Canswer (2014); 82mins; Drama/Horror/Sci-Fi
BACK COVER
Stranded together on an industrial rooftop in the midst of a global pandemic, strangers Cillian and Ellen battle starvation, dehydration, and each other.
CONTENTS
Official Teaser Trailers
Visual Scrapbook
Nairby Radio Skits
In Front of the Camera
Behind the Camera
In the Media
Production Notes/Trivia (Contains Spoilers!)
Director's Statement
PERKS
Official Canswer IMDb Page
Official Canswer Facebook Fan Page
REVIEWS/ARTICLES
SNAP North York
Rogue Cinema
Search My Trash
In the Audience
Vile Reviews
Film Bizarro
Search My Trash (Interview)
The Final Cut
ZMDB (Zombie Media Database)
Adam the Movie God
SCREENINGS
1. 8th Macabre Faire Film Festival (Winter 2015)
2. 30 Dies Film Festival
3. Sir Charlie Darwin Movie Battle
NOMINATIONS
1. Best Actress (Sarah Cunningham) (8th Macabre Faire Film Festival [Winter 2015])
2. Best Cinematography (8th Macabre Faire Film Festival [Winter 2015])
Stranded together on an industrial rooftop in the midst of a global pandemic, strangers Cillian and Ellen battle starvation, dehydration, and each other.
CONTENTS
Official Teaser Trailers
Visual Scrapbook
Nairby Radio Skits
In Front of the Camera
Behind the Camera
In the Media
Production Notes/Trivia (Contains Spoilers!)
Director's Statement
PERKS
Official Canswer IMDb Page
Official Canswer Facebook Fan Page
REVIEWS/ARTICLES
SNAP North York
Rogue Cinema
Search My Trash
In the Audience
Vile Reviews
Film Bizarro
Search My Trash (Interview)
The Final Cut
ZMDB (Zombie Media Database)
Adam the Movie God
SCREENINGS
1. 8th Macabre Faire Film Festival (Winter 2015)
2. 30 Dies Film Festival
3. Sir Charlie Darwin Movie Battle
NOMINATIONS
1. Best Actress (Sarah Cunningham) (8th Macabre Faire Film Festival [Winter 2015])
2. Best Cinematography (8th Macabre Faire Film Festival [Winter 2015])
OFFICIAL TEASER TRAILERS
VISUAL SCRAPBOOK
Principal Photography Day #1 - Saturday, May 5, 2012
Principal Photography Day #2 - Sunday, May 6, 2012
Principal Photography Day #3 - Saturday, May 12, 2012
Principal Photography Day #4 - Sunday, May 13, 2012
Principal Photography Day #5 - Saturday, May 19, 2012
Photography by Kelly Kruschel - www.kellykruschel.com
NAIRBY RADIO SKITS
IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA
Robert Nolan - Cillian
"I began my life as an actor at the tail end of an Honours Degree in English and Drama from the University of Toronto. I have since had - and seek out - challenging varieties of roles in drama and comedy on screen, stage, TV, radio and, of course, the web!
Critically-acclaimed for lead performances in the films Familiar and Worm.
Played the father whose world has fallen away with the death of his daughter in MADD: Shattered, a film on drinking and driving show to over one million teens in high schools across Canada.
Performed as the big lost kid in Bully by hip-hop star D.O. (played on Much Music).
I love working in cutting-edge dramas (Worm, Hyde) and unusual comedies (Inside Steve's Mind: Hitler's Apology, David Suzuki?).
I was also the lead in the stage play Bethune.
Currently doing lead and supporting roles in feature films (Battleground, Sick: Survive the Night, Human Pieces, Canswer) and continuing to pursue quality projects.
CONTACT
Agent - Hines Management
Official Website: http://robertnolan.info/
IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0634349/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/robertnolan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robert.nolan3
LinkedIn: http://ca.linkedin.com/in/actorrobertnolan
Critically-acclaimed for lead performances in the films Familiar and Worm.
Played the father whose world has fallen away with the death of his daughter in MADD: Shattered, a film on drinking and driving show to over one million teens in high schools across Canada.
Performed as the big lost kid in Bully by hip-hop star D.O. (played on Much Music).
I love working in cutting-edge dramas (Worm, Hyde) and unusual comedies (Inside Steve's Mind: Hitler's Apology, David Suzuki?).
I was also the lead in the stage play Bethune.
Currently doing lead and supporting roles in feature films (Battleground, Sick: Survive the Night, Human Pieces, Canswer) and continuing to pursue quality projects.
CONTACT
Agent - Hines Management
Official Website: http://robertnolan.info/
IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0634349/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/robertnolan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robert.nolan3
LinkedIn: http://ca.linkedin.com/in/actorrobertnolan
Sarah Cunningham - Ellen
Sarah Cunningham has been acting in film and theatre in Toronto for five years now. She has a passion for independent film and loves bringing a good story to life on the big screen.
"Toronto has an amazing group of artists" and Sarah has had the pleasure of working with and meeting some fantastic, creative people.
Sarah is excited to be part of Canswer and is looking forward to brining the script to screen with the cast and crew.
When Sarah isn't acting, she is most likely listening to classic rock, watching movies, drinking coffee, and laughing with friends.
