Parting Words PR 2 - Hoboken411.com

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Parting Words

A comedy about dying

PRESS KIT

VIEW THE TRAILER AND DOWNLOAD THE PRESS KIT AT:

http://web.me.com/schofieldfilms/Parting_Words/Main_Page.html ©2008 Schofield Films, Inc. 90 minutes. Directed by Stan Schofield. Starring: Elizabeth Regen, John Tormey, Nicholas Giordano, Joe Narciso, Kevin Kash, Cristina L. Fadale, Angela Pupello.

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BRIEF SUMMARIES

A little bit about “Parting Words” :

(©2008 Schofield Films, Inc. 90 minutes. Directed by Stan Schofield. Starring: Elizabeth Regen, John Tormey,

Nicholas Giordano, Joe Narciso, Kevin Kash, Cristina L. Fadale, Angela Pupello.)

Parting Words is a timely blue-collar comedy with an unusual storyline, a lot of laughs and a lot of

heart. Everyday folk who are “just trying to get by” form the cast and neighborhood setting for this

film to which everyone can all too quickly relate. This story follows the dysfunctional relationship of

Vince, Nick and Eddie, three 30-year old men and their childhood best friend, Laura. A little too

good-looking and a lot too wild, an intoxicated Laura gets the pot boiling with a shocking toast at

her friends’ wedding. The resulting emotional disaster takes the guys, their wives and their small

town on a laughter-and-tears journey that dismantles, then reassembles each couple and takes

them to a place far better than where they began.

Beautifully shot in HD24P, Parting Words is one of the pioneering digital-era features. Produced

on location in Hoboken, New Jersey and the surrounding areas, the cast and crew were assembled

from the local New York City talent pool.

Parting Words is going to begin the festival circuit in Spring 2008.

A little bit about Stan (director) :

Stan Schofield has been a director for over twenty years, successfully able to maintain and grow

his company despite the competitive and crowded world of film production. His strong storytelling

ability and visual skills keeps him in high demand. He has directed 2 feature films as well as

documentaries for the Special Olympics, short subject stories for PBS, the American Medical

Association, music videos and many commercials throughout the years.

Stan produced and directed, Cost of Living, starring Edie Falco, Andrew Lowery and Bill Sage. Ms.

Falco is best known in the role of Carmella Soprano on the HBO series, The Sopranos, for which

she has won an Emmy, a Golden Globe and the Screen Actor’s Guild award. Cost of Living was

purchased by Showtime and first aired in the Fall of 2002. It is an edgy film about a female drifter

and con artist. It made its rounds on the independent film festival circuit in the summer of 1997

winning recognition at every festival that it appeared in including Best First Feature, Studio Prize

and Best Actress for Edie Falco at the AFI International Film Festival in Los Angeles.

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A little bit about Ned (screenwriter) :

Ned Crowley is a Chicago-based screenwriter, playwright and author. He has been involved with

Parting Words from its initial story development with Stan, through many, many re-writes, through

final production. He and Stan first began working together years ago in the world of advertising.

Parting Words is his first independent feature. He currently has several other screenplays under

option. During his off hours Ned is currently chief creative officer of McGarry Bowen Advertising,

Chicago.

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DIRECTORS BIO – STAN SCHOFIELD

Stan has directed over 2000 commercials and he still likes doing it. His storytelling skills with talent and dialogue keep him in high demand. In the television commercial industry he has won every major award including the Golden Lion at the Cannes Film Festival. Over the years Stan has directed award winning commercials in a wide variety of genres, situations and locations. He has also directed many celebrities and top athletes including Edie Falco, Larry Bird, Lance Armstrong, Suzanne Summers, Jamie Lyn-Sigler, Annette Benning, Nathan Lane, Rodney Dangerfield, Rich Little, Pearl Bailey, Debbie Harry, Cindy Crawford, Larry Johnson, Kareem Abdul Jabar, Dave Robinson and Brett Favre to name a few. Many of today’s young stars got their start in commercials with Stan, including Jill Henessy (NBC’s Crossing Jordan), Thora Birch (American Beauty, Ghost World), Paige Turco (CBS’s The Agency), Amanda Peet ((WB’s Jack and Jill), Ali Larter (Final Destination), Sean Hatosy (Outside Providence, Down To You), Nick Sandow (NBC’s Third Watch), and Molly Culver (Fox’s VIP). He has directed documentaries for the Special Olympics, short subject stories for PBS and music videos.

