It’s A Wrap! ‘Seeking Online Adventures’ Finished Shooting September 12

The Video Club’s fifth Short Dramatic Film, “Seeking Online Adventures,” is now in post-production for a late fall premiere.

Photos by Alexandra Scott-Kelly and Lucy Parker.

Final scenes — including the “eek!” moment above — of the Video Club’s fifth Short Dramatic Film, “Seeking Online Adventures,” were shot on July 25, 2023 by a Video One Productions crew in a spacious, uniquely-decorated Village manor. The location was graciously made available to the Video Club by owner Dee Dewey.

Months of pre-production — including script revisions, casting, rehearsals, and location planning — preceded the seven-day shoot, which began on July 17. On September 12, a small crew gathered at Dee Dewey’s home again to capture missed footage and reshoot one scene. Work on the film continues in post-production with the team’s focus now on editing, music, and titles. A premiere is anticipated in late fall.

In the photo above, cast members (from left) Karen Elliott and Mary Zolly react to a small intruder which disrupts proceedings in the insightful comedy about senior online dating. Director of Photography Jack Crawbuck (left) gets the shot, while Camera Operator-turned-Bug-Wrangler Jonathan Williams (a new member of the Video Club) operates the mechanical insect. Others in the cast are Dawn Vasco and Charlie Huntsman, all experienced Laguna Woods Village actors.

John Kelly directed the film, co-produced by Lucy Parker and Suzanne Savlov. The original script, written by Mary Zolly, won the club’s annual Short Dramatic Script Contest last spring. In his first film shoot with Video One Productions, Joe Selikov served as Audio Director. Assisting him was Eric Kuramoto as Audio Technician. Jim Rohrs handled lighting. Suzanne Savlov served as Script Supervisor during the shoot and is currently editing the film for a premiere expected in January, 2023. Alexandra Scott-Kelly and Lucy Parker provided still photography.

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Club Secretary Joan Carman did a fantastic job as Catering Manager, keeping the cast and crew, numbering up to 20 people, hydrated and fed during intensive days of shooting. Steve Savlov assisted Joan, delivering Jersey Mike sandwiches. One day, Jules and Gila Zalon prepared and brought meal-sized salads. Two additional lunches were made available as gifts to the production — a chicken salad from location hostess Dee Dewey and an enchilada casserole provided by crew member Sibyl Moore. (Many thanks to Dee and Sibyl!) A newcomer to the Video Club, Sibyl came aboard as a Production Assistant but wound up as a Slate Operator and Audio Assistant — demonstrating a healthy appetite for video production.

Several other new crew members were welcomed to the Video Club: Fran Conroy served as head Slate Operator and also handled makeup. As Gaffers and Grips, Crosby Allison and Paul Portch helped keep the set organized. Ron Rolnick served as a Production Assistant and Slate Operator. The film’s author and star, Mary Zolly, handled props. With the exception of Audio Director Joe Selikov, all cast and crew members are Village residents.

BTW, Alexandra Scott-Kelly took photos of all of us, but it looks like we never got a photo of her. Apologies to Alex, our lenswoman extraordinaire.