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American Eagle Studios News and Events
AT LONG LAST, SOME UPDATED NEWS!
T. J. Sullivan - President American Eagle Studios
5/2004
Thanks, everybody, for your patience while we get our new web site and studio tuned up. First of all, we'd like to recognize our patient, creative and skilled web designers Cassandra Birdsall and Ray Lawrason at http://www.sillybat.com - you guys are fantastic to work with! We can't thank you enough for your dedication and the outstanding result. Good luck in Florida - we wish you all the best and are so happy you're just an email away.
It has been a year of changes to be sure. AES Founder TJ Sullivan and I would like to thank you for your continued support. We plan on keeping the momentum going strong. This first newsletter of the brand new and improved web site highlights events of the past year. I welcome your input and news for future issues, although I reserve the right not to use it. Just joking everybody, but seriously…
Lori Laube, Editor
Studio Manager/Photographer
American Eagle Studios cast the background people for the 20th Century Fox feature film Cheaper by the Dozen at the end of April and it has now been released on video and DVD. Get your copy now!
TJ Sullivan, Sean Sullivan, Jim Rufini, and Ryan Else were hired as extras by SF casting director Nina Heninger & Associates for The Assassination of Richard Nixon starring Sean Penn in Sacramento this summer.
Because of a heads-up by Jim Rufini and our working relationship with Nina Heninger & Associates, we referred over 50 of you, some of whom ended up as extras for 1-6 days during filming for independent film The Californian starring Noah Wylie. Those I can remember hearing from offhand include Riki Shae, Brandi Ezidro, Jill Wendel, Vito DiAnguiano, Vicki Transue, Wendy & Mike Kellerman, and Ted Finigan. Let me know if you were in on this action and I'll be sure and mention your name in the next issue!
Congratulations go out to writing student Lynn Millar, who was winner of the North Bay Bohemian's annual 2003 Java Jive Short Story Contest in October, 2003. Lynn's writing teacher and "permanent mentor" Laurie Jacobson http://lauriejacobson.com published her fourth book Dishing Hollywood this fall. Congratulations Laurie!
Voice Over teacher Kathy Garver http://kathygarver.com was honored by The Southern California Motion Picture Council with the Diamond Halo Award and Jeanie Emerald Star Angel Award for her outstanding contributions to the Entertainment Industry. Kathy adds this to her many accolades, including an Audi Award for her rendition of best short story recording, as well as Best Family Entertainment Award from Parents Magazine. She is nominated for the 2005 TVLand Awards' Best Big Sister on TV. Kathy welcomed local KZST Radio Producer Tom Nelson to the last Advanced Voice Over workshop. We appreciate Tom's taking the time to observe the training we offer in person and the opportunity for our talent to "audition" for somebody so knowledgeable about the business.
Jordyn Shellhart, AES student, has been on a roll in the past year - we should all look for even bigger and better things in the future since she just signed a management contract with PCI, Inc. in San Francisco. Jordyn was cast by AES as a photo double for "Sara" in 20th Century Fox's feature film Cheaper by the Dozen and was hired for one of the Oilstop, Inc. commercials. On her own, Jordyn was signed by Stars and then immediately got principle roles in public service announcements for the anti-bully and autism campaigns. In October she did a print shoot for a Sony Electronics Accessories' Insert. Jordyn sings the National Anthem for many of Montgomery High's basketball games and the Santa Rosa Stallions Youth Football League. She entered a KZST contest and won the right to perform the anthem in front of 20,000 people on the 4th of July. She recently won the SF Giants Fan Fest competition sponsored by KNBR and will wow them at SBC Park by opening the game with her National Anthem performance on August 8. Jordyn also performed in The Music Man at Montgomery High last month, and appears in the new Jenkins music video, which should be on the air by now. Keep making us proud Jordyn!
We've been busy lately with our friends at Oilstop, Inc./PS1 Advertising http://www.oilstopinc.com. Jill Wendel, a local SSU student is featured in "Trust" airing now on network channels across the United States where Oilstop does business. Tiffany Richards was along for the ride and AES acting teacher, Jenifer Coté is the voice. You'll be seeing Jenifer and her students Hannah Conley and Emily Bortz in the "Freedom" ad coming out soon, with Carol Scott providing the voice over. Print materials such as handouts and posters (appearing in places like Costco) also came out of these shoots. Other American Eagle talent hired by Oilstop were the following: April Hirschman, Gloria Strasburg, Suzanna Elders, Paul Sauré, Jeff Coté, and TJ Coughlin.
Another big project for our talent this past summer/fall were several print shoots for local photographer Alan Campbell who used many of our talented models for River Rock Casino http://www.riverrockcasino.com. April Hirschman and Ryan Else are featured in recent Santa Rosa Press Democrat newspaper ads. Other people seen in a wide range of print ads for newspapers and magazines, brochures, flyers, etc. include: David Chase, Carolyn Richards, Jenifer Coté, Paul Sauré, Marcie Montgomery, J. Anthony Martin, Steve Whiteford, Martha Metrailler Farley, Darlene Nesson, Flora Chong, Eric Chu, Karen Quarles, and Rey Keith.