Stan produced and directed two full length feature films. Cost of Living and Parting Words.

Cost of Living, stars Edie Falco, Andrew Lowery and Bill Sage. Ms. Falco is best known in the role of Carmella Soprano on the HBO series, The Sopranos, for which she has won an Emmy, a Golden Globe and the Screen Actor’s Guild award. It is an edgy film about a female drifter and con artist. It made its rounds on the independent film festival circuit in the summer of 1997 winning recognition at every festival that it appeared in including Best First Feature, Studio Prize and Best Actress for Edie Falco at the AFI International Film Festival in Los Angeles. It was also invited to participate in two major international film festivals, the Mannheim-Heidelberg Festival in Germany and the Milan Film Market (MIFED) in Italy. Cost of Living was purchased by Showtime and first aired there in the Fall of 2002.

Stan recently completed his second feature film, Parting Words. Parting Words is a timely blue-collar comedy with an unusual storyline, a lot of laughs and a lot of heart. Everyday folk who are “just trying to get by” form the cast and neighborhood setting for this film to which everyone can all too quickly relate. This story follows the dysfunctional relationship of Vince, Nick and Eddie, three 30-year old men and their childhood best friend, Laura. A little too good-looking and a lot too wild, an intoxicated Laura gets the pot boiling with a shocking toast at her friends’ wedding. The resulting emotional disaster takes the guys, their wives and their small town on a laughter-and-tears journey that dismantles, then reassembles each couple and takes them to a place far better than where they began.

Beautifully shot in HD24P, Parting Words is one of the pioneering digital-era features. Produced on location in Hoboken, New Jersey and the surrounding areas, the cast and crew were assembled from the local New York City talent pool.

Parting Words is going to begin the festival circuit in Spring 2008.

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PARTING WORDS CREDITS

CAST

Laura Del Vecchio: Elizabeth Regen Vince Vallone: Joe Narciso Nick Pagliona: Nicholas Giordano Edward “Eddie” Conneally: Kevin Kash Ellen Pagliona: Angela Pupello Donna Conneally: Cristina L Fadale Brenda Vallone: Stephanie Kurtzuba Carmine Del Vecchio: John Tormey Frank Zabrisky: Patrick M Buckley Lenny D’Allesandro: Bruce Kronenberg Father Vic: Michael Cullen Mr. Lee: Jackson Ning “Big” Nick Pagliona, Sr.: Steve Randazzo Andy: Jeremy Schwartz Richard Washington: Daryl Edwards Jerry: Michael Deeg Marty: Rob Munk Car Customer: Wass Stevens Malik: Omar Scroggins Kid: Julito McCullen Kid: Jalyza Gonzales Kid: Ashley Brown Kid: Brian Hern Limo Driver: Mike De Trizio Peter Mosley: Justin Campbell Tito: Chris Rivera Brenda’s Brother: Alex Corrado Wedding Band: Braino Elizabeth’s Stand-In: Libby Kelly Alissa Johnson PRODUCTION CREW Director: Stan Schofield Writer: Ned Crowley Executive Producers: Stan Schofield Robert Berman Line Producer: Paul Manix Associate Producer: Jesse Mendelson Music by: Steve French Sound Engineer: Jo Cunningham Cinematographer: Amir Hamed Editor: Zak Tucker Casting Director: Beth Melsky Production Designer: Jon Spirson Costume Designer: Rebecca Indri Make Up Artists: Linda Grimes Carol Ann Ranshaw Production Supervisors: Zack Clark Silver Courtney Production Coordinator: Joe Brundige

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PRODUCTION CREW CONTINUED… 1

st Assistant Directors: Zack Clark

Thom Woodley Miles Johnstone 2

nd Assistant Directors: Kate Karbowniczek

Mary Ann Feierstien

H.D. Technician: Othmar Dickbauer Steadi-Cam Operator: Sergei Franklin 1

st Assistant Camera-A Cam: Jamie Urman

Wylda Bayron John Fordham

1st Assistant Camera-B Cam: John Romer

Michael Best 2

nd Assistant Camera: Birbal Kaikini

2nd

Assistant Camera: Debbie Stampfle Gaffer: Chris Johnson Best Boy Electric: Alejandro Lopez

