CORA

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Tue, 17 Apr 2012 23:09:54 -0400

CORA is on her way home from FotoKem in Burbank, CA!

:D - Danilo Cordani, Director of CORA

http://www.flickr.com/photos/78942387@N05/7069120341/in/photostre...

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 21:00:58 -0400

http://www.flickr.com/photos/78942387@N05/7069120341/in/photostream

Interested to see how the shoot went? Excited to get a feel for how it went? Well CORA set Photography is up! Click on the link and enjoy.

A huge thank you to set photographers Jay Gers and Gray Bulloch for being there to capture the magic as the film came alive.

The Film is in the CAN!!

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:55:17 -0400

The film is not only in the can, but at this very moment is on it’s way to be processed and telecine-ed at FotoKem thanks to the FotoKem grant that the production received. Way to go team!

We are all looking forward to seeing how everything comes out in the next couple of weeks when it is shipped back in full HD glory.

This is the most nerve-wracking part. All the countless hours of preproduction and production, whittled down into 8 cans of film. Everything we worked so hard for is in there and we won’t know a thing until it all gets shipped back to us after it’s been developed. Wooof, it’s maddening, but I love it. I can’t wait to see it! -Joanna Samulski, DP/Writer

Months of preparation, six days of shooting, and thousands of dollars left in a box on the counter at FedEx. -Danilo Cordani

And that’s a wrap! Today was our last day of shooting, and...

Sun, 08 Apr 2012 16:50:04 -0400

In "David's Lab" friday.

Cora in her bakery today.

And that’s a wrap! Today was our last day of shooting, and I’d say it was a nice way to end. We shot in Paris Market and followed up with lunch in the square.

I just want to say thank you to everyone who has been a part of this project (on set, financial contribution, emotional support, etc.). It was lovely working with all of you and I am very excited to see how the film comes together over the next few months in post. You’re all wonderful, thank you!

Oh, and stay tuned for more updates and photos as things continue to come together.

-Savanah

Photos courtesy of set photographer Jay Gers. WEEKEND ONE of...

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 22:16:18 -0400

Courtland Jones as Cora!

Action Rehearsal!

Our armorer discussing proper handling.

Cora's weapon of choice

Danilo (right) directing the henchmen

Production slate

Photos courtesy of set photographer Jay Gers.

WEEKEND ONE of CORA—IN THE CAN! Literally! Danilo came away from this weekend with five canisters of film and it was great! Weekend one was a huge success between the cast and crew, under the direction of Danilo and DoP Joanna. The cast provided fantastic performances truly bringing their characters to life and the crew killed it even though the days were long and the sun was hot.

I am excited because the performances were captivating and the location provided an incredible cinematic look. - Danilo Cordani

It was exciting to see everything come to life before my eyes, quite literally in the eye-piece of the camera! To me, Cora always lived on paper or in my mind as the writer—but having Courtland in costume and speaking the lines, it was like magic! Sorry, that’s a bit sappy, but it’s true. I can’t imagine doing anything else! -Joanna Samulski

Great job everyone, for this first half (well technically last half :-P) of the film! Can’t wait for weekend two!

Introducing Jackson Morgan as Martin, Cora’s mercenary...

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 18:41:44 -0500

Introducing Jackson Morgan as Martin, Cora’s mercenary father.

We couldn’t be more thrilled! :)

Just got the verbal okay to use this plane during our first...

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 18:40:48 -0500

Just got the verbal okay to use this plane during our first weekend of shooting!
This is a big victory, it’s really going to help our script come to life.

Things are really coming together. :)

-Savanah

Great news! Just got an email saying we can use Armstrong...

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:51:55 -0500

Great news! Just got an email saying we can use Armstrong Atlantic University’s Biology Lab as David’s Lab. It was our first pick.

Things are falling into place, stay tuned for more updates!

-Savanah

Kelly is Cast!

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:20:20 -0500

The wonderful Lillian McCotter has been cast to play the part of a scientist’s assistant, brainy with a secret crush on her boss David Winters. Oo-la-la!

Looking forward to having you on set in the coming weeks!

Updates!

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:27:31 -0500

Hello everyone. This is your producer speaking :)

As you can see we have the kick starter up and running! Any help with spamming that all over the known universe would be much appreciated!

In other news, things are going well. We are in the process of locking down locations and looking at a few others. Our crew is growing and getting stronger by the day, so, we are all pretty happy with that!

I will post some location photos as soon as we get them, but pleaseeeeeeeee HELP GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT THIS FILM. Thank you all!

-Savanah

CORA Kickstarter is Up!

