Around June - Indican Pictures

Around June
Fog City Pictures
2331 Third Street San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone: 415.522.1200 fax: 415.522.1207 e-mail: [email protected]
Synopsis
A love story set in the shadow of the shipyards of San Francisco. June, a shy
young woman, lives at home with Murry, her domineering father, and Henry, her
much adored, mentally challenged uncle. June’s mother died when she was very
young, and since her death, the light in everyone’s life has gone out. Murry lords
over the cluttered house and everyone in it. Nothing can be touched. No change.
No breath of hope. The past has crippled this family, both physically and
emotionally.
But change finally comes in the form of a young, penniless Mexican immigrant,
Juan Diego. June and Juan Diego meet in the rain, and like a thunderclap, it is
love at first sight. Through her blossoming love, June finds a way to become alive
again and break free from the shackles of her father. Through love, she is able to
become the beautiful young woman who up until now only existed in her dreams.
Main Characters
JUNE - Samaire Armstrong
Samaire was named Entertainment Weekly's
Breakthrough Artist of 2004 for her work as Emily
on ENTOURAGE and Anna Stern on THE O.C.
Born in Tokyo, Japan on Halloween of 1980,
Armstrong wanted to be an actress as early as age
three. She was raised in a nomadic life, living in
Malaysia, China, and Hawaii before settling in
Arizona, USA. After studying costume design and
theatre in college, Samaire moved to Los Angeles
to pursue a career in acting.
She started out getting small roles and one-time
appearances in various television shows including
her TV debut on PARTY OF FIVE in 2000.
Samaire then made her feature film debut with a
breakout role in the teen-oriented spoof NOT
Fog City Pictures
2331 Third Street San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone: 415.522.1200 fax: 415.522.1207 e-mail: [email protected]
ANOTHER TEEN MOVIE in 2001.
Samaire’s film work includes: Icon Entertainment’s IT’S A BOY GIRL THING, 20th
Century Fox’s JUST MY LUCK, and Mandate Picture’s RISE: BLOOD HUNTER
where she starred opposite Lucy Liu and Michael Chiklis.
On television, Samaire has appeared as a guest star on a variety of popular TV
shows including JUDGING AMY, PARTY OF FIVE, C.S.I.: MIAMI, NUMB3RS
and THE X-FILES. In 2007, she starred opposite Treat Williams in THE
STAIRCASE MURDERS, and most recently can be seen starring in the
ABC drama DIRTY SEXY MONEY, opposite William Baldwin and Donald
Sutherland.
MURRY - John Gries
A longtime character actor
with the unique ability to
alternate between meek
and menacing at the drop
of a hat, Jon Gries can play
a computer wiz (REAL
GENIUS, THE
PRETENDER) or a South
American mercenary (THE
RUNDOWN) with equal
zeal and conviction. A
native of Glendale, CA, and the son of Emmy-winning writer/producer/director
Tom Gries, Jon launched his acting career with a small role in his father's madefor-television feature HELTER SKELTER (1976).
After moving to New York, the young actor studied under the capable tutelage of
Stella Adler. Supporting roles in MORE AMERICAN GRAFFITI, JOYSTICKS,
and HIGH SCHOOL USA segued Gries' career into the 1980s, with his role as
the reclusive genius Lazlo in the brainy college comedy REAL GENIUS
endearing him to a nation of moviegoers. He also co-stared in a number of other
high-profile releases including RUNNING SCARED, THE MONSTER SQUAD,
and FRIGHT NIGHT - PART 2.
After once again appearing opposite Real Genius co-star Val Kilmer in the 1989
noir thriller KILL ME AGAIN, Gries found a niche in television with roles in such
series as Martin and THE PRETENDER in the 1990s. Of course, Gries also
continued to remain active on the big screen throughout the 1990s, and after a
Fog City Pictures
2331 Third Street San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone: 415.522.1200 fax: 415.522.1207 e-mail: [email protected]
bit role in the popular sci-fi comedy MEN IN BLACK, he would establish a fruitful
working relationship with Mark and Michael Polish -- the filmmaking duo behind
the quirky sleeper TWIN FALLS IDAHO. Gries became something of a stock
player for the Polish brothers starring in JACKPOT and appearing in
NORTHFOLK and THE ASTRONAUT FARMER.
Even outside of his work with the Polish brothers, Gries continued to gain indie
credibility thanks to parts in such features as THE BIG EMPTY and NAPOLEON
DYNAMITE, where in 2005 he was nominated for a prestigious IFP Spirit Award
for his role as Uncle Rico. He also maintained a solid television career appearing
in such popular television shows as 24, ER, LAS VEGAS, CARNIVALE and
LOST.
