Tag Archives: Debra Markowitz

FEATURE PHOTO: Bellmore, N.Y., U.S. March 25, 2024. L-R, co-leads TRAVIS GRANT and BEC FORDYCE pose for photo during break shooting scene for 'Wait List: A Love-ish Story' at Soul Brew. (© Ann Parry, annparry.com)

Filming ‘Wait List: A Love-ish Story’ on Long Island

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
March 29, 2024

‘Wait List: A Love-ish Story’ at Soul Brew

When I got the chance to capture photos while DEBRA MARKOWITZ filmed a scene of her movie Wait List: A Love-ish Story, I jumped at it. I’ve been a BIG fan of her work for years.

The romance movie is one of several current projects of Intention Films and Media, LLC, which Debra and JOHN MAREAN co-own.

• KIM DIRECTOR – portrays Ally

Couple of Guys fundraiser

Merrick, N.Y., U.S. March 25, 2024. Actor KIM DIRECTOR portrays Ally in the movie ‘Wait List: A Love-ish Story.’ (© Ann Parry, annparry.com)

I’d be photographing while a scene was shot at Soul Brew, a coffee and brunch cafe in Bellmore. But earlier that day, Debra filmed a scene at home, and I went there shortly after filming wrapped up.

First Debra enthusiastically told me about the evolution of ‘Wait List.’

Initially, she wrote it as a one act comedy about the very unexpected hook up between 40-something Lisa and 20-something Carter, her adopted son’s childhood friend. 

But the characters stayed with her, as Debra imagined what might happen – and why it might happen – if Lisa and Carter weren’t just a one night fling. So, over a surprisingly short time, Debra wrote the script for ‘Wait List: A Love-ish Movie.’ 

• BEC FORDYCE – portrays Lisa Chase

Couple of Guys fundraiser

Merrick, N.Y., U.S. March 25, 2024. Co-lead BEC FORDYCE portrays Lisa Chase in the movie ‘Wait List: A Love-ish Story.’ (© Ann Parry, annparry.com)

Then actors BEC FORDYCE (Lisa) and KIM DIRECTOR (Ally, Lisa’s friend), and Debra, braved the chilly, windy weather for a few minutes, so I could capture outdoor portraits. 

    • TECH NOTE: I used my new Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens to capture the four portraits on this blogpost. 

at Soul Brew

• TRAVIS GRANT – portrays Carter Morgan

Couple of Guys fundraiser

Bellmore, New York, U.S., March 25, 2024. Co-lead TRAVIS GRANT, who portrays Carter Morgan, goes over his script before filming starts for ‘Wait List: A Love-ish Story’ scene at Soul Brew. (© Ann Parry, annparry.com)

At Soul Brew, “All quiet on the set!” always meant, “Stay quiet and well out of sight” for me.

So then I’d stay near the front of the cafe and use my Nikkor Z 24-125mm lens to zoom in and capture action from a distance. 

Couple of Guys fundraiser

Bellmore, New York, U.S., March 25, 2024. L-R, actors BEC FORDYCE and KIM DIRECTOR are in movie ‘Wait List: A Love-ish Story’ scene at Soul Brew. (© Ann Parry, annparry.com)

Since that was near where actors Travis Grant and Kate Brady made their entrance into the cafe scene, I found it fascinating to see them switch back and forth and back from light-hearted camaraderie to laser focus.

Couple of Guys fundraiser

Bellmore, New York, U.S., March 25, 2024. L-R, actors TRAVIS GRANT (Carter Morgan) and KATE BRADY (Diane,Carter’s girlfriend) wait for their entrance cue in ‘Wait List: A Love-ish Story’ scene at Soul Brew. (© Ann Parry, annparry.com)

In fact, the boundless good cheer, skill, and professionalism of the entire cast and crew that long afternoon into night made a deep impression on me.

I can’t wait to see ‘Wait List: A Love Story.’ 

