Scene and Heard

I love May. I love the name, the flowers, Mother’s Day, (yes, I’m a mom), and the sunshine. To my DISmay, I missed the deadline on the paper edition of Motif, so I am going to put it all in my weekly update right here. Come what may (there it is again), you will hear about the film news in RI, if I have anything to do with it – one may, er, one WAY or the other.

Let’s start with GiveMe5 – the RI Teen Film Festival. It’s free and open to the public, and you get to view the “Make a Minute” movies that teens from all over the state of RI put together in ONE afternoon back in March of this year. I participated in this event as an actor and it was great fun and very educational – for us, too! Fellow actors Andre Boudreau, Pat O’Hara, Angela Ryding, Michael Ryan, Motif‘s publisher (this time as mentor) and Theresa Dern all came down to participate in the program, all of us bringing assorted props and to be available to act in their short films. Now, On May 18, the teen filmmakers from around Rhode Island will showcase and discuss their 5-minute (or less) films, and receive feedback from a professional panel. Featured films this year will be selected from students at Beacon Charter School (Woonsocket), Bishop Hendricken High School (Warwick), Everett Company (Providence), LaSalle Academy (Providence), Metropolitan Career & Technical Center (Providence), Portsmouth High School, Trinity Academy for the Performing Arts (Providence), and Westerly High School. This year’s discussion panel will include Steven Feinberg (Director of the RI Film and Television Office), Rob Gray (Screen Actors’ Guild), Josephine Sittenfeld (RISD faculty), and Alex Watrous (former GiveMe5 participant and now of Watrous Brothers Productions). I got a chance to view the film I was chosen to be cast in that day in March, and I have to say these kids are impressive! They ate lunch with us, chose a prop, wrote a script, cast the film, shot and edited it all in one day, and turned it in by 5 pm. Can’t wait to see the rest of the films! Join us for a fun FREE afternoon at the Columbus Theatre, 270 Broadway, Providence from 12:30 to 5 pm – you can’t help but be inspired by these kids!

Oh boy. I’ve got something CREEPY for you all. I live right next to a town that houses an old abandoned hospital for the mentally unstable. Back then, the hospital was called the Ladd School of the Feeble Minded, in Exeter, RI (no, they were not politically correct back then when naming such facilities, e.g., Bellevue Looney Bin in NY state). The premise of this film rests on the fact that back in the summer of 2012, actors Meredith Prunty and Ashley Tramonte were on the set of Marcus Nispel’s Backmask, on location at the former Ladd School. During the long night shoot in the creepy buildings and deserted grounds, the girls experienced eerie paranormal phenomena and unexplained feelings of terror. They’ve made this experience into a film, based on an original story by Suzanne Prunty, and produced by Ann O’Leary Tramonte and Prunty. The film also stars Jennifer Gjulameti, Arthur Wahlberg, Adam Teper, Gwen Kosak,Colin Mackey and Richard Meehan. Toddlers & Tiaras star Paisley Dickey also appears as a super-creepy ghost alongside Addison LaFountaine. Wow, impressive cast and producers – can’t wait to view this one. Here’s the trailer – do NOT watch it alone!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnWL3Z8TQYI

Surprise, Surprise!!!, a new romantic comedy feature film starring our very own Mike Messier of Blood!Sugar! Sid!Ace!, by first time writer, producer and director, Crosby Tatum, will makes its anticipated big screen debut on Thursday, May 30, at Kendall Square Cinema, One Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, starting at 7 pm sharp. Tatum also plays the lead character, Crosby Taylor, in this film, from his own company, Triceptus Studios. They will hold a special red carpet photo op session with the cast and crew starting at 5:30 pm before the screening. Following the screening, the cast and crew will hold a special Q and A session and an after-party at a location in the Boston/Cambridge area, to be announced in the upcoming weeks. We look forward to Crosby’s debut film and another great performance from Mike Messier!

People just continue to amaze me. For instance, take the folks behind the company Atlantian Films. Atlantian was formed in 2012 by Brian Spectre, to produce high-quality, honest, and thought-provoking theatrical motion pictures to be experienced by a wide variety of audiences. Brian’s team is made up of extremely talented cancer survivors and supporters who have donated their time and talents, as well as Steve Emirzian who is producer, actor, writer and VP of Public Relations for Atlantian Films. This group clearly demonstrates that people who have, or have had, cancer can and do lead creative, productive and meaningful lives. Collectively, they have participated in over 34 films as producers, and their mission is to produce motion pictures that will entertain, surprise  and refresh in the true spirit of action/adventure filmmaking.

A portion of the profits realized from movies created through Atlantian Films will be donated to cancer research or to someone dealing with cancer who may need help with the exorbitant costs associated with treatment. They are in production now on their film titled Mindscapes, a feature-length action adventure fantasy film, and are also looking for volunteers to assist with advertising, marketing, fundraising, technical support and area locations. Please contact them if interested at phone 860-404-0429, mobile 860-­803-5105 or email AtlantianFilms1@gmail.com. I am definitely keeping tabs on them to see just when this film will debut as it promises to be quite a feat!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 11, to come and celebrate The Rhode Island Shakespeare Theater (TRIST). They will be premiering a brand new documentary film by David Eliet on Bob Colonna and the 42-year history of TRIST. Plus, the irrepressible musician and performance artist Rick Adam, one of the earliest TRIST company members, will present his own version of the TRIST story in a wacky one-man show called “Shakin’ Up Shakespeare.” The evening’s celebration and fundraiser (tickets $20) will be held at the brand new Artists’ Exchange theater at 82 on Rolfe Square, Cranston, Rhode Island, at 7 p.m. Space is limited, so reserve your seats now by emailing david.eliet@gmail.com

