MICHAEL....
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The Missing Michael Film Project
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About the Writer / Director on and off the set..... "Missing Michael" is one of at least a dozen film scripts that she is planning to bring to the screen over the next few years with Posen Productions, which will open in 2016. "The talent and professionalism of the cast fit perfectly with this story. It has turned out to be above what I imagined, and when we finish it, we are looking forward to bringing this rich and heart-felt story to many." The next 3-6 films on her storyboard are a diverse collection of adventure ("The Treasure of Trinada"), romantic comedy ("She Comes Bearing Gifts" and "Pete's Place), action ("The O Project"), and a children's feature film ("The Maestro of Mandalay"). She is also currently a writers' coach in addition to being a Certified Professional Coach with years of life and business coaching experience with her own workshops: Your Talents-Your Vision-Your Destiny, the 7 Mega Motivators, and Dating's Dozen. She is the Founder of the Nashville Non-Fiction Writers Meetup with over 400 members in the first year since its organization. The results? Nearly two dozen new writers have now started their first works, and others are moving full-steam ahead with their writings and publicity efforts! Her first book series, "Where There's Smoke....There's a WOMAN! 12 Ways Women Start Fires and Keep Them Burning - Part 1" will be out by mid-year in 2018. Here's a few words about that work, and where you can sign up for the 1st chapter for FREE: "Women are amazing creations! Just below our pretty skin, we are smoldering with purpose and passion! We're always starting fires of brilliance and inspiration. We spark adventure and creativity. Who can truly measure the power of our tender touch, our warrior spirit, or our artful ingenuity?! Unwrap the delightful stories and revelations of amazing women, even those who might be just around the corner. You'll be smiling over your morning coffee. Reflecting on all that you are over your evening tea. You'll laugh! You'll think... You'll be impressed. You'll be proud! And you just might be challenged!"
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BLOG NEWS:
About the Making of "Missing Michael" .......September, 2016: We are now laying down the last of the music for the added scenes which have brought this Red Carpet Premiere 35-minute film to feature length. The Crew has done an amazing job juggling all the pieces and parts of this project and coalescing it into the wonderful film that it is. You will see the struggles and the warmth, the doubts and the answers. You will feel the tension and the joy, the sadness and the peace. We are now working with the officials of the main filming location for a first official screening of "Missing Michael" as a family feature. They have been patient through this process, and we appreciate that. The path for this film has been different than how films are usually made. We started with a 30-minute version in mind to be ready for a Red Carpet Premiere in 7 months' time, from auditions to final cut in DVD and blu-ray in press kit format. Now, we've worked through 7 months in 2016 to expand some scenes and add in others, intro shots, credits, additional music, etc., and making sure it all fits together well, with our future audiences in mind. All in all, 14 months is good timing compared to some films. But that 14 months was working on a part-time basis, so the total time is still far less than some films. Hats off to everyone involved! At every point, we were working with an eye on quality - quality in our locations, in the acting, and in the direction of the story. And you will see that, too. As soon as we have a date for this Middle Tennessee screening, everyone will know! And it will be with great pride that we will present to you "Missing Michael." * * * * * * * February, 2016: Check out some of the shots during filming before the Nashville Filmmakers Red Carpet Premiere in December of 2015 above! We did it! (Now, we're adding the finishing touches of the few scenes that didn't make it in time for the Premiere.) And special thanks - credit where credit is due! DeKalb County Commissioner Jimmy Midgett and his wonderful wife Louann for rolling out the Red Carpet and opening their home as the Brooks’ family home and the Bishop’s family estate. Paul and Amy Robinson, Smithville, Tenn. for their generous hospitality and for opening their home as the Pickins’ home. Rhonda Harpole for help scouting Smithville, Tenn. locations. You’re the best! Clay Kirby, Zachary Fuson, and Kaitlynn Jones of the Love & Cantrell Funeral Home, Smithville, Tenn., for their facility to film the all-important closing scenes. Judge Bratten Hale Cook II, County Mayor Tim Stribling, City Attorney John Pryor, and Rhonda Butler for opening the Court House on Smithville Square for the story's turning-point scenes. Annette Webb Greek, for so graciously opening Webb's Pharmacy and Gift Shop on Smithville Square early one morning AND for donating a