Couple of Guys fundraiser

Bellmore, New York, U.S., March 25, 2024. While the crew sets up lighting for a scene in  ‘Wait List: A Love-ish Story,’ actors have some down time. (© Ann Parry, annparry.com)

Couple of Guys fundraiser

Bellmore, New York, U.S., March 25, 2024. From front to back, JOHN MAREAN films as Soul Brew manager portrays a barista in ‘Wait List: A Love-ish Story’ scene at Soul Brew. (© Ann Parry, annparry.com)

• DEBRA MARKOWITZ – screenwriter, director

Couple of Guys fundraiser

Merrick, N.Y., U.S. March 25, 2024. DEBRA MARKOWITZ is the screenwriter, director of the movie ‘Wait List: A Love-ish Story.’ (© Ann Parry, annparry.com)

• ROB GRAYDON – 1ST AD

Couple of Guys fundraiser

Merrick, N.Y., U.S. March 25, 2024. ROB GRAYDON is 1st AD, Assistant Director, of the movie ‘Wait List: A Love-ish Story.’ He’s also the director/editor of ‘Sesame Street Digital’ and co-host of ‘The Stabby Road’ podcast. (© Ann Parry, annparry.com)


FEATURE PHOTO (top of post): Bellmore, N.Y., U.S. March 25, 2024. L-R, co-leads TRAVIS GRANT and BEC FORDYCE pose for photo during a break shooting scene for ‘Wait List: A Love-ish Story’ at Soul Brew. (© Ann Parry)


‘Wait List: A Love-ish Story’: my PHOTO GALLERY

Wait List: A Love-ish Story  •   IMDB

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Soul Brew Coffee & Brunch in Bellmore

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Bellmore, New York, U.S. September 19, 2022. L-R, DEBRA MARKOWITZ and ABIGAIL HAWK are speaking on stage during Fundraiser for 'Couple of Guys' limited series held at historic Bellmore Movies. (© 2022 Ann Parry, annparry.com)

‘Couple of Guys’ show fundraiser

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
September 21, 2022

fundraising for ‘Couple of Guys’ series by Merrick filmmaker Debra Markowitz

VIDEO: ‘Couple of Guys’ fundraiser Q&A…. 
Near the end of the fundraiser for ‘Couple of Guys,’ series creator DEBRA MARKOWITZ asked if I enjoyed the first two episodes screened this Monday night. Smiling, I simply said ‘Yes.’ 

There was no way I could begin to do justice right then to the funny and serious things that touched me about the story of divorced attorney RIchard Durant (SAL RENDINO) and heartthrob former rocker Jon Graham (LUKAS HASSEL) – two mature gay men finding each other and love.

my Photo Gallery – ‘Couple of Guys’ Fundraiser (Plus, click each photo below to see larger one.)

Couple of Guys fundraiser

Bellmore, N.Y., U.S. September 19, 2022. CIARÁN SHEEHAN (Broadway’s Phantom of the Opera) sings during fundraiser for ‘Couple of Guys’ at Bellmore Movies.(© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

 • ‘Couple of Guys’ donating & perks info

Couple of Guys fundraiser

Bellmore, N.Y., U.S. September 19, 2022. L-R, JOHN MAREAN, DEBRA MARKOWITZ, SAL RENDINO, ABILIGAIL HAWK, and CIARÁN SHEEHAN are on stage for Q&A during fundraiser for ‘Couple of Guys’ at Bellmore Movies.

‘Couple of Guys’

Couple of Guys fundraiser

Bellmore, N.Y., U.S. September 19, 2022. ABIGAIL HAWK (Blue Bloods) is speaking on stage during fundraiser for ‘Couple of Guys’ limited series held at historic Bellmore Movies. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

‘Couple of Guys’

Couple of Guys fundraiser

Bellmore, N.Y., U.S. September 19, 2022. L-R, CHARLES GREENE LEONUS, KATE FOX, and SAL RENDINO pose for photo during ‘A Couple of Guys’ fundraiser at Bellmore Movies. Marean played ‘OK Delivery Guy’ in Episode 1 screened at event. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

