Early in 2010, Donna Brown planned and coordinated a movie-making project — a 25 minute movie completely written, produced and performed by the residents of Friendship Village. From the very beginning for a call to writers to the finished product, the entire process took six months to complete.

The process of making a movie began with the initial call: for writers, production team, casting team, auditions, through the rehearsals and the filming. The writers produced a well written screenplay by a retired high school principal. The finished screenplay turned out to be a delightful comedy called “Let’s Dance.” Additional resident writers helped to develop the characters. Once the screenplay was written, a casting committee and production team held auditions for residents. Rehearsals were held twice a week for six weeks. The production team consisting of makeup, wardrobe, props, set decoration, craft services, 1st and 2nd assistant directors were at the heart of the film production. The filming, which took three days to complete, was a true learning experience for all involved.

Once filming was completed, a ‘Red Carpet’ movie premiere and party was planned. The actors arrived by limousine (the same limousine drove around 6 times and dropped two resident actors off at a time) and were surrounded by paparazzi (family members) taking pictures. Actors wore sunglasses, dressed in formal attire and were given the ‘Red Carpet’ treatment — as they entered, ‘Joan Rivers’ interviewed the celebrities.
Two separate showings were needed due to the overwhelming turn out. Prior to the movie, guests enjoyed entertainment and a premier party was held after the show which included a three-piece band for dancing.

Forty residents participated in the making of the film. All agreed the experience was one they would never forget. They thoroughly enjoyed the celebrity status and learning about the film industry. Experiencing the behind the scenes of film-making was something to remember!

Visit our online photo album to see pictures from Let’s Dance

According to Tina Okamoto, “We all had so much fun performing at Friendship Village. The people are so nice and appreciative. ” School board members also accompanied the students to Friendship Village to support the children and meet members of the enthusiastic audience.

According to Tina Okamoto, “We all had so much fun performing at Friendship Village. The people are so nice and appreciative. ” School board members also accompanied the students to Friendship Village to support the children and meet members of the enthusiastic audience.

“I really learned a lot about Greece this week — it’s been great fun,” according to new residents Marie and Walter Richters.

Another resident, Bette Kocian, enjoys Greek culture especially the history. She has also traveled to Greece and was amazed at the beauty of the islands. “I’m having such a great time at the Greek Fest,” she said. “I feel like I’m back there. When I go out these doors, I expect to be in Greece.”

During the week, residents attended Greek-themed movies, an authentic Greek folk dance performed by the Agape dancers ages 9 – 12 wearing various costumes of the different regions of Greece and a special presentation about Greek mythology. Mike McCann, director of Friendship Village’s Lifestyle department, brushed up on the great Greek gods and in his animated, entertaining style, delivered tales and truths about Zeus, Aphrodite, Apollo and other gods, explaining their roles and relationships to each other.

Residents and guests enjoyed a generous lunch of Greek salad, saginaki (Saganaki), shish kabobs, roasted Greek potatoes, Spanakopita (spinach pie), Baklava, Greek custard and lemonade. Actors donned heavy chain and metal amour, authentic steel and brass greaves and helmets used to protect both Greek and Roman warriors in battle. They traversed the dining crowd answering questions and explaining the strategies of battles, usually between the Greeks and Romans until Greece finally came into the Roman Empire in 146 BC.

Following lunch, a skit written and performed by the lifestyle department included a stellar original score sung by Reverend Richard Oas as Socrates and foiled by Jeff Rose as Plato and Mike McCann as Aristotle. Marci Perez as Methusela, (Medusa) Jillian Patti as Aphrodite and Kyle Zelazny as Hercules made cameo appearances.

Dancing began with the footwork of residents led by Katherine Dagres,
a Friendship Village resident from Greece. Mrs. Dagres’ family joined the dancers as did other members of the audience. The Dagres family stole the show with authentic line dancing and a solo dance by John Gianos, Katherine Dagres granddaughter’s boyfriend, who combined graceful jumps, turns and steps with a pathos that mirrored the oddly lonely but pleasant music.

The beautifully costumed and talented dancers from the Namaste Dance Troupe treated the audience to authentic belly dancing fit for the gods and Friendship Village guests as they moved to the music selections of Dean Parashos. The colorful, graceful and elaborate costumes included scarves, swords and fans, and skirts swirled as the dancers dazzled the crowd.

Inspired by the jeweled garb, residents gathered to purchase handmade beaded jewelry, view the antique Greek artifacts and prolong the excitement of the day with their own critiques of their favorite tributes.

See our online photo album of this wonderful event!

