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Fog City Pictures 2331 Third Street San Francisco, CA 94107

Phone: 415.522.1200 fax: 415.522.1207 e-mail: [email protected]

Around June



Synopsis A love story set in the shadow of the shipyards of San Francisco. June, a shy young woman, lives at home with Murry, her domineering father, and Henry, her much adored, mentally challenged uncle. June’s mother died when she was very young, and since her death, the light in everyone’s life has gone out. Murry lords over the cluttered house and everyone in it. Nothing can be touched. No change. No breath of hope. The past has crippled this family, both physically and emotionally. But change finally comes in the form of a young, penniless Mexican immigrant, Juan Diego. June and Juan Diego meet in the rain, and like a thunderclap, it is love at first sight. Through her blossoming love, June finds a way to become alive again and break free from the shackles of her father. Through love, she is able to become the beautiful young woman who up until now only existed in her dreams.

Main Characters

JUNE - Samaire Armstrong

Samaire was named Entertainment Weekly's Breakthrough Artist of 2004 for her work as Emily on ENTOURAGE and Anna Stern on THE O.C. Born in Tokyo, Japan on Halloween of 1980, Armstrong wanted to be an actress as early as age three. She was raised in a nomadic life, living in Malaysia, China, and Hawaii before settling in Arizona, USA. After studying costume design and theatre in college, Samaire moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting. She started out getting small roles and one-time appearances in various television shows including her TV debut on PARTY OF FIVE in 2000. Samaire then made her feature film debut with a breakout role in the teen-oriented spoof NOT



ANOTHER TEEN MOVIE in 2001. Samaire’s film work includes: Icon Entertainment’s IT’S A BOY GIRL THING, 20th Century Fox’s JUST MY LUCK, and Mandate Picture’s RISE: BLOOD HUNTER where she starred opposite Lucy Liu and Michael Chiklis. On television, Samaire has appeared as a guest star on a variety of popular TV shows including JUDGING AMY, PARTY OF FIVE, C.S.I.: MIAMI, NUMB3RS and THE X-FILES. In 2007, she starred opposite Treat Williams in THE STAIRCASE MURDERS, and most recently can be seen starring in the ABC drama DIRTY SEXY MONEY, opposite William Baldwin and Donald Sutherland.

MURRY - John Gries

A longtime character actor with the unique ability to alternate between meek and menacing at the drop of a hat, Jon Gries can play a computer wiz (REAL GENIUS, THE PRETENDER) or a South American mercenary (THE RUNDOWN) with equal zeal and conviction. A

native of Glendale, CA, and the son of Emmy-winning writer/producer/director Tom Gries, Jon launched his acting career with a small role in his father's made-for-television feature HELTER SKELTER (1976). After moving to New York, the young actor studied under the capable tutelage of Stella Adler. Supporting roles in MORE AMERICAN GRAFFITI, JOYSTICKS, and HIGH SCHOOL USA segued Gries' career into the 1980s, with his role as the reclusive genius Lazlo in the brainy college comedy REAL GENIUS endearing him to a nation of moviegoers. He also co-stared in a number of other high-profile releases including RUNNING SCARED, THE MONSTER SQUAD, and FRIGHT NIGHT - PART 2. After once again appearing opposite Real Genius co-star Val Kilmer in the 1989 noir thriller KILL ME AGAIN, Gries found a niche in television with roles in such series as Martin and THE PRETENDER in the 1990s. Of course, Gries also continued to remain active on the big screen throughout the 1990s, and after a



bit role in the popular sci-fi comedy MEN IN BLACK, he would establish a fruitful working relationship with Mark and Michael Polish -- the filmmaking duo behind the quirky sleeper TWIN FALLS IDAHO. Gries became something of a stock player for the Polish brothers starring in JACKPOT and appearing in NORTHFOLK and THE ASTRONAUT FARMER.

Even outside of his work with the Polish brothers, Gries continued to gain indie credibility thanks to parts in such features as THE BIG EMPTY and NAPOLEON DYNAMITE, where in 2005 he was nominated for a prestigious IFP Spirit Award for his role as Uncle Rico. He also maintained a solid television career appearing in such popular television shows as 24, ER, LAS VEGAS, CARNIVALE and LOST.

