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Movies

Rob Blackhurst
Director, Rod Blackhurst, Talks Tribeca Feature ‘Here Alone’
SJ Chrio
Director, SJ Chiro, Dishes on SXSW ‘Lane 1974’
Ava Cantrell
Teen Actress, Ava Cantrell, Talks Warner Bros "Lights Out"
Adam Rifkin
Director, Adam Rifkin, premieres 'Dog Years' at Tribeca Film Fest
Ashlyn Casalegno
Actress, Ashlyn Casalegno, Makes Debut in Marvel's ‘Logan’
Brian Dannelly
Director, Brian Dannelly, Talks Indie Film ‘Struck by Lightning’

Juno Temple proves she's a true acting force with top 10 list of her greatest film roles

12/24/2017

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By: Daniel Hoyos | PHOTOS COURTESY  Featureflash, Dreamstime.com
​
- ​Los Angeles, California

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We Blab Entertainment Magazine has often stated that our favorite actress is British born Juno Temple because, there no role she won't tackle from playing a runaway teen, prostitute, and even a dead spirit. Juno received critical acclaim for her role as Lily Hobart a runaway girl in 2011 Little Birds which, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Temple has often been described as the queen of indie films for fearlessness to tackle a wide variety of roles. 

For this top 10 list, we decided to highlight her lesser known roles and, exclude films such as Maleficent, and The Dark Knight Rises. We asked Zoltan, who runs the fansite "Juno Temple Network" to rank his favorite 10 roles from her 18+ year ​career. 

10. Pandaemonium - 'Emma Southey' (2000)  – Friendship and betrayal between two poets during the French Revolution
Zoltan - Her first ever acting a role, that was preserved for future generations. She has no speaking lines, but she is really cute and the movie itself is astonishing! At least for me.​
9. St. Trinian's 1 & 2 'Celia' (2007, 2009) – In order to save their bankrupt school, a group of troublesome girls stage a robbery with a group of geniuses on their tails.
Zoltan - The second one is a bit obscure, but I think it's way better than the first, and still up to this day a lot of people are saying "Oh I remember, she was that girl with the dreadlocks" or something similar. First movie I ever saw her in.
8. Killer Joe 'Dottie Smith' (2011) – ​When a debt puts a young man's life in danger, he turns to putting a hit out on his evil mother in order to collect the insurance.
Zoltan -I t's a very "heavy" movie, and her role is very interesting, she is naive, innocent, but also sort of wants to become corrupted? Worth a watch.
7. ​The Brass Teapot 'Alice' (2012) – ​When a couple discovers that a brass teapot makes them money whenever they hurt themselves, they must come to terms with how far they are willing to go.
Zoltan - Very funny "fantasy", that turns into a drama at the end. Interesting fact, that she became her onscreen partner's (Michael Angarano) real-life girlfriend after this. As far as I know, they are not together anymore.
​6. Magic Magic – 'Alicia' (2013) - ​ A naive young tourist's road trip across Chile with friends turns into a waking nightmare.
Zoltan - Hard to understand, kinda brings suffering to the viewer, but it's built on her entirely. She carries the whole movie, and if you watch this once, you'll remember it forever.
5. Horns - 'Merrin Williams' (2013) - In the aftermath of his girlfriend's mysterious death, a young man awakens to find strange horns sprouting from his temples.
Zoltan - People who read the novel this was based on say it's a very unfaithful adaptation. Could be, I have no idea. But here is a very cool situation: Her character is already dead at the beginning, but she comes out again and again in flashbacks of the past, so she's a very important part of the story.
4. Little Birds - 'Lily Hobart' (2011) - Lily and Alison face a life-changing event after they leave their Salton Sea home and follow the boys they meet back to Los Angeles.
Zoltan - She was really young in this movie, which is intense, and in my opinion, this is her only "negative" role. She's not an antagonist, but a pretty girl, who is not so pretty inside. Also, Kay Panabaker was great in it.
3. Dirty Girl – 'Danielle' (2010) It's 1987 and Danielle, the high school 'Dirty Girl', is running away. With her is chubby, gay Clarke, a bag of flour called Joan and a Walkman full of glorious '80s tunes.
Zoltan - Anyone who was a kid in the '80's or even in the '90's will love this movie, because it has such an amazing atmosphere. It's funny, but also it's sad, it speaks about the feeling what people in their teen years get ("Nobody understands me") and it's also a road movie. I always recommend this for people to watch if they want to see something "Truly Juno".
2. Away - 'Ria' (2016) - A story set in the north English seaside town of Blackpool and centered on two kindred spirits who form an unlikely friendship.
Zoltan- ​I was blown away (hehe) by this movie. Incredible performance from Ms. Temple and Timothy Spall, great music, fantastic atmosphere, interesting story, and the characters, the dialogue, they have LIFE in them.

