Ah … I love this whole business of the holidays. It’s so busy and a little crazy, but it’s a time that I wait for all year long. I love the gathering of family and friends, the obscene amount of food, and perhaps a cocktail or two (thanks Cait Ardito at Motif for your Dirty Christmas Cookie — it was a potent one).We’re now approaching the end of the year, and there’s so much happening. I devote this particular column to the “ticker tape” style of Scene and Heard from the good ol’ days when the film column started in January 2013. People are makin’ it happen and events are ushering in ’14 like never before.
First off, I’d like to say how happy I am to be a part of the wild and crazy ride that is Motif. This year was the first time the magazine published a recurring film news column, and the first time there were film awards. I’m proud of the column and the team at Motif who make it a magazine that people look for in their daily travels.
Second, I’d like to say thanks to all the great people I have interviewed, talked with, grabbed a coffee and/or had a drink with, worked with, or am going to work with. You all rock. Seriously. I’ve gained so much from writing about you and I wish you the very best on all your projects now and in the years to come.
Third … so what’s going on?
January starts off with a bang. Someone who I admire immensely and who also happens to be a class act is having a three-film screening at Columbus Theatre on January 4. This is none other than Cate Carson and her company Sensorium Pictures. Cate and her husband, Justin Plasse, will show three films in a private screening. It is not open to the general public, but if you’re an actor, filmmaker, or part of any other film crew in New England, or are friends and family of such, you are invited on January 4 at the Columbus Theatre, located at 270 Broadway, Providence, RI. This is not one you want to miss, folks. This is also a launch event for Sensorium, and they are very much looking forward to bringing this first screening of Capture, Watcher, and Moonflower to you, involving so many New England cast and crew.
Also taking place at the event is a special headshot/resume drop-off for those interested in working with Sensorium Pictures on future projects. Lotuscast will be there streaming a live podcast radio show, and Maria Natapov will interview guests, cast and crew. There is a full bar for the launch pre-screening party where they will celebrate the official launch of Sensorium Pictures from 6 to 7 pm. From 7 to 10 pm, the complete films will be screened: Capture, which is a thriller feature and Watcher, which is a live action fantasy short. Here’s another great thing: they are looking forward to getting feedback on Moonflower, a contemporary drama short, because they’ve decided to shoot an additional scene for the film to really make it a festival success. Your input will be very valuable for this process! To purchase tickets prior to the event, visit sensoriumpictures
Next up — political incorrectness with Peppered Productions. That’s Laura Pepper we’re talking about. She’s got this film shooting in the first two weeks of January called Fairfield Follies. This story is funny. In Laura’s own words, it’s a cross between A Christmas Story, Animal House and Waiting for Guffman. Wow! I’ve read the script and participated in her table read for this film, and even though she didn’t give me a part in it (damn!), I can’t wait to see it! Laura and I have worked on two of her 48s, and I can tell you she is a sharp wit with a style all her own. Laura wrote the hilarious story of a small town producing a Christmas pageant of sorts, and halfway through they lose their producer. It becomes a multi-holiday show, and you’ll definitely want to join Mrs. Evans as she tries to make the most politically inclusive show ever.
Fairfield will boast many New England actors who are also friends of mine, like Anna Rizzo, Mary Kelliher DeBerry (yes, as Mrs. Whitelove, and yes, that’s Whitelove), Evan Clinton, Susanne Colle (as the stressed-out, trying-to-get-it-right Mrs. Evans), Andre Boudreau, and also two former RI actors now living in California, Sarah Nicklin and Michael Reed, along with many others. The story is sharp and witty, and has a crazy cast of characters, like Soo and Woo, Wally, a flaming costume designer known as Jeremy, and many more. Laura has Kristin Kayala and David Langill on board as her producers, so this is sure to be a crazy holiday romp that will leave you laughing in your seat.
We’ll have more on Laura Pepper and a story about the lady herself in an upcoming column in Motif. For updates, or perhaps a call for extras, stay tuned to their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.
Read Scene and Heard and we’ll keep you updated on the foibles and follies of the Fairfield kind …
Accidental … what?
Those boys from Scorpio Film Releasing are at it again! Their new film, called Accidental Incest, begins production on January 18. It’s, um, as you can guess, quite a romp and NOT your average love story. Writer Lenny Schwartz (his Murder University is in national distro now) and director Richard Marr-Griffin (his 14 films in distro also includes Murder University) are extremely excited to begin principal photography on their new black comedy, starring many Rhode Islanders in the film community. What is it, you ask? It’s the film adaptation of the award-winning off- Broadway play by Lenny. And let me tell you folks, it’s not afraid to be in your face!
