Uncle Louie

Al Castello

There seems to be a general theme to all of our shoots – FOOD! I guess it’s only natural that a cast and crew of full of Italians and co-producer, writer and former food critic Joe Izzo appreciate great food. Joe Izzo has taken on the task of the care and feeding of the cast and crew and goes to great lengths at every shoot to be sure we are well fed. Thanks Joe!

Last Sunday the crew and cast filmed at the popular Al Castello, a popular San Jose Italian restaurant and ate their way through the entire day. Owner and host Giovanni Rossi prepared a fabulous “breakfast” pizza hot out of the pizza oven when we arrived. Following breakfast, fresh cannolli’s, tiramisu, and a decadent chocolate moose creation were featured in the first scene with Uncle Louie, Benny and Bernice.

The trio ate rich desserts and drank espresso throughout the morning while Uncle Louie filled them in on his new life in the hereafter.

Around noon the crew took a break while Giovanni served a huge spread of some of Al Castello’s favorites; anti-paste with fresh mozzarella, mortadello and Italian olives, fresh green salad, penne pasta and baskets of fresh breadsticks drizzled with olive oil and fresh herbs.

The best scene was saved until last when Uncle Louie orders his favorite pizza pie, half cheese and half anchovies. Giovanni obliges by creating the fresh pies in a flash served hot out of the pizza oven. Uncle Louie was so mesmerized by the sight and smell that he had a hard time remembering his lines. No doubt he’s in for a bit of agita after this shoot. The producers have starting been keeping Brioshci on the set for him.


The producers were pleased to introduce two new members in this shoot, Luisa Koumoutsakis and Carolyn Amerian who played the roles of the waitresses.

We also met the ‘favorite’ Mangelli grandson, Nicholas Mangelli, talented composer and grandson of co-producer Joe Mangelli. Nick has written a special piece for the movie.