​Also, it's timeline is twisted, so you can't be really sure what happened in the past and what happened in the future, but as you watch it, something becomes more and more clear. Some of the scenes and the objects in the movie are returning allegories, so it makes you think when you see it.
1. Cracks – 'Di' (2009) - ​A look at the lives and relationships among girls at an elite boarding school.
Zoltan - ​It's "heavy" but, beautiful. All the girls in the cast give great performances, especially Juno, Imogen Poots, and Maria Valverde. The photography is wonderful, the setting, and the atmosphere is awesome, and the story is really dark and tragic. I saw it at least 6 times, despite that fact it can't cheer you up or leave you with good feelings at the end.

And we one honorable mention from our managing editor Daniel Hoyos that didn't make the list.
Safelight - A high-school student tries to help a troubled runaway escape from the clutches of her psychotic pimp.
Daniel - One of my favorite Temple roles set in the 1970's Safelight has a brilliant performance from her co-star Even Peters who plays a high student with cerebral palsy. Safelight sees Juno stepping-up to the plate playing a shy prostitute who, takes love interest Peters on a trip to see the California Lighthouses.
Follow Juno Temple on Instagram and, keep up with the latest news at Juno Temple Network.
Do you have a favorite episode of Juno Temple film that didn't make our list? Let us know in the comments below.
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Actress Nikki Leigh talks being cast in dramatic roles, and filming new feature Ay Lav Yu Tuu. Also Nikki shares breaking into the business

7/24/2017

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By: Daniel Hoyos | PHOTOS COURTESY 
- ​Los Angeles, California