"Toronto has an amazing group of artists" and Sarah has had the pleasure of working with and meeting some fantastic, creative people.
Sarah is excited to be part of Canswer and is looking forward to brining the script to screen with the cast and crew.
When Sarah isn't acting, she is most likely listening to classic rock, watching movies, drinking coffee, and laughing with friends.
Kelly-Marie Murtha - Ellie
Kelly-Marie Murtha, born and raised in a small town in Eastern Ontario, got the acting bug while singing and dancing in her high school musicals. She continued in university where she preformed the role of Hermia in A Midsummers Night Dream with a local theatre group.
Since moving to Toronto, Kelly-Marie has performed and starred in numerous award-winning films
including Eyes Beyond, which won Best Screenplay and Best Actress for Kelly-Marie at the 2010
Horrorfind Weekend Film Festival; The Little Guardian, which premiered at the 2008 Cannes Short
Film Corner; and Rex vs. Singh, which took top honours at the 2008 Spinning Wheel (Sikh) Film Festival in Toronto. She also appeared in the CBC TV primetime documentary Air India 182 in which she
portrayed Irish nurse Sheila Wall, and Open Window, which made its world premiere at the 2010 Toronto
International Film Festival.
Kelly-Marie also has numerous theatre credits, most recently as a cast member of Sex, Relationships
and Sometimes …Love, which ran at the Poor Alex Theatre in Toronto and where she was awarded Best
Female Performer. She also recently starred in the theatrical production A Little Happiness, which ran at the Alumnae Theatre in Toronto from August 9-14, 2011.
The feature film Canswer marks the fourth collaboration with Arcilesi Films. She has previously appeared in Lavender Fields, Snow Angel, and the soon to be released For Clearer Skies.
www.kellymariemurtha.com
http://kelly-mariemurtha.workbooklive.com/
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3289900/
Since moving to Toronto, Kelly-Marie has performed and starred in numerous award-winning films
including Eyes Beyond, which won Best Screenplay and Best Actress for Kelly-Marie at the 2010
Horrorfind Weekend Film Festival; The Little Guardian, which premiered at the 2008 Cannes Short
Film Corner; and Rex vs. Singh, which took top honours at the 2008 Spinning Wheel (Sikh) Film Festival in Toronto. She also appeared in the CBC TV primetime documentary Air India 182 in which she
portrayed Irish nurse Sheila Wall, and Open Window, which made its world premiere at the 2010 Toronto
International Film Festival.
Kelly-Marie also has numerous theatre credits, most recently as a cast member of Sex, Relationships
and Sometimes …Love, which ran at the Poor Alex Theatre in Toronto and where she was awarded Best
Female Performer. She also recently starred in the theatrical production A Little Happiness, which ran at the Alumnae Theatre in Toronto from August 9-14, 2011.
The feature film Canswer marks the fourth collaboration with Arcilesi Films. She has previously appeared in Lavender Fields, Snow Angel, and the soon to be released For Clearer Skies.
www.kellymariemurtha.com
http://kelly-mariemurtha.workbooklive.com/
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3289900/
Eric Hicks - Uninfected
Eric Hicks brings his small town upbringing into his big city performances. Having trained with top industry professionals at Armstrong Studios, ProActorsLab, and many other studios, Eric is putting his skills towards creating compelling film projects with other passionate individuals such as himself.
Eric's most recent film works include the lead in the short film And One with Sheridan Collage, a principal role in the short film Open Grave with Black Fawn Films, and the lead role in the feature film Life for Rent with Faculty of Media.
He has also worked with director Alfredo Salvatore Arcilesi for a short time on the web series Flanagan's, which is still in the works.
Look forward to seeing a lot more of this kid in the future because he's just getting started and he's not backing down.
Eric's most recent film works include the lead in the short film And One with Sheridan Collage, a principal role in the short film Open Grave with Black Fawn Films, and the lead role in the feature film Life for Rent with Faculty of Media.
He has also worked with director Alfredo Salvatore Arcilesi for a short time on the web series Flanagan's, which is still in the works.
Look forward to seeing a lot more of this kid in the future because he's just getting started and he's not backing down.
Brian Quintero - Uninfected
A loving family man, Brian Quintero was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. In Brian’s earlier life, he had gone through tough moments that were hard to understand as a child. Unsure about how to deal with all of the problems going on around him, he discovered that acting made him a stronger human through his own self-expression and helped him understand himself better. This inspired him to pursue his love for acting.
Throughout his four years of high school, Brian had joined his school productions and immediately began developing an interest in other art forms. He explored the meaning of expressing one’s self through art and involved himself with different arts, such as vocal, fashion, visual, photography, and the dramatic arts. After performing in his high school’s show, he needed to find more to satisfy his creative appetite.
Brian had begun searching for more auditions outside of school and performed in the Toronto Youth Theatre in the musical production of Tobor the Robot, followed by a role in the monologue show Sex, Relationship, and Sometimes ...Love. He took part in the University of Toronto production Arsenic and Old Lace.
In addition to the stage, Brian has worked on several short films, commercials, and is currently involved with several productions.
Brian is thrilled to learn and develop new skills that will help him build on his experiences and grow as an actor. With the undying support of his family and peers, Brian is certain to continue to strive to entertain people and make a difference in the world.