HENRY - Brad William Henke

Brad William Henke is quickly making a name for himself as one of the busiest actors in Hollywood. Early assignments for Brad included bit parts in big-screen features such as THE FAN and MR. WRONG, plus guest spots on such series dramas as ER and SPORTS NIGHT. After a lead in the short-lived 2001 prime-time series GOING TO CALIFORNIA, Henke returned to small feature roles in such projects as THE ASSASSINATION OF RICHARD NIXON, MUST LOVE DOGS and THE ZODIAC. During the last three years he has appeared in such acclaimed projects as ME YOU AND EVERYONE WE KNOW, NORTH COUNTRY, Oliver Stone’s WORLD TRADE CENTER, SHERRY BABY co-

starring Maggie Gyllenhaal and HOLLYWOODLAND opposite Adrien Brody. Henke can currently be seen co-starring in the ABC mid-season drama OCTOBER ROAD and a guest starring role on the dark comic crime thriller series DEXTER. He also co-stars in the 2008 Sundance film CHOKE, opposite Sam Rockwell and Anjelica Huston.



JUAN DIEGO – Oscar H. Guerrrero

A rising young star in his native, Puerto Rico, Oscar has starred in a number of independent features prior to AROUND JUNE, including ENTREMEDIO and KAMALEON. Oscar made his big screen debut in 2003 in the indie film I WITNESS, playing opposite Jeff Daniels, James Spader, and Portia De Rossi. He is a founding member of Octania Art House, a multi-arts theater and production company based in Puerto Rico’s capital of San Juan.

Production Notes AROUND JUNE was produced by the San Francisco-based Fog City Pictures in association with Caviar Films. Fog City Pictures was launched in 2005 by filmmakers Jeremiah Birnbaum and Stephen Kopels with the goal of producing high quality and entertaining indie films. The company has produced three feature-length films in the last two years and currently has its fourth in pre-production.

In the summer of 2006, James Savoca and Jeremiah Birnbaum had finished producing Fog City Pictures’s first feature, PRESQUE ISLE. Based on the success of this collaboration, Savoca gave Birnbaum a spec script he had written; a charming love story with classic fairy tale structure called AROUND JUNE. Birnbaum loved the story and the sweetness of its main character, a young, lonely woman

named June. Originally set in New York City, Savoca adapted the story to San Francisco and pre-production began in late 2006 with Savoca directing and Birnbaum producing.



Veteran executive producers Alyssa Weisberg and Greg Corbin joined the endeavor and an incredibly talented ensemble of actors was cast including veteran Jon Gries, a new-comer Oscar Guerrero, the versatile Brad William Henke and the luminous Samaire Armstrong. Supporting roles feature a number of noteworthy Bay Area actors including Michael A. Goorjian, David Fine and Celik Kayalar.

With the cast in place, an experienced and dedicated crew was assembled from LA and San Francisco, including cinematographer Peter Hawkins and production designer Stacey Ransom. In addition to the professionals, advanced students from the San Francisco School of Digital Filmmaking worked on the film, bringing great energy and enthusiasm to key support positions. Shot entirely in the Potrero Hill neighborhood of San Francisco, AROUND JUNE explores intimate parts of the city as it tells its story. The film shows the strong juxtaposition between the cluttered and confining world of June’s house and the green, fairytale-like openness of the parks and gardens that become her escape. “It was so easy for me to do June,” said Samaire Armstrong who played June. I really was just going off of what was on the script, and it was so well written that it was easy to do. In the magical sense, I liked her relation to nature, and the quiet lonely parts of her,” finished Armstrong. Principal photography took place over four weeks in early 2007. With shooting completed, Savoca and his editing team worked for months crafting and shaping the imaginative love story. In order to capture the main characters daydreams and fantasy life, animator Charlie Canfield was brought in. Inspired by the work



of renowned painter Marc Chegall, Canfield created beautiful sequences that bring June and Juan Diego’s yearning for each other to life. As the final element, talented composer Didier Lean Rachou created a charming and evocative score.