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Actress Nikki Leigh talks about being cast in the dramatic roles, and filming the new feature film Ay Lav Yu Tuu. Also Nikki talks about breaking into the entertainment business, and advice for aspiring actors.
​You grew-up in Cypress, California and later moved to Los Angeles. How did you first get started in the entertainment business?
My decision to make the move to Los Angeles came about because I was hosting a radio show Monday to Friday on Sirius XM and it only made sense to get a place where I was working every weekday. Plus I had just graduated college and it was time for me to move out of my parents' house!
During your career you've been cast in films including The Wedding Ringer and Open Marriage. Which do you find more challenging: comedic or dramatic roles?
I find dramatic roles more challenging, but not challenging as in hard for me to do exactly. It is more challenging in the sense that with drama there is a lot of emotion and sometimes you have to take your heart and feelings to a dark place. Or maybe it's a place that you have already tried to overcome.  ​
What can you tell us about your upcoming film Ay Lav Yu Tuu with Steve Guttenberg?
​I am super proud of that movie! I can not wait for everyone to see it! It is so funny. Think of it like a 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' type humor, where the funniest parts are the cultural disconnects that happen in the film. I can also tell you that I speak Turkish in this film. I am one of the leads and I went over to Turkey not knowing I was filming this in their language either.  I auditioned in English and, when negotiating the role, there was no mention of me speaking a foreign language. Thankfully I had the best language coach. But unfortunately I only got her for the first two weeks, not the whole two months I was there. This meant I really had to learn it. No messing around!
We often talk with people who are interested in breaking into the business. What advice would you give aspiring actors?
Don't take things personally. This industry is all about rejection. You develop super thick skin because you go into these audition rooms and you basically get told what you are not and it really tests the individual. You just have to keep remembering that there is a perfect role for you and you alone and you might need to do a long search before it manifests. But don't give up! If you feel this is what you are meant to do then the more you believe it the more others will believe it! ​
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A large part of the audition process is rejection. How do you personally handle rejection?  ​
I just don't take it personally. I understand that there is a role out there for me and the casting directors, producers etc, are looking for something specific so if I'm not their vision then that's okay. I am just grateful that I got to go into the room and have a chance. I got to go in and show people what I can do. Every audition I walk into I make sure to do my best and then I leave it in the room. I usually throw my sides out after the audition so that I don't go back and think about what I did in the room. ​
Actors tend to get overwhelmed when seeking out representation. How did you find the right agent?
I had to go through a lot to finally get the agent I have today. Finding representation is very difficult and you will go through quite a few frogs before you find your prince. But keep believing in yourself and you will find that agent who believes in you like you do. The goal is to find someone who is excited about you and wants to work for you. Do not just settle. This is your career, your life.
What are you working on now that you can tell us about?
I am working on a show called Sangre Negra where I play a race car driver named Amanda Bolt. The filming has had a lot of space in between each film day but it's coming. I am thrilled to play a driver. Amanda is a bad ass driver and a strong female in a male-dominated world. I'm not sure you know this about me but driving is one of my favorite things! I keep asking production to let me do all the driving myself! I am trying to make sure that I get race car driving school or something out of this!
Follow Nikki on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. 
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Director Adam Rifkin premieres Dog Years at Tribeca, talks Ariel Winter, and advice for breaking into the business

4/20/2017

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Daniel Hoyos
By: Daniel Hoyos | PHOTOS COURTESY  Kara Croke, Tinseltown, Feature Flash Photo Agency, Shutterstock.com
​- Los Angeles, California


Ariel Winter
Director Adam Rifkin premieres Dog Years at Tribeca Film Festival, discusses​ casting Ariel Winter outside her bookworm role on Modern Family, Legend Burt Reynolds, and advice for breaking into the film business.   
Dog Years is the story of Vic Edwards, an aging former movie star, who is forced to realize his glory days are behind him. Can you tell us how you came to write this film?
I've always been a huge Burt Reynolds fan. In fact, he was my hero growing up. Not only was he cool and funny and self deprecating, but he always struck me as being such a down to earth, great guy. I also always felt like he rarely got his proper due as an actor. He's so natural and at ease in front of the camera that people didn't even think he's acting. Which is a tremendous compliment but it's also tragic because I feel he's been under appreciated for all the fabulous work he's done throughout his career. Burt is a brilliant actor and I wanted to give something back to Burt for all of the years of enjoyment he's given me and so many other people. So I wrote DOG YEARS specifically for Burt and Burt alone.
Vic Edwards is an interesting character that's different from Burt's past roles. How did you go about casting Burt Reynolds?
I had never met Burt prior to writing DOG YEARS but I rolled the dice and wrote it anyway, hoping he would spark to the material. It was a warts and all kind of charter so I was nervous approaching him. We called Burt's manager and I said to him that I wrote DOG YEARS for Burt and nobody else. I said to please tell Burt that if he didn't want to play the part I wasn't going to make the movie. I know it was a gamble but I just couldn't conceive of anybody else playing Vic Edwards other than Burt.