Throughout his four years of high school, Brian had joined his school productions and immediately began developing an interest in other art forms. He explored the meaning of expressing one’s self through art and involved himself with different arts, such as vocal, fashion, visual, photography, and the dramatic arts. After performing in his high school’s show, he needed to find more to satisfy his creative appetite.
Brian had begun searching for more auditions outside of school and performed in the Toronto Youth Theatre in the musical production of Tobor the Robot, followed by a role in the monologue show Sex, Relationship, and Sometimes ...Love. He took part in the University of Toronto production Arsenic and Old Lace.
In addition to the stage, Brian has worked on several short films, commercials, and is currently involved with several productions.
Brian is thrilled to learn and develop new skills that will help him build on his experiences and grow as an actor. With the undying support of his family and peers, Brian is certain to continue to strive to entertain people and make a difference in the world.
BEHIND THE CAMERA
Philip Sportel - DoP/Colourist/Matte Painter
Philip Sportel is a director based in Toronto, Canada. Coming from a visual arts background, his work incorporates stop-motion, sculpture, photography and digital compositing. He is influenced by conceptual art, surrealist photography, science fiction and the works of Stanley Kubrick, Terrence Malick and David Lynch.
Philip's debut music video for Colin Munroe's World of Pain was nominated for a Yahoo Video Award. The follow-up video Colin Munroe's (I Want Those) Flashing Lights was the second most popular video on the internet (viralvideochart.com). His stop-motion video for Johnny Polygon's Riot Song reached #8 on MTV's countdown. His videos have more than 2 million views on YouTube, have played on MuchMusic, MuchMoreMusic, MTV2, MTVu, MTV Jams, and BET, and features on PerezHilton.com and KayneUniverseCity.com.
Philip's debut music video for Colin Munroe's World of Pain was nominated for a Yahoo Video Award. The follow-up video Colin Munroe's (I Want Those) Flashing Lights was the second most popular video on the internet (viralvideochart.com). His stop-motion video for Johnny Polygon's Riot Song reached #8 on MTV's countdown. His videos have more than 2 million views on YouTube, have played on MuchMusic, MuchMoreMusic, MTV2, MTVu, MTV Jams, and BET, and features on PerezHilton.com and KayneUniverseCity.com.
Ryan A. Moore - Sound Recordist
Ryan A. Moore is a graduate from Ryerson University’s Radio and Television Arts Program. Although he loved the program, he found that he also enjoyed working with students in the Film Program on their projects.
While working in Radio and Television, he continued devoting his free time to independent filmmakers, eventually being recognized for his passion and commitment to the art.
Ryan has held several different positions across the arts, music, radio, television, and film, however, one of his greatest passions is sound. He has taught and led workshops on various elements within the realm of sound recording, editing and mixing in Toronto and Ottawa. He has been fortunate enough to work with numerous talented people from all over North America and the United Kingdom.
His gravitation towards the audio world has remained the strongest constant, and, at present, he has committed most of his time strictly to the mediums of film and television.
While working in Radio and Television, he continued devoting his free time to independent filmmakers, eventually being recognized for his passion and commitment to the art.
Ryan has held several different positions across the arts, music, radio, television, and film, however, one of his greatest passions is sound. He has taught and led workshops on various elements within the realm of sound recording, editing and mixing in Toronto and Ottawa. He has been fortunate enough to work with numerous talented people from all over North America and the United Kingdom.
His gravitation towards the audio world has remained the strongest constant, and, at present, he has committed most of his time strictly to the mediums of film and television.
Carlos Henriques - Special Makeup Effects
Carlos Henriques has been a successful Special Effects Make-up Artist for over 10 years. His award-winning photorealistic effects work can be seen in many of today’s Hollywood blockbusters, television series and haunted attractions.
His love for monsters began at a very early age. As a young boy, he was lucky enough to catch a midnight screening of George A. Romero’s Creepshow, and soon after, the premiere of Michael Jackson’s Thriller. He immediately became consumed with all things scary, scouring the earth for what little information there was available at the time. In a few years’ time, his bedroom became a museum of the macabre, crammed with posters, books, magazines, masks and props — not for the squeamish.
Ten years later, Carlos attended one of the world’s most prestigious special effects make-up schools and perfected skills in life-casting, prosthetics, creating molds and running product (silicones, foam latex, urethanes, resins, etc.).
With many years in the film industry, Carlos has worked on over 40 projects featuring creature suits (Bottom Feeder starring Tom Sizemore); casualty make-up (Left for Dead starring Danielle Harris and Shawn Roberts); gore (Silent but Deadly starring Jason Mewes and William Sadler) prop-building (Death Race starring Jason Statham); and puppet-building (Celebrity Deathmatch / A Miser Brothers’ Christmas featuring Mickey Rooney). His most recent film projects include Red: Werewolf Hunter starring Felicia Day and Gretl starring Shannon Doherty, in which he served as the special effects make-up designer and supervisor.
Every fall, you will find Carlos busy working on his own haunted attraction The Horrorshow, which has gained the title of Hamilton, Ontario’s scariest haunted house.