Liberty Mule tee shirt to be worn by actor Robert Biehn who plays Michael Brooks. We love it! Larry Hancock and his Supermarket. Smithville, Tenn. You were so gracious to offer your store as a location initially and even studied for the part of Supermarket Manager Bob Simmons. It's the thought that counts. Thank You All! -------------------------------------------------------------------------- .....September 16, 2015: Going through the scenes we've shot so far is exciting! Hats off to Cast and Crew for over-the-top performances! Stay tuned for videos, outtakes and photos - from funny to serious....they're coming right here over the next couple weeks! - Chris Posen CPC, Director ....August 28, 2015: We've had 3 successful weekends of shoots! The sets, weather, props, and wardrobe all worked their respective roles to support the filming of the first dozen or so scenes. The 2-3 cameras captured the Missing Michael story with excellent performances by Robert Biehn as Michael Brooks, Kelly Wyrick as his sister Claire, Poem Atkinson as his younger sister Emily, Helen Finnegan as Mom Marge Brooks, and David Parker as Officer Ken Taylor. They looked and sounded like the close-knit family that was then plunged into one crisis after another every time Officer Taylor knocked on their front door. We know you'll want to see some justice after the scene where Michael's clean record gets smudged by the actions of Claire's former beau Walter Pickins, played by Creed Knight. But stay tuned as the conscience of his best friend Tom Wheeler, as portrayed by Connor Hall, will eventually help set the record straight. You won't want to miss that scene! And I am compelled to mention that the rehearsal with Tara Ptacek stepping into the Brooks' home as the controlling and condescending social worker Mary Stanley had our hair standing on end with her convincing performance! The action behind the cameras and sound recording was outstanding in the capable hands of Ken Robinson, Sylvia Ma, David Alexander, and Chris Sanders, along with the help of Randy Kratz, and William Hickok. And again, many thanks to our gracious hosts, Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Midgett, and Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, for the opening of their homes. As soon as I make it through the video and photos, I'll be posting clips and pix right here, so stay tuned! Don't miss the updates and outtakes! Chris Posen CPC, Writer, Director ....August 9, 2015: Had a wonderful conversation with Ken Robinson, Director of Photography, and Rhonda Harpole, also of Smithville. She was delighted to hear about the filming of "Missing Michael" in their area, and more details will follow, so stay tuned! P.S. Larry Hancock has agreed to play the part of Bob Morris, Supermarket Manager, which should be a piece of cake for him since he is the proprietor of Larry's Supermarket, where we will be filming Scene 26! Thank you, Rhonda and Larry for your gracious contributions to this Red Carpet Premiere production for the Nashville Filmmakers Group! Chris Posen CPC ....August 1, 2015: We have found the Brooks' home, Walter's house, and a couple other settings that are PERFECT! I mean PERFECT! Scene 29 with the water balloon chase will be filmed on August 15th, and will be on the poster for Missing Michael! Jimmy Midgett, Commissioner of DeKalb County, has been so gracious to open DeKalb County to us, and specifically Smithville. He and his wife Louann , along with Larry Hancock, owner of Larry's Supermarket, certainly rolled out the Red Carpet for this project, a!nd we are thankful. The filming dates are filling our calendars, and I'll continue to provide updates right here! Chris Posen CPC ....July 27, 2015: Check out our talented Cast! The first 2 table reads have gone well, and we are inspired to make this a memorable production. After the second Auditions, we've filled all but one part - that of Bob Simmons, Supermarket Manager who is Michael's boss at his job. We are working on locations and equipment (will be needing more sound equipment and 2 camera operators). The setpiece scene of the picnic that ends with a friendly food fight, then a water balloon chase, will be filmed August 15th. We are stepping into the creation of an exciting production! Chris Posen CPC Missing Michael Cast: Robert Biehn as Michael Brooks Kelly Wyrick as Claire Brooks Poem Atkinson as Emily Brooks Tara Ptacek as Mary Stanley SW Creed Knight as Walter Pickins David Parker as Officer Kenneth Taylor Eric Butler as Ben Bishop Clark Harris as Dr. Wallace Campbell Ken Robinson as Mr. Bob Simmons LaQuita James as Mabel Wright ER SW Connor Hall as Tom Wheeler Michael McCann as Carter Downe Helena Finnegan as Marge Brooks Danny Ramsey as Carl Brooks Thom Booton as Ralph Pickins .....May 23 FIRST AUDITIONS! This isn't known as one of the best areas for talent for nothing! Larkin, Ken and I had the opportunity to view first-hand those with awesome potential as well as veterans with long resumes. What mattered most was their vision and passion for the story. We are clearly all on the same page on that point. I see in us, cast and