Here's an excerpt from my latest Story of My Life Interview to go live:
"From Sandwiches to Screen Plays: Feeding a Different Hunger"
Standing in the dark theater, Tony Luke Jr. eyed the audience as they watched his first feature length film as the lead actor. It was the 2009 Philadelphia Film Festival and their vote would affect everything from distribution to future filmmaking. If only they knew the sweat, heat, angst, money and years of personal preparation that went into this, they would understand what an incredible experience it had been; but, as with any first-time audience, they would come and go and he would get only one shot to make an impression.
Interviewing Tony Luke Jr. was very fun. Tony's life has represented so many facets of the Philadelphia landscape and he is very fascinating to speak with. I first met Tony when I answered an ad on Craigslist for actors and actresses needed for an independent film down in Philly, no pay — just experience. Don't ask me what I thought I knew about acting other than a few classes, but I was called and told to bring a nurse's outfit. Showing up at the old hospital, I met the cast and crew of The Nail: The Story of Joey Nardone. I loved it and everyone was so nice, including Dayanara Torres with whom I shared a sandwich since I couldn't eat a whole Tony Luke Jr. sandwich alone. She couldn't eat much since her stomach was upset from crying for the scene all day long. Meeting Leo Rossi was a treat too. Read HERE for a previous blog post about being in the movie and to see the trailer.
It was sooo hot in there that day that we were passing notes about passing out (which I did do on a set earlier in the summer and was extremely paranoid about doing again) but I learned so much that day that I look forward to passing on to my children and college students.
I learn & do so that I may teach (in case you wondering why I do these things.)