Carlos is presently working for Cuppa Coffee studios, the largest stop-motion studio in North America. He continues working in film, as well as running The Butcher Shop.
http://www.thebutchershop.ca/
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1746092/
His love for monsters began at a very early age. As a young boy, he was lucky enough to catch a midnight screening of George A. Romero’s Creepshow, and soon after, the premiere of Michael Jackson’s Thriller. He immediately became consumed with all things scary, scouring the earth for what little information there was available at the time. In a few years’ time, his bedroom became a museum of the macabre, crammed with posters, books, magazines, masks and props — not for the squeamish.
Ten years later, Carlos attended one of the world’s most prestigious special effects make-up schools and perfected skills in life-casting, prosthetics, creating molds and running product (silicones, foam latex, urethanes, resins, etc.).
With many years in the film industry, Carlos has worked on over 40 projects featuring creature suits (Bottom Feeder starring Tom Sizemore); casualty make-up (Left for Dead starring Danielle Harris and Shawn Roberts); gore (Silent but Deadly starring Jason Mewes and William Sadler) prop-building (Death Race starring Jason Statham); and puppet-building (Celebrity Deathmatch / A Miser Brothers’ Christmas featuring Mickey Rooney). His most recent film projects include Red: Werewolf Hunter starring Felicia Day and Gretl starring Shannon Doherty, in which he served as the special effects make-up designer and supervisor.
Every fall, you will find Carlos busy working on his own haunted attraction The Horrorshow, which has gained the title of Hamilton, Ontario’s scariest haunted house.
Carlos is presently working for Cuppa Coffee studios, the largest stop-motion studio in North America. He continues working in film, as well as running The Butcher Shop.
http://www.thebutchershop.ca/
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1746092/
Perin Westerhof Nyman - Wardrobe Consultant
Perin Westerhof Nyman is a student at Dalhousie University, where she is double-majoring in costume studies and history. Her particular interests are the Medieval, Tudor, and Victorian eras. In the summer of 2011 she worked with Silver Lining Costumes on productions such as Total Recall and Cirque du Soleil’s Viva Elvis!, and she has also worked on both high school and university theatre productions.
Perin is keenly interested in film, and, in particular, the opportunities for fine detail and construction the medium provides for costumers. She was lucky enough to be exposed to theatre from an early age, as an actor and singer, and as a teen she provided backup vocals for two albums and a television movie. By high school she had discovered that her favourite part of a production was the magic that occurred backstage, and she realized that she loved the costumes most of all.
Perin’s courses at Etobicoke School of the Arts and Dalhousie University have given her training in design, stitching, cutting, drafting, dressing, alteration for theatre, technical drawing and painting, conceptual analysis, and costume research. She is particularly passionate about historical, fantasy, and sci-fi costuming, and spends much of her personal time researching, designing, and making garments.
Perin is excited to be involved with Canswer, and is thrilled by the chance to help turn a crowd of clean, respectable people into a horde of infected zombies.
Perin is keenly interested in film, and, in particular, the opportunities for fine detail and construction the medium provides for costumers. She was lucky enough to be exposed to theatre from an early age, as an actor and singer, and as a teen she provided backup vocals for two albums and a television movie. By high school she had discovered that her favourite part of a production was the magic that occurred backstage, and she realized that she loved the costumes most of all.
Perin’s courses at Etobicoke School of the Arts and Dalhousie University have given her training in design, stitching, cutting, drafting, dressing, alteration for theatre, technical drawing and painting, conceptual analysis, and costume research. She is particularly passionate about historical, fantasy, and sci-fi costuming, and spends much of her personal time researching, designing, and making garments.
Perin is excited to be involved with Canswer, and is thrilled by the chance to help turn a crowd of clean, respectable people into a horde of infected zombies.
Kelly Kruschel - Stills Photographer
Originally starting out as a graphic designer, I decided to combine my love for movies and photography into one and learned everything there was to know about becoming a movie stills photographer.
I guess you could say that I owe it to Jon Lovitz for my role in the industry. He had a blog and invited people to ask him questions; I asked him how to get started, and he told me about the union and the basics of the industry.
In a small and often unknown photography niche, I have learned from some of the best movie stills photographers in North America, Peter "Hopper" Stone being one of them and partially my reason for using Canon.
While I watching anything and everything, I've got much love for indie flicks and have been a fan of horror/suspense since Molly Ringwald stopped making movies.
My favourite movies are Labyrinth, Legend, and Mirror Mask, which are among the shortlist. Tim Burton and Guillermo del Toro top the list of directors on my radar for movies to look out for.
I guess you could say that I owe it to Jon Lovitz for my role in the industry. He had a blog and invited people to ask him questions; I asked him how to get started, and he told me about the union and the basics of the industry.
In a small and often unknown photography niche, I have learned from some of the best movie stills photographers in North America, Peter "Hopper" Stone being one of them and partially my reason for using Canon.
While I watching anything and everything, I've got much love for indie flicks and have been a fan of horror/suspense since Molly Ringwald stopped making movies.
My favourite movies are Labyrinth, Legend, and Mirror Mask, which are among the shortlist. Tim Burton and Guillermo del Toro top the list of directors on my radar for movies to look out for.
James Belardo - Videographer
James has a knack for taking pictures of people in a natural and unassuming way, candid and in the moment. Born in Brooklyn, New York, James now calls Toronto, Canada his home. James loves the creation process and is equally at home in the recording studio or on set. His keen eye stems from a background as an illustrator, graphic designer, photographer, videographer and a musician. James easily relates to both talent and crew allowing him to capture key moments with style and flavor.