‘Couple of Guys’

Couple of Guys fundraiser

Bellmore, N.Y.,, U.S. September 19, 2022. DEBRA MARKOWITZ, the creator of ‘Couple of Guys,’ has a fundraiser for the limited series at historic Bellmore Movies. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

‘Couple of Guys’

Couple of Guys fundraiser

Bellmore, N.Y., U.S. September 19, 2022. LUKAS HASSEL credit shot is from an episode of ‘Couple of Guys’ screened at fundraiser for ‘Couple of Guys’ held at Bellmore Movies.(© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

‘Couple of Guys’

Couple of Guys fundraiser

Bellmore, N.Y., U.S. September 19, 2022. ASIA LEE wears striking gold and black sequin dress to fundraiser for ‘Couple of Guys’ at Bellmore Movies.

‘Couple of Guys’

Couple of Guys fundraiser

Bellmore, N.Y., U.S. September 19, 2022. L-R, Friends pose for photo with ABIGAIL HAWK and TRISH APPELLO during fundraiser for ‘Couple of Guys’ at Bellmore Movies.(© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

‘Couple of Guys’

Couple of Guys fundraiser

Bellmore, N.Y., U.S. September 19, 2022.  JOHN MAREAN – co-manager of Intention Films and Media, is ready to help out with Raffle Drawing during ‘A Couple of Guys’ fundraiser at Bellmore Movies. Marean played ‘OK Delivery Guy’ in Episode 1 screened at event. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

video: Ciarán Sheehan singing at ‘Couple of Guys’ fundraiser 


FEATURE PHOTO (top of post) other views: Bellmore, N.Y., U.S. September 19, 2022. L-R, DEBRA MARKOWITZ and ABIGAIL HAWK discuss ‘Couple of Guys’ during fundraiser for the TV series at Bellmore Movies.


‘Couple of Guys’ fundraiser: my PHOTO GALLERY

‘Couple of Guys’ donating & perks info

facebook: @coupleofguys  •  vimeoIMDB

#coupleofguysminiseries

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Bellmore Movies

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LIIFE 2016 Long Island International Film Expo

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
July 23, 2016

The 19th Annual Long Island International Film Festival kicked off its Awards Ceremony this Thursday with Host Kevin Brown (Dot Com in 30 Rock) welcoming filmmakers and film lovers.

Bellmore, New York, USA. July 21, 2016. The19th Annual Long Island International Film Expo Awards Ceremony, LIIFE 2016, is held at the historic Bellmore Movies. LIIFE was called one of the 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World by MovieMaker Magazine. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 21, 2016. The19th Annual Long Island International Film Expo Awards Ceremony, LIIFE 2016, is held at the historic Bellmore Movies. (© 2016 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Then Brown served his first helping of topical humor – notably about a certain national political convention that, like LIIFE 2016, was in its final night.

Bellmore, New York, USA. July 21, 2016. Actor KEVIN BROWN (Dot Com in 30 Rock) is again host at the 19th Annual Long Island International Film Expo Awards Ceremony, LIIFE 2016, held at the historic Bellmore Movies. LIIFE was called one of the 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World by MovieMaker Magazine. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 21, 2016. Actor KEVIN BROWN hosts 19th Annual Long Island International Film Expo Awards Ceremony, LIIFE 2016, held at Bellmore Movies. (© 2016 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Singers ROBBIE ROSEN, from neighboring Merrick, and SARAH BARRIOS, each a mere three years older than LIIFE itself, sang solo and together. Their duet “Chains” – which they performed both that night and in the Musical Video that went on to win that category – was one of restrained raw emotion and distinctive, complimentary singing styles.

