Creator Mitch Horn accepts BEst Screenplay award From Campbell Daglish
Shot on location in Westchester County New York "Just
Playin" is a film about a small group of privileged youth playing a simple,
friendly game of anarchist army which turns ugly with the introduction of the
neighborhood singing prodigy; Chad.
"A group of kids
playing army take a kid captive and it turns ugly;
Child's play turns
into atrocity play."
In this narrative short, we see some of the
hidden effects of a media blitzed nation at war; a nation with a
rationalized moral compass, and what it can do to our youth.
Shot on the Red Camera, "Just Playin"is a film about a
small group of privileged children playing a simple, friendly game of anarchist
army, which turns ugly with the introduction of the neighborhood singing
prodigy; Chad.
After wordlessly switching the game to "Capture the sissy",
Chad's interrogation and capture quickly escalates into an out of control mob
torture sequence, with the group "Water Boarding" Chad while video taping it
via cell phone for You Tube.
As our Government debates whether or not Water Boarding is
indeed torture, we only have to look to our children, and what they are
possibly doing in their own back yards or on YouTube, when they are out of the
gaze of well intentioned parents, to see how this "intellectual"debate is
already producing casualties and scars for generations to come.
Cast ( in Alphabetical Order)
Stephan Amenta
Stephan Amenta (Chad) is an 11th grade student in Connecticut where he
lives with his mom, dad, and college aged, twin siblings. While Just
Playin' was Stephan’s first experience with film, it was just the starting
point for some more recent projects. He
has since appeared in a student short film Last
First Kiss, an unreleased indie film called Kids are Right and is about to begin shooting a feature film Jakob’s Ladder. Stephan has also played a number of roles in
community theatre, appearing in Cabaret,
The Crucible, and Camelot.
He recently sang a solo at the CMEA’s All State Festival: The Best of
Connecticut.As a student, Stephan puts a strong
emphasis on his academics, and enjoys history the most of all his
subjects.As he heads towards his senior
year, he will continue to study voice, and search for a college program where
he can earn a Liberal Arts Degree, and maintain his focus on acting.Outside of school and off-stage Stephan
enjoys playing chess, skiing, hiking and playing with his dog, Percy.He would like to thank his family and friends
for their support; and his fellow actors and crew members for making Just Playin' all that it can be.
Ashley Aquilo
Ashley Aquilo (Danita) is an 8th grader, who is home schooled allowing
her to split her time between NYC and her family home in Upstate,
NY. Ashley is a passionate dancer, trained in all styles of dance. This past year she received a Tap
Scholarship and was named Regional Outstanding Dancer from the New York City
Dance Alliance. She participated for her studio, Eleanor's School of Dance
in the Starquest Regional Competition where she was awarded high score and
overall winner, plus Miss Teen Starquest, Albany.
She also won High Score Teen Soloist at Dance Xplosion in Worcester, MA.
At the Starpower Regional Dance Competition, she won High Score Soloist and
Miss Teen Starpower, Syracuse.
While dance has been Ashley’s primary focus for years, she also studies voice
and acting. She has also participated in school and local theatre
productions including playing Kelsi, in High School Musical 2 and one of the
Hot Box Girls in Guys and Dolls. She is currently in rehearsal for the
NYU Skirball Theatre production of Booth, the Musical. Just Playin'
is Ashley’s film debut.
Melanie Daisy Borker
Melanie
Daisy Borker - Connie- is a 13 year old High Honors Student. She attends a college prep school in FairfieldCounty. She lives with her Mom, Dad, younger sister
and her two dogs. Melanie has a natural
reflex for doing charity work and devotes herself to community service. One of her favorite things to do is volunteer
her time with small children, many of whom have challenges. In her free time she enjoys tennis, skiing,
yoga, singing and her acting classes. Just Playin' is Melanie’s film
debut. Her current projects include
commercials for Nickelodeon (celebrating Earth Day) and for Zyrtec (having some
fun while combating allergies). She
recently had an opportunity to be involved in an upcoming pilot called Tenderloins that is being pitched to NBC
and Spike TV. Melanie just finished
playing Ado Annie in her schools rendition of Oklahoma. Melanie also enjoys modeling and getting a
sneak peek into the fashion industry. Whether
onstage, in front of the camera, or just hanging out with her family and
friends, you will always see a huge smile and sparkling eyes on Melanie's face.
Dominique Hood
Dominique Hood (Johnny) is in
10th grade at the Actor's Institute Drama Program of the ProfessionalPerformingArtsSchool in Manhattan. He has attended since the
sixth grade, and has studied the teachings of Stella
Adler, as well as the Meisner Technique.
During his years at PPAS, he has appeared in a few school productions, including
Schoolhouse Rock: The Musical and This Is Where We Came In. He
has also appeared in shows at neighboring theatres, such as Suessical, which
ran at Theater 315. While Just Playin’ is his first film
appearance, Dominique is excited and aflame for the chance to prove him self on
screen. In his free time he plays bass for a local punk rock
band. Dominique would like to continue working as an actor and
hopes to earn a Bachelor’s of Fine Art at the college of his choice. He
would like to thank Mitch Horn for all the work and time he's put into this
project.
