FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: May 5, 2012

From:  Project Cornlight

Iowa Press Contact:  Kimberly Busbee, Project Cornlight Iowa Co-Director   bobbusbee@aol.com  515/707-1533www.projectcornlight.org

 Project Cornlight announces Iowa-connected Hollywood character actor Tom Bower cast in THE FARM

 Highly revered Hollywood character actor, Tom Bower will play the role of the ailing grandfather, “Walter”, in the Iowa indie feature film, THE FARM, the first in the Project Cornlight film initiative series founded by native Iowan and Hollywood star Tanna Frederick. THE FARM will be shot in Frederick’s home town area of Mason City, Iowa this summer. THE FARM is about a single mother who returns to her Iowa childhood home when her grandfather becomes ill, and must deal with her abandoned daughter and her past.

Co- Director of Project Cornlight and Producer and Casting Director for THE FARM, Kimberly Busbee, says, “We are so blessed to have Tom Bower come back to Iowa to play this role! He is a true Hollywood legend who is recognized for his exceptional work and who has appeared onscreen with many stars in countless films and television shows. He is best known to audiences as “Marvin the Janitor” in Die Hard 2; the “Drunken Pilot” in Clear and Present Danger; as the FBI Agent who came to Ashley Judd’s aid in High Crimes; as “Cecil Skells” in True Believer and Richard Nixon’s father in Oliver Stone’s Nixon. For the nostalgia buffs, Tom played “Mary Ellen’s” husband, “Dr. Curtis Willard”, in The Waltons; however, he has ventured into new genres namely the cult horror hit, The Hills Have Eyes, playing the gas station attendant, and as the owner of Joe’s Bar, playing “Joe” in the popular SCI-FI series Battlestar Gallactica.  Some of his many other films include: Stars, directed by Derrick Borte;  Land of Tomorrow, directed by Kim Levin; I Melt With You, directed by Mark Pellington, staring Rob Lowe, Thomas Jayne, Jeremy Piven and Carla Cugino;  Low Fidelity, directed by Devon Gummersall, staring Gale Harold, Ed Quinn and Meredith Monroe; Land of the Astronauts, directed by Carl Colpaert, staring David Arquette;   Bad Lieutenant, Port of Call New Orleans, directed by Werner Herzog, staring Nicholas Cage, Eva Mendes and Val Kilmer;  Appaloosa, directed by and starring Ed Harris, with Viggo Mortensen, Jeremy Irons and Renee Zellweger; Gospel Hill, directed by Giancarlo Esposito with Samuel L. Jackson, Danny Glover, Angela Bassett and Julia Stiles ,The Killer Inside Me, directed by Michael Winterbottom, staring Casey Affleck, Kate Hudson, Simon Baker; and Crazy Heart, directed by Scott Cooper, staring Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Colin Farrell and Robert Duval.          

Tanna Frederick, THE FARM’s Executive Producer and leading actress who will play the role of “Kathy”, is thrilled to be coming back to Iowa to shoot this film and work with this stellar cast. Frederick has made her film and theatre acting career in Los Angeles, especially through The Rainbow Film Company’s productions directed by iconic Hollywood director, Henry Jaglom.  She is a multiple award winner and is critically acclaimed for her leading roles in several of Jaglom’s feature films; including her break-through Hollywood Dreams (2006), Irene in Time (2009), Queen of the Lot (2010) starring opposite Noah Wyle (ER), Just 45 Minutes from Broadway, starring opposite Judd Nelson  and The M Word with Michael Imperioli.  Frederick also is the Founder of the Iowa Independent Film Festival and Project Save Our Surf and is an environmentalist who recently returned to Iowa to accept the prestigious Cinecause Award at the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival.

Other Iowa-connected talent in THE FARM who work in LA include Riley Smith (Radio, Motocrossed, 24, Drive, Criminal Minds, The Closer, The Glades), Joel West (The Smokers, Withstand One Night, CSI: Miami, Heroes, Days of Our Lives) and rising young star, Riley Behr (Impulse, Nanuq, I Heart Shakey.)