​Imagine my elation when Burt called me the next day. Burt Reynolds called me and told me he loved the script and he wanted to play the part! I was over the moon! And man, did he deliver. He gave such a brave and heartfelt performance, stripped of all vanity. For a guy famous for his swagger he had no problem digging deep and exposing his most vulnerable self. He blew us all away. 
​
The feature also stars the talented Ariel Winter from Modern Family, who plays Lil. Can you tell us how you cast Ariel Winter?
The role of Lil required someone young enough to be believable but experienced enough as an actress to be able to pull off such a fragile and emotionally unstable person. Ariel is literally a veteran of the craft at the tender age of 18. She's been acting her entire life, so I knew Lil would be in good hands. She's also known for playing the bookish Alex Dunphy and I though it would be exciting to see her play completely against type.

​This is a very adult role for Ariel and she played it brilliantly. Lil is a troubled girl who's been making a series of questionable choices in life up to now. She meets Vic while teetering on the precipice of complete self destruction and the adventure they find themselves on together forces her to reassess her direction. People who are only familiar with Ariel from Modern Family are going to be shocked when they see her here.
Ariel Winter
Ariel Winter known for playing clever Alex Dunphy on Modern Family, and legendary actor Burt Reynolds co-star in Dog Years a terrific dark gritty drama.
An interesting part of Dog Years is the use of archival footage from Burt Reynolds real life filmography. How did you go about achieving this effect in the movie?
At its core, DOG YEARS is a story about growing old and how fast the years fly by. I thought an effective way to explore this visually was to see footage of young, virile Burt juxtaposed against current day Burt. As a result I included some fantasy sequences where Vic confronts his younger self and tries to convince him not to live so recklessly. The way we achieved it was merely through standard movie magic but the end result had a very emotional effect. Once we saw the visuals coming together we were moved in ways we didn't anticipate. ​
When casting a film, what qualities do you look for with actors?
That always depends on so many variables. What the character should look like and sound like based on the description in the script. How the character would react in a crisis or would respond to a challenge. I can honestly say I look for something wholly unique for each and every role, each and every time. That said, I suppose an overarching quality I'm always keenly aware of is an actor who never feels like their acting.

​Burt told me the the best advice he'd ever gotten as an actor was from his old friend Spencer Tracy. Tracy once said to him, "Kid, never let them catch you acting". Remarkably simple yet amazing advice. And I can definitely relate. When I'm casting, if someone feels like their acting, no matter how good they may look for the role, they'll never get the part.
We often talk with up-coming filmmakers who are interested in breaking into the business. What advice would you give them?
My advice is two fold: Firstly, for anyone who's pursuing a career in film, or any of the arts for that matter, you're undoubtably going to experience a lot of rejection. Don't let it slow you down. It's easy to take rejection personally and start to second guess yourself but do everything you can to fight that urge. Don't let rejection even be a blip on your radar. Everyone who's ever achieved success in this insane business has experienced tons of rejection so you're not alone. Just ignore it and keep trudging forward. Secondly, don't wait for permission to make a movie. Technology has finally caught up to people's ambition.

​You can now make a movie for next to nothing. Talent is the cheapest production value in the world. Make a movie for whatever amount you can. If you only have a few hundred bucks, figure out a way to make the best movie ever made for a few hundred bucks. Shoot it on your phone. Edit it on an app. Do whatever you need to do get your story told and your voice heard. Take inspiration from maverick filmmakers like Giuseppe Andrews and go out there and just make a movie that nobody has seen before. If it's good, really good, and bold and unique and original, it will change your life.
Dog Years will be screening at the Tribeca Film Festival from 4/22 - 4/30. Check out the official Tribeca website for the complete list of showtimes.

Follow Dog Years on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.
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Nine-year-old Ashlyn Casalegno makes big screen debut in Marvel's Logan, and gives advice for booking roles

4/17/2017

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Daniel Hoyos
By: Daniel Hoyos | PHOTOS COURTESY  Allyson Casalegno
​- 
Los Angeles, California