Jeff Sinasac - Visual Effects
Jeff comes at the film world primarily from the vantages of actor and writer, but springboarded into visual effects when producing his own effects heavy short, Red Moon Over Rigger's Pond, in 2006. Since then, he has gone on to handle effects for various features like Android Re-Enactment, IMAX's Hubble 3D, and of course, most recently, Canswer. He has won awards for his effects work from the LA Webfest and was recently nominated for an Indie Series Award for his work on Clutch.
Craig Saltz - Composer
Craig Saltz's music has appeared in dozens of films and commercials. Based out of Toronto, he received his degree from York University's eclectic music program. It was there that he refined and honed his understanding of classical composition as well as world music, jazz and audio engineering. Having music in films that have screened at various film festivals such various as LIFT's 30x30 Festival, Southern California International Film Festival, the LA Reel Film Festival and Bel Air Film Festivals, Craig has built a strong clientele of talented filmmakers and artists.
Konrad Szmit - Crowd Coordinator
Born on October 24, 1984, Konrad Szmit, is a Humber College Graduate, who majored in Paralegal Studies.
A friend and colleague of Alfredo Salvatore Arcilesi, Konrad always had an interest in film and various aspects of production, offered to partake as a Crowd Coordinator in Canswer, his first production.
A friend and colleague of Alfredo Salvatore Arcilesi, Konrad always had an interest in film and various aspects of production, offered to partake as a Crowd Coordinator in Canswer, his first production.
Alessia C. Arcilesi - Crowd Coordinator
Hey, my name is Alessia C. Arcilesi. I am a second year Psychology student attending Ryerson University. Although my future goals include community work as I would like to become a social worker, I am involved in the film industry through my brother Alfredo.
I have been around film for many years now, having first started to become more involved by working with my brother through acting in some of his first films. From being in a bathtub full of “blood” to being “attacked” with a crowbar and having my photos displayed in several of his films, I have finally moved up to being part of the film crew.
My brother has also helped me with several of my own projects for school, including film projects I put together, titled Pimp my Skateboard and The Marshall McLuhan Massacre as well as photography for more of my recent assignments.
I have also dabbled with the arts as I have a love for and have been involved with music for several years. Starting out by playing in the school band, I have continued to play the clarinet beyond my school years. I have a great interest and passion for music as it has been a big part of my life so far.
While my favourite movie is Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, I also have a love for horror, comedy, action and buddy-cop films.
Although the roles I’ve played were in some of his earlier films, I continue to help out with his achievable dreams and aspirations because I support everything he has done and will do in the future. As his sister, he can always come to me for an honest opinion and critical feedback on his films, music and artwork. My family and I are supportive of what Alfredo does and try to help out the best way we can.
From being on screen to behind the scenes, I am especially interested in how this film will turn out.
Peace =P
I have been around film for many years now, having first started to become more involved by working with my brother through acting in some of his first films. From being in a bathtub full of “blood” to being “attacked” with a crowbar and having my photos displayed in several of his films, I have finally moved up to being part of the film crew.
My brother has also helped me with several of my own projects for school, including film projects I put together, titled Pimp my Skateboard and The Marshall McLuhan Massacre as well as photography for more of my recent assignments.
I have also dabbled with the arts as I have a love for and have been involved with music for several years. Starting out by playing in the school band, I have continued to play the clarinet beyond my school years. I have a great interest and passion for music as it has been a big part of my life so far.
While my favourite movie is Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, I also have a love for horror, comedy, action and buddy-cop films.
Although the roles I’ve played were in some of his earlier films, I continue to help out with his achievable dreams and aspirations because I support everything he has done and will do in the future. As his sister, he can always come to me for an honest opinion and critical feedback on his films, music and artwork. My family and I are supportive of what Alfredo does and try to help out the best way we can.
From being on screen to behind the scenes, I am especially interested in how this film will turn out.
Peace =P
IN THE MEDIA
Fangoria's Kelly Michael Stewart chats with writer/producer/director Alfredo Salvatore Arcilesi
Fangoria's Kelly Michael Stewart chats with actor Robert Nolan and actress Sarah Cunningham
Fangoria's Kelly Michael Stewart chats with zombies John Migliore and Beth Pickles-Stewart
Fangoria's Kelly Michael Stewart chats with Ryan Louagie and Carlos Henriques of The Butcher Shop
Fangoria's Kelly Michael Stewart chats with directory of photography Philip Sportel
Fangoria's Kelly Michael Stewart chats with our one and only junior zombie
Mark Krawczyk of The Final Cut reviews Canswer
PRODUCTION NOTES / TRIVIA
Making Canswer (Contains Spoilers!)
Marks the fourth consecutive collaboration between writer/producer/director Alfredo Salvatore Arcilesi and actress Kelly-Marie Murtha. Previous films include, Lavender Fields, Snow Angel, and For Clearer Skies.
Marks the fifth collaboration between writer/producer/director Alfredo Salvatore Arcilesi and actor Robert Nolan. Previous films include, Scent of Rosemary, Reverie Three, God's Acre, and Lavender Fields.
