Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, October 28, 1994 TAG: 9410280045
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: DAN FERRANTE SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: FLOYD LENGTH: Medium
The film portrays the relationship between a couple whose 10-year-old daughter dies under mysterious circumstances. It takes the viewer through the time of the daughter's death to the eventual breakup of the couple's marriage. The film stars veteran actress Shelli Barbero, who has been in such big screen movies as "Working Girl" and "Household Saints," actor-comedian Greg Hohn, Katherine Liney, and Steve and Jay L'Berski.
The film is set throughout many of the scenic areas in Southwestern Virginia and North Carolina, and is due to be completed in mid-December. It will run approximately 35 minutes.
The crew is hoping "Olanda's Wish" will be a resume film for festivals, directors or agents looking for new talent in the cinematography industry, Cournier said. The short project is more akin to European art film than the typical American big screen movie.
Cournier, 32, became interested in directing and cinematography when he was 10 years old. He has been actively involved with the cinematography industry since 1979 when he shot thousands of feet of Super 8 film. He has studied with cinematographer Laszlo Kovacs, who has among his credits "What's Up Doc," "Shampoo" and "New York, New York." He also co-shot "Close Encounters" in 1977.
Cournier said that he free-lanced throughout the '80s with Corporate Videos. He believes that the film industry has a limited market for short projects, but that this is a worthwhile venture for the experience alone. The project is being totally funded through Cournier who said, "Basically, it is a risky but necessary venture with regards to the career development in filming."
The crew of the film includes Jane Alexander, script supervisor; Frances Badgett, production designer/grip; and Tom Taylor, director of photography. Taylor is noted for his work on such movies as "The Killing Fields" and "The Mission."
Some of the shots on the film have been produced using new filming techniques such as the "process trailer method" where the car being photographed is placed on a moving trailer. As the background whizzes by the actors are able to look around and talk to each other without paying attention to the driving.
Cournier said the filming of his movie has been taxing on his crew. Weather fluctuations and a nasty cold made shooting tough, he said. The crew even had to shoot a scene in Virginia that was planned for Tennessee because of the time limitations, and the well being of the entire crew.
by CNB