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| Thank you a million times over cast and CREW - Virginia Bryant |
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November 10, 2009 at the after party of my first short premiere “In His Eyes” http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1575570/ I formally met Mario Passera for the first time. There is where I learned about his writing experience and dreams.
My vision and story for Branded was born 2 days later. Mario and I met that Friday. After 6 hours of sharing my story, him taking very detailed notes, asking questions, answering them we had a great movie.
The first people I shared my vision with were Tom Durant, Natashia Johnson and Rob Krajenke. I worked with Tom at this point for 3 years and would trust him with any camera angle, any vision I would have on set. He is definitely a get it done type of person.
I’ve known Natashia for about the same time and met her on set of “Wonderful” where both our children were actors. She has the same drive and energy I do she just executes them in a silent manner J
I’ve known Rob for about 4 years now. I met him through a casting audition for CheckMateTV which I was under coaching training for my role with him on a weekly basis.
All three of them sharing the passion and dreams for the film industry as me but with their expertise in areas.
I met Trish “Jet” Kraus on the set of “Oblivion” written and directed by Heather Robinson. They were filming a scene at my home and definitely Trish impressed me. She was working hard and getting it done; my type of worker. When I brought her on board I called her the Terminator.
I met Sarah Benedict years ago for the first time on set of the film Street Boss where I was a featured extra. I saw some of Sarah’s work; listened to her at the read through of Oblivion which I was very impressed but what got me for her to play the part of Jesse (the lead of Branded) is when I made a phone call to her stating that I was 99% sure she was Jesse but didn’t know if a side of Jesse was in Sarah. When I described what I was looking for she gave me two personal experiences of her past; the anger; the hurt; the emotion came out. I knew at that moment she could do it! And she was it.
From there I held a casting call for many characters in the feature. In 3 days of auditions, cold reads, monologues, call backs we had 118 people come through. We had some very amazing Michigan talent. Due to children in the film and a 13 year time span we had to take in consideration the way actors looked. I knew Marisa Stober would be Kelly, I knew Dan Maldonado, Jon West, April Canning, Christine Marie, DaVaughn Lucas, Travis Braswell, Vikki Gasko, Lakisha Thomas, Molly Monk, Raffi Elias, Michaela Hernandez, Pamela Johnson just to name a few, would be part of my film.
Now about Jon West. He definitely rocked his audition. Professional, prepared, strong actor. He is definitely a go-getter. He is our props master doing a GREAT job. He also wrote one of the skits for our Branded Outreach. He is talented in every way. He reminds me of the male version of myself J
Most definitely there wouldn’t be anyone else that could play my son in my movie but for my son. So of course with the simple, cute, innocent daughter in the film that had to be played by my daughter Melina.
Mario and I didn’t have much trouble selecting who would be who.
Mario had 123 pages typed up in a matter of 2 weeks. He was drawn to this story; he had passion and he shared that. But I could see, sense and hear it. To be a man that is not a survivor Mario definitely embraced this movie with his character.
The entire team of Branded has hearts…. Genuine, pure, beautiful souls!
Vikki Gasko is my best friend in this acting crazy world we live in. I look up to her as an actress. Very talented! There wouldn’t be anyone else that I would trust to coach my actors but for her. She shares the vision and knows my vision.
Elaine Gagnon is a personal friend of mine and has been since 2002. Elaine to me is as genuine as they come. A true friend. She was there for me through my divorce, she has always been there. A friend that showed up at the first Branded Mix and Mingle and you would think from the look on my face that Robert DeNiro just walked in the room. A friend that was at my event. I chatted with Elaine and wanted her to really stay in touch with me on the film. She did. And if I didn’t have the best UPM in Michigan…. Wow… she is it – she rocks. She is definitely a go-getter. She knows how to pinch pennies and ask ask ask…..
Through filming Born of Earth, Jingles the Clown, and Exit 33 I met Dayna Recchia. Another impressive, genuine, powerful woman. I knew one day I would want Dayna to be the AD on a set I was directing. And wow is she it. Directing has difficult moments because you do delegate duties on to those that are experts at their jobs. But if there is anyone out there better as an AD than Dayna – bring them on – I don’t have to worry one bit. As much as I check up and call and worry and email, etc etc…. I never have to worry!!!
I met James Fejedelem through my younger modeling days on my MySpace page. This man is very, very talented. I have to give a credit to Rob Krajenke as well with www.cineramic.com as well because he helped coach me with my personal life as well as built my website and worked on many images and posters for my work.
But back to Jimmy www.touchedbyjimmy.com he worked with me in the film industry on creating my first pieces of artwork and DVD covers, posters for In His Eyes and now for Firefly-Films and Branded. He definitely has a quick turn around time when it comes to anything you can throw at him for creating.
I met Jerry Richart at a Schmooze Mixer going on at the Dirty Martini. The only photographer that was professional. We stayed in touch and after meeting with him at lunch once to discuss business his heart showed through. Another beautiful and talented soul added to the Branded team.
More to come on Linda Carr my rock and roll script supervisor from In His Eyes, Clarice Jordan a true friend and other rock and roll get it done woman, Joe Tinpan a fellow actor, friend and business associate, Jerry Seward Branded producer with a heart of gold……………..I don’t want to leave anyone out but I know that I have.
Everyone above has added to my life.
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