Michel Samuel Michael Prisco

Mark Koenig Jean Chen Liz Campbell Mike Jackson

Electric: Alex Lopez Electric: Jeff Kim

Clark Caldwell Key Grip: Josh Roth Best Boy: Eric Ulrich Grip: Brian Palko

Jonathan Stern Liz Campbell David Troutman Beth O’Brien

Wilson Tang Anwar Payne Derek Tindall

Prop Master: Robert Evangalisto Set Decorators: Kate Foster Betsy Klompus Steve Swensen

James Venable Hillary Baldwin

Assistant Set Decorator: Jon Ross Assistant Dresser: Chris Formant Script Supervisor: Susan Chun Sound Mixer: Thomas W. Jordan Boom: Liz Sales 2

nd 2

nd Assistant Directors: Monty Floyd

Brandon Rosenberg Robert Exner

Production Assistants: Peta Moran Jen Mecum Tim Sandersen

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PRODUCTION CREW CONTINUED…

Tom Cartier Carlos Garcia Kymi Hankins Tim O’Neil Andrew Cesana Jesse Moore Annie Devine Tom Della Fave Josh Kolenik Andrew Woodrow

Interns: David Hunter Christ Khododadi Evan Rubensteen Noah Drucker Tak Yamaguchi Makiko Kitamura Brian D. Jay Kim Antoinette Moore

Locations: Nick De Trizio ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY Line Producer: Cathy Cooper Production Supervisors: Jill Austin Nicole Rodan Director of Photography: Carlo Scialla HD Technician: Richard Nagle 1st Assistant Camera: Tony Ponti Chris Reynolds 2nd Assistant Camera: Laura Nespola Sound: Ron Yoshida Boom: Chris Madonia Best Boy Grip: Joshua Bar-Lev Tom Kerwick Gaffer: James Dolan Grip: Craig Stoa Cynthia Jeffers Michael Buck 1st Assistant Director: Michael Cavagrotti 2nd Assistant Director: Matt Doane Script Supervisor: Stacy Koff Production Assistants: Raul Ravelo

Liz Minot Ian Blain Ishmel Muhammed Nick Bell Marty Albanese

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POST PRODUCTION RE-CUT Editing Facility Swete Studios Editor and Colorist Zak Tucker Sound Studio NY Sound Sound Engineer Jo Cunningham Music Production Steve French Joachim Horsley Title: Eric Robellion POST PRODUCTION ORIGINAL Editing Facility Swete Studios Editor Zak Tucker Assistant Editor Mike Dowling Composer Michael Rohatyn Sound Studio NY Sound Sound Design Jo Cunningham HD Conform and Telecine Moving Images – Chris Fiordalisi Conform Editor Ted Pishko Colorist Dino Regas EQUIPMENT Beverages: B & E Beverages Cameras: Panavision Technological CineVideo Services Car Service: BLS Limosine Casting: Beth Melsky Casting Extras Casting: Timothy Aaron Styles Dailies: Moving Images Grip and Lighting: Panavision Feature Systems Insurance: Taylor and Taylor Payroll: Media Services Picture Vehicles: Eduardo Indri Robert Berman Phil Rosenstein Production Supplies: Kits and Expendables Raw Stock: Edgewise Media Sound: Hello World Lentini Communications Generators: G E Energy Downconverts: Bexel Permits: City of Hoboken

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MUISC CREDITS

Original Music by Steve French

“Largo al Factotum” (from “Barber of Seville)

Composed by Gioachino Rossini Libretto by Cesare Sterbini

Adapted and Produced by Steve French and Joachim Horsley Performed by Luigi Boccia

“”Casta Diva”

(from “Norma”) Composed by Vincenzo Bellini

Libretto by Felice Romani Adapted and produced by Steve French

Performed by Maria Todaro

“Addio del Passato” (from “La Traviata”)

Composed by Giuseppe Verdi Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave

Adapted and Produced by Steve French

Performed by Maria Todaro

“Prelude Act III” “Dammi Tu Forza” (from “La Traviata”)

Composed by Giuseppe Verdi Libretto by Francesco maria Piave


“La Mamma Morta” (from “Andrea Chenier”)