Ashlyn Casalegno
Nine-Year-Old actress Ashlyn Casalegno, shares her experience filming Marvel's Logan. Ashlyn also talks exclusively with We Blab Entertainment Magazine about, advice for booking roles in Hollywood. 
You’re older brother Gavin is also an actor whose credits include, The Vampire Diaries. So how did Ashlyn get her start in acting?
Growing up, Gavin was always in acting class, filming or auditioning. I would always try to watch, and do what he did. Once I could read, I started classes and was hooked!
Congratulations on landing the role of Charlotte in Marvel’s Logan. Can you take us through the audition process for Charlotte? 
​It lasted several weeks actually. I read for more than one role and Charlotte was the best fit for me. I did my part and my agent took over from there.  It wasn’t long until I was on set after that.
Ashlyn Casalegno
Ashlyn on set with her older brother actor Gavin. Ashlyn with lead actress of Logan Dafne Keen.
We always hear if you want to pursue a career in acting move to Hollywood. Can you give us some real world advice on how to book studio roles in Hollywood? 
​It helps if you have a really great team (agents, managers, etc.). These days you can tape your auditions and film just about anywhere in the world.  It’s more about practicing your craft and being prepared. ALWAYS follow your dreams. Never give up. 
Logan starring Hugh Jackman is currently in theaters nationwide. Please tell us where your character Charlotte fits in the storyline?
​Charlotte fits in with a group of mutant kids that were raised in an institution and escaped from the bad guys. 
You attended the New York Premiere of Logan at the Rose Theater. What was it like walking the red carpet for Logan?
​It was such an honor to be there. There was so much excitement in the air and I can say it was a great experience for me. One of my best.
Actors tend to get overwhelmed when seeking out representation. How did you find the right agent?
​It’s important that they are a good fit. For me, I was fortunate to already have a foundation through my brother. As I’ve grown we’ve added more members to my team.  I love all of my team, every one of them work hard to help make my dreams come true!
Hugh Jackman is one of the biggest leading males in Hollywood. Can you tell what it was like meeting Hugh Jackman? 
​It was super cool! We had a lot of fun, and he’s so nice.
Lastly can you tell our audience what you hope to achieve in the world of acting?
​I hope to always keep growing as an actress. Making movies is so much fun and I never want to stop!
Follow Ashlyn Casalegno on Instagram, and Twitter.
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Teen actress Ava Cantrell talks Haunted Hathaways, Lights Out, and working outside of L.A.

3/10/2017

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Daniel Hoyos
By: Daniel Hoyos | PHOTOS COURTESY  AliKay Photography
​- 
Los Angeles, California