Bellmore, New York, USA. July 21, 2016. Singers ROBBIE ROSEN, of American Idol top 8 Boys from Merrick, and SARAH BARRIOS perform the duet

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 21, 2016. Singers ROBBIE ROSEN and SARAH BARRIOS sing duet “Chains” at Long Island International Film Expo Awards Ceremony, LIIFE 2016. (© 2016, Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Bernhard Rammerstorfer, from Austria, accepted the Alan Fortunoff Humanitarian Award for his documentary Taking the Stand, which he directed, produced and wrote to share the “Testimonies of Holocaust Survivors and Victims of Nazi Tyranny.”  Before leaving the stage, Rammerstorfer gave LIIFE a bottle of Organic Austrian Plum Schnaps,  which he cheerfully described at length.

Bellmore, New York, USA. July 21, 2016. BERNHARD RAMMERSTORFER accepts

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 21, 2016. Austrian BERNHARD RAMMERSTORFER accepts Alan Fortunoff Humanitarian Award for his documentary “Taking the Stand” at LIIFE 2016. (© 2016 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Actor CATHY MORIORITY (Vikki LaMotta in Raging Bull) gave an affectionate introduction to LIIFE’s Lifetime Achievement Award honoree, ED ASNER, who’s best known to my generation as cranky, lovable Lou Grant in The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and to my grandson as widower Carl in Pixar’s animated Up.

Bellmore, New York, USA. July 21, 2016. Actress CATHY MORIARITY, who was Vikki LaMotta in Raging Bull when she was a teenager, introduces Lifetime Achievement honoree Ed Asner at the 19th Annual Long Island International Film Expo Awards Ceremony, LIIFE 2016, held at the historic Bellmore Movies. LIIFE was called one of the 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World by MovieMaker Magazine. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 21, 2016. Actress CATHY MORIARITY introduces Lifetime Achievement honoree Ed Asner at the 19th Annual Long Island International Film Expo Awards Ceremony. (© 2016 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Not coincidentally, the documentary My Friend Ed – a portrait of Asner the actor and activist, by director and producer Sharon K Baker and co-writers Baker and Daniel R. Collins – made its Long Island debut at LIIFE 2016.

Bellmore, New York, USA. July 21, 2016. Actor ED ASNER, who portrayed Lou Grant in Mary Tyler Moore Show, receives the Lifetime Achievement Award, at the 19th Annual Long Island International Film Expo Awards Ceremony, LIIFE 2016, held at the historic Bellmore Movies. LIIFE was called one of the 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World by MovieMaker Magazine. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 21, 2016. Actor ED ASNER receives the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 19th Annual Long Island International Film Expo Awards Ceremony, LIIFE 2016. (© 2016 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Long Island’s own Angela Anton – the Publisher of Anton Community Newspapers, and a philanthropist and volunteer, including Board President of the Nassau County Museum of Art – received the Humanitarian Award.

Bellmore, New York, USA. July 21, 2016. ANGELA ANTON accepts the Humanitarian Award at the 19th Annual Long Island International Film Expo Awards Ceremony, LIIFE 2016, held at the historic Bellmore Movies. Angela Susan Anton is the Publisher and CEO of Anton Media Group, the largest privately owned newspaper company in New York State. LIIFE was called one of the 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World by MovieMaker Magazine. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 21, 2016. ANGELA ANTON accepts Humanitarian Award at 19th Annual Long Island International Film Expo Awards Ceremony, LIIFE 2016, at the Bellmore Movies. (© 2016 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

LIIFE’s three surviving co-founders each spoke: Debra Markowitz, the Nassau County Film Commissioner; and Anne Stampfel and husband Henry Stampfel,  co-owners of the historic Bellmore Movies where the Awards Ceremony was held.

Bellmore, New York, USA. July 21, 2016. At podium, actor KEVIN BROWN (Dot Com in 30 Rock) once again is host at the19th Annual Long Island International Film Expo Awards Ceremony, LIIFE 2016, held at the historic Bellmore Movies. LIIFE was called one of the 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World by MovieMaker Magazine. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 21, 2016. Actor KEVIN BROWN hosts 19th Annual Long Island International Film Expo Awards Ceremony, LIIFE 2016, held at the historic Bellmore Movies (© 2016 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Long Island International Film Expo: GALLERY

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