Composed by Umberto Giordano Libretto by Luigi Illica

Adapted and Produced by Steve French Performed by Maria Todaro

“E Lucevan le Stelle”

(from” Tosca”) Composed by Giacomo Puccini

Libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa Adapted and Produced by Steve French

Performed by Luigi Boccia

“Una Furtiva Lagrima” (from “L’elisir D’amore”)

Composed by Gaetano Donizetti Libretto by Felice Romani

Adapted and Produced by Steve French Performed by Luigi Boccia

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MUISC CREDITS CONTINUED

“Va Pensiero” (from “Nabucco”)

Composed by Giuseppe Verdi Libretto by Temistocle Solera


“Nessun Dorma” (from “Turandot”)

Composed by Giacomo Puccini and Franco Alfano Libretto by Giuseppe Adami

Adapted and Produced by Steve French Performed by Luigi Boccia

“Intermezzo”

(from “Cavalleria Rusticana”) Composed by Pietro Mascagni

Libretto by Giovanni Targioni-Tozzetti and Guido Menasci Adapted and Produced by Steve French

“Salut Demeure Chaste et pure!”

(from “Faust”) Composed by Charles Gounod

Libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carre Adapted and Produced by Steve French

Performed by Luigi Boccia

“Au Fond du Temple Saint”

(from “The Pearl Fishers”) Composed by Georges Bizet

Libretto by Eugene Cormon and Michel Carre Adapted and Produced by Steve French

Performed by Luigi Boccia and Robert Garner

“Liberty” By Two Gangs Monday

Music and Lyrics by Rick Blumberg Performed by Rick Blumberg, Frank Buoncuore, Vic Altamuro, Pat Gustoso, Don McIver, Nicola Salonsky

Copyright Two Gangs Monday

“Everyone Has a Dream” “100 Miles”

By Black River Band Music and Lyrics by Michael Garofalo

Peformed by Michael Garofalo, Danny Ash, Carl Petrilli, Fred DeMirjian Copyright Black River Band

“I’ll Give You a Ring”

“Doesn’t Anybody Hear It” By The Novaks

Music and Lyrics by Mike David Peformed by Mike Davis, Chuck Tucker, Mark Neary, Elliott Dicks

Copyright Inside Music

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Acknowledgements and Thank You’s

Michelle Berman Front Page Chinese Cuisine

Mayor David Roberts, City of Hoboken Chief Carmen La Bruno, Hoboken Police Department

Chief John Cassesa, Hoboken Fire Department Hoboken Elks Lodge #74 Brian and Nicola Solansky

Daniel J. Gans, Hoboken Brownstone Co. George Vallone, Hoboken Brownstone Co.

Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Glatt Hayre and Natalia Kilic, “Wash on Wash”

Ignatius De Palma, Pres., A. Oliveri & Sons, Inc. Peter Sucato, Di Feo Buick, Pontiac, GMC.

Robert Quinn, Elysian bar Jason Cassesa, Cassesa Management Corp.

Miriam Valentin, Carousel’s Hair Salon Rev. Faith Link, Community Church, Hoboken

