Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Coffee, Donuts and YouTube

By Katie Libecco

WARREN – Director Jim Fogarty has released his film "Coffee and Donuts" to the public, via YouTube.

"I just wanted to get it out there and let people enjoy it," said Fogarty, who is creative director of Warren's Two Ticks and The Dog Productions Inc.

The 20-minute film is what Fogarty described as a living testament to his grandparents, who have been married for 60 years. The couple, Jerry and Esther Castellano, appear as the older couple, Eddie and Rosie, in the film.

Although the story is fictitious, Fogarty described the film and its title as "symbolic."

"It's a living testament to my grandparents," he said.

In fact, film footage from the Castellanos’ personal collection has been spliced into the film.

Appearing with the couple are Michael Hanton as Billy and Shannon Bragger as Maggie. Fogarty says he found the actors while they were all working on "Waxing Gibbous," another Two Ticks and The Dog production.

"Coffee and Donuts" took Fogarty nine years to make, but he said it was "fun to make" and described it as "passion project" with personal meaning.

"I graduated college in '98 and wanted to do something immediately to show people, festivals," Fogarty said. "Something like a demo that could show what I can do."

But "Coffee and Donuts," Fogarty said, "was made for my family more than anyone else."

When production began, Fogarty played the young male in the film, while his girlfriend played Maggie. Then "Waxing Gibbous" went into production and "Coffee and Donuts" got shelved.

A break-up and hard drive failure later, Fogarty started production on "Coffee and Donuts" all over again.

The film premiered at the Warren Community Amphitheater in July 2007, where Fogarty estimated about 900 were in attendance.

What's up next? Fogarty said a film called "East Side Irish" has been in production for "quite a long time." Warren native and established actor Austin Pendleton has agreed to appear in the film, Fogarty said.