Director’s Filmography REVELATION – 1996 – Short 16mm film, starring Kevin Corrigan. Broadcast Premiere on The Sundance Channel. SLEEPWALK – 2000 – 35mm feature film, starring Drea de Matteo, Ivan Martin, John Lurie. Premiered at The SXSW Film Festival. Made its Broadcast Premiere on IFC. THE CROOKED CORNER – 2005 – Feature Film starring Chris Messina and Marlo Marron. AROUND JUNE – 2008 – Feature film starring Samaire Armstrong, Jon Gries & Brad William Henke. To view trailers, clips, reel and reviews go to www.savocafilms.com

Director - James Savoca

After studying Film and Photography at Syracuse University, and working as a camera operator (NBC affiliate station), James moved to New York, where he worked as a staff photographer (still life and fashion), production assistant on feature films (Sidney Lumet, Barry Levinson) and studied acting at Carnegie Hall with Louise Lasser. In 1990, James founded the theater group

Big Head Productions. His first full-length play TALK TO ME, which he wrote and directed, sold out audiences at Tom Noonan’s Paradise Theatre. He followed-up with off-Broadway productions of OFF MY BACK, TOMORROW NEVER COMES, and JUST LIKE TELEVISION. In 1995, he assembled a sketch comedy



group called The Guilty Players, performing weekly at New York’s Under Acme in Greenwich Village. In 1996, James wrote and directed a short 16mm film entitled REVELATION, starring Kevin Corrigan. REVELATION made its broadcast premiere on The Sundance Channel. After his first taste of filmmaking, James started his own production company, Solo Group Productions. In 2000, James made his feature film debut; writing and directing SLEEPWALK, starring Drea de Matteo, Ivan Martin and John Lurie. SLEEPWALK, a 35 mm film, premiered at SXSW Film Festival. The Independent Film Channel showcased SLEEPWALK as part of IFC's Next Wave Films where it ran monthly for 3 years. In 2005 James completed his second feature film, THE CROOKED CORNER, starring Chris Messina and Marlo Marron, which he wrote, directed and produced. In 2007, James wrote and directed his third feature film, AROUND JUNE, starring Samaire Armstrong, Jon Gries, and Brad William Henke.

Producer - Jeremiah Birnbaum

Jeremiah Birnbaum is the Co-Founder and Head of Production of Fog City Pictures, one of San Francisco’s most prolific feature film production companies. A native New Yorker, Jeremiah has worked as a producer, editor, director and educator in film and video for over nineteen years. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Film and Philosophy from Wesleyan University and attended the filmmaking program at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. As a filmmaker, Jeremiah was a founding partner of Detour Pictures, a music-video production company specializing in rap and R&B artists, and has

collaborated with many accomplished filmmakers, including Academy Award winner Barbara Kopple. As an educator, he taught editing and media literacy to teenagers at the Urban League of Newark, and was Course Director of the Media Sound and Visual Program at Ex´pression College of Digital Arts, in Emeryville, CA. In 2005, Jeremiah co-founded the San Francisco School of Digital Filmmaking (SFSDF), one of the most innovative film schools in the country. He currently holds the positions of CEO and Director of Production for SFSDF.



Jeremiah's most recent filmmaking credits include five diverse projects – four feature films and one documentary. He produced the feature film, AROUND JUNE, a love story and family drama set in the shadows of the shipyards of San Francisco. The film, which is set to premiere at the 2008 Mill Valley Film Festival, stars Samaire Armstrong, Jon Gries, and Brad William Henke. In 2006, Jeremiah produced PRESQUE ISLE, an HD feature written and directed by Bay Area filmmaker Rob Nilsson, which premiered at the Mill Valley Film Festival in 2007. Jeremiah also directed and shot the feature-length digital film, SO FRESH, SO CLEAN, which premiered at the 2003 San Francisco Black Film Festival and won Best Feature Film at the Motor City Film Festival. The film played at festivals, colleges and art house theaters all over the country before being released by Warner Bros. Home Video in 2005. As a documentarian, Jeremiah produced and directed AN INTRODUCTION TO MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, a film for people newly diagnosed with MS. This doc was produced in collaboration with the Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology and has been distributed to thousands of people across the country diagnosed with this complicated illness. Jeremiah is currently in post-production on MOONLIGHT SONATA, the third feature he is producing under Fog City Pictures’ banner.

