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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

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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

Intention Films and Media

Soul Brew Coffee & Brunch in Bellmore

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Bellmore, NY, USA. July 18, 2018. The Adventures of Penny Patterson, the title of the comedy, sci-fi short film, flashes over a high school hallway lined with lockers at the start of the woman directed film, at LIIFE 2018, the Long Island International Film Expo. (© 2018 Ann Parry, Ann-Parry.com)

“The Adventures of Penny Patterson” at LIIFE 2018

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
July 25, 2018

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 18, 2018. After final film screenings at LIIFE 2018, the Long Island International Film Expo, filmmakers and actors - including Shara Ashley Zeigler, Stephanie Donnelly, and Ajna Jai - go on stage for Q&A at the Bellmore Movies. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 18, 2018. After final film screenings at LIIFE 2018, filmmakers and actors – including, at center L-R: Shara Ashley Zeigler, Ajna Jai, and Stephanie Donnelly – go on stage for Q&A at Bellmore Movies. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Last summer, a friend told me about The Adventures of Penny Patterson, a short film that tells the origin story of a superhero from an intriguing point of view: his girlfriend. 

The premise of the NYU senior thesis film that Stephanie Donnelly wrote and directed, and the eye-catching poster-in-progress by illustrator Liam Donnelly, stuck with me, so I looked forward to catching the comedy sci-fi this summer when LIIFE 2018, the 21st Annual Long Island International Film Expo, accepted the short film.

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 18, 2018. AJNA JAI, actor playing title character of The Adventures of Penny Patterson, strikes a Penny pose before the film screens at LIIFE 2018, the Long Island International Film Expo at the Bellmore Movies. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 18, 2018. AJNA JAI, actor playing title character of The Adventures of Penny Patterson, strikes a Penny pose before the film screens at LIIFE 2018. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Last Wednesday night, July 18th, when spotting Stephanie Donnelly sitting with family and friends in Bellmore Movies’ vast theater shortly before the screenings began, I asked if Penny Patterson was her alter ego. Stephanie smiled, then said, “Maybe subconsciously.”

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 18, 2018. In The Adventures of Penny Patterson, the title character, played by actor AJNA JAI, calls Steve, her boyfriend and lab partner, who isn't helping with their science fair project. The comedy, sci-fi, screened at LIIFE 2018, the Long Island International Film Expo. (© Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 18, 2018. In The Adventures of Penny Patterson, the title character, played by actor AJNA JAI, calls Steve, her boyfriend and lab partner, who isn’t helping with their science fair project. The comedy, sci-fi, screened at LIIFE 2018. (© Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Penny’s a high school student who needs to win the science fair to earn a college scholarship, but Steve, her boyfriend and lab partner, suddenly stops doing his share of the work.

Steve also doesn’t share with Penny how he turned into a superhero overnight and is trying to keep her and their town safe.

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 18, 2018. During screening at LIIFE 2018, the Long Island International Film Expo, the end credits for The Adventures of Penny Patterson use illustrations by artist Liam Donnelly, the short film's Executive Producer. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 18, 2018. During screening at LIIFE 2018, the Long Island International Film Expo, the end credits for The Adventures of Penny Patterson use illustrations by artist Liam Donnelly, the short film’s Executive Producer. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Though pushed in more ways than one, Penny turns out to be no pushover.

Q&A

After the final screening, many filmmakers and actors – including Shara Ashley Zeigler, producer and writer of the funny, touching film Joe; Bethany Nicole Taylor, lead actress in Joe; Stephanie Donnelly; and Ajna Jai, who plays the title character in The Adventures of Penny Patterson – participated in a Q&A. 

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 18, 2018. L-R, STEPHANIE DONNELLY, director and writer of short film The Adventures of Penny Patterson; AJNA JAI, actor playing Penny Patterson; BETHANY NICOLE TAYLOR, lead actress in short film Joe; and SHARA ASHLEY ZEIGER, producer and writer of film Joe, get together after final screenings at LIIFE 2018, the Long Island International Film Expo. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 18, 2018. L-R, Sephanie Donnelly, director and writer of short film The Adventures of Penny Patterson; AJNA JAI, actor playing Penny Patterson; Bethany Nicole Taylor, lead actress in short film Joe; and Shara Ashley Zeigler, producer and writer of film Joe, get together after final screenings at LIIFE 2018. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

The Adventures of….

It was a late Wednesday night at LIIFE, and the next day Stephanie Donnelly flew to California for the San Diego Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival, CCI-IFF 2018, where The Adventures of Penny Patterson screened that Saturday morning. 

Adventures of Penny Patterson, and STEPHANIE DONNELLY, director and writer of the short film, pose before the movie screens during LIIFE 2018, the Long Island International Film Expo. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 18, 2018. Ajna Jai, actor playing title character of The Adventures of Penny Patterson, and Stephanie Donnelly, director and writer of the short film, pose before movie screens during LIIFE 2018. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com

Penny Patterson at LIIFE 2018:  PHOTO GALLERY

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“The Interview” Opens at Merrick Cinemas on Christmas

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
December 31, 2014

On Christmas morning, I read that The Interview, the supposedly satiric comedy by Sony Pictures Entertainment, was playing at Merrick Cinemas, the only movie theater showing it in Nassau County, Long Island. So, even though I still had most of my Christmas present wrapping left, I headed out to capture news photos before the first show, 12:30 pm.

Merrick, New York, USA. December 25, 2014. The Interview plays at Merrick Cinemas, the only movie theater showing it in Nassau County, Long Island, on Christmas Day. (© 2014 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Merrick, NY, USA. Dec. 25, 2014. “The Interview” opens at Merrick Cinemas, in Nassau County, Long Island, on Christmas Day. (© 2014 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

In November, hackers illegally gained access to Sony Pictures computers, and later threatened theaters planning to show The Interview, in which stars James Franco and Seth Rogen play civilians recruited by the CIA to assassinate North Korea’s dictator.

Due to the terrorist threats, Sony originally canceled public release of the film, but then changed its plans again, and released the film in a limited way, including several hundred independent theaters.

The Interview has earned overall poor ratings, from movie critics and from audiences on sites such as IMDB.com and RottenTomatoes.com.

Several people who bought tickets to the movie in Merrick said they were seeing The Interview mainly to protest the attempt to suppress Americans’ Right to Free Speech.

The Interview at Merrick Cinemas:  GALLERY

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