|
MOON RESIDENT GETS INTO FILMMAKING
Moon Record Star Jaime McLeod February 25, 2004
Now, the Moon resident, who works as a technical writer at Fisher Scientific, plans to pay homage to some of his screen idols by writing, directing and starring in a film of his own. "Doing Therapy" is the story of Hollywood actress, Dianne Rischard, who, unable to work due to the onset of paralyzing panic attacks, is forced to move in with a Pittsburgh-based anxiety specialist as she undergoes intensive therapy to overcome her stage fright. Culture clashes between Rischard's opulent sensibilities and her therapist's slovenly bachelor lifestyle create comic tension. Pittsburgh writer and actor Tom Interval describes the script this way, "It's East Coast meets West Coast, slob versus snob, and that irresistible force that pulls two opposites together." When completed, "Doing Therapy" will represent a milestone for Moon Township. Not only does Giacobello live in Moon, but most of the footage will be shot within the township's borders. In addition, the crew for the film is made up almost entirely of volunteers from MCA-TV, Moon's cable access station. MCA-TV will also provide Giacobello with access to the digital video cameras used to shoot the film. The would-be filmmaker is no stranger to public access television. Shortly after moving to Pittsburgh from his native Erie in the late 1990s, Giacobello began to write, direct and star in his own sitcom on PCTV, a Pittsburgh-based cable access station. The show, Mr. G., which centered on the misadventures of a quirky schoolteacher both in and out of the classroom, drew positive reviews from local publications during its run. It was also the first step Giacobello, who has also done stand-up comedy at the Pittsburgh Improv and the Funny Bone, needed to take in his path toward his dream of becoming an amateur moviemaker. While doing Mr. G. prepared him in some ways to make Doing Therapy, there are other parts of making a movie that Giacobello couldn't begin to have been prepared for. "This is so big. There are so many pieces, that I'm just trying to take things slowly. I used to feel overwhelmed by it all, but a friend of mine helped me out with that. He said 'How do you eat an elephant, Joe? One bite at a time.' It's important to remember that." While the logistics of filming may be a bit of a juggle, Giacobello is very much looking forward to at least one part of production: the acting. A community theater veteran, acting has always been one of his favorite pastimes. With this character, named after the film's creator, Giacobello says, the acting won't be a major stretch. Much of Joe the therapist's personality comes directly from his creator. Giacobello warns, however, that the similarities are more related to temperament and aren't as concrete as some might assume. "I really like my name," says Giacobello of his decision to use his own name for the protagonist, "I'm constantly looking for interesting names and I've always thought my name should be used in a script. "Not everything in the script reflects me, though. People always try to make these very direct connections, but you have to add things to make it interesting." Like Giacobello, Doing Therapy's leading lady, South Hills-based actress Barbara Winters has much in common with her character, Dianne. As the film progresses, the audience learns that the actress has been a victim of a psychotic stalker, possibly triggering her panic disorder. Winters, having been prey to her own stalker at one time, can personally relate to that facet of her character. "It was a scary situation, so it's something I can draw on for this role. It's only one of the many things I have in common with this character," says Winters. Winters has done a variety of commercial and voice-over work, a side of the acting profession she has learned from her mentor and teacher, Jeff Bergman. Over his long career, Bergman has been the voice of Fred Flintstone, Charlie the Tuna and countless other famous characters. Few realize the beloved vocal actor resides in Pittsburgh and has taken on a very small number of protégés. Winters first read about Doing Therapy in a classified ad Giacobello had placed in a local newspaper. She says it was his charisma and excitement about his project that made her want to sign on for the low-budget independent film, despite her success as a voice-over artist. "From our first conversation, there was such a connection there. Something really clicked. It's just, like, when you listen to someone talk and you think 'Yeah, I have the same ideas,'" says Winters. "After about 45 minutes, he said 'I don't want to be too forward, but I think you're the one.'" Later, Winters gave Giacobello an impromptu audition at Dowe's on Ninth, a jazz club in downtown Pittsburgh. The two read lines together over the noise and commotion around them, and, soon, Winters' place in the film was a lock. "I really think that's the way of the universe when people are meant to hook up," says Winters, "Sometimes things happen in strange ways." In a way, Winters' comment seems to sum up the theme of the romantic comedy genre, including Doing Therapy. The idea of the fate working to bring people together in the face of unlikely circumstances is a timeless one, reflected in film after film. Giacobello sees his role as an upholder of that vast tradition. "People who read my script tell me it reminds them of one of those simple stories from the 50s, before special effects took over. It's very retro in its simplicity. Character and story are at the forefront, and you're not bombarded with extras." |