Executive Producer - Alyssa Weisberg

Alyssa has been casting for the past 14 years in film, television and theater. Her film credits include studio films such as MISSION IMPOSSIBLE III, THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT, U-TURN and BOOTY CALL. She has also worked extensively on the independent scene with such projects as THE HOUSE OF USHER, TELLING YOU, FREEWAY and THE HOUSE OF YES. Alyssa recently won an Emmy Award for casting the pilot of ABC’s LOST, which has gone on to international acclaim.



Executive Producer - Greg Corbin Greg is a seasoned producer and development executive who until recently was Head of Feature Productions for Caviar Films. He has participated in the prestigious Sundance Institute’s Producer Conference with his feature film project, SENIOR VASQUEZ AND THE HOLY DONUT. In 2006, Greg was selected for Film Independent’s Fall Producer’s Lab with the same project. Prior to working with Caviar Films, he was Director of Development for Jericho Entertainment, based at David Entertainment at 20th Century Fox. Greg was involved in the development of FIVE FINGERS, which starred Laurence Fishburne and THE HEBREW HAMMER, which starred Adam Goldberg.

Cinematographer - Peter Hawkins

Achievements include DRUNKS with Richard Lewis, Faye Dunaway and Dianne Wiest, BROKE EVEN with Kevin Corrigan and Elizabeth Berridge, THE FOUR CORNERS OF NOWHERE and two feature length projects for Damion Dietz, BEVERLY KILLS and LOVE LIFE. Hawkins’ work as a second unit DP can be seen in Warner Brothers' SPRING BREAKDOWN directed by Ryan Shiraki, Tom DiCillo's DELIRIOUS, and the Paul Reiser, Peter Falk film THE THING ABOUT MY FOLKS. His documentary work weaves through END OF THE CENTURY: THE STORY OF THE RAMONES, THE BALLAD OF RAMBLIN’ JACK, the NEA series TELL ABOUT THE SOUTH, Rick Burns' NEW YORK: A DOCUMENTARY and THE LIFESTYLE: SEX IN THE SUBURBS.

Animation - Charlie Canfield Charlie Canfield has been animating, designing and directing in animation for over 20 years. He’s worked with David L. Brown Productions, Mondo Media, MTV, Nickelodeon, Vinton Studios, Wild Brain Inc., Colossal Pictures and Industrial Light and Magic among others.



Awards and selections include The International Film and Animation Festivals of Ottawa, Zagreb, London, Melbourne, New Zealand, San Francisco, KAFI, PLAT, Anima Mundi, The World Animation Celebration, Sundance and organizations such as Ad Age and The Addy’s.

Composer - Didier Lean Rachou Raised in Europe and NYC, Didier recently relocated to LA, where he built a state-of-the-art studio in the Hollywood Hills. He immediately landed several choice composing projects, namely the final season of SEX AND THE CITY and a commission to compose and conduct 2 hours of his music with the Prague Philharmonic. Didier recently scored HOW TO ROB A BANK and also completed the scores to AQUAMAN (WB), MOVING MCALLISTER (starring Jon Heder), SONS OF ITALY, HER BEST MOVE, HIGH HOPES, AN AMERICAN IN CHINA and ENFANTS TERRIBLES, executive produced by Robert Zemeckis and starring Christopher Lloyd. Didier recently placed his music in the films THE CAVE (Sony) and NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM (Fox). 2005-07 has seen Didier compose for television as well. He scored several series including LOVE MONKEY (CBS), A WORLD AWAY (ABC), and NOTES FROM THE EDGE OF LIFE (FOX). He also composed music for IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA (FOX) and MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE (FOX). In 2000 Didier produced his first CD for Chesky Records, entitled Christy Baron’s Steppin’ – featuring David Johnson. In New York he engineered for Ashford and Simpson, working on songs for them as well as Chaka Khan, Teddy Pendergrass, Maya Angelou and Nina Simone amongst others. After receiving his BA in Composition and Jazz Performance from the Manhattan School of Music, Didier continued his compositional studies at The Juilliard School.



