We won!

I Heard the Mermaids Singing won Best Narrative Short at 2008 Great Lakes Independent Film Festival!

Here's to you, coach - article in the Erie Times-News

Erie Times-News, Showcase, A&E magazine
Article published September 25. 2008 12:01AM




Here's to you, coach
Victoria Charters and Kenneth Johnson made 'I Heard the Mermaids Singing' as a tribute to their acting coach.
Preview BY DAVE RICHARDS, Staff writer, dave.richards@timesnews.com

The Skinny
"I Heard the Mermaids Singing," a short film co-directed by and starring Kenneth Johnson and Victoria Charters, will be shown tonight during the 8:45 p.m. block of films at the Great Lakes Independent Film Festival at Theatre 145, 145 W. 11th St. Tickets are $5 at the door.


Michael Shurtleff was a showbiz legend as acting coach and casting director.
He was the genius who cast Dustin Hoffman in "The Graduate. " He helped Barbara Streisand, Robert Redford, Bette Midler, and others land key roles on Broadway and in film.
He also wrote "Audition," a how-to bible for actors, which Australian actress Victoria Charters soaked up before she moved to Los Angeles in 1994. Upon arriving, she was thrilled to learn Shurtleff was offering acting classes and immediately signed up.
During one session, Shurtleff presented a play he'd written, "I Heard the Mermaids Singing." He chose Charters to play Sweetzer, the mysterious, free-spirited woman who meets her soul mate, Al. Charters liked the piece so much she began working with Shurtleff on a screenplay for a short film. Later, though, he decided he'd rather turn it into a feature-length project.
That was that, until last year when her mentor died. At Shurtleff's memorial service, she met actor Kenneth Johnson, who played Detective Curtis "Lemonhead" Lemansky on FX's "The Shield" until his character was killed off in season five. He currently co-stars with Holly Hunter in "Saving Grace."
Turned out that Johnson had studied with Shurtleff, as well. What's more, he had played Al, the male lead, during class.
You can guess what happened next. Charters and Johnson teamed up to make "I Heard the Mermaids Singing," a 24-minute short film, as an homage to their acting coach.
"We wanted to make a piece as a tribute to him, so this was the first thing that came to mind. It was a very impactful experience, the journey of this piece," said Charters, who studied with Shurtleff for two years. "It was a very sweet experience to revisit something we'd already worked on years ago."
At its heart, "Mermaids" is a love story with an O. Henry-worthy turn.
"It's a story of these two odd people who meet outside of a party and go on a journey together," Charters said. "I think one of the nicest descriptions of it came from someone who said it's a beautiful slice of life. It's a love story with a twist."
For a love story to work, chemistry is paramount. Luckily, Charters and Johnson had that.
After one director and then another backed out, they decided to co-direct. They shot it in just two days in scenic Santa Barbara, Calif.
"We rarely disagreed," Charters said. "Ninety-eight percent of the time we were linked up. It was very, very easy."
"I Heard the Mermaids Singing" has played 11 film festivals this year, including the Short Film Corner at Cannes. It also won a short film award at the Park City Film Music Festival.
"I will always cherish the experience of working on this piece. It was something I wanted to do for 12 years," Charters said. "We've had a great run with it. I hope Michael would be pleased."

http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008309259924

I Heard the Mermaids Singing - nomination

I just got news from 2008 Great Lakes Independent Film Festival that I Heard the Mermaids Singing has been nominated for Best Narrative Short.
Thanks everyone for all the love and support that you have been sending my way. So much awesome correspondence today!!!

Naperville Independent Film Festival

Mermaids has been selected for Naperville Independent Film Festival,

September 24-27, 2008 in Naperville, IL. www.naperfilm.org

Thursday September 25 12.15pm
Comedy Shrine – B
22 E. Chicago Avenue
Naperville, IL 60540

Great Lakes Independent Film Festival

I Heard the Mermaids Singing, official selection of 11 film festivals 2008 next screening at Great Lakes Independent Film Festival. www.greatlakesfilmfest.com

Thursday September 25 8:45PM
Theatre 145
145 West 11th. St.
Erie PA
(814) 873-5069

www.iheardthemermaidssinging.com

3rd Annual Celebrity Texas Hold’Em Poker Tournament

Yancey Arias and Tony Riviera of Caffe Primo present

3rd Annual Celebrity Texas Hold’Em Poker Tournament

To benefit The Lives To Save Foundation and The Primo Foundation

WHAT:The 3rd Annual Celebrity Poker tournament will take place in the outdoor plaza between Caffe Primo and H&M on Sunset Blvd. This event is to benefit both The Lives to Save Foundation (www.livestosave.com) and The Primo Foundation for Children’s Hospital (www.iloveprimo.com) Yancey Arias (star of NBC’s new prime time series KNIGHT RIDER) partnered up this year with Tony Riviera of Caffe Primo to host this event.

Celebrity Poker Challenge: Hosted by Yancey Arias dealt by The Dealer Dolls.
$300.00 Buy-In. Over $20,000 in valued Prizes
Proceeds go to The LivesToSave Foundation and The Primo Foundation
Advance “Buy In” go to www.PrimoLTSCelebrityPoker.com or Cash at the door
There will be also be a Black Jack tournament for $150 Buy In

Poker Tournament structure:
All players will start with $2,500 in tournamant chips. The blinds start at $25-$25 and go up every 20 minutes. Rebuys and an add on available in the first 3 levels of play.

WHO: Celebrity guest RSVP's include: Hank Azaria, Don Cheadle, Annie Duke, Clifton Collins Jr. Kevin Connolly, Tony Dennison, Bruce Davidson, David Faustino, Roselyn Sanchez, Kelly Hu, Robert Horry, April Scott, Lucas Hass, Elijah Kelly, Christel Khalil, James Lesure, Jennifer Tilly, Eric Winter, Matt Cedeno, Marlon Wayans, David Zayas, Anya Assante, Sunkrish Bala, Vail Bloom, Laz Alono, Judy Reyes, Erik Palladino, David Lipper, Joshua Malina, Nick D’Anna and many more.

Sponsors: Caffe Primo, Corum, Kimberly Howard Jewelry, New Poker, Pama, Peroni, Mata Hari Absinthe, Body Language Sportswear, Aqua Luca, Pinot Noir, Darafeev, Black Pearl Records, Hypnotiq, 944 Mag.

Catering provided by: Caffe Primo

WHEN: Saturday September 13th
Red Carpet arrivals 5:30
Tournament begins 7:00

WHERE: 8590 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA. 90069

Valet parking or General parking in garage off of Alta Loma.