THE FARM , written by Tanna Frederick’s childhood mentor and Iowan, Richard Schinnow, will be directed by Los Angeles director/filmmaker, Ron Vignone. Vignone’s work as director/writer for his feature, Say I Do, has garnered a large number of awards, including at the 2007 Iowa Independent Film Festival and the 2011Wild Rose Independent Film Festival. He also directed the documentary, The Back Nine, and worked on Henry Jaglom films including Irene in Time, Queen of the Lot, Just 45 Minutes from Broadway and The M Word, and on the Hollywood films, Spider-Man, Hitch, and Bad Santa among many others.

Frederick explains about the Project Cornlight film initiative, “It has been my dream to bring back to my home state the good fortune with which I was blessed, and to create collaborative professional films and stage projects.”  Frederick’s goals forProject Cornlight include building a legacy. “I know the high quality of talent we have right here in Iowa, and wanted to provide the catalyst to create a series of projects to showcase this talent for years to come,” she says.  “I envision Iowa-connected cast, crew and writers joining forces with industry pros from other markets through Project Cornlight; developing films, theater and more to share with the world.”

Project Cornlight Co-Directors Kimberly and John Busbee, both experienced film professionals, also anchor the crew in Iowa for THE FARM as Producer/Casting Director and Locations Manager/Production Supervisor, respectively. Kimberly, owner of AriesWorks Entertainment and Director of the international Wild Rose Independent Film Festival, is well known for the Iowa Casting of The Crazies, for co-writing/casting/producing the paranormal thriller, Haunting Villisca, for casting/producing the acclaimed comedy feature, Molly’s Girl and for casting stage productions in Los Angeles. John, her husband, works in film production, creative development and project management, is a theatre/film /book reviewer, and owns The Culture Buzz, an international arts and culture radio show/website.  In addition to serving as UPM and Locations Manager for Molly’s Girl, John served as the Iowa Locations Manager for The Crazies, and as the locations services provider for a Coca Cola commercial to air during this summer’s Olympics.

For more information on THE FARM, go to   www.projectcornlight.org or contact Kimberly Busbee atbobbusbee@aol.com

 

          END RELEASE

---

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: May5, 2012

From:  Project Cornlight

Iowa Press Contact:  Kimberly Busbee, Project Cornlight Iowa Co-Director   bobbusbee@aol.com  515/707-1533www.projectcornlight.org

 

Project Cornlight announces Iowa native and Hollywood star Joel West cast in THE FARM

 

 Iowa native and Hollywood star, Joel West will play “Junior” in the indie feature film, THE FARM opposite another notable Iowan turned Hollywood star, Tanna Frederick. THE FARM is the first in the Project Cornlight film initiative series founded by Frederick, and will be shot in her home town area of Mason City, Iowa this summer. THE FARM is about a single mother who returns to her Iowa childhood home when her grandfather becomes ill, and must deal with her abandoned daughter and her past.

Co- Director of Project Cornlight and Producer and Casting Director for THE FARM, Kimberly Busbee, says, “We are very excited to have Joel West come back to Iowa to play this role! Joel is very handsome, charismatic and compelling. He has wonderful range and the ability to play a character that is flawed as a human but still completely draws you in. Joel is a terrific actor and a terrific guy.” West, originally from Indianola, Iowa, first became known as a Calvin Klein model and then developed his acting career as well. He has appeared in the films, The Smokers, The Disciple and Withstand One Night, on multiple episodes of Heroes and CSI: Miami and on Days of Our Lives and Star Trek: Enterprise, among many other television series. He also currently appears on Design on a Dime for HGTV.

