Finding Yianni

I’ve travelled through various cities to find my sailor. From Athens to Crete then Vancouver and LA but success came in Toronto. Technically it would have happened in New York but a very accommodating and talented actor came to see me here instead... and our Yianni was finally discovered. 

And this is how it all began. He arrived at Pearson International airport with his cowboy hat. He was incredibly handsome but at first appeared a bit shy. As he got in the car and started conversing I knew he had the personality I was looking for to be a part of an incredible cast already assembled. I already knew he was a great actor but was he the right man to play Yianni the sailor? 

I wanted Yianni to look in his mid to late thirties, handsome and very sexy. It is important to me that Yianni is not a playboy instead he’s intelligent with a past often in deep thought like a philosopher but incredibly charming.  

The auditions took place a few hours after I dropped him to his hotel. He entered the room and as he began his audition we knew then he was our Yianni. There was no question in my mind that we had found our sailor. 

It is these moments, part of the process of filmmaking that I enjoy the most because you see your vision becoming a reality. This guy delivered his lines authentically, with the right amount of charm and when he sang the goosebumps were visibly present. Chemistry was high. Wow! 

Constantine Maroulis will play the Greek sailor and we’re excited because we know that this 2x Tony nominated actor will win the hearts of audiences all over the world with his authentic self. 

I write these blogs  to keep the already passionate fans abreast of what’s happening and for aspiring independent filmmakers to see the amount of work it takes to go through the art of making a movie with a small budget but with people who have true passion, dedication and perseverance. This has not been an easy road but it is the difficulties along the way that have made us stronger demanding more of ourselves and others in order to make the vision a reality. 

Like I told Constantine that night ... we’ve seen many talented and well known actors but he had that “it” factor that I hadn’t seen before. 

Welcome Constantine we look forward to have you be a part of our adventure. 

We found our Eve!

Melissanthi Mahut, Greek Canadian actress, will play the starring role of Eve, the Hollywood star that after her father’s death takes on a journey to search for her roots and family home in the beautiful island of Crete!

Melissanthi, known for playing Kassandra in ASSASSIN’S CREED and receiving a nomination for BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN CHARACTER in D.I.C.E awards that took place in Las Vegas this month has joined our Red Door and Lemon Tree Family!

Melissanthi’s other work include playing Tina, in IN TRANSIT, Pavlina in I GEFSI TIS AGAPIS and also known for playing in the film WORLD’S APART with J.K. Simmons and the film Notias directed by Tassos Boulmetis. 

My journey with Melissanthi has been incredible and I’m delighted to have her join our cast. I first met her in Athens in 2017 and I knew then that she had to be in my film. It was, of course, her audition late last year in Toronto, after a day’s work on Assassins Creed, that she blew us away with her authenticity and superb acting skills. She’s a brilliant actress and she will shine in this role!

Melissanthi, we welcome you and look forward to having you be a part of our journey!

I never forget!

I first met Simon Reynolds in 1988, on the set of Friday the 13th:The Series. He was already an established actor, playing Murray Amherst on the tv series Check It Out (1985-87) as well as having guest appearances on the popular 80’s hit show Night Heat and many others.

I was just an extra starting out in the tv/film industry, and doing background work and being on set with all the action was exciting. As time passed, I saw a lot of background people get called while others were waiting around reading a book and seemed to be just as happy to be called or not since they were getting paid regardless. I decided to see if I could create my own destiny and with permission I decided to walk around.

Filming was taking place at De La Salle College, a popular Catholic high school. As I walked around I noticed the director getting ready to film behind the school. I heard him instruct a few extras that were around to cry. “I need students crying ... someone just died.” I seized the opportunity. I jumped in and started bawling. The director pointed at me and two guys. “You, you and you “. I was in heaven! That’s when I met Simon. My very first scene was to cry while the two students consoled me and I had to walk right by Simon. It took only a few takes to my dismay (I was having too much fun and was hoping for more time doing what I love) and I remember the then 19 year old Simon who introduced himself right away was kind, friendly and very intelligent.

I was lucky enough to be asked to come back the rest of the week. I ended up doing a lot more scenes, from being in a prom dance, to watching a student plunge to his death from the school’s roof top while I, in the freezing cold, wearing only a dress, had to react to the fall.

The week was so much fun for many reasons. I got to reaffirm to myself how much I loved the tv/film industry and the people in it but most importantly I met this talented young actor that took time to sit with me and the other extras and even agreed to do an interview for my High School paper.

Weeks later he kept that promise and came for the interview.

Although we both became busy with our own lives and careers, I never forgot the wonderful and talented person that he is.

When I wrote the Farook character, a playful and interesting hotel guest, I came to realize how deep and complex this character was and I would have to get an actor of sufficient calibre, just like I did with John O’Hurley playing the director.

Having followed Simon’s career and never forgetting the kindness he showed that very first day on the set and the days that followed, I decided to give him a shout all the way to India where he currently resides and see if he would be interested.

He not only blew me away with how well he interpreted the script but his audition was one of my favourites exceeding all expectations. He even learned how to speak Finnish, committing to the character fully and passionately.

It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you the very talented and memorable Simon Reynolds in the role of Farook.