Ava Cantrell
Teen actress Ava Cantrell discusses Nickelodeon's Haunted Hathaways, finding the right agent, and filming the Warner Bros. picture Lights Out. Ava also talks exclusively with We Blab Entertainment Magazine, about booking roles outside of Hollywood.
You started acting at eight years old, and before that doing dance competitions. How did Ava get started in the business?
​I actually got started in the business because of dancing! My parent loved the performance aspect of dance, and thought I might like to try acting. They saw that I loved It was all about being on the stage, under the lights and making people smile. Once I got started acting, I was soon booking roles, and I fell in love with the craft. I've been doing it ever since! Dance is still a major part of my life but, my priority is acting. 
In 2013 you landed the role of Penelope on Nickelodeon’s The Haunted Hathaways. Can you tell us what the audition process was like?
Penelope Pritchard was such a fun role, and a fun auditioning process as well. I knew a lot of people went out for it and, saw friends in the room, and I think we fell in love with Penelope. It was a role I really connected too. I thought Penelope was hilarious and, so out of touch with reality. I went in for the first call in full costume. I was wearing high pigtails, an unbelievably huge tutu skirt, and I was even carrying a doll. It was one of those auditions I took a risk on. I personally knew a girl that was very bratty like Penelope, so it was fun to act it out. I would never call someone a brat; it's more fun to imitate one.
Congratulations on the outstanding performance in the Warner Bros horror film, Lights Out. For our readers who haven’t seen the film yet, can you tell us about your character Young Diana? 
Thank you so much! I am not only Human Diana but also the voice of creature Diana. Young Diana had issues that went way back. Her parents put her in a mental institution where she met Sophie. Diana could control people's minds. ​Diana was a human but, got killed in the institution yet, she can't have light of any kind on her skin or else she burns. She is the type of friend that will never leave your side, and is completely obsessed and, wants the people she loves to herself. I find Diana sympathetic in the way she really just wanted a friend or anyone in her life, and was desperate for that.
We always hear if you want to pursue a career in acting move to L.A. Can you give us some real world advice, on how to book studio roles in Hollywood?
Honestly I think the whole move to LA advice is changing. I live outside of L.A. in San Diego, and I actually love having an outside life, outside of Hollywood. So many roles you can go on tape for. Many kids fly in and out of L.A. I have friends that live even father away from L.A. then I do, and work all of the time. Also so many things are filmed outside of L.A. lately. I have a successful career not living in Hollywood so, it can become a reality.
Ava Cantrell
Actors tend to get overwhelmed when seeking out representation. How did you find the right agent?
My Dad was a kid actor, and he was the one initially that thought I should be an actor. We went to an agent that wanted to charge money to represent me, which we all know is a no-no! My mom told my dad to pick the top three agents submit me and if anyone bites, it was meant to be. Luckily I got meetings with two top agents out of the three. We chose our favorite, and have been with them ever since.   
In your latest film One Under the Sun you play Amelia Voss the daughter whose mother is going to mars, but also has terminal cancer. Can you tell us some more about your character?
Amelia Voss is my most challenging role to date. I go through all stages of cancer. I stay alive even when very ill because I am waiting for my Mom to return from her expedition and my life, and my choices matter immensely to the world. Amelia is a fighter, she's strong willed but, also very loving. She is a character that screen audiences will fall in love with. The response I gotten from the role of at the premiere was the most enthusiastic response I have ever received. Amelia will make you cry, but also will inspired you and you see the world in a different way.
A large part of the audition process is rejection. How dose Ava personally handle rejection?
I really don't see not getting a role as rejection. I don't want anyone to feel rejected over the roles I have gotten. We as actors have to give it all in the room. We make choices, and sometimes they work, and sometimes they don't. We can't second-guess ourselves. We can only prepare, and leave it all out there. I myself as an actress get invested in roles, but some just aren't mine to have. I'm that actress that will watch the shows, or movies that I didn't get and completely understand why I wasn't the right person, and I see how that person fit the role perfectly. Sometimes that will be me, and other times it will not. It feels pretty good when everything aligns!    
Follow Ava on Twitter, and Instagram.  
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Director, Brian Dannelly, talks 'Struck By Lightning' Chris Colfer, and LGBT in Hollywood

3/7/2017

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Daniel Hoyos
By: Daniel Hoyos | PHOTOS COURTESY Suzanne Houchin​
- ​Los Angeles, California

Brian Dannelly
Director Brian Dannelly talks exclusively with We Blab Entertainment Magazine about, making the cult comedy Struck by Lightning. Also casting Glee's Chris Colfer, Modern Family's Sarah Hyland, working with Macaulay Culkin, and transgender issues in Hollywood.
​Struck by Lightning is a brilliant teen comedy about, an unpopular boy who, recounts the way he blackmailed classmates into help with his literary magazine. Can you please tell us, how you came to direct this film?

My friend and producer, David Permut (Hacksaw Ridge), had the script and he was a big fan of Saved. He thought Chris and I would be a good match and he set up a meeting. I already loved the material and related it to my own time spent in high school. Chris turned out to be an amazing guy. He was thoughtful, kind and smart and I connected with him right away. I LOVED the idea of a teen script that was written by an actual teen- the voice was authentic in a way it may not have been had it been filtered through the passing of time. 
The casting for Struck By Lightning was genius because; we got to see some familiar faces playing roles outside their normal TV personas. What was the casting process like for Chris Colfer, Sarah Hyland, and Allie Grant?

