Hanging With the Stars...Or, How I Finally Made it to a Movie Premiere

Oh, I know, I know, you don't believe me,
but honestly last night I attended a "World Premiere" of a movie right here in Orlando at the Florida Film Festival. (See? It says it right down there in the right-hand corner - WORLD PREMIERE)

Why this movie you ask?
Well, first I am a movie hound and especially enjoy independent, small films, second, I have always wanted to go to a premiere, and third, my wonderful daughter-in-law, Sammy, cast the movie and  received onscreen credit!

Of course we had to go!

We had dinner first and speculated about what this movie, "Dead Dad" would be about.  The Maven and  I even thought we saw a couple of the actors milling about outside of the theater.  We had been looking at the movie poster and were pretty sure we spotted the two guys pictured on it.

"Dead Dad" is a very (stress very) small budget film.  During the Q & A  after the film, I heard $2,000 mentioned as their initial budget.  A lot of donated equipment, talent and time helps these low budget films get made and from what we heard, a lot of people were very generous with all of those things because they believed in this project.

There was even "swag"!
A keychain to keep as a memento of a very good film and Sammy's first credited project.

"Dead Dad" may have had a small budget, but the camera work, acting, editing and writing were big time good!  And yes, The Maven and I had spotted the lead actor (and writer of the screenplay) outside.  

Great chemistry between the three main characters, who are siblings dealing with the sudden death of their father.  Funny, sad, true to life, this is a film that will resonate with many people.

And how did Sammy do with the casting?
Sitting in the audience during Q and A session someone remarked on the great rapport between the three sibling characters and the main character's girlfriend.  The writer/lead actor cast himself and the actress who played his sister, a friend of his, but the third sibling was found by....you guessed it, our very own Sammy!  As was the actress who played the girlfriend. 

Mr. Tennis, always the one to lead a charge, went down to congratulate those involved and we ended up talking with Kyle (the writer/actor).  He said so many nice things about our daughter-in-law and  said he appreciated us stopping by to give him feedback.

So, yes, I have had my "hollywood" experience now.
We hope "Dead Dad" may be released on a few more big screens, but at the very least, I'm certain it will eventually end up on Netflix in the "indie" section.  Check it out, if you'd like when it does.  I don't think you will be disappointed.

Way to go Sammy!!!