Schnackenberg’s luncheonette, Hoboken Monroe Arts Center, Hoboken

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ACTORS BIO’S Cristina L. Fadale (Donna Conneally) A Los Angeles native, Cristina L. Fadale received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in acting at Loyola Marymount University. Immediately after graduation, she began her career in Europe appearing in a tour of FAME, the musical. Soon after, she was asked back to the US, to join the touring company of RENT which led her to the Broadway stage. She ended up playing Maureen in RENT on Broadway. While in NY, Cristina made numerous TV and commercial appearances including, “Law and Order SVU”. She worked in a number of workshops of various musicals such as: The Wild Party, Never Gonna Dnace, Mask, Go Go Beach and The Road to Ruin. She also appeared in the NY Fringe Festival in The Joys of Sex. Cristina also starred in her first film in NY called, And She Was. This independent feature appeared in the NY comedy film festival and was released in Canada. Now Cristina is back in Los Angeles and continues to pursue TV and film work. Nicholas Giordano (Nick Pagliona) Nicholas has been working on the independent feature film, Parting Words, since its inception over five years ago. He was a devoted player as the script developed and attended all readings and rehearsals as the piece got perfected. Nicholas has performed in the theater as well as having principal roles in both film and television. Most recently he played a mob boss in Lee Daniels’ film, Shadow Boxer and played the character Danny King in the independent feature, Delivering Milo. Kevin Kash (Eddie Conneally) Kevin is a New York based actor who has worked extensively in both stage and screen. His associateion with filmmaker Edward Burns has led to featured roles in Ash Wednesday and the soon to be released Looking for Kitty. He will also be appearing in the upcoming Burns film, The Groomsmen. Kevin just completed work on Turbo Charge, David Juskow’s satirical film biography of the 80’s pop band, The Cars, in which he appears as Ben Orr. Kevin has worked in television as well, taking on both comic and dramatic roles in Law & Order, Third Watch, Swift Justice, Time of Your Life and Late Night with Conan O’Brien. His theater works include, A Good Man (John Hauseman Theater), Spider Holes (Nuyorican Poets café), Coffee with Kurt Cobain, and the musical, Tales From the Manhattan Woods (Wings Theater). Kevin is a founding member of the legendary sketch group, Third Rail Comedy, which has performed at Caroline’s, The West Bank Café and the Gotham Comedy Club. Parting Words, which Kevin helped develop from its inception is the most personal film he has ever been involved with and one of which he is especially proud. Stephanie Kurtzuba (Brenda Turco) Stephanie Kurtzuba is a NYC based film, TV and theater actress. Her recent professional credits include appearances on Law & Order, the Lifetime Television premiere of Knots with John Stamos and Annabeth Gish as well as the Broadway production of The Boy From Oz starring Hugh Jackman. She is currently starring in the hit Off Broadway production of Newsical at the infamous NYC institution Studio 54. she can also be seen in the independent film, Flushed, which is currently airing on Showtime. Joe Narciso (Vince Vallone) – IMDB Credits

1. Montclair (2007) .... Chuck 2. "Horse Power: Road to the Maclay" .... Narrator (6 episodes, 2006)

- Episode #1.6 (2006) TV episode .... Narrator - Episode #1.5 (2006) TV episode .... Narrator - Episode #1.4 (2006) TV episode .... Narrator - Episode #1.3 (2006) TV episode .... Narrator - Episode #1.2 (2006) TV episode .... Narrator (1 more)

3. The One O'Clock (2006) .... Scotty 4. Stricken (2005) .... Joe #2 5. Parting Words (2005) .... Vince Vallone 6. "Monk" .... Medical Examiner (1 episode, 2004)

- Mr. Monk Goes to Jail (2004) TV episode .... Medical Examiner 7. A Good Night to Die (2003) .... Gun Salesman 8. "Law & Order" .... Bob Simonetti / ... (2 episodes, 2001-2003)

... aka Law & Order Prime (USA: informal title)

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ACTORS BIO’S CONTINUED

9. - Kid Pro Quo (2003) TV episode .... Dr. Marion Shore - Sunday in the Park with Jorge (2001) TV episode .... Bob Simonetti

10. "The Sopranos" .... Richard (1 episode, 2002) - Mergers and Acquisitions (2002) TV episode .... Richard

11. "Third Watch" .... Gary (1 episode, 2002) - Crash and Burn (2002) TV episode .... Gary

12. The End of the Bar (2002) .... Phillip 13. "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" .... Assistant Medical Examiner (1 episode, 2001)

... aka Law & Order: SVU (USA: promotional abbreviation)

... aka Special Victims Unit (New Zealand: English title) - Ridicule (2001) TV episode .... Assistant Medical Examiner

Angela Pupello (Ellen Pagliona) – IMDB Credits

1. West of Brooklyn (2008) (post-production) .... Grace 2. Pizza with Bullets (2008) (post-production) .... Donna

3. Untitled: A Love Story (2007) .... The Hostess 4. Lucky (2005/I) .... Angela 5. Parting Words (2005) .... Ellen Pagliona 6. The Kids' Table (2004) .... Rose 7. Fish Without a Bicycle (2003) .... Waxing Lady 8. "The Handler" .... Karla (1 episode, 2003)

- Bruno Comes Back (2003) TV episode .... Karla 9. The Cross (2002) .... Ray's secretary 10. "The Chronicle" .... Stefaney (1 episode, 2002)

