Iowa Casting Press Release

Posted by Troy

October 24, 2007

Here is the press release for the movie I shot last week - notice anything missing? Sigh.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact:
Carol Cassidy, 563.873.1911

Hollywood / Iowa Filmmakers Recruit Talented Iowa Cast for “Duck Farm Number 13”
Local Actors and Scenery Give Movie Distinct Iowa Charm

October 24, 2007 (McGregor, Iowa) – Lights. Camera. Iowa! An Iowa-Hollywood hybrid feature film titled “Duck Farm Number 13” is shooting in McGregor this month and several Iowans are getting involved in the action.

The story is a wry comic tale of romantic surprise centered in an Iowa ice cream stand. The cast, crew and setting are distinctly Iowan.

Los Angeles based writer-director Becky Smith grew up in Lake Okoboji. Executive Producer Terry Trimpe grew up in eastern Iowa, graduated from Luther College and lives in Lisbon. Hollywood-based producer Joel Sadilek is from Cedar Rapids and a graduate of the University of Iowa.

From 30-year veterans to first-timers, the production is delighted to embrace local actors.

Iowa Cast -

Michael Cornelison (Reverend Kerr) is an award-winning actor with 30 years of film and theatre experience. He has worked with luminaries including Norman Lear, Richard Gere, Bill Murray, Albert Brooks and fellow Iowan Tom Arnold. Mike was trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. His roommate there was Peter Waller, who later became Robocop. Mike lives in West Des Moines. If he SOUNDS familiar, it may be because he is the professional voice of many radio and TV commercials.

James Serpento (Kate’s Father) is a writer, director and actor who has worked in Chicago, Los Angeles and locally. He’s just releasing his own film, with the intriguing title of “Haunting Villisca.” It’s about an unsolved murder in an Iowa town. James grew up in Des Moines and was educated at Iowa State University in Ames. James looks forward to starting a brand new role as Dad – his first child is on the way.

Stewart Butler (Candi) is a hairdresser in West Des Moines. He tried out for the film on a tip from a client. This is his first film role!

Brendan Dunphy (Jordan) has traveled to Tanzania, Kenya and Egypt, but he is at home in Iowa, where he is one of the state’s leading experts on mosquitoes. The acting bug bit him two years ago, and he has performed in six films this year alone. Brendan has lived in Davenport, Wilton, Ankeny and Ames.

Julie Mickelson (Amber) has been seen in art and photography galleries from New York to Paris, but her heart is in Iowa, where she has lived all her life. Born and raised in West Des Moines, Julie is a junior at the University of Iowa majoring in Communications.

Ryan Gourley (Harley) was born and raised in Des Moines. Ryan just graduated the University of Iowa with a minor in theater – but he won a major role in the film.

Gabrielle McNally (Terry) had a childhood filled with exploration and imagination – great inspiration for her work as a singer, dancer and actor. Until she was 12, her family raised pigs. Now they live on a dairy farm in Luana. Gabby studies theater and dance at Luther College in Decorah. She cut class to make the audition for this film.

Reese Ravner (Tammy) returned last year to her mom’s home town of Ames after a stint in Southern California. She made her screen debut in Mission Impossible 3. Reese is also a stage actor and a writer – and she’s just in 5th grade.

David Oddy (Eddie) has worked in Los Angeles and Iowa. He specializes in Shakespeare. One of his favorite roles is Petruccio – the cranky husband in The Taming of the Shrew. David and his actress wife Susie will follow in the footsteps of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor – playing the battling husband and wife in the Salsbury House (Des Moines) production of Shrew this summer.

Rachel Salowitz (Rory) is happy to be back in West Des Moines after graduating from Wesleyan University in Connecticut. She’s excited to play someone who’s not very nice – although Rachel herself is, of course, an absolute doll. Rachel has done Shakespeare, which she loves. She’s been working in the theater since she was 8 years old.

Clint Curtis was born and raised in Iowa City and lives in Des Moines. He has lived and worked on both coasts. Somehow, he always gets cast as the bad guy. Clint has been acting for so long, he stopped being nervous – so he recently tried stand-up comedy, just to get those jitters again. It worked! Clint is a singer in an indie-alterna-rock band and the proud Papa of a one-year-old Iowa boy.

Annie Li is used to seeing her son in the spotlight. He’s a film production student. That’s how Annie found out about the film, and got cast. In normal life, she’s a real estate agent in Johnston.

Acting