HENRY - Brad William Henke
Brad William Henke is quickly making a name for
himself as one of the busiest actors in Hollywood.
Early assignments for Brad included bit parts in bigscreen features such as THE FAN and MR.
WRONG, plus guest spots on such series dramas
as ER and SPORTS NIGHT. After a lead in the
short-lived 2001 prime-time series GOING TO
CALIFORNIA, Henke returned to small feature roles
in such projects as THE ASSASSINATION OF
RICHARD NIXON, MUST LOVE DOGS and THE
ZODIAC.
During the last three years he has appeared in such
acclaimed projects as ME YOU AND EVERYONE
WE KNOW, NORTH COUNTRY, Oliver Stone’s
WORLD TRADE CENTER, SHERRY BABY costarring Maggie Gyllenhaal and HOLLYWOODLAND opposite Adrien Brody.
Henke can currently be seen co-starring in the ABC mid-season drama
OCTOBER ROAD and a guest starring role on the dark comic crime thriller
series DEXTER. He also co-stars in the 2008 Sundance film CHOKE, opposite
Sam Rockwell and Anjelica Huston.
Fog City Pictures
2331 Third Street San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone: 415.522.1200 fax: 415.522.1207 e-mail: [email protected]
JUAN DIEGO – Oscar H. Guerrrero
A rising young star in his native, Puerto Rico, Oscar
has starred in a number of independent features
prior to AROUND JUNE, including ENTREMEDIO
and KAMALEON. Oscar made his big screen debut
in 2003 in the indie film I WITNESS, playing
opposite Jeff Daniels, James Spader, and Portia De
Rossi.
He is a founding member of Octania Art House, a
multi-arts theater and production company based in
Puerto Rico’s capital of San Juan.
Production Notes
AROUND JUNE was produced by the San Francisco-based Fog City Pictures in
association with Caviar Films. Fog City Pictures was launched in 2005 by
filmmakers Jeremiah Birnbaum and Stephen Kopels with the goal of producing
high quality and entertaining indie films. The company has produced three
feature-length films in the last two years and currently has its fourth in preproduction.
In the summer of 2006, James Savoca
and Jeremiah Birnbaum had finished
producing Fog City Pictures’s first
feature, PRESQUE ISLE. Based on
the success of this collaboration,
Savoca gave Birnbaum a spec script
he had written; a charming love story
with classic fairy tale structure called
AROUND JUNE. Birnbaum loved the
story and the sweetness of its main
character, a young, lonely woman
named June. Originally set in New York City, Savoca adapted the story to San
Francisco and pre-production began in late 2006 with Savoca directing and
Birnbaum producing.
Fog City Pictures
2331 Third Street San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone: 415.522.1200 fax: 415.522.1207 e-mail: [email protected]
Veteran executive producers Alyssa Weisberg and Greg Corbin joined the
endeavor and an incredibly talented ensemble of actors was cast including
veteran Jon Gries, a new-comer Oscar Guerrero, the versatile Brad William
Henke and the luminous Samaire Armstrong. Supporting roles feature a number
of noteworthy Bay Area actors including Michael A. Goorjian, David Fine and
Celik Kayalar.
With the cast in place, an experienced and dedicated crew was assembled from
LA and San Francisco, including cinematographer Peter Hawkins and production
designer Stacey Ransom. In addition to the professionals, advanced students
from the San Francisco School of Digital Filmmaking worked on the film, bringing
great energy and enthusiasm to key support positions.
Shot entirely in the Potrero Hill neighborhood of San Francisco, AROUND JUNE
explores intimate parts of the city as it tells its story. The film shows the strong
juxtaposition between the cluttered and confining world of June’s house and the
green, fairytale-like openness of the parks and gardens that become her escape.
“It was so easy for me to do June,” said Samaire Armstrong who played June. I
really was just going off of what was on the script, and it was so well written that
it was easy to do. In the magical sense, I liked her relation to nature, and the
quiet lonely parts of her,” finished Armstrong.
Principal photography took place over four weeks in early 2007. With shooting
completed, Savoca and his editing team worked for months crafting and shaping
the imaginative love story. In order to capture the main characters daydreams
and fantasy life, animator Charlie Canfield was brought in. Inspired by the work
Fog City Pictures
2331 Third Street San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone: 415.522.1200 fax: 415.522.1207 e-mail: [email protected]
of renowned painter Marc Chegall, Canfield created beautiful sequences that
bring June and Juan Diego’s yearning for each other to life. As the final element,
talented composer Didier Lean Rachou created a charming and evocative score.