... aka News from the Edge (USA) - Hell Mall (2002) TV episode .... Stefaney

11. Parting Words (1999) 12. "Law & Order" .... Patricia Sullivan (1 episode, 1998)

... aka Law & Order Prime (USA: informal title) - Cherished (1998) TV episode .... Patricia Sullivan

13. Grind (1997) .... Pam 14. The Jerky Boys (1995) .... Brett's Date

Elizbeth Regen (Laura DelVecchio) Born and raised in Tribeca, Regen participated in and observed New York City life while riding the subways, ushering at Broadway theaters and attending public school. Regen would later rely on these culturally enhancing experiences as background to prepare for her role in "Whoopi" "A television show shot in my home town of New York is a dream come true," said Regen. "Working with Whoopi is all you'd ever hope that acting with a celebrity would be." At a very young age, Regen had little doubt that she wanted to act as she recalls dressing up in her mother's clothes and using her imagination to flesh out a new character. She attended New York University's prestigious Tisch School of the Arts in the dramatic writing program where she earned both her bachelor of fine arts and master of fine arts degrees. She also received the John Golden Playwrights' Prize for the full-length play that she wrote, "The Big i." Regen's movie acting credits include "The Professional" (with Natalie Portman) as well as independent films, "Black and White," Snapped" and "Love the Hard Way"(with Adrien Brody). Among Regen's guest-starring TV credits are NBC's "Law & Order," "Big Apple," "Sex and the City" and comedy sketches on "Late Night with David Letterman." In addition, Regen recently wrapped production in the film "Parting Words," where she played the lead, Laura.

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ACTORS BIO’S CONTINUED

John Tormey (Carmine DelVecchio) Actor - filmography

Filmography Keane - ( 2nd Ticket Agent / 2005 / Released / Magnolia Pictures ) Stay - ( Custodian/Piano Mover #1 / 2005 / Released / Kinowelt Medien AG ) The Honeymooners - ( / 2005 / Released / Paramount Pictures ) Mariti In Affitto - ( / 2004 / Released / Medusa Distribuzione ) The Curse of the Jade Scorpion - ( Sam / 2001 / Released / DreamWorks SKG ) Ghost Dog: the Way of the Samurai - ( Louie / 2000 / Released / Artisan Entertainment ) Joe Gould's Secret - ( Harry Kolis / 2000 / Released / USA Home Entertainment ) The Yards - ( Contract Officer / 2000 / Released / Miramax Home Entertainment ) Just the Ticket - ( Taxi Cab Driver / 1999 / Released / MGM Distribution Company ) Safe Men - ( Older Guy / 1998 / Released / October Films ) The Real Blonde - ( Harassing Man / 1998 / Released / Paramount Pictures ) Commandments - ( Desk Sergeant / 1997 / Released / Gramercy Pictures ) Jungle2jungle - ( Deli Clerk / 1997 / Released / Walt Disney Home Video ) Kiss Me Guido - ( Patsy Zito / 1997 / Released / Paramount Pictures )

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PHOTOS FROM THE SET

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PARTING WORDS CONTACT INFORMATION:

Websites: www.schofieldfilms.com

Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Press: http://web.mac.com/schofieldfilms/Parting_Words/Main_Page.html

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Margarita Sophia / Lisa Lockhart Msophia PR, 212-340-9593 or [email protected] / [email protected]

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PRESS

From Hamptoms.com

http://www.hamptons.com/detail.ihtml?id=4745&sid=3

Thursday, September 04, 2008 calendar · classifieds · mail · weather · weekly brief · contact

Hamptons On The Screen

Film Festival Begins In Montauk

By Tom Clavin

It started as a novel experiment. A quarter-century later, the Long Island Film Festival has reached a significant landmark as Long Island’s original and longest-running competitive film festival - its 25th edition.

The concept of a film festival on Long Island reaches back to the late spring of 1983. At that time Christopher Cooke was a recent hire as a civil servant in the Suffolk County Motion Picture/TV Bureau. One responsibility in the new position was to attract and increase film and television production activities on Long Island. When he started his daily 9 to 5 routine with the county, there were no film festivals on Long Island. Within a few months, Cooke got restless and creative. He approached his boss with the idea of starting a film and video competition.

He recalled with a laugh, “I had perfect credentials to take on the role of implementing a film festival - I had an abundance of enthusiasm and was completely naïve to the particulars of such a colossal endeavor.”