Originally, the zombie scenes were to be comprised of a couple of director Alfredo Salvatore Arcilesi's friends and family, but after creating the GET INFECTED! Zombie Day for the Feature Film Canswer Facebook Event Page and contacting and spreading the word with the help of the Toronto Zombie Walk organizers, hundreds of aspiring zombies applied. With nearly 100 partipants, the GET INFECTED! Zombie Day took place on Sunday, May 13, 2012 - Mother's Day, and was affectionately re-dubbed Mombie Day!
The final shooting script was 47 pages in length. Typically, one scripted page equals one minute of film. The final running time of the film is approximately 84 minutes, nearly double the length of the script.
Prior to principal photography, director of photography Philip Sportel expressed how it would serve the film to have shots of nature (for example, birds) so as to add to the overall atmosphere of the film. Upon arriving on location on the first day of filming, Philip had disappeared onto the rooftop to prepare for the day's filming. During a lunch break, Philip was transferring the shot footage to the main hard drive when he called director Alfredo Salvatore Arcilesi to show him the footage. Philip excitedly showed Alfredo one particular shot, that of two birds communicating with each other on the edge of the rooftop, then fighting with a third bird and falling out of frame. Apparently, Philip had captured this image upon arriving on location on the first day of filming, and it ended up becoming the first of four teaser trailers.
The opening title sequence featuring the ladder crashing into frame was the first and most vivid shot idea director Alfredo Salvatore Arcilesi had since the writing phase. Leading up to the actual filming and when finally on set, he was paranoid about the camera's safety, knowing that the ladder would have to land immediately in front of the camera. To ensure that no accidents would happen, Alfredo personally held the ladder to drop in front of the camera. Ironically, during the very first rehearsal of the ladder drop, Alfredo dropped the ladder hard onto the camera's lens mount, snapping it half off, thus, resulting in nearly $300 in repairs. Luckily, the camera itself was unharmed and principal photography was able to continue with a different lens.
Actor and zombie aficionado, John Migliore, had originally auditioned for the lead role of Cillian. Having learned of his undying passion for zombies, director Alfredo Salvatore Arcilesi invited John to participate as a member of the Infected Horde. Canswer marked the 17th (coincidentally, Alfredo's lucky number) film in which John appeared as a zombie. John would go on to not only provide his voice as a member of the Infected Horde, but also dub his voice in place of actor Eric Hicks who could not rerecord his lines of dialogue due to schedule conflicts.
Cillian and Ellen each wear a detail that symbolizes their character. Cillian wears a tie with a star pattern around his arm. Ellen wears a necklace with a charm in the shape of a key.
The school sweater-vest that actor Brian Quintero wears was the very first piece of wardrobe that he and director Alfredo Salvatore Arcilesi found at a local thrift shop. Coincidentally, the sweater-vest is from the exact same high school that Alfredo had attended. Its crest proudly advertises the school's slogan in Latin: "Fortes in Fide." The English translation is "Strong in (the) Faith," which is a perfect sentiment and one of several themes of the film.
During and after the GET INFECTED! Zombie Day, members of the Infected Horde expressed how they felt nauseous due to a combination of the authentic makeup and the hot weather.
Four members of the Infected Horde were designated "Safety Zombies" for the live stunt in which actress Sarah Cunningham descends the more than 20-foot ladder and struggles to race back up.
Actress Sarah Cunningham was hesitant to approach the edge of the rooftop, and for obvious reasons. The close-up shots of her feet touching the very edge of the rooftop were made possible by director Alfredo Salvatore Arcilesi holding Sarah's hand.
Some of the screams for help by the cast were so loud and authentic, passersby thought that they were really in distress. One passerby even offered to help.
All production sound was recorded via lavalier (lav) mics taped to the cast's body. Due to the continuous, 360-degree style of shooting, a boom pole and mic would only serve as a hindrance as its shadow or physical self would appear in the shot.
No slate was used.
The film was almost entirely filmed in chronological order. Night scenes as well as scenes showcasing the Infected Horde were the only scenes filmed out of sequence due to their respective logistics.
During preproduction, director Alfredo Salvatore Arcilesi's cellphone abruptly died, thus, resulting in the loss of important contact information, notes, documents, etc. While some of these items were backed up and retrieved, Alfredo's derision for faulty technology was immortalized in the scene when Cillian, played by actor Robert Nolan, takes out his cellphone and launches it off of the rooftop. This cellphone is actually Alfredo's dead phone. It was later retrieved and still in good physical condition.
Nan Vernon's rendition of Love Hurts as heard in Rob Zombie's Halloween Part II and composer Nick Cave's beautiful Song to Jesse as heard in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford both served as musical inspiration for the film's score.
Each time that director Alfredo Salvatore Arcilesi hears actress Sarah Cunningham's voice in the film, he smiles and tells whomever he's with "That's why I cast her. She can deliver my eulogy."
Shot on the Canon 60D using, primarily, 24mm and 35mm lenses.
Marks the fifth collaboration between writer/producer/director Alfredo Salvatore Arcilesi and actor Robert Nolan. Previous films include, Scent of Rosemary, Reverie Three, God's Acre, and Lavender Fields.