Chad A. Verdi, an extremely successful filmmaker, and his Rhode Island film company Woodhaven Productions had two big announcements recently. Not only has Woodhaven begun filming its newest production, Army of the Damned, but the picture has already been sold to Screen Media. The film was written and directed by Tom DeNucci and boasts a unique cast, including horror legends Tony Todd and Michael Berryman; singer/actor Joey Fatone; Godsmack frontman Sully Erna; former professional wrestlers Tommy Dreamer and Thea Trinidad; a man who knows a thing or two about horror, Nick Principe; David Chokachi; Jackie Moore; and our own talented RI’er, Tom Paolino. Filming will be done in East Greenwich, Warwick, Cranston and Providence, RI. Army of the Damned tells the story of a hit reality TV crew following a group of local cops in a sleepy town. Things go horribly wrong for the cops when they respond to a call that brings a whole new meaning to the term “domestic disturbance.” Faced with life and death situations, these officers are forced to throw the rule book out in order to stay alive. With the help of a reclusive hermit and a petty criminal, the lawmen do all they can to serve, protect and avoid joining the Army of the Damned. Verdi’s latest films, Infected and Self-Storage, are also being released through Screen Media and will each reach over 100 million homes through Universal’s VOD platform starting this month.

World class films by the youth of TAPA! What’s TAPA you say? It’s Trinity Academy for the Performing Arts – an academically rigorous, arts-integrated public charter school for students in grades 7 through 12. TAPA is a community of practice, where culture, the performing arts and an expanded learning time are all fundamental components of a rigorous academic program. TAPA is woven into the diverse and creative fabric of the city of Providence, fostering engaged, well-rounded artistic leaders. On May 16, at the Granoff Center for the Creative Arts, Brown University, 154 Angell Street in Providence, TAPA will screen world-class films. Doors open at 5:30, screenings begin at 6 pm, and there is a catered reception to follow. Dress up people, this is red carpet attire! Tickets are $35 each or $50 for two. Contact: www.tapaprovidence.org or 401-432-7881

Right here, there is a silent film being made! It’s called Right There. It promises to be a great piece of filmmaking by Nathan Suher and his co-writers, Gregory Capello and Ian Taylor, for Suher’s company, IM Filmworks. They will be going into production the weekend of May 18 with the ultimate goal of producing a short film that is worthy of acceptance to esteemed film festivals like Sundance, SXSW, Toronto and Tribeca. The film will star Ryan Hanley; Lauren Ashleigh; welcoming back to film after some time off, Alexandra Cipolla; Andre Boudreau; Danielle Mayer; Chris Ferreira; Bernie Larrivee; and Kelly McCabe. Here’s the link to all info: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2065153744/right-there. Do donate if you can to make this film a reality.

Ever wonder what kind of impression you made at your audition? What could you have done better? This month we have Actor’s Spotlight, spearheaded by the lovely actress Jami Tennille, for the Rhode Island Film Collaborative. This event will be members-only and offers our actors an opportunity to perform a 2-minute monologue of their choice in front of an invited panel of local directors, casting and media professionals. In addition, industry professionals will attend to provide services and information that benefit the actor. Becki Dennis Buchman and her company, Talent Tools, will offer a mini-resume critique. Red Nose Films will have demo reel information. Designs by Keri will provide information regarding business and comp cards for the working actor. A stylist from Magnolia Salon will provide style tips and complimentary hair + make-up touch-ups. Reno Venturi, casting director, acting coach and personality-galore guy, will be available for actors to receive immediate feedback and personalized coaching regarding their performance, and Kaitlyn Bouchard Photography will offer actors one complimentary digital head shot. ACTORS, PLEASE BRING A MINIMUM OF 15 HEAD SHOTS/RESUMES. Are you a member of RIFC? If so, the event is free! If not, go to www.rifcfilms.com and click on MEMBERS then join. Membership costs $20 dollars annually. The event takes place on May 18, from 2 to 6pm. See you there!

Hey Hey – I’ve got some news myself! A film that I star in, called Collected Souls, has premiered online for the production company Providence Lyceum. Karen and Michael Iacobbo, the producers and writers behind Providence Lyceum, produced the short sci-fi thriller in response to Alex Jones’ prompt on infowars.com after their other film, The Unproductive, made news on that same website. They had less than three weeks to do it and pulled it off thanks to cast members Suzanne McCormick, Kevin Cahill, Malcolm Cameron, Tony Demings,(and for his Brooklyn Coffee Tea House location) Rosemary Pacheco, (yes, me), George Alford, Josh Passarelli, Pat O’Hara, Gwen Kosak, and awesome crew Jill Poisson, Chris Esper, Nathen Shorte-Pouzieux, Mark Sweberg, makeup person Morgan Duffy, and folk singer Chuck Williams. And last but not least, Ms. Laura Pepper who did a fine job editing with not much time and under a very tight deadline. Thank you Laura for making us all look good. I totally enjoyed playing an evil, black-hearted soul-sucking femme fatale. See the film here and help us get as many views as we can to win the contest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXzxiTO3Wmw

That’s it for now folks. Don’t forget to catch me with Nicholas Iandolo for MoTiV’s “Take Two” film review once a month. Our next film to review is Star Trek Into Darkness. See you at the movies.