Tanna Frederick, THE FARM’s Executive Producer and leading actress who will play the role of “Kathy”, is thrilled to be coming back to Iowa to shoot this film and work with this stellar cast. Frederick has made her film and theatre acting career in Los Angeles, especially through The Rainbow Film Company’s productions directed by iconic Hollywood director, Henry Jaglom.  She is a multiple award winner and is critically acclaimed for her leading roles in several of Jaglom’s feature films; including her break-through Hollywood Dreams (2006), Irene in Time (2009), Queen of the Lot (2010) starring opposite Noah Wyle (ER), Just 45 Minutes from Broadway, starring opposite Judd Nelson  and The M Word with Michael Imperioli.  Frederick also is the Founder of the Iowa Independent Film Festival and Project Save Our Surf and is an environmentalist who recently returned to Iowa to accept the prestigious Cinecause Award at the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival.

Other Iowa-connected talent in THE FARM who work in LA include famous character actor Tom Bower (Diehard 2, Crazy Heart, The Hills Have Eyes, Pollock, The Killer Inside Me), Riley Smith (Radio, Motocrossed, 24, Drive, Criminal Minds) and rising young star, Riley Behr (Impulse, Nanuq, I Heart Shakey.)

THE FARM , written by Tanna Frederick’s childhood mentor and Iowan, Richard Schinnow, will be directed by Los Angeles director/filmmaker, Ron Vignone. Vignone’s work as director/writer for his feature, Say I Do, has garnered a large number of awards, including at the 2007 Iowa Independent Film Festival and the 2011Wild Rose Independent Film Festival. He also directed the documentary, The Back Nine, and worked on Henry Jaglom films including Irene in Time, Queen of the Lot, Just 45 Minutes from Broadway and The M Word, and on the Hollywood films, Spider-Man, Hitch, and Bad Santa among many others.

Frederick explains about the Project Cornlight film initiative, “It has been my dream to bring back to my home state the good fortune with which I was blessed, and to create collaborative professional films and stage projects.”  Frederick’s goals forProject Cornlight include building a legacy. “I know the high quality of talent we have right here in Iowa, and wanted to provide the catalyst to create a series of projects to showcase this talent for years to come,” she says.  “I envision Iowa-connected cast, crew and writers joining forces with industry pros from other markets through Project Cornlight; developing films, theater and more to share with the world.”

Project Cornlight Co-Directors Kimberly and John Busbee, both experienced film professionals, also anchor the crew in Iowa for THE FARM as Producer/Casting Director and Locations Manager/Production Supervisor, respectively. Kimberly, owner of AriesWorks Entertainment and Director of the international Wild Rose Independent Film Festival, is well known for the Iowa Casting of The Crazies, for co-writing/casting/producing the paranormal thriller, Haunting Villisca, for casting/producing the acclaimed comedy feature, Molly’s Girl and for casting stage productions in Los Angeles. John, her husband, works in film production, creative development and project management, is a theatre/film /book reviewer, and owns The Culture Buzz, an international arts and culture radio show/website.  In addition to serving as UPM and Locations Manager for Molly’s Girl, John served as the Iowa Locations Manager for The Crazies, and as the locations services provider for a Coca Cola commercial to air during this summer’s Olympics.

For more information on THE FARM, go to   www.projectcornlight.org or contact Kimberly Busbee atbobbusbee@aol.com

 

          END RELEASE

---

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: May 5, 2012

From:  Project Cornlight

Iowa Press Contact:  Kimberly Busbee, Project Cornlight Iowa Co-Director   bobbusbee@aol.com  515/707-1533www.projectcornlight.org 

Project Cornlight announces Iowa native and Hollywood star Riley Smith cast in THE FARM

 

 Iowa native and Hollywood star, Riley Smith will play “Travis” in the indie feature film, THE FARM opposite another notable Iowan turned Hollywood star, Tanna Frederick. THE FARM is the first in the Project Cornlight film initiative series founded by Frederick, and will be shot in her home town area of Mason City, Iowa this summer. THE FARM is about a single mother who returns to her Iowa childhood home when her grandfather becomes ill, and must deal with her abandoned daughter and her past.