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:58:06 -0500

CORA Kickstarter is Up!:

Help fund a worthwhile and deserving project. Any and all contributions will be greatly appreciated by this hard working Cast & Crew!

5 Weeks to Go!

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:33:56 -0500

Hello, Hello!!

We have submitted our project to Kickstarter, just waiting to hear back, so that will be up soon :-)

Also we have casted a Kelly!!! Woohoo!

5 weeks to go guys, lets keep going :-D

Welcome Cory Reuter as Costume Designer head of our Wardrobe...

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:40:36 -0500

Welcome Cory Reuter as Costume Designer head of our Wardrobe department!

New Crew Additions!

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:35:58 -0500

Welcome Holly and Jeremy to the CORA Crew!

Holly and Team will be in charge of Stunts, uber exciting and action packed. Jeremy will be joining the Electric’s crew.

In The Limelight: Amanda Woods Playing the Melody Dark and...

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:12:00 -0500

In The Limelight: Amanda Woods

Playing the Melody

Dark and enchanting, Melody is the type of character to charm her viewers at first glance, but be warned… there is more to this sultry baker than meets the eye! Thankfully when Amanda Woods (no relation to “The Holiday”) came our way, it became a two-sided affair. While she became enamored with the script and character, we in turn found it hard to imagine anyone else to play the role.

In this week’s edition of “In The Limelight” Cast & Crew Bios, the light shines on a devilish supporting role, the sugary web of lies she lays, and the face of what will be SCAD’s most notorious villainess.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself.

A: I have always been somewhat of a performer…even as a little girl I was always making up choreographed dances with my sister and putting on performances for my family. I am very animated… others say a bit dramatic… however, never boring!! I went to a performing arts school in Chicago and worked with some amazing teachers and really brought my acting ability to the next level. I recently made a big decision to move from Chicago to South Carolina. I was nervous that this drastic move would hinder my acting career but as of recent I have found that there is a wonderful network here in Savannah. I look forward to the opportunity to continue to hone my craft and work with great people.

Q: When did you realize your passion for the Performing Arts?

A: I realized my passion for performing acts when one day on a whim in high school when I thought it would be fun to audition for the school play. I actually got the lead role! My first role was Charlotte in Charlotte’s Web!! It was there that I realized that the stage was my home and I felt more alive than I had ever felt before.

Q: Do you have a favorite film? Which one and why.

A: Well, I was raised with my dad and we were always watching gangster and mob movies. So I have to say my all time favorite movie is “Scarface”!! I love the story of someone coming from nothing and turning it in to something. Never mind, the drug storyline! My second favorite would have to be “The Way We Were” with Barbara Streisand. It’s one of the most realistic non-stereotypical love stories that I have ever seen.

Q: Tell us about the various things you have been involved in since coming to the school in Savannah?

A: Since I moved to this area I have had the privilege of walking the runway for an Ovarian Cancer awareness fashion show. And I recently was just in a music video.

Q: How did CORA come your way?

A: I went to the cattle call for SCAD. I was super excited to get my feet wet and was just looking forward to the audition process. I read the script for Cora and it really caught my eye. So I gave it a shot.

Q: What makes you most excited about playing the role?

A: The fight scene!!

Q: What do you find most intriguing about your character?

A: Melody is my complete alter ego. She is manipulative, very cunning and vindictive. Those are the roles that I really enjoy playing because they require me to push myself.

Q: What do you think will be most challenging about playing Melody?

A: I would say I’m definitely not a fighter… so this fight scene is really going to require me to bring myself to a different place.

Q: How is it working with Danilo as a Director?

A: I can tell he is going to be a great director and bring the best out of me.

Q: What are your hopes for CORA and what do you wish to convey to your audience?

A: I want people to be sitting on the edge of their seats the entire time. This film is so action packed that just reading the script got me excited! I know we can translate the excitement and action onto the screen.

-JS

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s Sam...

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:13:00 -0500

It’s a bird!

It’s a plane!

No, it’s Sam Collura!

The CORA Team welcomes Sam with enthusiastic cheers for he has been casted to play the role of David, beloved husband and dashing scientist who is captured by mercenaries to manipulate Cora back into her old life style.

Welcome Sam, we are ever so pleased to have you :-)

Excited to announce that Victoria DeLuna will be representing...

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:58:00 -0500

Excited to announce that Victoria DeLuna will be representing the Camera Department as 2nd AC!

Excited to announce that Eric Dickinson has joined the CORA...

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:17:41 -0500

Excited to announce that Eric Dickinson has joined the CORA G&E Department as Best Boy Electric!