One goal of the festival would be to provide a public forum to screen independently produced films and videos, in addition to giving out achievement awards, including media attention to the region’s student and professional talent pool. Another was to further promote Long Island as a location for the production of feature films, documentaries, commercials, and industrial films and videos.

Cooke got recharged with his new job when his superiors gave him the green light. He jumped full swing into making it happen. Paid ads were placed in film and video magazines and notice was given to area college and university film and video departments. Submissions streamed into his office.

During the initial planning stage, the idea had been to focus on and cultivate filmmakers from Suffolk County. But the entries started coming in from folks all across Long Island. The criteria to be considered for a screening slot quickly changed. An entrant would only need to have someone working on the production to have “roots” on Long Island. “They must have lived, worked, studied, or had some connection to the Island,” Cooke said.

On Tuesday evening, May 8, 1984, the humble beginnings of Long Island’s very first island-wide film festival took in its first breath. The festival had been scheduled as a one-night-only event at the Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington. Five student and five professional short films were programmed, just to see how this venture would take. It took well, and proved to be an instant success with the filmmakers and audience. A handful of other host venues that first season presented the balance of

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the festival’s screening program and special events including the Parrish Art Museum in Southampton. Within a few years, the venues would include Guild Hall/John Drew Theater in East Hampton, a community meeting house on Shelter Island, and the Vail-Levitt Music Hall in Riverhead.

Cooke retired from his county job in 2003. At that point, the Long Island Film Festival became a truly “independent” film festival, as it was no longer associated with the county government or universities since Cooke’s departure. For one more season, he stayed on as the iconic director of the festival he had created and nurtured for over two decades. After a 21-year reign as the founder and director of the festival, he stepped aside. The torch of leadership in 2005 had been passed to current executive director, Francis J. Leik, who has had a lengthy relationship with the LIFF.

Leik’s latest initiative is an ambitious move to take the 25th edition program and events to Los Angeles, and then overseas with a program titled “Best of Long Island Film Fest.” This year’s special road show, dubbed “Montauk to Manhattan to Hollywood,” is a first for the festival in staging a program on the West Coast.

Leik stated that “many of the festival’s participants from over the past 25 years are living and working in L.A. It would be a great tribute, a tip of the hat to all our West Coast alumni to present a program in Hollywood.”

It all begins this Saturday with three separate programs at the Montauk Movie Theater. Additional locations for the historic 10-week festival include other venues in Suffolk, Nassau, Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan as well as Los Angeles. At the conclusion of the Long Island Film Festival in November, a reception and awards presentation will be staged back on Long Island. For additional info and a complete schedule, go to www.Lifilm.org.

A highlight of Saturday’s programs is the feature film “Parting Words.” It is described as “a timely blue-collar comedy with an unusual storyline, a lot of laughs and a lot of heart. Everyday folk who are “just trying to get by” form the cast and neighborhood setting for this film to which everyone can all too quickly relate.”

This story follows the dysfunctional relationship of Vince, Nick, and Eddie, three 30-year old men and their childhood best friend, Laura. A little too good-looking and a lot too wild, an intoxicated Laura gets the pot boiling with a shocking toast at her friends’ wedding. The resulting emotional disaster takes the guys, their wives, and their small town on a laughter-and-tears journey that dismantles, then reassembles each couple and takes them to a place far better than where they began.

“Parting Words” is one of the pioneering digital-era features. Produced on location in Hoboken, New Jersey and the surrounding areas, the cast and crew were assembled from the local New York City talent pool. The director is Stan Schofield, who has been a director for over 20 years and has successfully been able to maintain and grow his company despite the competitive and crowded world of film production. He has directed two feature films as well as documentaries for the Special Olympics, PBS, and the American Medical Association, and music videos and many commercials throughout the years.

Schofield produced and directed “Cost of Living” starring Edie Falco, Andrew Lowery, and Bill Sage. Falco is best known in the role of Carmella Soprano on the HBO series “The Sopranos,” for which she has won an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and the Screen Actor’s Guild award. “Cost of Living” was purchased by Showtime and first aired in the fall of 2002.

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The screenwriter of “Parting Words” is Ned Crowley, a Chicago-based screenwriter, playwright, and author. He has been involved with “Parting Words” from its initial story development through many re-writes, through final production. He and Schofield first began working together years ago in the world of advertising. “Parting Words” is his first independent feature.