Casting was a good deal of fun and we took great care in bringing this cast together. We were in love with Sarah from Modern Family and I have worked with Allie Grant since she started in Weeds. Carter Jenkins and I became friends on a series I did and he joined us and we were thrilled to discover Graham Rogers. Everyone was a fan of Chris’ and it was a rather easy process getting people to join us. I mean the whole cast is kind of amazing- Christina Hendricks, Dermot Mulroney, Alison Janney, Angela Kinsey, Matt Prokop, ​Robbie Amell, Polly Bergen and Rebel Wilson. 
Brian DannellyDirector Brian Dannelly on set with actors Dermot Mulroney, Chris Colfer, and Allison Janney
One of the more notable themes is the sexual preference of Carson Phillips and, the scene where he stumbles upon two closeted gay students. What has been the reaction from the LGBT community?

We were lucky enough to be the closing night film at Outfest which I think speaks volumes. In addition, we screened at festivals all over the world and I think people of all orientations could identify with the film and being an outsider. I love how Chris wrote a character that wasn’t struggling with his sexuality - it was part of who “Carson” was but it wasn’t the driving force. I thought it was a very sophisticated choice. I mean, while it’s important to tell our stories it’s also important to see that our stories have changed. 

What dose the industry have to do in order for us to see more gay roles in the mainstream? 
​

I don’t know if it’s as taboo of a subject anymore. I mean MOONLIGHT just won the Academy Award. In general, I think television and movies need to reflect more of the world as it actually is—all the colors and complexities that make us human—the experiences that connect us and the experiences that are unique to our being. 
Sarah Hyland
The cast of 2012's Struck by Lightning
​You also wrote and, directed your first feature film Saved! Starring Mandy Moore, Jena Malone, and Macaulay Culkin. Can you give some insight into how you got started in the film business? 
​

I wrote the script with Michael Urban while we were at AFI. During that time, we were approached by an agent who got the script to Sandy Stern at Single Cell Pictures. After that, every studio turned us down. Finally, a small Florida producer came onboard and we started the process of making the film. However, they turned out to not have the money so we closed up production. A short time later, MGM/UA agreed to finance the film and we were saved and premiered at Sundance.  
We often speak to students who want to enter the film industry. What advice would you give someone if they wanted to move to Hollywood and, start a career in the film business?

As a guy who grew up in a small town, I’m a huge fan of film school. I went to the American Film Institute (AFI) and that changed everything for me. I had the right instincts as a director but AFI taught me the craft and the importance of collaborating with cast and crew. I was immersed in a community of like-minded artists and we learned from each other. It was the most amazing two years of my life and I use the tools I learned there in every single thing I do in the business.​
Brian Dannelly
Director Brian Dannelly with the cast and crew of Struck by Lightning
Saved! was the second theatrical film Macaulay Mculkin starred in since 1994’s Richie Rich. Our readers would be very interested to know what it was like working with child-star Macaulay?

Macaulay was a dream. He was kind, funny and humble. He went out of his way to make everyone feel comfortable and he was very helpful to me as a first time director. I will always be grateful he agreed to be in the film.
Can you tell us about any future projects you’re working on currently?

Well, I have another project with David Permut (Hacksaw Ridge) written by Craig Houchin. It was the First Place winner of the Final Draft Screenwriting Contest. It’s about an alcoholic dad who gets out of jail and kidnaps his three young daughters and takes them on a road trip in the 70s. It’s beautiful and moving and funny and everything I love about ​storytelling. We are out to cast now. 
​
I have also been very lucky in that I got the opportunity to direct the season two premiere of MTV’s SCREAM. Directing horror and working for the Weinstein Company was a dream come true. In addition, my writing partner, Michael Urban, and I sold two TV shows in the past year. One went to pilot and one we are waiting to hear if we will be going to pilot. I’m not sure if I can talk about it but it’s EXTREMELY close to my heart and very timely. 
Follow Brian Dannelly on Twitter, and Instagram.
Struck by Lightning is available on Blu-Ray at Amazon and digitally on itunes.
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