American Eagle Studios advertising on TV, radio, newspaper and other print ads stars several of our acting students and registered talent. On various local cable television channels right now you'll see the TV commercial Blossom produced by Vinson Advertising. Teachers Jenifer Coté & Kathy Garver are spotlighted, along with the following talent: Jaime Woicicki, Wesley Sage, Hannah Logie, Margaret Johnson, MarkZero, Shannon Rider, Jesse Quijano, Jimmy Chiuu, Mike Tracy, Jill Wendel, Jim Rufini, Kyle Mogilev, Others on the set participating in the day's shoot were: Joseph Nash, Vito DeAnguiano, Tera Fawley, Cassandra Birdsall, Bruce Sage, Ann Sage, Lynn Millar, Jason Suhrke, Ryan Wade, Selena Baker.
Voice over student Brandi Ezidro did two radio spots for American Eagle Studios this year. You may have heard the most recent one on KZST http://shannonriderband.com appeared last Saturday, April 17 at Sho-Ka-Wah Casino - look for them at other venues this summer.
Ché Lyons is appearing now in Get a Clue Productions' new dinner theater production of Who Wants to Murder a Millionaire? At their request, we called several of you who were right for the auditions and we thank you for representing AES so professionally. I know others of you have been cast in theater productions this year on your own, including J. Anthony Martin and Aimee Conn (AES student). It just goes to show the depth of our Talent Registry!
That's enough for now! Please check the other pages for new and/or updated information. We've got lots going on now and this is the best way to stay in touch and find out what's going on. We will be updating the site more frequently so check it often! We don't have time to personally call everyone for large extras casting anymore so please check regularly for casting news like the independent film project coming up in May…
OVER 60 PEOPLE CAST FOR DOCUMENTARY!
Upon referral from Sonoma County Film Commissioner Catherine DePrima, American Eagle Studios was recently hired by Lone Wolf Documentary Group to cast principles and extras for local filming. "Conquest of America" is a four hour docu-drama slated to air on the History Channel as a marquee series event in April of 2005, according to the Lone Wolf website. The portion filmed here features the story of Concepcion Arguello and Nicolai Rezanov in the late 1700s - early 1800s, but the Sonoma County locations were used mainly to represent other places like the Presidio and even early Alaska (thus the snow at Fort Ross on day 4). Before coming to Sonoma County, the crew had filmed on location in Alaska and Washington. They were scheduled to travel to New Mexico for more filming, before returning to Los Angeles for the editing process. While here, Writer/Director/Producer Rocky Collins was informed of his Emmy Award nomination for his documentary Dirty Bomb.
The entire Lone Wolf production crew was such a pleasure to work with. In addition to Mr. Collins, we'd like to thank the following people for including us in such a wonderful and rewarding process. Bobby Poirier, Associate Producer and our beloved contact person (also playing the role of Langsdorff), Director of Photography Yoram Astrakhan, Production Manager Jamie Alberti (a voice of reason amongst the insanity), Assistant Director/B Camera Abe Levy (local boy from Tomales makes it in L.A.), Gaffer/AC Wael Shukha, Production Designer Jeph Haines (how's the wee one McGuyver?), Art Director Christopher Davis, Key Hair/Makeup Kimberly Carlson (also took fabulous photos & had entertaining travel stories) Wardrobe Whiz Jeannine Wiest (next challenge please, bring it on!), Sound Master Monroe Cummings - another Bay Area pro (how does he hold that boom up so long?), and Script Supervisor Silver Tree, who also jumps in and rounds out the cast when necessary (local girl from Tomales makes it in L.A.). What would we have done without Production Assistants Marcus Kellum (real idea of fun = motorcycle racing) and the Unknown PA from Santa Cruz (flowers?). Bay Area professionals hired by Lone Wolf and with whom we'd work again in an instant were Key Grip Cliff Traiman and Swing Donovan Sell.
AES crew on set were the following: Hair/Makeup Assistant Jenifer Cote (most awesome in all she does), Wardrobe Assistant Julienne Hastings (equally up to the challenges), Wrangler Lori Laube (Mother Hen), and Production Assistant Natasha Green (look for more from this one).
AND OF COURSE, OUR ACTORS…
Our Awesome Principles: Amiee Conn as Concepcion Arguello, Shirley Bennett as her mother Maria, David Chase as father Commander Arguello, Ryan Else as brother Don Luis Arguello, Al Liner as Governor Arillaga, Mario Martinez as Padre Uria, and Andre Mathieu as Aleksander Baranov. You all made us proud and we'd work with you again in a heartbeat! A sign that Amiee Conn will end up being the star of the production happened on the first day of filming when she was asked by a young tourist for an autograph and photo. Amiee has taken acting workshops with Randi Acton at AES and is currently signed with Talent Plus/Los Latinos Agency.
