Focus Project 2011 selects Russell Costanzo's DEAN BARKER Collection

Focus Project 2011 has selected Director Russell Costanzo's DEAN BARKER photography collection as one of it's featured portfolios.
vote for it here Focus Project 2011

A great Article from Indiewire and Shadow and Act

Click on the Link for a great interview with our lead actress Aunjanue Ellis and Director Russell Costanzo.

The Tested Interview

Odessa Inspiration

These two pictures are of Annie Novack, taken by The Selby on one of her urban rooftop gardens. They also happen to be a huge inspiration for my Odessa character in my script An Ode to Odessa. I love the farm girl meets city girl dress. The story is about a teenage boy who becomes infatuated with her, and I think it's easy to tell why.

The Tested nominated for "Best Diaspora Feature"

click on the link here: AMAA NOMINATIONS

Upcoming Aunjanue Ellis Interview

Tambay Obenson will be doing an exclusive interview with Aunjanue for his ongoing coverage of The Tested. Click on the link below and get the opportunity to ask her your own questions.

http://www.shadowandact.com/?p=39493#more-39493

The Tested PAFF Screenings

Pan-African Film Festival
Culver Plaza Theatres (across from Sony Studios)
9919 Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles 90232

Screening Times

Monday Feb. 21 @8pm
Tuesday Feb. 22 @ 6pm

for more info and to purchase tickets PAFF

The Tested taking it West Coast

The Tested will be at the 2011 Pan African Film Festival. The Festival runs from Feb. 16 - 23 in LA and we'll have two screenings on Feb. 21st and Feb. 22. For more info you can go to The PAFF Website

We're also excited to be getting a shout out from Shadow and Act

An Ode to Odessa

I have found a title for my script. Or maybe it's found me. As fun and mysterious as it is to keep referring to something as "Untitled", I've taken a deep breath and changed the title page to read An Ode to Odessa.

Logline: A sixteen year old boy's infatuation with a woman he meets on the bus further complicates his already tumultuous adolescence.

It's been cathartic to write from the perspective of a teenage boy and caused me to start to nod to them on the street, as if I were part of their pack. It is only when they respond with dirty looks that I am reminded of my gender and age, both of which have nothing to do with this rare breed of human.

- Melissa

Broken Smile and The Script Without a Name

As things with The Tested heat up, we're excited to update you on our other projects.

Russell's Broken Smile, an exploration of sibling-rivalry set in the indie-folk rock world (check out the fictitious band's posters and a playlist at russellcostanzo.com), is about to enter it's casting phase.

Draft number two is underway on the Untitled Mel Project which centers around a sixteen year old boy's infatuation with a woman he meets on the bus.

Both projects are a bit of a departure from the weight and intensity of The Tested but still explore emotional themes like jealousy, envy, love, and adolescence.

You go Adepero!

Congrats to one of The Tested's own. Adepero Oduye, an amazing actress is going to Sundance with PARIAH. We are partial to her as she played Darraylynn in our short.

Congrats to all the other IFP alum as well!