On Lunch Break, Filmmakers

On Lunch Break are New York’s favorite film-making crew, working with the biggest names in the game such as Beyoncé, Gucci Mane or ASAP Rocky. Always reppin’ their city.

"The most important part of New York City for us is the pace, it moves a million miles per hour and so do we!"

Always reppin’ their city, On Lunch Break is in full force, creating a community while running the film biz, from commercials to short films and photography.

"In the next five years, the city’s creative super powers will join forces and take over the world."

Nicholas Heller, Filmmaker

Nicholas Heller, aka. the "Unofficial Talent Scout of New York," head honcho of Heller Films and filmmaker behind the heartfelt "Big Mike Takes a Lunch" moves his focus to the real people of the Big Apple, showing us an offsite New York City, something we don't see every day.

*"The most important part of New York City is its people. New Yorkers have a way about them that is different from any other city. It stems from what we’ve been through, and what we are exposed to on a daily basis. New York City has the greatest characters in the world." *

Born in NYC, Nicholas knows what it takes to shed light on the "real" New York, the Instagram-famed filmmaker's feed is a fantastic collection of what it means to live in the Big Apple.

"I’m hoping that we move forward without losing what makes the city so great, such as the mom- and-pop shops, the people, the parks, and the neighborhoods."

Claw Money, Artist/Shopkeeper/Podcaster

Claudia "CLAW MONEY" Gold is a New York legend, dating back to the '80s, when she started spreading the CLAW icon all over NYC, making a name for herself in the Lower East Side.

"Downtown NYC is my old stomping grounds, and a place where I laid down my business roots while opening my shop in the Lower East Side five years ago. But from East to West, all of Downtown has my heart."

Claw Money paved the way as the first female artist to collaborate with big-name companies such as Nike, Mountain Dew, NASCAR, Van's, and Calvin Klein.

*"While all the old heads complain that New York City is not the same and is losing its authenticity, it is still wonderful, magical and the best city in the world. The city will readjust to all the changes and the people who remain or migrate will have to, too. I think rent will drop and the people that are supposed to be here will be here... in five years we should be in a good spot!" *

Arthur Soleimanpour, Creative Director/Founder, Parks Department

Bergamo-born, Cali-raised, and now New York City influence, Arthur Soleimanpour is the creative behind Parks Department and many of our favorite campaigns he has been leading.

Very few parts of New York City are not important to me, but when I want to chill and people watch, I go to Bryant Park. I like the feeling of anonymity, the architecture of the library, and the buildings that surround the park.

Parks Department, which Arthur founded, is a community-driven platform for video-based content, an outlet of creative energy, that earned its edginess with clever looks and current topics.

There is starting to be more space, figuratively and literally, for people who make meaningful work. For a city that has a reputation of nurturing talent, New York City hasn't lived up to that lately and I think it's about to live up to that promise again.

Tabby Wakes, Musician/Entrepreneur, Brujas

Brooklyn-native Tabby Wakes, fresh of her Fools Gold Records debut "Tabby Night," is a true powerhouse. Even though born in downtown Brooklyn, she reps Manhattan, working closely with feminist skate crew Brujas.

"I would say Downtown Manhattan, because I went to school on the West Side and partied on the East Side. It’s exciting down there––all of the different vibes/energies."

"Hopefully in the next five years there will be more inclusive/public spaces that help to provide resources to those in need."

Myles Sales, Artist, Brujas

Myles Sales, aka. BZA aka. BIZZA is an artist and musician, born and bred in New York, part of feminist skate crew and label Brujas. His latest release “Figured it out” just dropped, and is a clever trap banger.

"The part of New York City that’s most important to me is the Upper West Side. From Central Park to Riverside, I grew up Uptown, and the West Side definitely molded me into the city head I am today."

*"Within the next five years I see the city headed for a change. Mainly through gentrification, a lot of communities are seeing new faces, as well as new buildings being built on the regular. But, the best city heads adapt and survive, and that’s how I thrive." *

Tommy Jewels, Jeweler, Oro Latino Inc.

Straight from Bowery hails Tommy Jewels, the jewelry maker and hood-representative from Manhattan is the man behind a few of the most memorable custom chains in the rap game.

"What’s important to me in New York City is how much opportunity is offered here, and how accessible it is––it’s definitely a hustle city. We got so much to offer, from food to fashion to art, and we are always learning from each other because of how eclectic and diverse it is."

*"In five years, I see New York City more crowded! As expensive as it may be here, there’s definitely opportunities for the next generation. With the power of technology and social media, I predict more young creatives. If you wanna hustle, then New York City is the place to be... there’s money here, you just have to go and get it. You could be an artist, designer, model or even a jeweler like me, but if you hungry anything is possible. Let’s get it!" *

Oskar Mann, Radio Host, Book Works

Oskar is a man of many talents, professional musician, DJ and radio host, with one of the biggest vinyl collections in New York.

"Having moved here in 1996, it was still very much an ‘artist and their families’ type of neighborhood, along with Independence Plaza. Then, following 9/11, to watch the neighborhood rebuild itself and the city to invest so much into it; sure it’s taken on a new light, but there is still a lot of heart..."

"I think the corner of Canal, Essex and East Broadway has cemented itself as the new zone. It is truly an intersection of traffic, history and people, and the restaurants, cafes and shops all bring an earnest and genuine good vibe to the area. You have Chinatown bus routes, street stalls, hardware stores of East Broadway, the tiling stores on Essex, cyclists right off the Manhattan Bridge, skaters, passengers off the F train, and of course the park–this is what I perceive as a harmony, at times offering a friendly counterpoint too, between all that’s there and all that’s going on."

*"NYC will always move forward with the youth. The youth drive the culture, and I think when you're talking about NYC you're talking about culture. I’m so impressed by how 20-something year olds approach how they simply listen to music. In my view, there is much less judgement and much more focus on acceptance. This extends beyond music, too, from visual arts, design, clothing, just everything! As these younger kids grow older, they will bring NYC as a whole forward with them." *