PRESS RELEASE

“AROUND JUNE” ACCEPTED TO PRESTIGIOUS

MILL VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL

FOG CITY PICTURES DELIVERS A COMPELLING FEATURE FILM San Francisco, California – July 28, 2008 -- Fog City Pictures in association with Caviar Films is proud to announce that their full-length feature film AROUND JUNE has been accepted to the 31st Annual Mill Valley Film Festival being held in Mill Valley, California, October 2nd – 12th. The film features both well-known Hollywood and Bay Area actors and was shot entirely in and around San Francisco. Screening night has yet to be determined. “Of course it was a lot of hard work – but worth every minute, said writer/director, James Savoca. I feel very fortunate to have worked with such talented actors and crew.” “This is a huge honor for us,” said producer, Jeremiah Birnbaum. “The Mill Valley Film Festival is one our favorite events – its really a filmmaker’s festival. This is the kind of place where a quality independent film can get a proper audience.” THE FILM AROUND JUNE is a triumph of the human spirit. June, a shy young woman, lives at home with Murry, her domineering father, and Henry, her much adored, mentally challenged uncle. June’s mother died when she was very young, and since her death, the light in everyone’s life has gone out. Murry lords over the cluttered house and everyone in it. Nothing can be touched. No change. No breath of hope. The past has crippled this family, both physically and emotionally. But change finally comes in the form of a young, penniless Mexican immigrant, Juan Diego. June and Juan Diego meet in the rain, and like a thunderclap, it is love at first sight. Through her blossoming love, June finds a way to become alive again and break free from the shackles of her father. Through love, she is able to become the beautiful young woman who up until now only existed in her dreams. Visit http://www.aroundjune.com for more information. WRITER/DIRECTOR James Savoca got his start acting with Louise Lasser at Carnegie Hall not to become an actor but to become a better director. His feature film debut, SLEEPWALK, starred Drea De Matteo (SOPRANOS) and had it’s broadcast premiere on The Independent Film Channel. His second feature, THE CROOKED CORNER, is a murder-mystery set on the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn and featured Chris Messina (SIX FEET UNDER, NOTHING IS PRIVATE) and Marlo Marron (MI VIDA LOCA). James’ short film REVELATION,



starting Kevin Corrigan, had its broadcast premiere on The Sundance Channel. Prior to directing his first feature, James assembled two successful theater groups were he wrote and directed four plays on off-Broadway’s downtown theaters; most notably, TALK TO ME at Tom Noonan’s Paradise Theater. Visit http://www.savocafilms.com for more information. ACTORS Brad William Henke Slated for a role in the new STAR TREK also appeared in NORTH COUNTRY, HOLLYWOODLAND, SHERRYBABY and most recently, CHOKE. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0377034/ Samaire Armstrong She’s most known for the television shows DIRTY SEXY MONEY, ENTOURAGE, CSI, THE OC and the film NUMB3RS. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1027847/ Jon Gries A long-time figure in Hollywood, Gries has been in REAL GENIUS, MEN IN BLACK, GET SHORTY, THE ASTRONAUT FARMER and has made dozens of television appearance including SEINFELD and LOST. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0340973/ ABOUT MILL VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL (MVFF) Known as a filmmakers' festival, the Mill Valley Film Festival offers a high profile, prestigious and non-competitive environment perfect for celebrating the best in independent and world cinema. A celebration of the best in independent and world cinema, MVFF annually brings together a community of filmmakers and film lovers to Mill Valley, San Rafael and beyond to experience great new films in the beautiful environment of San Francisco’s Bay Area. With its reputation as a filmmakers’ festival, the prestigious non-competitive event showcases international features, documentaries, shorts and children's films--something for every filmgoer. The San Francisco Bay Area continues to be a significant market for independent and international film, and the Mill Valley Film Festival consistently provides a forum for introducing new films to West Coast audiences. As the only prominent international fall film festival in the Bay Area, the Mill Valley Film Festival is an important industry resource for fall launches, premiere screenings of upcoming theatrical releases and Bay Area Academy Awards® campaigns. Visit http://www.mvff.com for more information.

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aj press kit final - indican · pdf filea computer wiz (real ... savoca gave birnbaum a spec...

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