“I am not afraid to be brutal,” says Lenny with whom I’ve had the pleasure of sitting in a coffee shop and discussing a new project in the works. (More on that at a later date!) It’s the story of two people who find romance in this crazy world. The problem is that they are indeed brother and sister! Is it sick and disturbing? You bet. Is it funny and off kilter? Absolutely! Is it for everyone out there? Uh, probably not. The film stars Patrick Keeffe, Elyssa Baldassarri, Michael Thurber, Pat Hawkridge, Mat Clerrico, Casey Wright, Geoff Monti, Jamie Lyn Bagley, Johnny Sederquist, Nat Sylva, Sean Sullivan, Aaron Andrade, and genre legend Debbie Rochon. (I even have a cameo role as Rosie the Receptionist, and I couldn’t be more thrilled! I’ve always wanted to be in a Griffin film, so a special thanks here to Richard Marr-Griffin for the oportunity.) Kendra (Elyssa Baldassari) and Milton (Patrick Keeffe) are left with a question after discovering they are in love, and are indeed brother and sister. Should you be miserable or be with the one person who truly gets who you are? By the way, don’t forget that Lenny and Richard’s film Normal is also premiering on January 26, 2014 at 7 pm and 9 pm, at the CinemaWorld Lincoln Mall 16, and you can purchase tickets here for either show: sarahnicklin.com/
Painless
There’s another film in production this January from writer Jordan Horowitz and the Ambrosino/Delmenico production company. Painless is an interesting story with a scientific twist. It is about a lonely, reclusive man who becomes obsessed with finding a cure for his rare condition that doesn’t allow him to feel physical pain. They will begin filming in both Rhode Island and New York City in January. Anthony, Nick and Jordan completed their auditions in RI and in NYC, but there are still casting decisions to be made or confirmed. Nick and Anthony have had major success this past year with the news that their Almost Human, written by Joe Begos and Josh Ethier formerly of Coventry, sold at the Toronto Film Festival and then subsequently IFC. They also finished producing a film called Mary Loss of Soul for Jennifer B. White, another psychological drama that is near release for Oak Ivy productions. It’s clear that these boys know how to do it, and do it well. We’ll be following Painless as 2014 commences and keep you updated on news about the film. You can follow it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/
or their IMDb page at www.imdb.com/title/
Last but not least is Special Feature by Raz Cunningham. Hey, Raz? There are a couple of things I’d like to know. First, what kind of name is Raz? And, um – just how do you come up with these ideas? Let me explain — Special Feature is the brainchild of Mr. Cunningham and producer/actor Mel Hardy. It’s a mockumentary about the making of an indie film and the problems and foibles the production company runs into. Let’s see if I can say this without getting you confused. In the mockumentary called Special Feature, there ‘s a film being made, an indie film called Carver’s Nuts. In Carver’s Nuts, the story follows George Washington Carver, the biochemist who invented many ways to use the peanut. But this story about Carver has a twist. He’s played by a white guy. Yep, he’s now a white guy, and the producers feel this is a unique and forward-thinking way to cast this film. That’s not how the general public sees it, however. (No wonder they have problems). They promote the film and run into all sorts of issues, including costuming, makeup, casting and clashing personalities. The film shows Felicia Belle (played by me!) and Jay Howard (played by comedian/actor Dennis Hurley) trying to pull this film together, raise the money and promote the film, all while running into interesting and crazy personalities. One such personality is Ricky Ramm (played by the very funny Tommy DeNucci), the douchebag DJ who just completely cuts them off at the knees on the air and then again as Ricky interviews David Drake, the leading man/method actor in Carver’s Nuts (played by NY actor Josh Krebs). It’s great fun and a load of laughs. We literally held our hands in front our mouths to keep from laughing as Ricky did his schtick. David doesn’t have a clue and Lana the costume designer (played by Mel) laments about weight changes of lead actors and a lot more. It’s a hoot and I can’t wait to start shooting again. And last but not least, a special thanks to Raz and Mel for giving me an opportunity to be part of this project.
You can see that 2014 is shaping up to be a special year. 2013 certainly was, and I’ve had almost more opportunity than I can handle! Look forward to Nick Iandolo and me doing more episodes of Take Two for MoTiv, the first of which will showcase the two Toms, Tom Paolino and Tommy DeNucci. This will air in January, where we will review Tommy’s film Army of the Damned and let those guys chat it up and tell us what’s next.
Remember: Speed … Rolling … Action!
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SUMMER OF STRIKES: An actor’s view on striking issues
Indulge Your Senses in Narragansett
Narragansett in the Summer
Lunar Notes: New Moon – New Beginnings
David Gere – Beyond the Shadow of a Doubt