Co- Director of Project Cornlight and Producer and Casting Director for THE FARM, Kimberly Busbee, says, “We are very pleased to have Riley Smith in this ensemble! He is another amazing actor from Iowa who has been successfully working for the past several years in Los Angeles.  Riley is handsome, sexy, charming and incredibly talented and versatile as an actor… everything a leading man should be. He even sings! He is perfect for this Project Cornlight film!” Smith, originally from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was discovered several years ago by a talent agent in his hometown mall, which led to his modeling and acting careers. From there, Smith has added numerous impressive credits in film and television, including among others, Radio, Motocrossed, 24, Drive, Joan of Arcadia, The Playboy Club, Criminal Minds, The Glades, Ghost Whisperer, The Closer, Universal Squadrons,  and most recently, his work as “William” in the feature film, Shirin in Love. He also performs with his band, “The Life of Riley”.

Tanna Frederick, THE FARM’s Executive Producer and leading actress who will play the role of “Kathy”, is thrilled to be coming back to Iowa to shoot this film and work with this stellar cast. Frederick has made her film and theatre acting career in Los Angeles, especially through The Rainbow Film Company’s productions directed by iconic Hollywood director, Henry Jaglom.  She is a multiple award winner and is critically acclaimed for her leading roles in several of Jaglom’s feature films; including her break-through Hollywood Dreams (2006), Irene in Time (2009), Queen of the Lot (2010) starring opposite Noah Wyle (ER), Just 45 Minutes from Broadway, starring opposite Judd Nelson  and The M Word with Michael Imperioli.  Frederick also is the Founder of the Iowa Independent Film Festival and Project Save Our Surf and is an environmentalist who recently returned to Iowa to accept the prestigious Cinecause Award at the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival.

Other Iowa-connected talent in THE FARM who work in LA include famous character actor Tom Bower (Diehard 2, Crazy Heart, The Hills Have Eyes, Pollock, The Killer Inside Me), Joel West (former Calvin Klein model and actor in The Smokers, Heroes, CSI: Miami) and rising young star, Riley Behr (Impulse, Nanuq, I Heart Shakey.)

 THE FARM , written by Tanna Frederick’s childhood mentor and Iowan, Richard Schinnow, will be directed by Los Angeles director/filmmaker, Ron Vignone. Vignone’s work as director/writer for his feature, Say I Do, has garnered a large number of awards, including at the 2007 Iowa Independent Film Festival and the 2011Wild Rose Independent Film Festival. He also directed the documentary, The Back Nine, and worked on Henry Jaglom films including Irene in Time, Queen of the Lot, Just 45 Minutes from Broadway and The M Word, and on the Hollywood films, Spider-Man, Hitch, and Bad Santa among many others.

Frederick explains about the Project Cornlight film initiative, “It has been my dream to bring back to my home state the good fortune with which I was blessed, and to create collaborative professional films and stage projects.”  Frederick’s goals forProject Cornlight include building a legacy. “I know the high quality of talent we have right here in Iowa, and wanted to provide the catalyst to create a series of projects to showcase this talent for years to come,” she says.  “I envision Iowa-connected cast, crew and writers joining forces with industry pros from other markets through Project Cornlight; developing films, theater and more to share with the world.”

Project Cornlight Co-Directors Kimberly and John Busbee, both experienced film professionals, also anchor the crew in Iowa for THE FARM as Producer/Casting Director and Locations Manager/Production Supervisor, respectively. Kimberly, owner of AriesWorks Entertainment and Director of the international Wild Rose Independent Film Festival, is well known for the Iowa Casting of The Crazies, for co-writing/casting/producing the paranormal thriller, Haunting Villisca, for casting/producing the acclaimed comedy feature, Molly’s Girl and for casting stage productions in Los Angeles. John, her husband, works in film production, creative development and project management, is a theatre/film /book reviewer, and owns The Culture Buzz, an international arts and culture radio show/website.  In addition to serving as UPM and Locations Manager for Molly’s Girl, John served as the Iowa Locations Manager for The Crazies, and as the locations services provider for a Coca Cola commercial to air during this summer’s Olympics.

For more information on THE FARM, go to   www.projectcornlight.org or contact Kimberly Busbee atbobbusbee@aol.com

 

          END RELEASE