# The first program at the Montauk Theater on Saturday is at 1 p.m., and the other programs begin at 4 p.m. and 6.15 p.m. Tickets to each program, which offer films of varying lengths (“Parting Words” is part of the third program), are $10. Once more, for details go to www.Lifilm.org.

Tom Clavin, whose most recent book is “Halsey’s Typhoon,” a World War II story published by the Atlantic Monthly Press, writes regularly about movies and other entertainment topics for Hamptons.com. Comments and suggestions can be sent to [email protected].

From: Harvey Karten <[email protected]>

CompuServe Review soon d-based on Rotten Tomatoes To: Margarita Sophia <[email protected]>

This review is on CompuServe and will be databased on Rotten Tomatoes as soon as RT

sets up an outline.

http://community.compuserve.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=ws-

showbiz&tid=23407

PARTING WORDS Schofield Films Reviewed for CompuServe by Harvey Karten Grade:

B Directed by: Stan Schofield Written By: Ned Crowley Cast: Elizabeth Regen, Joe Narciso,

Nicholas Giordano, Kevin Kash, Angela Pupello, Cristina L. Fadale, Stephanie Kurtzuba, John

Tormey Screened at: Critics' DVD, NYC, 8/29/08 Opens: September 6, 2008 at Montauk NY

Theater One of the little gags we critics have is something like this: Critic 1: "So what did you think

of the movie?" Critics 2: "I thought the music was terrific." There's a lot more to "Parting Words,"

scheduled to open the Long Island Film Festival September 6 at the Montauk NY theater, than

music. But you've gotta love a soundtrack featuring excerpts from "The Barber of Seville,"

"Norma," "La Traviata," "Andrea Chenier, Tosca, L'elisir D'amore," "Nabucco," "Turandot,"

"Cavalleria Rusticana," and "Faust." Not that "Parting Words" has the scope of grand opera, but

Stan Schofield's film shares the genre of melodrama with all of them, and besides the characters in

the movie are all of Italian extraction like most of the soundtrack composers. "Parting Words" is a

cut above "My Big, Fat Greek Wedding," while granted that it's not exactly a comedy about ethnic

nationalism on a family scale, and it's better than "Everybody Wants To Be Italian." In fact after

watching the story penned by Ned Crowley, you might wonder whether everybody still wants to be

Italian. Still, the conflicts faced by these thirty-something blue-collars paisans are probably

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universal. In a country that finds people moving on the average every five years especially if

they're young, it's unusual to find a group of pals who have known one another from childhood and

who were destined to marry sweethearts since fourth grade. They're present now at the wedding

of Vince (Joe Narciso) to Brenda (Stephanie Kurtzuba) when an intoxicated Laura (Elizabeth

Regen), diagnosed with a terminal illness, makes a toast. She would like to sleep with all three

long-term friends: Vince, Nick (Nicholas Giordano), and Eddie (Kevin Kash). This does not sound

like a big deal to me, but somehow the wives of Nick and Eddie have their feelings ruffled. What

followd is a series of loud arguments, barely drowned out by the familiar arias on the soundtrack,

as three men and three women seem on the cusp of breaking up. Dominating the picture aside

from Laura are the three thirty-ish guys scarcely out of one another's sight since they work and

hang out together. Yet there is room for comic moments involving the local priest, Father Vic

(Michael Cullen), who is more often cynical about the fate of his constituents than he is hopeful.

Amir Hamed films the proceedings in residential neighborhoods of beautiful and hip Hoboken, New

Jersey, focusing nicely on the kinds of folks that Obama desperately wants on his side in the voting

booths. Not Rated. 95 minutes. © 2008 by Harvey Karten Member: NY Film Critics Online.

From NEWSDAY

http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/thursday/partii/ny-

etmvbuzz5826844sep04,0,6739762.story

THE FESTIVAL

THE DEAL The 25th annual Long Island Film Festival kicks off Saturday with an unusual theme:

"From Montauk to Manhattan to Hollywood." This year the festival will hit the road, screening films

in theaters across Long Island and as far away as the West Coast. The comedy "Parting Words,"

directed by Hampton Bays resident Stan Schofield, will open the festival at the Montauk Movie

Theater.

INFO For tickets and a screening schedule, go to livingonlongisland.com.

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