In our discussion, Cara shares details on her UP and PixL original movies, as she gives an insight into the world of screenwriting and movie making, and some upcoming movie news, too!!!
I do hope all of you will enjoy our interview *chat* below...
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INTERVIEW
CARA J. RUSSELL
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| image credit: Facebook |
Cara J. Russell: My first TV movie HEAVENLY MATCH starring Samaire Armstrong, Brendan Penny, & Letoya Luckett, based on the book "Heavens to Betsy" by Beth Patillo, aired in 2014 on the UP Network.
SECRET SUMMER staring Lindsey Shaw, Derek Theler, Chiara Aurelia, Emily Rose, Lucas Bryant, and Isaiah Washington premiered on April 2nd on PixL. It is currently airing on PixL (channel 338 on Dish) and can also be watched on YouTube Secret Summer with a subscription or a free 14 day trial.
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| image: Heavenly Match, via UP |
Net, It's a Wonderful Movie: Please share a little of the plot/story behind your newest PixL premiere movie, “Secret Summer”.
Cara J. Russell: Derek Theler plays Uncle Jake, a nomadic writer who is estranged from his family. Jake is researching his latest book on Black Bart, an outlaw during the Gold Rush days, in the California mountains when a family emergency lands Jake's niece Hailey (Chiara Aurelia) and his nephew Noah (Max Page) stuck spending the summer with an uncle they barely know. New York city girl Rachel (Lindsey Shaw) is in town to appraise the local library, which is the heart of this mountain community. As Jake mends his family ties, he begins to fall for Rachel despite being on a mission to stop the library from being sold.
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| image: Secret Summer, via PixL |
Net, It's a Wonderful Movie: Where do you find inspiration for your stories/characters?
Cara J. Russell: That is a great question! My family and friends provide inspiration, and every guy I've ever had a crush on ends up as a character too! People are fascinating; I always love hearing someone's story about who they are, and why they are who they are. I am a big reader; I love libraries, book stores and on-line news articles. It's also true that fact is stranger than fiction. My favorite news crime article (you can google it) that I've ever read was titled: "Ice Cream Truck Turf War: Sno Cone Joe stalked Mr. Ding-A-ling, N.Y. police say" That's a comedy movie right there. You can't make this stuff up!
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| image: Heavenly Match, via UP |
Net, It's a Wonderful Movie: We would love to know a little behind the scenes… could you share how your stories became Made-for-TV movies?
Cara J. Russell: I am a long time Head Mentor for the Young Storytellers Foundation, a www.youngstorytellers.com/ a fantastic literacy program that teaches screenwriting to fourth and fifth graders in the LA city schools. One of my mentors one semester was the wonderful Libby Beers who is a producer. She brought me in as the writer for HEAVENLY MATCH. I have had the pleasure of continuing to work with Libby on my PixL movies as well. It is thanks to YSF and Libby that I am a produced screenwriter.
I met Chiara, Derek, Lindsey, and Max when I visited the SECRET SUMMER set last April. They couldn't have been nicer, and they all did such a fantastic job in this movie. It's a thrill for me as a writer to watch such talented actors act out my words and bring the characters that were in my head to life!
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| SECRET SUMMER screening party with stars Chiara Aurelia and Derek Theler and screenwriter Cara J. Russell |
Cara J. Russell: I have a yet to be titled movie starring Adelaide Kane and Ben Hollingsworth that just wrapped, and one titled GROOMZILLA starring Darin Brooks and Elizabeth Rice, along with DeVaughn Nixon, Roland Kickinger, and Manny Streetz that just started filming. I'm not allowed to talk about those until they air on PixL but I had a blast writing the screenplays and can't wait to see the movies!
Additionally, I have an indie sports comedy about the first collegiate American football team in Wales called THE THUNDERERS that will be filming soon at Aberystwyth University in Wales, starring Cody Saintgnue from MTV'sTeen Wolf as the antagonist QB, produced & directed by Michael Capozzoli.
I am a producer on my indie drama LOVELAND which is also with producer/director Michael Capozzoli.
I also have a romantic comedy feature in development with Suzanne Todd's Team Todd. We are currently looking for an A list director, so if anyone is reading this... :-)
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| on the set pic: "Groomzilla" via Instagram |
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| on the set pic: "Groomzilla" via Instagram |
Net, It's a Wonderful Movie: What do you hope viewers will take away, today and in the future, from watching one of your movies?
Cara J. Russell: Another great question! I would hope that someone watching one of my movies felt entertained, inspired, educated, and a little bit less alone.
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| on the set pic: of Cara J. Russell's untitled movie |
Net, It's a Wonderful Movie: Where can my readers find out more about you or your work?
Cara J. Russell: Twitter & IG @carajrussell and www.facebook.com/caralotproductions/
It's been wonderful chatting with you today, and thank you for supporting family movies and writers!
All the best! Cara
That's a wrap!
My thoughts exactly... I feel the very same, Cara! It has been wonderful talking with you, as well! Thank you for this lovely conversation and taking the time to have this *chat* with me for "It's a Wonderful Movie"!
(Thank you to my movie friend, Gina - for making this interview possible!)
I also appreciate, Cara... you sharing your upcoming movie Groomzilla and the *hints* on your new untitled movies! (whispering...) We'll keep the news hush, hush, but it sounds like you have great casting!
I'm sure many of my followers have enjoyed your original films and are looking forward to the new stories you have created!
God's blessings to you Cara... in your writing endeavors and movie journey!
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Details on the PixL channel:
Many of Cara's movies mentioned above are currently shown on the PixL channel, which is currently available through Dish Network - Channel 388 (SD/HD) or Cablevision - Channel 139 (SD) or Channel 839 (HD). You can also watch PixL through their on-line YouTube channel for a small fee. Click here to check it out.
If you don't have the PixL channel - please ask for it!
PixL offers family movies 24-7 - commercial free, so this is definitely a channel you will want to request from your cable provider, for your family!
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