Our Superb Featured Extras: Andrew Shovlovskiy as Ivan Kuskov (the set masseuse), Charlotte Orton as Baranov's Aleut bride Anna (princess), AES President TJ Sullivan and Chris Schloemp (Montgomery High School teacher's tale of "what I did on my summer vacation"…) as escaped Russians Polkinov and Kalianin. Paul Saure' really outdid himself as a missionary when he allowed the shaving of a round bald spot on top of his head and then flogged himself in another scene on the same day. Paul's 2-month-old baby girl was also a natural as Baby Concepcion in the christening scene.
Tuesday, August 3rd, the first day of filming: Troy Dunham and Roberto Sanchez played Presidio guards and Dale Shinn filled the role of Arillaga's personal guard in Sonoma. After patiently waiting all day and a move to the Petaluma Adobe, Humberto Rodriguez finally got his "15 minutes" as a penitent peasant, and Billy West and Rob Rangel were great California Indian men. In addition to Chris Schloemp and TJ Sullivan, Alex Pereira was called in at the last minute for a scene originally scheduled for the next day and all three deserve special thanks for helping us out of a tight spot. Shirley Bennett also deserves thanks for calling Alex - what would we do without our network of friends? Well, we would have cast a tourist from Ohio and wouldn't he have a story to tell?
Wednesday, August 4th at the Petaluma Adobe: Misty Severina and Norma Garcia played California Indian women. Norma's daughters Athena and Esther Stra and cousin Carmen Lopez all had fun and did a great job as extras too. These ladies are all Kashaya Pomo Stewart's Point Rancheria tribal members.
On Thursday and Friday, August 5th and 6th, our location was Fort Ross State Historic Park:
Russians: blacksmith Jim Joyce, woodworker Jack Costello, baker Dan Winkelman, vegetable lady Lynn Rudy, and men/women of many talents (including contracting Scurvy) Larry Brown, Brian Noyes, Steve Bechtold & son Nolan, Phil Rayment, Ken Holt, Troy Dunham, Wolfgang Brinck, Eliot Fintushel, Chris Schloemp, Jeff Cote, Matt Marshall, Amy Lemmer, Merisha Lemmer, Linsy Moran, Alisha Moran, Robin Joy, Sarah Gould, Samantha Gould-Genisi. Our most wonderful Russian Dancers who shared their culture with us: Marina Nikiforova, Irina Petrova, Alexandra Kaputerko, Guzel Morozova and her daughter Elena Morozova. The Native Alaskan/Aleuts: Stephen Little Bear, Hannah Hoffman, Susan Kotarek. The Kashaya Pomo Leaders: Felix Macias (an author and ranger at Fort Ross who also happens to be deaf) and Ron Jimenez. The Spanish Horsemen who rode their own gorgeous horses: Armando Montenegro, Elias Montenegro, Raphael Negreto, and Justin Dollar. The beautiful and well trained horses for the principle actors were supplied by Joan Zeleny of Morgans on the Trail.
We'd like to thank the following - our massive support system: AES Founding Partner Teri Kinney, who hustled to find us a superb caterer and offered her wisdom twice daily as needed, AES member Joanne Gaglione, who was ready to help in any way we asked, Jim Frizelle and all his friends, who helped us find just the right horses and riders. Suzanne Glover of Star Potential for sending over some talented folks for auditions, Randi Acton of Break-a-Leg Casting for answering our call for submissions, and Wild West Talent Management. Luckily for us, Jenifer Cote' and her husband Jeff are members of the local theatre community as well as being part of the AES family and they have talented friends, who have talented friends, and so on. Cinnabar Theatre sent us 3 great guys to audition for one of the principle parts. To ALL who came in for auditions - it was nice meeting you and we wish we could've found parts for everybody! Learn from the experience and work on improving your performance in preparation for the next opportunity that comes your way.
Pegi Ball Catering Company fed us extremely well each day on the set and we will most definitely keep her in mind for the future. The rangers and others at the Sonoma Mission & Barracks, Petaluma Adobe and Fort Ross were so hospitable and helpful, not to mention the historical re-enactors who turned out to be the most fun of all. Sarah Gould and Troy Dunham were instrumental in making this project a success by giving so freely of their knowledge, experience, energy and COSTUMES! Norma Garcia and Gladys Lambright of the Stewart's Point Rancheria tribal office were also most helpful in finding just the right extras. A bonus for us is the fact that we learned more about the Kashaya culture from our brief interactions with the elders and tribal members we met at Fort Ross and in the office.
Everyone I've heard from associated with this project savors each moment spent on it. There was such a friendly and even familial feel to it with people from so many different backgrounds. We will look forward to seeing you all again for a screening/celebration in the spring. If you'd like to submit photos or stories to share, we will find a way to do so. Please see some favorite shots posted on the Photo Gallery Page (all photos by Lori Laube, AES).
Look for much more news from recent projects and upcoming changes at American Eagle Studios. We are reorganizing now and it may take awhile to get back to you. Please be patient with us - there are only more good things in store…
Lori Laube, Editor
September, 2004
Past News and Events
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