Entertainment – Page 26 – West Boca News

Deadwaiter: A Film Project Based in West Boca

This is a semi-fictional account of a West Boca News interview with Tina Czarnota.
There’s been some buzz about an awakening in South Florida’s sleepy film industry. We learned that part of that rejuvenation was occurring right here in West Boca, a feature PG-13 movie. Deadwaiter is a mystery/comedy adapted from the novel of same title, authored by West Boca resident, Tina Czarnota.
Just off editing a scene filmed at Falco’s Beauty, a salon in Sandalfoot Plaza, I caught up with Ms. Czarnota and grilled her about this mystery/comedy movie caper.
West Boca News (WBN) – So tell me, Tina, what, where, why and how did you embark on this fascinating game you’ve set afoot?
Tina Czarnota (T) – I’ll cut to the chase, gumshoe Warren, and lay out just the facts, teased Czarnota. “Like most junior sleuths, I adored Nancy Drew, graduated to Agatha Christie and eventually couldn’t stop the tugging at my creativity hem to pen a mystery of my own.
Combining several life’s loves: bed & breakfast, inns, whodunits and family-friends, I had the basis for my mystery series. In the process, I couldn’t help dreaming of the day I’d see my mysteries up on the big…and small screen. So, I screenplay adapted my two books and film scripted the third in my series.
Then the work began. Copying manuscripts and film scripts, mailing, phoning, agents, production companies…it went on and on until I said, ‘Enough! I’ll make my own movie!’ ”
WBN – It seems a daunting task. How did you even know where to start the process?
T – I’m not a total newbie to the entertainment industry as many years ago, I graduated acting classes, went on auditions and attended industry parties and such so I knew the work I had to do. The cattle calls, go-sees…I even joined West Boca Toastmasters so that I could learn projection, public speaking.

Editor’s Note: There’s a West Boca Toastmasters?
So I knew where to go for talent. Then there are the local film festivals where anyone interested in film can attend and make connections. We are blessed with so many talent agencies, film schools, opportunities in South Florida. I found much of my talent here in Boca. But buyer beware. Research any professionals you may think of working or signing with.
WBN – Are all your roles filled? If so, would we know any of the talent starring in Deadwaiter?
T – Several big names were interested in roles which was flattering. But as Deadwaiter is a low budget production, I was not able to afford the A-listers from across country and abroad but I can hire more local A-listers which is great!
WBN – Can you share a few of them with us?
T – Let’s see…there’s Molly J. who plays cynical but lovable 20-something Kim, Gordon T. who is our crotchety, chauvinistic, Tim Versay, Pearce B. is Mr. Danton, historical museum curator, Richard Sosa, lead detective on the case, Bob Benjamin as cynical Officer Casey who loves to give suspects jazz, Glenda G. is Shirl and Beba F. is Betti.
There are many more in our cast and crew. Too many to note here but if an audience wants to follow our progress, they can find us on Facebook or Twitter under Deadwaiter or Deadwaiter movie. There’s also https://rally.org/f/gGsTppU89yS?new=1 where we post updates, auditions for extras or roles that haven’t been filled, progress reports. We could use cheering on from the community.
W – Exciting film project you’ve got going here, Tina. Any last thoughts you’d like to share with our readers before we wrap our interview?
T – Glad you asked…Yes! Big movie productions have big backers. As this is an independent movie funded by me and via fundraisers, we needed to turn to crowdfunding in order to finance the rest of the movie. But it’s worth every penny as Deadwaiter will be a fun, legitimate mystery that young and old will be able to enjoy. A movie that will leave an audience with that feel-good-feeling that one enjoys knowing they’ve just experienced a movie that had a great hook, a middle that didn’t sag and a satisfying reveal and wrap. And we are trying to do as much of the filming as possible in or near West Boca.
Please visit us at https://rally.org/f/gGsTppU89yS?new=1. A little bit of help will go a long way.
W – Thank you, Tina. It’s been a pleasure. We’ll look for your progress as we endeavor to ‘see you at the movies.’ Best wishes to you and cast and crew of Deadwaiter!”