crew, the ability and conviction to bring that same perspective to the screen. Those trying out for the antaganist roles are hardly waiting to be scorned, and those standing up for Michael and Claire are getting ready to go toe to toe against the opposition. This will be memorable indeed! See you on the 30th. Check back for photos on the 30th of the Cast of Missing Michael and photos of our get-together! Chris Posen CPC Missing Michael [Note that the 2nd Auditions on the Saturday, May 30th, will be at the Hermitage Library from 1-3pm, with full-scene readings of the audition materials from 3-4pm with those who have been cast.] ---------- ....May 17, 2015: WE'RE GAINING SPEED! We're now even closer to filling the roles of the top characters, and that's exciting! The talent that stepped forward at last evening's meeting of the Nashville Filmmakers was encouraging as we also gained support from new PAs and possible Production Manager, electrical, and other professionals! We will definitely be setting up a 2nd Audition, with the goal of having our first Missing Michael Cast and Crew Production meeting June 13 or 14. It is gratifying to see that everyone coming forward is touched by Michael's story and Claire's struggles, and understands the back story behind Mary Stanley's bitterness and Walter's regrettable actions. We have already owned the characters in Missing Michael.....we already love them......or don't.....and rightfully so! That makes me want to say "thank you" even though we haven't even had our first official meeting. The mission, should you decide to accept it, is to make sure that viewers feel everything we do. I believe that together we can do that! Chris Posen CPC, Missing Michael -------- .....May 12, 2015: WE'RE OFF AND RUNNING! Larkin McLaughlin has caught the vision! He is setting up the Auditions at the Donelson Library on Lebanon Pike on Saturday, May 23, from 1-3pm in the Lower Level Meeting Room. Contact Larkin at 423-544-9394 to get a copy of the Casting List. We're working on locations, settings, equipment, and props as well. Emails will be going to all members of the Team shortly with these updates and the date of our Production Meeting. Stay tuned! -------------------------------- .....April 24, 2015: PITCHED TO NASHVILLE FILMMAKERS APRIL 19! It has been selected and will be featured in the Premiere! My 6-minute Missing Michael pitch touched quite a few attendees and garnered additional supporters to help with production, direction, cameras, and we even casted a few roles that night - all toward reaching the goal of presentation at the NASHVILLE FILMMAKERS' Red Carpet Premiere coming up in a matter of months. As I started the theme song playing off my computer and a side stereo, the story began..... "As the first credits start to roll, the sepia setting shows a young mother holding a small cloth-bound book while she shows her son an acorn and then points to an oak tree. After she drops the acorn, she points to the tree and then to her young listener as he nods in understanding. As the credits continue, they enjoy the sight of a few butterflies, and she points to the butterflies and then tickles his tummy and lets him chase her and the butterflies. Then they come across a few rocks in a clear pond, and they touch the rocks. Mom makes a silly face and points to the rocks. So does he. "You see, little Michael is autistic, and she is using humor and love to teach him to talk and to welcome social interaction, two things autistics usually struggle with. This tender care helps develop Michael into a remarkable young man and creates a legacy that will speak for him. And so begins.....'Missing Michael.'" The calls and emails are off the hook as this Project moves ahead full-steam! Anyone attached to this Project will be invited to a first Production get-together mid-May for open-table brainstorming as we review the scenes - not a locked script. I first want to hear from the brilliant Team as we explore the possibilities! The Trailer we produce will also include an interview with every Team member - everyone - involved in this Project. If you're a Team member, I feel you deserve your time to tell viewers how the production of this Trailer has affected you, as well as the part you had in its production. Lastly, on the reel will be the marketing/contact information for the benefit of the entity that will want to produce the feature film itself. WATCH HERE FOR THE NEXT UPDATE SOON! - CHRIS ------------------------------------------ .....March, 2015: The first steps have been taken, and now the real fun begins! April will be a big month as the Production Team is assembled to create the feature trailer for "Missing Michael." Then we're on to the Nashville Filmmakers' Red Carpet Premiere in a matter of months. Look for more details as we roll them out - right here, including photos as we go. Chris Posen CPC, Writer and Producer [Note that the 2nd Auditions on the Saturday, May 30th, will be at the Hermitage Library from 1-3pm, with full-scene readings of the audition materials from 3-4pm with those who have been cast.] Chris Posen CPC, Missing Michael |