Kenny Laguna, Jimi Lumia, Tom Poleman, Geraldo Rivera, Trish Hunter Shannon, Patty Steele, Claire Stevens, Mitchell Stuart, John Sykes and Jim Wood
Genre: Feature Documentary
Rating: G
Runtime: 1 hour 4 minutes
Dare to be Different
From Secaucus, New Jersey in 1983 to taking over the media market in the Big Apple, New York, New York and becoming the 1# radio station, director, writer and a producer Mitchell Stuart's WORST TO FIRST: THE TRUE STORY OF Z100 NEW YORK tells the amazing history of Z100's rise to dominate the biggest and toughest media market in the United States.
Z100 begins its journey with DJ Scott Shannon and his out of the box and crazy format and great music of up-and-coming musical artist to legendary Elvis Duran and other Hall of Fame DJs in between. Z100 would play the music of young artist like Madonna, Jon Bon Jovi, Debbie Gibson, Joan Jett, Niles Rogers and more.
WORST TO FIRST: THE TRUE STORY OF Z100 NEW YORK features conversations with music industry legend Clive Davis, as well as Jon Bon Jovi, Debbi Gibson, Tayler Dane and others.
It is hard to imagine that the DJS at Z100There are a couple of things that stand out. The first being the realization of where Howard Stern got his radio formation. As well as the impact Z100 had on so many musical artists' early in their career.
Daring to be different with their Zoo morning show and Shock Jock format enabled Z100 to not only make a space for themselves but also to dominate the New York media market. A huge and unimaginable accomplishment at the time that is story worthy of being told.
WORST TO FIRST: THE TRUE STORY OF Z100 NEW YORK is an inspirational story of dedication and hard work against all odds that truly paid off big-time.
Release Date: Streaming February 11, 2022
Production Co: A Penguardia Productions, Elvis Duran Group, Workhouse Media and HQ Creative Production
Run time: 1 hour 4 minutes
Cast: Scott Shannon, Elvis Duran, Jon Bon Jovi, Nile Rodgers, Clive Davis, Debbie Gibson, Joan Jett, Taylor Dayne, Tony Orlando, Joe Piscopo, “Magic” Matthew Alan, “Professor” Jonathan B. Bell, Anita Bonita, Ross Brittain, Pete Cosenza, Michael Ellis, Gavin DeGraw, Cathy Donovan, Gary Fisher, Frank Foti, Sean “Hollywood” Hamilton, David Hinckley, Donnie Lenner, Jim Kerr, Steve Kingston, Ken Lane,
Kenny Laguna, Jimi Lumia, Tom Poleman, Geraldo Rivera, Trish Hunter Shannon, Patty Steele, Claire Stevens, Mitchell Stuart, John Sykes and Jim Wood
Director, Writer and Producer: Mitchell Stuart
Cinematography: John Carlo Serrano
Editors: Alex Dolginko, Corey Williams
Music: Martin John Butler, Alex Dolginko, Mitchell Stuart
MITCHELL STUART is a multiple film festival and Emmy-Award winning filmmaker and storyteller of compelling documentaries, groundbreaking digital series and industry-disrupting brand campaigns. Whether following his heart to tell an inspirational, against all odds story about female freedom fighters in Africa, or honoring his lifelong passion for music and filmmaking, Mitchell tells authentic stories that move and engage an audience.
Known for riveting, thought-provoking visuals and for often composing original music for the soundtracks of his films, he has been honored with 15 NY Emmy-Award Nominations for his music and entertainment documentary series, the Emmy-Award Winning Road to MSG, featuring Jay Z, Earth Wind & Fire, Chicago, Z100’s Jingle Ball concerts with Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, John Mayer, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift and more. Dozens of film festivals throughout the world have honored him and his partner, Cheryl Halpern, winning awards for directing, best film, social justice, world peace and humanitarian efforts with their documentaries, Natsanat (Ethiopian for freedom), Fighting to be Free and Remembering Maurits Kiek.
Working closely with the Broadway community, Mitchell spearheaded the documentary-style Tony Award Campaign for Moulin Rouge the Musical resulting in 14 Tony Award nominations. He was also directed a uniquely cinematic short film on the return to Broadway of Phantom of the Opera, and Broadway’s partnership with the MTA, The Only Sure Way to Broadway.
A proud born and bred New Yorker, his natural drive for diving deeper into his research preparation has led to stellar work with a diverse and brilliant who’s who list of musicians and newsmakers including The Who, Rod Stewart, Trevor Noah, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Jon Bon Jovi, Sting and The Foo Fighters in first concert celebrating the return of live music to Madison Square Garden post COVID-19.
