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Photos From Our "Chaolera Girl" Shoot

2007-07-09T14:14:00.000-07:00

Another Fantastic Day Of Shooting! Plus PICURES!!!

2007-07-08T19:00:00.001-07:00

Ana Feliciano took a bunch more pictures and was sweet enough to send us this slide show she created from today's shoot! And who could resist these images of Adam Nicknig -- IN ACTION! Adam did an incredible job as another Cholera victim who winds up dead, and floating down the river. Thanks for the pictures, Ana!!!

Joaquin's camera seems heavier and heavier...

2007-06-25T22:42:00.000-07:00

Tomi chronicles the action while her daughter dies of boredom

2007-06-25T21:04:00.000-07:00

Anne and Bill Ham It Up!

2007-06-25T21:03:00.000-07:00

A little break time between shot setups

2007-06-25T20:37:00.000-07:00

Ana goes over her shot logs

2007-06-25T20:35:00.000-07:00

Paul and Steve wait for the director to stop wasting time...

2007-06-25T20:33:00.000-07:00

Which One Looks More Guilty?

2007-06-25T20:32:00.000-07:00

More setup!

2007-06-25T20:31:00.000-07:00

The gang stops to here another one of Ron's jokes

2007-06-25T20:16:00.000-07:00

Ana and RuiXia stop to strike a pose...

2007-06-25T20:14:00.000-07:00

Sue and Meghan wait for their cue to go on set...

2007-06-25T20:13:00.001-07:00

Readying for the next hallway sequence

2007-06-25T20:10:00.000-07:00

Watching a scene in progress...

2007-06-25T20:09:00.000-07:00

Giovannie and Ron wait for their cue

2007-06-25T20:07:00.000-07:00

Ana teaches Sierra some new moves!

2007-06-25T20:06:00.000-07:00

Scott goes over the next scene...

2007-06-25T20:05:00.000-07:00

Ron and Giovannie run their lines

2007-06-25T20:03:00.000-07:00

Giovannie Pico - "Tired...but fine"

2007-06-25T20:00:00.000-07:00

HOSPITAL SCENES ARE "IN THE CAN!"

2007-06-24T13:24:00.001-07:00

The hospital scenes are complete, and everything went off without a hitch! The success of the shoot was due to all the unbelievable work of cast and crew, working tirelessly, and in total harmony, throughout the day. Considering this shoot brought together 5 principal actors, 14 principal crew members, and 15 extras, (34 people in all), and we were able to shoot eight pages of a ten-page script, the completion of Saturday's shoot is nothing less than amazing!

Thanks to everyone who worked so hard yesterday, and gave so much of themselves and their time to make KINDRED’s first day of shooting such a wonderful success! I can’t wait for everyone to see the finished product! If this film turns out even half has good as the performances I witnessed yesterday, KINDRED will truly be an incredible story to watch unfold at the Crest Theater in October.

It is the hope of any writer/director, that his actors can “pull off” the dialog that was written for them. I am happy to tell you that, not only did this incredibly talented group of actors pull it off — they completely blew me away! Never, in my wildest dreams, would I ever have thought I could witness people bringing my idea to life with so much intensity. There were several moments I actually found myself watching the monitor and forgetting that I was directing a film; I had to remind myself to say “CUT.”

After Giovannie (Dr. Chen) gave so many emotionally wrenching performances, several of us later admitted that watching her in the moment actually made us start getting emotional ourselves; in my entire life, I’ve never been able to witness someone do what Giovannie can do, with such seeming ease.

Ron (Dr. Simmons) was so convincing in his roll that one would think he had been working in a hospital for years. Equally wonderful was that fact that Ron was such a total professional. He came, ready to perform miracles, and he nailed it!

Jodi Mao (patient Tracy) also outdid herself, giving the professional actors on set quite a run for their money. When Jodi’s not acting, she is my daughter, and I can assure you that my wife and I were so very proud of her, yesterday, watching her give a remarkable performance in some equally emotional scenes.

I also wanted to give a very sincere thank you to Joaquin, Paul, Tomi, and Ana. They have worked so hard, and have made such a profound and personal commitment to this project, I am just speechless. I can only hope that I can repay their generosity somehow.

In addition to Joaquin’s, Paul’s, Tomi’s and Ana’s efforts, yesterday, I was lucky enough to have the help of some expert crew members who took to their work as true professionals. They got to the set early in the morning and never stopped giving 200 percent the entire day. Thank you to Robert Seastrom, Steven Fong, Andrew Howe, David Pace, Sierra Kelly, Kate Nicknig, RuiXia Howe, Susan Howe, Jeff Medlicot, and Laura Gary! All of them made Saturday’s shoot go incredibly smoothly!!!

FIRST PRODUCTION MEETING HELD

2007-06-04T23:26:00.001-07:00

Our first production meeting was a great success. First AD, Paul Nicknig was gracious enough to host our first production meeting in his beautiful home. Much headway has already been made, preparing for the first shoot date, (Saturday, June 23rd). There is yet more planning to come, before shooting begins.