When a not-so-successful dance instructor and choreographer, Don Zallejo, finally admits to himself he will not be the next Bob Fossi, he sets out to find a job anywhere in the country teaching dance.  Hired by the “Friendly City,” Zallejo takes on the challenge of teaching three couples, Louise and Clark Meriwether, Tom and Gerri Collins, and Mike and Lena Turner.  He soon discovers just how challenging these three couples can be in a hilarious 25 minutes of antics and missteps.

Written by and starring Dan Zelazek, a newly discovered talent, Friendship Village resident and former Chicago school principal

Direction and Editing by Rebecca Tulloch, Prairie Star Productions

Starring and Sets by Friendship Village Residents

Produced by Donna Brown

Breakout screenwriter and movie star, Dan Zelanek is flanked by adorning fans has he makes his way down the red carpet.

See more photos on our online photo album

]]> http://amongfriends.friendshipvillage.org/spotlight/lets-dance-movie-premier/feed/ 1 http://amongfriends.friendshipvillage.org/spotlight/lights-camera-action-friendship-village-movie/ http://amongfriends.friendshipvillage.org/spotlight/lights-camera-action-friendship-village-movie/#comments Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:57:21 +0000 Among Friends http://amongfriends.friendshipvillage.org/?p=595

Friendship Village residents go ‘Hollywood’

Since October residents have been in the process of making their own movie under the guidance and direction of Director, Producer and Casting Manager, Rebecca Tulloch.

Tulloch said, “I played the role of the queen at King Richard’s Renaissance Faire in May. And I was really impressed with Friendship Village. The residents were very friendly and the location was great for a short film. I thought making a film with the residents would be a great experience for both of us.” And thus, a collaboration was formed.

From the beginning the residents have been inspired by the project which began with an informative meeting on the aspects of film making on location. At the first meeting, residents enjoyed movie clips and heard all about the adventure into the land of movie production.

The first call was for writers. We had the director, but we needed a script.
Aspiring writers tried their hand developing scripts. There were some wonderful stories, but the script that was most workable was the one entitled “Let’s Dance” by resident Dan Zelazek. “I didn’t even know I could write,” said Zelazek. “I totally amazed myself,” he continued. “I wrote about something that I really enjoy which is what probably made it work.”
Zelazek’s script was transformed into a screenplay. “Let’s Dance” is a fabulously funny comedy based on a Hollywood wannabe dance instructor who could never quite make it to the ‘big time.’

The next call was for a production team. A production team or film crew consisted of behind the scenes or the mechanics of propelling the film from the start to its final production. The production team consisted of the director, assistant director, second assistant director, props, wardrobe, hair, makeup, grips, prop master, camera assistant and craft services. Residents showed up to this meeting with eagerness – not knowing what to expect, but were intrigued with the idea of being part of producing a movie. Everyone who showed up to the meeting received a job. Santina Deneen headed up makeup, wardrobe and hair. Dot Gondek also worked hand-in-hand with Santina. Lowana Friar took on the challenge of Assistant Director as well as a small part in the film. John Lynch handleed props and grips with the assistance of handyman Joe Gondek. The main job of the ‘grip’ is to help move props. Geraldine Wuester and Marion Bohm made and purchased props for the film. Marion was also in charge of the slate or the clapboard – ‘take one, scene two’ assisted by second-second assistant director Maryjane Holmes. And finally, Velma Robinson helped out everyone and made sure the doors on the production days stayed closed.

Next, there was a roundup of all the resident actors at Friendship Village. From the production team, a casting committee was formed to choose the residents who would best fit the roles for the different acting parts. The stars of “Let’s Dance” include: Dan Zelazek, Lavonne Verkade, Tony Dini, Jean Sargent, Frank Dawson, Valerie Dawson, Virginia Wietrecki, Tony Placz, Ruth Atkins, Lowana Friar, Jim Merrill and a cameo appearance by Donna Brown.

Rehearsals began in January with the assistance and guidance of director Rebecca Tulloch and choreographer David von Ehrlicher. Von Ehrlicher is an accomplished dancer who has performed in numerous musicals and ballets. He used his expertise to guide the footsteps of our Friendship Village actors. Another artist needing mention is the very talented composer and sound technician Matt Mickelsen. His talent of composing music includes variations of a Tango, ChaCha and Rumba. His vision of music completed the film.

Resident actress Lavonne Verkade said, “Being part of this movie has been one of the most interesting things I have ever done in my life. Just learning about the whole movie making process has been a wonderful experience. And having a part in the movie has been one of my favorite things I’ve done so far at Friendship Village.”