The first meeting of the cast and crew of the soon-to-be shot film, Uncle Louie, was held on Friday, October 2nd, at the home of the film's co-writer, Joe Izzo. Nearly all of the members of the film company were present that evening, including Nick D'Arpino, who plays the title role. Most of those in attendance were meeting for the first time, and while hunkering down on pizza and salad set out on paper plates, asked the writers (Joe Mangelli and Joe Izzo), and the director (Allen Russell), questions about the project.
Since most of the film's cast consists of non-actors, there was anxiety in the air about what the creators expected of inexperienced people. Not to worry, said the writers and director, the use of non-actors in low-budget films is a practice with a proud tradition, one that has produced many examples of great cinema, from the silent era on.
Also in attendance were those individuals doing sound and music for the film (James Bruseau and Chad Lieker). Still photographer and webpage creator Susan Senter documented the evening with her camera, and took headshots of company members prior to their departure.
The evening was productive on many fronts, not least for the opportunity it afforded the cast and crew to do the practical: collect and exchange contact information and availability. Perhaps most useful, for those who attempted it, was the time spent discussing the script, reading aloud from it in small groups, and confessing to hopes and fears about the days ahead.
Out of this first meeting came as many questions as answers. In response to a question about whether Uncle Louie was conceived as a drama or a comedy, the Director, Allen Russell, replied "yes."
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