Skinny Corleone — Biography
Inspired by the comedic brilliance and cultural impact of Martin Lawrence in the early 1990s, Alfonso Gallmon, professionally known as Skinny Corleone, began his journey into entertainment as an actor in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. He trained under veteran Hollywood actor Ralph Tabakin at the Maryland Academy of Dramatic Arts, where he developed a strong foundation in performance and on-camera craft.
Under Mr. Tabakin’s mentorship, Alfonso and his classmates auditioned for multiple film and television projects throughout the DC and Baltimore markets. While working on a local independent film—cast in a minor role—Alfonso was given access to the full script, an experience that sparked a deeper curiosity about storytelling beyond acting. That moment became the catalyst for his evolution into a writer and filmmaker.
Motivated to tell his own stories, Alfonso immersed himself in the study of screenwriting, most notably through Syd Field’s renowned How to Write a Screenplay books. After more than two years of disciplined study, he completed his first feature screenplay, Urban Survival. Though initial attempts to sell the unsolicited script to major outlets such as HBO and Showtime were unsuccessful, the experience solidified his resolve to create independently.
Determined to bring the story to life, Alfonso took the DIY route—renting camera equipment from DC Public Access Television and casting neighborhood friends in the lead roles. While the project was ultimately shelved in 1997, it laid the groundwork for his entrepreneurial expansion into music production. Shortly after, he founded 48th-49th Records, serving as CEO and President. Between 1998 and 2006, the label released multiple projects, including Tha Houze of Reprezentativez Vol. 1, 48th-49th Compilation Vol. 1, Relentlezz Dre: The Rel One, and The Angel Thugz maxi-single.
In 2005, Skinny Corleone reignited his passion for filmmaking, directing his first music video for DMV hip-hop artist Pop Da Czar. A year later, following a life-altering head-on car collision, he used the resulting insurance settlement to purchase professional camera equipment—marking a pivotal turning point in his career. From that moment forward, filmmaking became his primary focus.
His return to the craft led to a string of accomplishments, including winning the Best Video Producer Award at the DMV Entertainment Music Awards three consecutive years (2008, 2009, 2010) for directing and producing music videos for independent artists throughout the region.
Today, Skinny Corleone is the founder of 49th Parallel Films, where he remains committed to producing compelling, culturally resonant film and video content for audiences of all demographics. With decades of hands-on experience as a writer, director, producer, and executive, he continues to establish himself as a permanent and influential force in independent film and visual entertainment.
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Here is a scene out of the web series GRANDMA’s HOUSE that I shot and edited for FHH productions.
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