THE GREAT UPSTANDING MEMBER RISES

THE GREAT UPSTANDING MEMBER, a 35mm short film, will begin principal photography on October 17^th, 2002 in Fort Langley, British Columbia. Written and directed by Lenny Epstein and produced by Adrian Salpeter, the film is a production of Massey Productions Ltd. of Vancouver.

When Jay and Bonnie are assigned the topic of “local politics” for the major project at their rural school, they decide to produce a video—a documentary on the political process of their small Canadian town.

Cameras are rolling as town councilor Schmidt proposes a statue to memorialize one of the town’s forefathers, the Honourable Adam Miller. Things begin to unravel when outspoken town activist Mary Hennesy hears about the proposal. Jay and Bonnie keep their lenses focused on the town as what began as a simple political procedure becomes an emotional political scrap

Set in the fictitious town of Mills Valley, Ontario, this comical and engaging short film is sure to receive high marks.

THE GREAT UPSTANDING MEMBER stars Britt Irvin (Angels in the Infield, Beyond Belief) as “Bonnie”, Andy Cole as “Jay”, Howard Storey (Korean War, Angels in the Endzone) as “Councilor Schmidt”, Ann Warn Pegg (Duets) as “Mary Hennesy”, June B. Wilde (The Butterfly Effect, The Santa Clause 2) as “Councillor Doyle” and David Lewis (Jinna on Crime, Shoes Off [1999 Cannes Winner]) as Mr. Ross.

This short project marks the first collaboration of two long-time friends, Lenny and Adrian. Sharing a series of dilapidated homes together in Kingston, Ontario, Adrian and Lenny completed their respective degrees at Queen’s University. Vancouver based producer Adrian Salpeter and small-town Ontario based writer/director Lenny Epstein both shared an office together on Mina Shum’s “Long Life Happiness and Prosperity” where Adrian worked with Raymond Massey as producer’s assistant and Lenny worked with Mina Shum as director’s assistant.

Writer/director Lenny Epstein whose short film, “Hitler’s Testicle”, received Honourable Mention at The Montreal Jewish Student Film Festival for Best Comedy (2000) has lots of great ideas. As an actor Lenny starred in “Postcards”, a student short that won 3 major awards at the TVO telefest including best picture and best long drama. While completing his degree at Queen’s University in stage and screen studies he wrote and directed critically acclaimed stage plays in Kingston, Ontario.

Producer Adrian Salpeter was selected as one of six producers to win $25,000 in support from the Young Filmmaker's Initiative created by the Canadian Film and Television Production Association and Corus Entertainment. Salpeter has cut his teeth as a CFTPA intern with Massey Productions Ltd in 2000/2001 and has gone on to work with Lynne Stopkewich on “Suspicious River” and Mina Shum on “Long Life, Happiness and Prosperity”.

Executive Producer Raymond Massey’s recent executive producing and producer credits include Long Life, Happiness and Prosperity (Honourable Mention Best Screenplay Vancouver International Film Festival 2002) starring Sandra Oh and directed by Mina Shum, Black Point starring David Caruso; multiple Leo-award-winner Suspicious River starring Molly Parker and directed by Lynne Stopkewich; multiple Leo-award-winner My Father’s Angel directed by Davor Marjanovic and The Burial Society (Best Screenplay Vancouver International Film Festival 2002) directed by Nicholas Racz.

THE GREAT UPSTANDING MEMBER is shooting in Fort Langley, B.C. from October 17^th – October 21st, 2002. The cinematographer is Pieter Stathis (The House Next Door, We’re Women, We’re Nuts!) and production design is by Katheryn Peterson.

THE GREAT UPSTANDING MEMBER will be broadcast in Canada by Corus Entertainment on a number of their specialty channels including YTV and Movie Central.

Adrian Salpeter (Producer)

604-738-5738

goinsomwhere@telus.net

Thanks to Adrian Salpeter for e-mailing me this news!
He also told me that they hope to release the movie in the U.S. sometime.

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