Excited to announce a new addition to our Camera Crew… the...

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:25:44 -0500

Excited to announce a new addition to our Camera Crew… the lovely Jay Gers as Set Photographer!

In The Limelight: Courtland Jones Casting Cora When the script...

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 13:10:00 -0500

In The Limelight: Courtland Jones

Casting Cora

When the script calls for a strong, free willed, and compassionate red-haired heroine— none other than actress Courtland Jones fits the part. A SCAD Grad student in the Performance Arts department, she not only looks the part, but also exudes the creative and technical abilities that the role requires. That’s why, when Courtland officially took on the role of Cora, there echoed a sound of silent cheer among us.

To start off the In The Limelight: Cast & Crew Bios we did a short Q&A session with Courtland to learn a little about what brought her to Savannah, what sort of things she’s been involved in, as well as her hopes and trials for the film.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself.

A: I really wanted to be a pediatrician; I designed my whole office in a monkey theme, complete with an actual monkey. It was when I realized I liked designing my doctor office more than being a doctor that I started my career in the arts. I began in architecture and realized it wasn’t as whimsical as I was hoping for, to many angles and mathematical equations and rules, it was something so permanent and overwhelming. When I took a trip to Disneyland as a kid I always loved the sets, it was Pirates of the Carribean that really made me want to create a show for people… so, so much gold and jewels. I wanted to play with it all! So, theatre introduced itself, I could make a show anything I wanted, I could play with ideas and create worlds. I received my BFA in theatre arts with an emphasis in scenic design from the University of Arizona. I was thrilled to know that I could do something well enough to get a degree! I decided to utilize my skills and moved to Boston and became a scenic artist, it was awesome to get paid to paint. But there was something missing, it was obvious to me that I was lacking a skill that I wanted. I found a Groupon for an improv class in Boston and decided to go for it. I stepped in that class the first day and my world changed. I never wanted to stop. I realized that I needed to try playing on stage; it was something I had to do if I wanted to continue my education in the arts. I wanted to become an actor. ..a little late in the game, but none the less, I would find a way to kick ass at it.

Q: What did you do before you came to SCAD?

A: I was a waitress, a props artist, a barista, a muralist, a scenic artist, a draftsman, a furniture restorer, a preschool substitute teacher, and an improv teacher.

Q: How did your past influence your decision to attend SCAD?

A: My parents passed away a couple years ago and when you go through something like that that shakes your entire life, you find yourself reaching for something new…SCAD was my something new.

Q: Tell us about the various things you have been involved in since coming to the school and Savannah.

A: I have been involved in dozens of student films; I worked on the Vagina Monologues at Bay Street Theatre last February. I am involved with The Mobb Line, which are the performing arts Improv group. I will be in Spring Awakening, going up in late February. I have worked in radio, voice-over, music videos and game animation since coming here…pretty much I will work in any capacity of performing arts. The more I involve myself the richer I feel my education is becoming.

Q: How did CORA come your way?

A: Through the wonderfully talented and extremely dedicated Joanna Samulski. Sometimes you are lucky enough to make an impression on someone when you are working on other projects, it is a great way to show a crew of people how well you can work…and hopefully they will remember you when they are working on their next project. I was very lucky here. This role is ideal for me.

Q: What makes you most excited about playing the lead role?

A: That it is a strong female lead…and I get to play with guns and kick butt, an ideal role for any woman.

Q: Is it easy to relate to your character?

A: I wouldn’t say easy in the sense that I have ever been an assassin, but definitely in the way she made her decision about wanting to stay and support the man she loves. She is a woman who is not afraid to be who she wants to be, nobody can tell her how to live her life. I would say that I am similar to that.

Q: What do you think will be most challenging about playing Cora?

A: Besides being able to have the stamina to kick butt take after take, I would say just making sure that I truly understand how she would handle the cards she has been dealt. She is dealing with a huge decision between the man she loves and the man who raised her. It is not an easy path to tread.

Q: How is it working with Danilo as a Director?

A: So far Danilo has given me nothing but pure delight in this endeavor. He is the type of director who covers all his bases and you can tell that not only does he have plan A, he has all the way to plan Z if he needs it. I am thrilled to work with such an amazing crew as he has put together, I feel very safe with him. It’s important to trust your director’s vision, and his has exceeded my expectations.

Q: What are your hopes for CORA and what do you wish to convey to your audience?

A: I hope I do CORA justice, she is such a strong character and I want her to be someone that people want to know more about. I want people to sympathize with her and understand the struggles she finds herself in. I hope that CORA the film is a complete package; life, love, family, thrill, and action packed goodness.

-JS