Originally, the zombie scenes were to be comprised of a couple of director Alfredo Salvatore Arcilesi's friends and family, but after creating the GET INFECTED! Zombie Day for the Feature Film Canswer Facebook Event Page and contacting and spreading the word with the help of the Toronto Zombie Walk organizers, hundreds of aspiring zombies applied. With nearly 100 partipants, the GET INFECTED! Zombie Day took place on Sunday, May 13, 2012 - Mother's Day, and was affectionately re-dubbed Mombie Day!
The final shooting script was 47 pages in length. Typically, one scripted page equals one minute of film. The final running time of the film is approximately 84 minutes, nearly double the length of the script.
Prior to principal photography, director of photography Philip Sportel expressed how it would serve the film to have shots of nature (for example, birds) so as to add to the overall atmosphere of the film. Upon arriving on location on the first day of filming, Philip had disappeared onto the rooftop to prepare for the day's filming. During a lunch break, Philip was transferring the shot footage to the main hard drive when he called director Alfredo Salvatore Arcilesi to show him the footage. Philip excitedly showed Alfredo one particular shot, that of two birds communicating with each other on the edge of the rooftop, then fighting with a third bird and falling out of frame. Apparently, Philip had captured this image upon arriving on location on the first day of filming, and it ended up becoming the first of four teaser trailers.
The opening title sequence featuring the ladder crashing into frame was the first and most vivid shot idea director Alfredo Salvatore Arcilesi had since the writing phase. Leading up to the actual filming and when finally on set, he was paranoid about the camera's safety, knowing that the ladder would have to land immediately in front of the camera. To ensure that no accidents would happen, Alfredo personally held the ladder to drop in front of the camera. Ironically, during the very first rehearsal of the ladder drop, Alfredo dropped the ladder hard onto the camera's lens mount, snapping it half off, thus, resulting in nearly $300 in repairs. Luckily, the camera itself was unharmed and principal photography was able to continue with a different lens.
Actor and zombie aficionado, John Migliore, had originally auditioned for the lead role of Cillian. Having learned of his undying passion for zombies, director Alfredo Salvatore Arcilesi invited John to participate as a member of the Infected Horde. Canswer marked the 17th (coincidentally, Alfredo's lucky number) film in which John appeared as a zombie. John would go on to not only provide his voice as a member of the Infected Horde, but also dub his voice in place of actor Eric Hicks who could not rerecord his lines of dialogue due to schedule conflicts.
Cillian and Ellen each wear a detail that symbolizes their character. Cillian wears a tie with a star pattern around his arm. Ellen wears a necklace with a charm in the shape of a key.
The school sweater-vest that actor Brian Quintero wears was the very first piece of wardrobe that he and director Alfredo Salvatore Arcilesi found at a local thrift shop. Coincidentally, the sweater-vest is from the exact same high school that Alfredo had attended. Its crest proudly advertises the school's slogan in Latin: "Fortes in Fide." The English translation is "Strong in (the) Faith," which is a perfect sentiment and one of several themes of the film.
During and after the GET INFECTED! Zombie Day, members of the Infected Horde expressed how they felt nauseous due to a combination of the authentic makeup and the hot weather.
Four members of the Infected Horde were designated "Safety Zombies" for the live stunt in which actress Sarah Cunningham descends the more than 20-foot ladder and struggles to race back up.
Actress Sarah Cunningham was hesitant to approach the edge of the rooftop, and for obvious reasons. The close-up shots of her feet touching the very edge of the rooftop were made possible by director Alfredo Salvatore Arcilesi holding Sarah's hand.
Some of the screams for help by the cast were so loud and authentic, passersby thought that they were really in distress. One passerby even offered to help.
All production sound was recorded via lavalier (lav) mics taped to the cast's body. Due to the continuous, 360-degree style of shooting, a boom pole and mic would only serve as a hindrance as its shadow or physical self would appear in the shot.
No slate was used.
The film was almost entirely filmed in chronological order. Night scenes as well as scenes showcasing the Infected Horde were the only scenes filmed out of sequence due to their respective logistics.
During preproduction, director Alfredo Salvatore Arcilesi's cellphone abruptly died, thus, resulting in the loss of important contact information, notes, documents, etc. While some of these items were backed up and retrieved, Alfredo's derision for faulty technology was immortalized in the scene when Cillian, played by actor Robert Nolan, takes out his cellphone and launches it off of the rooftop. This cellphone is actually Alfredo's dead phone. It was later retrieved and still in good physical condition.
Nan Vernon's rendition of Love Hurts as heard in Rob Zombie's Halloween Part II and composer Nick Cave's beautiful Song to Jesse as heard in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford both served as musical inspiration for the film's score.
Each time that director Alfredo Salvatore Arcilesi hears actress Sarah Cunningham's voice in the film, he smiles and tells whomever he's with "That's why I cast her. She can deliver my eulogy."
Shot on the Canon 60D using, primarily, 24mm and 35mm lenses.
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
An Idea Metastasized
Cancer starts with a single cell.
A story starts with a single idea.
Both metastasize and evolve until they are something more, albeit for better or for worse.
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Saturday, December 31, 2011.
I had just finished a late night shift and went home. The apartment was empty. Peaceful. My friends were doing their own things to ring in the New Year while my family was out to a movie, and then off to wherever they would go afterwards. I soon found out what that “wherever” was when my mom called me up. All I could make out through the frenzied background noise was, “We’re all downtown! Do you want to join us!?”
And then the phone cut out.