Director’s Filmography
REVELATION – 1996 – Short 16mm film, starring Kevin Corrigan. Broadcast
Premiere on The Sundance Channel.
SLEEPWALK – 2000 – 35mm feature film, starring Drea de Matteo, Ivan Martin,
John Lurie. Premiered at The SXSW Film Festival. Made its Broadcast Premiere
on IFC.
THE CROOKED CORNER – 2005 – Feature Film starring Chris Messina and
Marlo Marron.
AROUND JUNE – 2008 – Feature film starring Samaire Armstrong, Jon Gries &
Brad William Henke.
To view trailers, clips, reel and reviews go to www.savocafilms.com
Director - James Savoca
After studying Film and Photography at
Syracuse University, and working as a
camera operator (NBC affiliate station),
James moved to New York, where he
worked as a staff photographer (still life and
fashion), production assistant on feature
films (Sidney Lumet, Barry Levinson) and
studied acting at Carnegie Hall with Louise
Lasser.
In 1990, James founded the theater group
Big Head Productions. His first full-length play TALK TO ME, which he wrote and
directed, sold out audiences at Tom Noonan’s Paradise Theatre. He followed-up
with off-Broadway productions of OFF MY BACK, TOMORROW NEVER
COMES, and JUST LIKE TELEVISION. In 1995, he assembled a sketch comedy
Fog City Pictures
2331 Third Street San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone: 415.522.1200 fax: 415.522.1207 e-mail: [email protected]
group called The Guilty Players, performing weekly at New York’s Under Acme in
Greenwich Village.
In 1996, James wrote and directed a short 16mm film entitled REVELATION,
starring Kevin Corrigan. REVELATION made its broadcast premiere on The
Sundance Channel.
After his first taste of filmmaking, James started his own production company,
Solo Group Productions. In 2000, James made his feature film debut; writing and
directing SLEEPWALK, starring Drea de Matteo, Ivan Martin and John Lurie.
SLEEPWALK, a 35 mm film, premiered at SXSW Film Festival. The Independent
Film Channel showcased SLEEPWALK as part of IFC's Next Wave Films where
it ran monthly for 3 years.
In 2005 James completed his second feature film, THE CROOKED CORNER,
starring Chris Messina and Marlo Marron, which he wrote, directed and
produced.
In 2007, James wrote and directed his third feature film, AROUND JUNE,
starring Samaire Armstrong, Jon Gries, and Brad William Henke.
Producer - Jeremiah Birnbaum
Jeremiah Birnbaum is the Co-Founder and Head of
Production of Fog City Pictures, one of San Francisco’s
most prolific feature film production companies. A
native New Yorker, Jeremiah has worked as a
producer, editor, director and educator in film and video
for over nineteen years. He holds a Bachelor's degree
in Film and Philosophy from Wesleyan University and
attended the filmmaking program at New York
University's Tisch School of the Arts.
As a filmmaker, Jeremiah was a founding partner of
Detour Pictures, a music-video production company
specializing in rap and R&B artists, and has
collaborated with many accomplished filmmakers, including Academy Award
winner Barbara Kopple. As an educator, he taught editing and media literacy to
teenagers at the Urban League of Newark, and was Course Director of the Media
Sound and Visual Program at Ex´pression College of Digital Arts, in Emeryville,
CA. In 2005, Jeremiah co-founded the San Francisco School of Digital
Filmmaking (SFSDF), one of the most innovative film schools in the country. He
currently holds the positions of CEO and Director of Production for SFSDF.
Fog City Pictures
2331 Third Street San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone: 415.522.1200 fax: 415.522.1207 e-mail: [email protected]
Jeremiah's most recent filmmaking credits include five diverse projects – four
feature films and one documentary. He produced the feature film, AROUND
JUNE, a love story and family drama set in the shadows of the shipyards of San
Francisco. The film, which is set to premiere at the 2008 Mill Valley Film
Festival, stars Samaire Armstrong, Jon Gries, and Brad William Henke. In 2006,
Jeremiah produced PRESQUE ISLE, an HD feature written and directed by Bay
Area filmmaker Rob Nilsson, which premiered at the Mill Valley Film Festival in
2007.
Jeremiah also directed and shot the feature-length digital film, SO FRESH, SO
CLEAN, which premiered at the 2003 San Francisco Black Film Festival and won
Best Feature Film at the Motor City Film Festival. The film played at festivals,
colleges and art house theaters all over the country before being released by
Warner Bros. Home Video in 2005. As a documentarian, Jeremiah produced
and directed AN INTRODUCTION TO MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, a film for people
newly diagnosed with MS. This doc was produced in collaboration with the
Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology and has been distributed to thousands of people
across the country diagnosed with this complicated illness. Jeremiah is currently
in post-production on MOONLIGHT SONATA, the third feature he is producing
under Fog City Pictures’ banner.
