New Film Poster

Check out the new poster designed by our art director Joni Seto!  She also took the photo.  I'll be ordering a few 18x24 prints, so contact me if you're interested in ordering one.

Teaser

Pickle da Pooch!

                                                            Headshot Gallery

                                                             Dramatic

                                                             Comedic

Meet Pickle!  Pickle plays "Harold" in Improvising.  I first worked with Pickle in a production of Midsummer Night's Dream at Theatricum.  Although he had some personal issues that caused him to back out of the performance, I noticed some raw talent.  I kept him in mind for Improvising, and I'm glad he had a second chance to showcase his abilities.  Once we got him to stop looking at the camera, he was brilliant!  He said he wants to try to tackle a serious role for his next project.

Trivia:  Pickle's owner can be seen in the film, playing "Megan" in the party scene.

More Muammar!

Meet Tank!  Tank played Muammar in "Improvising".  Unfortunately, his co-star "Talib" is no longer with us.  For a $25 donation to the film, you can adopt him!  You'll receive his jar, water, extra gravel, glow-in-the-dark fish beads, tap water conditioner, and two jars of fish food!  Wow!  Please contact me if you're interested in adopting him.

Welcome to the Cast!

Joining the cast of "Improvising" is actress Vivian Kerr.  Most recently seen on stage in Theatre Banshee's "The Crucible", she also has several projects in the works including her show "We Are With the Band" and her developing project "Lines", a film centering on the relationship of the Bronte sisters.  How cool is that!  She's also raising funds for her project through kickstarter so check it out!  While you're at it, check out her featured article in Backstage.

"Lines" Kickstarter

Vivian in Backstage

In "Improvising", Vivian will be playing the role of one of the members of the fictitious improv troupe Ions @ Noon.

Party Animals!

Just finished "Party Animals"  2'x2' oil on wood with puffed neon paint and glitter, glitter, glitter!   And of course it will be for sale after it's used for filming in November.  Proceeds will go toward our film festival submissions! 

More Props!

These shoes will be a featured prop.  I scored these at Buffalo Exchange (Sherman Oaks).  I thought the bright pink will pair well with the neon yellow theme.

                                                          Civil War Union Soldier cap

I found this beautiful Italian wool blazer with elbow pads at the Silverlake Good Will.  (One of my greatest finds / bargins thus far!!)

IndieGoGo Campaign is LIVE!!

Please take a minute to check out and share our IndieGoGo Campaign.  This is your chance to support the film!

Click Here To Donate

www.indiegogo.com/improvising

Cast Announcement

Crew:

Rob Richards – DP/Camera

Jonathan Stromberg – DP/Camera

Ben Birmingham – Production Assistant

Joni Seto – Art Director

Steve miller – Production Coordinator

Mahryan Franzen – Camera Assistant

Christina Duran -- Sound

John Macnamara – Sound

Charlie Fogerty – Location Scout

James Fogerty – Location Scout

CAST:

Starring…

Mano Agapion.........................as "Melvin"

Austin Andries…………………as “Jordan”

Stacy Belizaire........................as "Stephanie"

Valdi Belizaire.........................as "Courtney"

Ben Birmingham……………...as “Landlord”

Seth Cassell...........................as "Chase"

Dave Ciaccio..........................as "Matt"

George Cortez........................as "Burns"

Cameron Daxon………………as “Mason”

Liz Eldridge............................as "Megan"

Aly Fainbarg...........................as "Elise"

Clare Fogerty..........................as "Marz"

James Fogerty………………..as “Blaine”

George Higgins……………….as “Aaron”

Mark Jacobson………………..as “Vince”

Vivian Kerr…………………….as “Cara”

Christian La Monte……………as “Ty”

Shali Mals………….................as "Debbie"

Ella Martin..............................as "Jules"

Joe Martir...............................as "George"

Ryan Meharry.........................as "Brian"

Eli Portugal............................as "Jason"

J. Louis Reid..........................as "Dad"

William Reinbold.....................as "Terry"

Taylor Jackson Ross..............as "Cass"

Jodi Santosuosso…………….as “Ami”

Ava Scaturro..........................as "Emily"

Betsy Sodaro.........................as "Christy"

Tyler Tanner...........................as "Steve"

May Tran...............................as "Macie"

Destiny Trejo..........................as "Sabrina"

Daniel Van Dyke.....................as "Mr. Andrews"

Dylan Booth Vigus..................as "Greg"

Featuring…

MacKenzie Cleveland…………as “Mallory”

Jordan-Liam Davies………….as “Ron”

Preston Dupri…………………..as “Scott”

Hunter Johnson……………….as “Jackson”

Jeff Park……………………….as “Jerry”

Megan Perrin…………………..as “Mary”

Rochelle Riggs………………...as “Mrs. Wheeler”

Rylee Riggs……………………as “Brynn”

Shannon Solange…………….as “Samantha”

Ann Marie Strucke……………..as “Marissa”

Sunny Vachher……………….as “Sam”

Kayla Wallach…………………as “Kerri”

Free Association (The Band)

Special Thanks:

Marsha Cifarelli

Daniel Van Dyke

Tyler Payne

Kabin Thomas

Choo-Choo’s Eagle Rock

Stay tuned for cast updates along with cast bios and interviews!

Cat Power!

Today, I painted and baked a cat mug.  I used Porcelain 150 on a plain white mug from the 99 Cents store.

 

Singing Bowl

I got a Tibetan singing bowl for a scene that involves playing with sounds and instruments.  I'm still mastering the art of playing it, but this is just a sampling.

I also got a few salt lamps to create a soft glow for a special dinner scene.

Door Decorations

I created a few decorations for a scene that involves cats.  The movie will definitely have that homemade, kitschy quality.

Pilgrim Costume

I made a pilgrim costume by cutting buckles out of cardboard and painting them yellow.  I also cut up an old pillow case to make a bib and cuffs.  (Tivia:  It was the same pillowcase I used as a nun's habbit for my Measure for Measure scene at Theatricum Botanicum.)  I also painted a brown felt hat black.  (I got the hat from the set of Pretty Smart, a show I did with VH1.)

Auditions!

On Saturday, Sept. 17th, we held auditions at CAZT in West Hollywood.  We saw a lot of talented actors, and though the decisions were tough, we assembled the cast of Improvising.  Official cast announcements will be posted in October!

An Interview with Art Director Joni Seto

I interviewed Joni Seto, my friend and art director, about finding the poster shot for the film and what it's like to be an art director.

Props

I've started to create many of the props for the film.  Here is the neon green cast I made out of paper mache (flour and water).  I wrapped my hand in bandages, then let it dry.  After several layers and a few days of drying, I painted it white and then green.  It slips on and off fairly easily.

I wove an Indian headband out of yarn and string.  (It took quite a bit of time.)  I then glued feathers and beads down a leather string.  I also made a few beaded necklaces for the Thanksgiving scene.  I actually learned how to make the headband in a third grade music / art class.  It's amazing what you remember from childhood.

Remember, the majority of the props will be sold at the conclusion of the film to help raise money for festival submissions.  Contact me if you see anything you are interested in.  I'll be making more headbands to sell on Etsy too.