That was a good question. Stay at home where it was comfortable and peaceful? Or join the family downtown in all the chaos?
New Year’s only comes, well, once a year. So, I went.
I live roughly half a dozen subway stops from downtown, but I couldn’t make it halfway. The cars were packed and would only get worse as I approached the core of the party. I got off and walked the rest of the way on the surface.
The street level was even crazier. Parties in the pubs, bars, restaurants, hotels, and in the streets. If there was any space, you took it for yourself or forfeited any movement.
I quickly slithered my way through the crowds, dodging drunks who got so close I could smell their brand, catching glimpses of tipsy girls flashing their, well, brand(s), and being reminded about how all of us were going to hell by a regular roadside preacher.
I approached party central and got on the cell. Two or three garbled calls later, I located my family. There were seven of us total. Lucky seven.
I had never been in a mosh pit up until that time. The countdown was three minutes away and the pressure from all the bodies squeezed into a space not designed for so many people was mounting. Some of the inebriated starting talking tough, or as tough as alcohol would permit them to be. An innocent scrum broke out, but the space was so limited, I’m pretty sure they just as well could’ve settled their differences with a quick round of thumb wrestling.
One minute left.
The crowd was overbearing now. I held on to the hand of my young cousin so that I wouldn’t lose him. Poor kid was less than four feet tall and would ring in the New Year staring at the backs of strangers’ legs.
Thirty seconds left.
I was losing grip of his hand.
Fifteen seconds left.
I tried to get a better hold of his hand, but in so doing, lost him.
Three.
Two.
One.
Inspiration rung in along with 2012.
And that’s how it happens.
A single idea.
And the walk from the “mosh pit,” back to the subway station, a trek full of vomiting people and liquored scrums, would allow that single idea to “metastasize.”
My family was going to catch a late night bite to eat, but I had an appetite for something else. Something creative. Before I left them on the subway car, I turned to my uncle and asked him a question. See, without him, I wouldn’t have had a location to film most of my previous works, the auto body shop that has become an Arcilesi Films staple. So, in keeping with that traditional locale, I asked, “What’s the rooftop of the shop like?”
He knew it.
I knew it.
Another film was coming.
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Less than two weeks later, that single idea – inspired by losing grip of my little cousin’s hand in the midst of chaos – spread like the infection detailed in my script.
I thought about what all of us – my family, the partygoers zigging and zagging in all directions, trying to get to their destinations much like I was trying to get to my family – must’ve looked like from high above. I imagined us looking like cells under a microscope, swarming. Most of us healthy, but some of us sick. And that’s what it would take to make things worse.
To see the vomiting, the scrums, and to feel the weight of others all around you to a point where you don’t have control of your own direction… Well, that was supposed to be all in the name of good fun. But what if it was the result of something far more serious than a New Year’s party gone a little haywire?
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My younger brother, cousin, and I love speculating about the possibilities of zombie apocalypses and alien invasions. Conversely, my aunt’s battle with breast cancer and her subsequent victory always struck a chord with me. I, like my aunt (and millions of others), wished it never existed. Any of it.
So what if there was a cure?
And, if there was, what if that cure turned for the worst?
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As a writer, I spend time with my characters, allowing them to evolve until their DNA is just about as real and comprehensible as my own. But paper creations can only be so real. Actors are needed to breathe life into them.
Thus, I arrived at that moment when the script was complete and the call for actors was ready to go viral. At this juncture – and I always get a kick out of this – I’m the only one in the world who knows this story and these characters exist. They’re my little secret. All I have to do is publish the call. Hit “Send,” and my little secret is told.
I always hesitate.
And then the other half of this Gemini takes over.
And my little secret is told.
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My little secret reached close to 250 actors who applied for the five available roles. The response was completely unexpected. I had only booked four hours to audition what I assumed would be less than 30 actors as is usually the case with no-budget, indie feature films. At least that was my experience. Had I quadrupled the amount of time I had, I would’ve just about seen all 250.
The crop of talent was especially rich, however, Robert Nolan, Sarah Cunningham, Kelly-Marie Murtha, Eric Hicks, and Brian S. Quintero were harvested for the five roles.
As rehearsals took place, another “infection” was starting to spread. See, there was a “sixth character” in the film. And while this “sixth character” was only described by two words in the script, in reality it would take hordes to make up this “sixth character.”
What had started out as a handful of friends coming out to make up the body of the Infected Horde, quickly spread to what became the GET INFECTED! Event. People of all ages, races, shapes, sizes, and experiences reached out. I had completely underestimated, or just plain never considered, the power of the zombie culture. Homemakers, couples, families, actors, first-timers, horror aficionados, and even members and participants of the Toronto Zombie Walk were just a few of the groups who began to come forward. The outpour of interest and overall response rivaled and ultimately exceeded that of the original casting call.
The most important connection between these walks of life – myself included – is that each of us have either personally dealt with and/or have a loved one, friend, or other, who has dealt with cancer and its various forms. And while Canswer is not a PSA by any means, it offers hope and conversation under the guise of genre favourites: science fiction and horror (with a dose of drama).
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My little secret has been shared, spread, and has metastasized, and I can only hope for the better. It has become personal to others, and it will be up to them to decide whom to share that little secret with, if at all.
It all starts with a single cell.
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