Sully Jessup
Sully Jessup(Ralphie)
is a 9th grade honor’s student, whose curriculum includes courses in
acting, singing and dance.He lives on Long Island with his parents, his dog, Shadow, and his
turtle, Fuzzy.If you ask him what he
wants to be when he grows up, he will say "an actor, first...a waiter,
last".Towards that goal he is considering
back up careers as a forensic scientist, a marine core sniper, an NCIS agent or
a marine biologist.Just Playin' is Sully's second student film.His favorite experiences have been recording
a Vision Video Voice Over for Cisco
Systems, shaking Will Smiths hand in Hancock,
working as an extra on 30 Rock and The Electric Company, and playing a
positive role model in a Sunburst Educational
Video. Sully reads voraciously and has
a brown belt in karate.Never at a loss
for what to do, he can be found performing community service, jamming on his
guitar, writing music, singing in his schools Select Choir, skiing or
perfecting his sniper skills (no bullets, just airsoft pellets, please)!Sully has worked with some amazing people,
but has never had the opportunity to enjoy the cast and crew as much as he did
with Just Playin’.He thinks you all rock!
And Introducing
Abigial Wolff
Abigail Wolff(Abby)
(9) is making her debut in film with this project. Abigail has
performed in 11 local and 4 regional musical
theater productions. Favorite roles are Lead Kitten (Cats), Toots (Grease), Head Monkey (The Wiz),
and Eugene (Tom Sawyer). She
has been interviewed on TV and has been cast as a model for both runway
and print. Abigail has also won multiple talent awards for
singing at the State and National levels. Abigail competes in
Figure Skating and Tae Kwon Do. Abigail is the founding member
of The CareGirlz, a volunteer organization that entertains at area Nursing
Homes and Children's Hospitals. She won the 2007 National Golden
Achievement in Service Award for her work with seniors. She is in
the 4th grade and is a member of American Mensa and a Davidson Young
Scholar. Abigail lives in the NY metro area with her mom, dad and
talented little sister. She would like to thank Mitch and the
amazing cast for this fantastic learning experience!
Select Production Bio's.
Editor-Pamela Ralat
Editor -
Pamela Ralat
Pamela Ralat is a resin derived from
young shoots off the banyan tree. Pam is nostalgia for times of woe. Pam is
measured in units, not as substance; one says “fewer Pams”, not “less Pam”. Pam
worked for Bill Moyers in the Johnson White House. Pam is excited about
upcoming projects. Pam was served at the court of Catherine the Great as
Quenelles de Pameau aux Primeurs. Pam’s uses are virtually limitless. When Pam
was a freshman, the school seemed so big. Insert Pam Ralat at flange side of
flywheel and hammer flush.
Pam is currently an M.F.A.
candidate in Media Arts at The City College of New York specializing in editing
and documentary filmmaking. She is a finalist in the Nikon and Photography
Forum's 2009
Best of College
Photography and is a City College of New York nominee for the 2009 New York
Women in Film and Television Scholarship.
Composer Bryan Sargent
Composer - Bryan Sargent
Bryan Sargent is a drummer
and percussionist who has been writing and performing music for almost 20
years. He has played with a wide repertoire of musicians and bands that have
ranged from rock, pop, avant-garde, honky tonk, boogie stride jazz and Gamelan.
He currently composes music for films and performs with the group The French
Exit.
Dale Beverly has worked over thirty years designing and
building costumes andspecialty clothing for theater productions, retail shops and
private clients. He has worked on projects ranging from large traditional
musicals, cabaret and musical reviews to intimate stage plays, drag extravaganzas
and circus from Austin to New York. Dale is presently involved
creating pieces for various clients through his participation in the Society for Creative
Anachronism. He is proud to have been a part of this special project “Just Playin’” for
Mitch Horn.Born in the North and raised in the South, Dale now lives
with his cat in Woodstock, New York.
dale@greenmandesigns.com
Cinematographer - Adrian Correia
Adrian Correia – Cinematographer I grew up in a small town in Connecticut. I must
admit that most of my cinematic background is rooted in the cinema of the 80’s;
maybe not the most fertile soil of cinema history, but a most pleasant time for
me. I mean most ten-year-old kids are not big Antonioni fans.I attended the University of Connecticut
where I majored in electrical engineering…that is until my junior year when I
still had not figured out what an electrical engineer did for a living. I then
majored and earned degrees in history and sociology. As is evident, I made much
of these academic achievements.I proceeded to forego doctoral studies in history (on the
advice of my history professor no less) to try my hand at the exciting and lucrative
field of production assisting. Several years as a PA (everyone should be forced
to do it), grip, electric, camera assistant and finally as a cinematographer
have been fantastic. Life on set is always great, even when it is absolutely
terrible and everything goes wrong. At those times, at least you’ll have the
story for posterity. In fact, there is nowhere else I would rather be. Credit
Selects: Friends
(With Benefits); What Were We Thinking Films, LLC- Gorman
Bechard, Director; Ashley McGarry, Exec. ProducerSave The Forest; Up on the Roof Productions, LLC- Michael
Field-Director; Keith Lynn, Exec. ProducerFreezer
Burn; HCP Productions, LLC- Charles Hood,
Director; Jill Demerle, Exec. ProducerOk Great;
Face First Films, LLC- Jeff Reilly,
Director; Mike Berndt, Exec. ProducerSever;
Invasive Image, LLC- Kurtis
Spieler, Director; Leigh Radziwon, Exec. ProducerArena; Alchemist Films, LLC- Michael Wallace, Director; Adam Grass, Exec.
ProducerCouchgarden;
Studio Rever, LLC- Robert Scott
Wildes, Director; Aleks Gezentsvey, Exec. ProducerThe Paper Route;
Bulldog Productions, LLC- Dan Abrahams,
Director; Angela Trevino, Exec. ProducerRunning in
Place; Up on the Roof Productions, LLC- Michael
Field, Director/Exec. Producer
