Cast and crew set for UCA feature film

After three days of auditioning actors and actresses who came from as far away as Gassville and Baton Rouge, La., the University of Central Arkansas Digital Filmmaking Department has found all of the cast members needed for "Table at Luigi's", the feature length film being produced by the department this summer. Assistant professor and director Joe Dull said, "I was so impressed with the actors who came out to audition. We're really excited by the talent we were able to find in Arkansas."

"Table at Luigi's" is being produced to give UCA's digital film students the opportunity to work on a feature film, side by side with their professors.

"Students learn a lot making their own short films, but the rigor of making a feature film really helps students to understand why the craft of filmmaking has evolved the way it has. It's an incredible opportunity for them that can be hard to come by," Dull said.

"Table at Luigi's" is described as a modern day fairy tale about a chef who makes people's dreams come true through the food he cooks. The newly announced cast includes Frank Romeo as "Chef", a Los Angeles based actor who is donating his time to come out to Arkansas for the month long shoot. "Emily," the leading lady who comes into the restaurant one night and challenges all that chef thought to be true, will be played by North Little Rock native, Rebecca Jones. UCA Assistant Professor of Theatre, Chris Fritzges, will play "Steven", a longtime friend who works alongside Chef in the restaurant night after night, seeking redemption for past mistakes.

The regulars who come into Luigi's night after night to escape into the dream world Chef creates for them include "Jeremy", a writer who has never actually written anything, to be played by Len Schlientz of Conway; "Donald", who enjoys romantic diners with his wife, played by Bob May; and "Melanie", who thinks Chef is her prince charming, played by recent UCA graduate F.E. Mosby. "Teri" and "Ben," the wait staff in "Luigi's", begin their shift each night as star crossed lovers from all the great classic love stories, and will be played by Rachael Small and Jordy Neill.

As the story progresses, we also meet Emily's fiercely protective sister "Brenda", to be played by Alanna Newton; Emily's brother "Cass", played by Michael Dennis; "Joni" and her husband "Zac", played by Rachel Favori and Jim Harris; and Tammy Kammrath and Dahren White as "Lisa" and her aunt "Agnes."

The film crew, made up entirely of UCA professors, graduate and undergraduate students, have already begun pre-production. The crew is divided up into teams covering the major components of the film allowing students to really hone particular skills and to experience what it takes from beginning to end to produce a 90-minute film.

Led by assistant professors, Scott and Shawna Meador, the production design team is Justin Bauer and Kerry Loveless. The camera team, led by assistant professor and Director of Photography Mike Gunter, is Lyle Arnett, Emily Lane, Danny Bradfield, Matt Bates, Avery Moorehead and Brian Allen. Nick D'Auteuil will be script supervisor and continuity controller.

The sound team consists of mixer Jason Miller, boom operators Matt Bates and Danny Bradfield and utilities specialist Sanders Lewis. The post production team includes music composer and associate professor Paul Dickensen, editor Johnathan Childs and assistant editor Jordan Anderson. Keeping the whole project coordinated and on schedule is the production team of Katiina Dull, Leslie Allen and Steve Helms.

Pre-production is under way, and shooting begins July 10. Extras are needed and interested people should e-mail a picture and contact information to tableatluigis@gmail.com.