Executive Producer - Alyssa Weisberg
Alyssa has been casting for the past 14 years in film, television and theater. Her
film credits include studio films such as MISSION IMPOSSIBLE III, THE LONG
KISS GOODNIGHT, U-TURN and BOOTY CALL.
She has also worked extensively on the independent scene with such projects as
THE HOUSE OF USHER, TELLING YOU, FREEWAY and THE HOUSE OF
YES. Alyssa recently won an Emmy Award for casting the pilot of ABC’s LOST,
which has gone on to international acclaim.
Fog City Pictures
2331 Third Street San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone: 415.522.1200 fax: 415.522.1207 e-mail: [email protected]
Executive Producer - Greg Corbin
Greg is a seasoned producer and development executive who until recently was
Head of Feature Productions for Caviar Films. He has participated in the
prestigious Sundance Institute’s Producer Conference with his feature film
project, SENIOR VASQUEZ AND THE HOLY DONUT.
In 2006, Greg was selected for Film Independent’s Fall Producer’s Lab with the
same project. Prior to working with Caviar Films, he was Director of
Development for Jericho Entertainment, based at David Entertainment at 20th
Century Fox. Greg was involved in the development of FIVE FINGERS, which
starred Laurence Fishburne and THE HEBREW HAMMER, which starred Adam
Goldberg.
Cinematographer - Peter Hawkins
Achievements include DRUNKS with Richard Lewis, Faye Dunaway and Dianne
Wiest, BROKE EVEN with Kevin Corrigan and Elizabeth Berridge, THE FOUR
CORNERS OF NOWHERE and two feature length projects for Damion Dietz,
BEVERLY KILLS and LOVE LIFE.
Hawkins’ work as a second unit DP can be seen in Warner Brothers' SPRING
BREAKDOWN directed by Ryan Shiraki, Tom DiCillo's DELIRIOUS, and the Paul
Reiser, Peter Falk film THE THING ABOUT MY FOLKS. His documentary work
weaves through END OF THE CENTURY: THE STORY OF THE RAMONES,
THE BALLAD OF RAMBLIN’ JACK, the NEA series TELL ABOUT THE SOUTH,
Rick Burns' NEW YORK: A DOCUMENTARY and THE LIFESTYLE: SEX IN THE
SUBURBS.
Animation - Charlie Canfield
Charlie Canfield has been animating, designing and directing in animation for
over 20 years. He’s worked with David L. Brown Productions, Mondo Media,
MTV, Nickelodeon, Vinton Studios, Wild Brain Inc., Colossal Pictures and
Industrial Light and Magic among others.
Fog City Pictures
2331 Third Street San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone: 415.522.1200 fax: 415.522.1207 e-mail: [email protected]
Awards and selections include The International Film and Animation Festivals of
Ottawa, Zagreb, London, Melbourne, New Zealand, San Francisco, KAFI, PLAT,
Anima Mundi, The World Animation Celebration, Sundance and organizations
such as Ad Age and The Addy’s.
Composer - Didier Lean Rachou
Raised in Europe and NYC, Didier recently relocated to LA, where he built a
state-of-the-art studio in the Hollywood Hills. He immediately landed several
choice composing projects, namely the final season of SEX AND THE CITY and
a commission to compose and conduct 2 hours of his music with the Prague
Philharmonic.
Didier recently scored HOW TO ROB A BANK and also completed the scores to
AQUAMAN (WB), MOVING MCALLISTER (starring Jon Heder), SONS OF
ITALY, HER BEST MOVE, HIGH HOPES, AN AMERICAN IN CHINA and
ENFANTS TERRIBLES, executive produced by Robert Zemeckis and starring
Christopher Lloyd. Didier recently placed his music in the films THE CAVE
(Sony) and NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM (Fox).
2005-07 has seen Didier compose for television as well. He scored several
series including LOVE MONKEY (CBS), A WORLD AWAY (ABC), and NOTES
FROM THE EDGE OF LIFE (FOX). He also composed music for IT’S ALWAYS
SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA (FOX) and MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE (FOX).
In 2000 Didier produced his first CD for Chesky Records, entitled Christy Baron’s
Steppin’ – featuring David Johnson. In New York he engineered for Ashford and
Simpson, working on songs for them as well as Chaka Khan, Teddy
Pendergrass, Maya Angelou and Nina Simone amongst others.
After receiving his BA in Composition and Jazz Performance from the Manhattan
School of Music, Didier continued his compositional studies at The Juilliard
School.
