Ben was born in Colts Neck, New Jersey, where he spent his entire childhood, and where he garnered several awards as a young playwright and poet, Ben shifted his focus to film when he wrote and directed "The Professor", an honors thesis which won "Best Acting" at the Hawaiian "Shorts on the Rocks" Film Festival and was purchased at Clermont-Ferrand by Ouat! Media. Ben moved to Los Angeles in 2006, where he worked for companies including Sony Pictures, Capitol Films US, and Nickelodeon. In 2008, Ben enrolled in Columbia University's MFA Screenwriting Program, where he continued to refine his craft. His 2009 short film "Peasants" was an official selection at Outfest, Frameline, Chicago REEL Shorts, and many other festivals.