FINAL CAST MEMBERS IN PLACE!

2007-06-01T12:59:00.000-07:00

Ronald Brokenbrough has accepted the part of Dr. Simmons. In addition, Ana Feliciano will play the part of Nurse Sarah. I encourage everyone to go to the cast page to read more about them.

Special Effects Planning Is Currently Underway!

2007-05-25T18:22:00.001-07:00

Look forward to some impressive special effects work in "KINDRED," thanks to the artistry of Chris Terry. Chris will be brining much of 1850s Sacramento back to life...

Jennifer Fragata Cast

2007-05-25T18:17:00.001-07:00

Jennifer will be playing the part of an Asian immigrant family member in one of two 1850s nightmarish dream sequences.

Kenny Sharman To Play "Condemned Man"

2007-05-25T18:15:00.001-07:00

Kenny will be playing dead... and swinging from a rope. Thankfully it's all just "movie magic."

TWO MORE SUPPORTING ROLES HAVE BEEN FILLED

2007-05-23T21:06:00.001-07:00

BRITTNEY LANE THOMPSON will be playing the part of "Cemetery Girl," and TOM HART has accepted the role of the 1850s photographer. Thanks to both of them for being a part of "KINDRED."

SAVE THESE DATES!

2007-05-23T13:01:00.000-07:00

SATURDAY, JUNE 23

SATURDAY, JUNE 30

SATURDAY, AUGUST 4

Please let me know if you are avilable for any or all of these dates.

2ND Film In Pre-Production

2007-05-23T12:13:00.000-07:00

In addition to KINDED, I am currently working on a second short film project and have tentatively cast the lead role. Called “The Guardian,” this short film follows “Maria,” a woman held against her will for an unknown amount of time in an unspeakably horrifying detention facility. She does not know where this place is; only that the people who are brought here never see their loved ones again. She has endured countless interrogations, and this latest encounter is no different: her captors want to know where she has hidden something very valuable. This session will prove to be even more physically and psychologically damaging for her unless she can tell them what they want to know. Only at the last moment will it be revealed what it is she’s tried to protect for so long, and why...

Please let me know if you are interested in a crew position for this half-day weekend shoot.

Some of the crew has been selected:

2007-05-22T11:55:00.000-07:00

Please visit the crew page to see who has been selected for some of the key production positions. There are still many positions that need to be filled.

Hospital Location

2007-05-20T13:34:00.000-07:00

Below are some images of our "hospital" location. Much of this story takes place in present day Sacramento, in a hospital setting; hense the Dr. Chen character. The nightmares that Dr. Chen keeps having, however, revolve around Sacramento in 1850. That's where all the "dead" people come in... This hospital location may look familiar to Sac State alumni.

Three Cast Members In Place

2007-05-20T11:25:00.000-07:00

I am happy to announce that three actors have been cast including two in principle roles. They are: Giovannie Pico as "Dr. Chen," Jodi Mao as "Patient Tracy," and Isabella Neustadt as "Cholera Girl." More cast and crew will be announced soon.

Audition DVD

2007-05-18T22:01:00.000-07:00

Ron Cooper, at Access Sacramento, has emailed each writer/producer to tell us that he plans to edit the actor audition video along with a written list of all the people who registered by next week. He’ll distribute the DVD to each of the producers sometime during the following week. He has assured us that the finished DVD should be in our hands before the end of the month.

Wednesday Night’s Cast & Crew Call

2007-05-18T21:30:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday evening, several of you were nice enough to leave me with a photo of yourself and, in some cases, a resume. Though it’s only Friday, I’m finding that those photos and resumes are really helping me to place all of you in my memory from the brief opportunity we had to meet. I don’t want to miss anyone or leave anyone out, simply because of my terrible memory. For this reason, I would ask each of you who, for whatever reason, were not able to bring a photo with you, to please take a moment and email me an attached photo of yourself along with either a full resume, or just a brief description of anything you’ve done that you are particularly proud of. If you have a link to anything you’d like me to look at, feel free to send that as well.

I realize that many of you may not have professional photos, or even much experience under your belts. That is perfectly fine with me; I just need a “memory-jogger,” so any recent photo you might have around is fine. Even if you had no interest in acting, and just wanted to be part of the crew, it would really help me to remember my meeting with each of you if you could send me a photo along with your experience and a brief reminder of what your “dream” acting and/or crew job might be on this project.

SHOOT DATES CONFIRMED

2007-05-18T19:30:00.000-07:00

• Principle shooting in the hospital location will commence on SATURDAY, JULY 21.

• All of the dream sequences that take place in the 1850s will take place over one or two weekends in June or July.

Currently choosing for remaining cast and crew positions

2007-05-18T14:42:00.000-07:00

In the next week or so, I hope to connect with some of you individually to discuss your availability for specific crew positions on the project. As soon as possible, I will let everyone know my final decisions on both cast and crew.