Fog City Pictures
2331 Third Street San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone: 415.522.1200 fax: 415.522.1207 e-mail: [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
“AROUND JUNE” ACCEPTED TO PRESTIGIOUS
MILL VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL
FOG CITY PICTURES DELIVERS A COMPELLING FEATURE FILM
San Francisco, California – July 28, 2008 -- Fog City Pictures in association with Caviar
Films is proud to announce that their full-length feature film AROUND JUNE has been
accepted to the 31st Annual Mill Valley Film Festival being held in Mill Valley, California,
October 2nd – 12th.
The film features both well-known Hollywood and Bay Area actors and was shot entirely
in and around San Francisco. Screening night has yet to be determined.
“Of course it was a lot of hard work – but worth every minute, said writer/director, James
Savoca. I feel very fortunate to have worked with such talented actors and crew.”
“This is a huge honor for us,” said producer, Jeremiah Birnbaum. “The Mill Valley Film
Festival is one our favorite events – its really a filmmaker’s festival. This is the kind of
place where a quality independent film can get a proper audience.”
THE FILM
AROUND JUNE is a triumph of the human spirit. June, a shy young woman, lives at
home with Murry, her domineering father, and Henry, her much adored, mentally
challenged uncle. June’s mother died when she was very young, and since her death,
the light in everyone’s life has gone out. Murry lords over the cluttered house and
everyone in it. Nothing can be touched. No change. No breath of hope. The past has
crippled this family, both physically and emotionally.
But change finally comes in the form of a young, penniless Mexican immigrant, Juan
Diego. June and Juan Diego meet in the rain, and like a thunderclap, it is love at first
sight. Through her blossoming love, June finds a way to become alive again and break
free from the shackles of her father. Through love, she is able to become the beautiful
young woman who up until now only existed in her dreams.
Visit http://www.aroundjune.com for more information.
WRITER/DIRECTOR
James Savoca got his start acting with Louise Lasser at Carnegie Hall not to become an
actor but to become a better director. His feature film debut, SLEEPWALK, starred Drea
De Matteo (SOPRANOS) and had it’s broadcast premiere on The Independent Film
Channel. His second feature, THE CROOKED CORNER, is a murder-mystery set on the
Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn and featured Chris Messina (SIX FEET UNDER, NOTHING
IS PRIVATE) and Marlo Marron (MI VIDA LOCA). James’ short film REVELATION,
Fog City Pictures
2331 Third Street San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone: 415.522.1200 fax: 415.522.1207 e-mail: [email protected]
starting Kevin Corrigan, had its broadcast premiere on The Sundance Channel. Prior to
directing his first feature, James assembled two successful theater groups were he
wrote and directed four plays on off-Broadway’s downtown theaters; most notably, TALK
TO ME at Tom Noonan’s Paradise Theater.
Visit http://www.savocafilms.com for more information.
ACTORS
Brad William Henke
Slated for a role in the new STAR TREK also appeared in NORTH COUNTRY,
HOLLYWOODLAND, SHERRYBABY and most recently, CHOKE.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0377034/
Samaire Armstrong
She’s most known for the television shows DIRTY SEXY MONEY, ENTOURAGE, CSI,
THE OC and the film NUMB3RS.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1027847/
Jon Gries
A long-time figure in Hollywood, Gries has been in REAL GENIUS, MEN IN BLACK,
GET SHORTY, THE ASTRONAUT FARMER and has made dozens of television
appearance including SEINFELD and LOST.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0340973/
ABOUT MILL VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL (MVFF)
Known as a filmmakers' festival, the Mill Valley Film Festival offers a high profile,
prestigious and non-competitive environment perfect for celebrating the best in
independent and world cinema. A celebration of the best in independent and world
cinema, MVFF annually brings together a community of filmmakers and film lovers to Mill
Valley, San Rafael and beyond to experience great new films in the beautiful
environment of San Francisco’s Bay Area. With its reputation as a filmmakers’ festival,
the prestigious non-competitive event showcases international features, documentaries,
shorts and children's films--something for every filmgoer.
The San Francisco Bay Area continues to be a significant market for independent and
international film, and the Mill Valley Film Festival consistently provides a forum for
introducing new films to West Coast audiences. As the only prominent international fall
film festival in the Bay Area, the Mill Valley Film Festival is an important industry
resource for fall launches, premiere screenings of upcoming theatrical releases and Bay
Area Academy Awards® campaigns.
Visit http://www.mvff.com for more information.
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Fog City Pictures
2331 Third Street San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone: 415.522.1200 fax: 415.522.1207 e-mail: [email protected]