In photo above, Charlie Huntsman is the center of attention as experienced dater Ted in “Seeking Online Adventures,” the Video Club’s fifth Short Dramatic Film. Mary Zolly (left) portrays Sophia, who helps her friends (from left) Dawn Vasco as Emma and Karen Elliott as Jill get into senior online dating.
Following tryouts held June 12 and 14, Director John Kelly has announced the cast for “Seeking Online Adventures,” the Video Club’s fifth Short Dramatic Film. Mary Zolly will play the lead in the comedy she wrote about senior computer dating. Her script won the club’s 2023 Short Dramatic Script contest and underwent re-writes in May.
Currently, “Seeking Online Adventures” is in pre-production. While the cast rehearses, the crew is planning elements essential for shooting the film. Shooting is scheduled between July 17-27 in a Village manor, followed by editing and musical scoring for an anticipated early fall release.
Four Named to Cast of Comedy
An experienced actor who has appeared in many Village stage productions, Mary Zolly will portray Sophia, a retired psychology professor, podcaster, and relationship expert, who encourages two reluctant friends to try online dating. Dawn Vasco will play Sophia’s longtime pal, Emma, while Karen Elliott will portray her helpful neighbor, Jill. Charlie Huntsman will appear as Ted, an experienced online dater who adds a few complications.
All members of the cast are residents who have been involved in Village theater group productions, but they undertake a different kind of acting for this project. More intimate projection is needed for the camera than for the stage, according to John Kelly, who has directed two previous films in the Video Club series. It will also be his job to help the actors maintain focus through the constant stops and starts involved in shooting a film.
Key Production Team Members Named
Above, John Kelly (left), who will direct the Video Club’s fifth Short Dramatic Film, “Seeking Online Adventures,” studies a script, while Director of Photography Jack Crawbuck grabs a camera angle in a composite photo of production stills taken during shooting of a previous film in the series.
A professional videographer and Village resident, John operates a video production business with his wife, Alexandra, and also serves as the Video Club’s External Video Projects Coordinator, where he works with clubs and residents requesting video assistance. He was among the film’s Video One Productions key team members announced in early June.
Other production team leaders are Lucy Parker and Suzanne Savlov, Co-Producers; Jack Crawbuck, Director of Photography; Joe Selikov, Sound Recordist; and Suzanne Savlov, Script Supervisor and Editor. All except Selikov are residents and have helped produce previous films in the series. New to the team, Selikov often provides audio assistance to Village theater groups.
“Seeking Online Adventures” will be shot in traditional one-camera style, John explained, with each scene being repeated, take-by-take, from different camera angles. Previous films in the Video Club series are “Write It Down” (2019), “What? You, Too?” (2020), “The Hole in One” (2022), and “Bowling Ball Debacle” (2023).
Team Seeking Volunteers for Crew
The team is still seeking crew members, and anyone interested in learning more about film production is encouraged to volunteer. Email videocluboflagunawoods@gmail.com if you are interested.
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John Kelly (left), who will direct the Video Club’s fifth Short Dramatic Film, “Seeking Online Adventures,” studies a script, while Director of Photography Jack Crawbuck grabs a camera angle in a composite photo of production stills taken during shooting of a previous film in the series. (Photo from Video Club files)
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