Boca Museum Summer: Thursdays Free

The Boca Museum of Art is offering free admission on Thursdays this summer, in the months of June, July and August. It’s normally $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, and $5 for students with ID. Kids 12 and under are free year round.

The museum is located on the north end of Mizner Park. It’s open from 10 am to 5 pm on Thursdays. We recommend parking in the garage along Federal Highway near Uncle Julio’s – use the entrance near Ruby Tuesday and Truluck’s (between 5th and 3rd).

High Fidelity by Slow Burn: A Fun Show

Last night we got to see Slow Burn Theatre’s High Fidelity. The performances were strong as they have been in past shows (Parade, Chess and Next to Normal) but this was the first one we’d call fun.

The story is somewhat similar to the movie High Fidelity, which starred John Cusack, but the musical uses original music instead of classic rock.
The main character, Rob, is having problems with his girlfriend Laura and looks back on his history with previous girlfriends.
Rob and his record store friends often resort to reciting bizarre Top 5 lists as they confront problems.

There are a number of comical moments including when Laura gets into a relationship with an odd character named Ian, a dreamlike sequence where Rob sings with a rock star, and other celebrity references.
We especially enjoyed Bruno Vida is his role as the nerdy Dick, Sandi Stock’s Liz, the intermediary between Rob and Laura, and Noah Levine who nearly stole the show as Ian. Leads Robert Johnston and Nicole Piro played off each other well.

There were around 250 people in the audience, which director Patrick Fitzwater told us was a good number for the summer. While it doesn’t include the rock hits from the movie, we think the show will appeal to baby boomers and Gen Xers as well.
There is a lot of coarse language and some sexually suggestive scenes so parents should be careful before bringing kids.
High Fidelity runs through June 29th in the performing arts theater at West Boca High. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm. Buy tickets on the Slow Burn Theatre website.

West Boca Weekend Roundup: June 12-15

Great American Music: Broadway Musicals, June 13 at 2 p.m. at the Glades Public Library. Professor Bill Messenger lectures on American music at The Peabody Institute of the John Hopkins University. This week the focus is on Jazz and Irving Berlin.
Mark Twain: Behind the Man in the White Suit, June 13 at 2 p.m. at the West Boca Public Library. Lecture by Dr. Matt Klauza, Professor at Palm Beach State College.

Father’s Day Story Time, June 14 at 10:30 a.m. at the West Boca Public Library. Ages 3 and up bring your Dad for a fun time of stories, games and a craft. Preregister at 470-1600.
Fizz, Bang, Ring!, June 14th at 11 a.m. at the Glades Public Library. Music and science collide in this interactive performance of the Clarion Handbell Ensemble. All ages welcome. Please preregister at 482-4554.
Father-Child Clay N’ Cookies, June 14 at 2:30 p.m. at the West Boca Public Library. Grades 3-5. Celebrate Father’s Day. Preregister.

High Fidelity, June 13 and 14th at 8 p.m. and June 15 at 2 p.m. at the West Boca High School, See our previous story.
Solid Brass, June 13th at 8 p.m. at the Delray Marketplace. Enjoy a free concert with the sounds of R&B from the 60s-80s.
Annie, June 14 at 7 p.m. at SOL Children Theatre. See our previous story.
Aloha Saturday, June 14th from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Shops at Boca Center. Enjoy hula, conch shell ceremony and lighting of the torches followed by a Polynesian Paradise Stage and Fire Show. Free.

FAU Summer Concert Band, June 15th at 7 p.m. at Mizner Park Amphitheater. Celebrate Father’s Day with an Old Time Concert. Free music and parking. Blankets and chairs are allowed.

Two Theatre Productions

We previously reported on Slow Burn Theatre’s High Fidelity, which starts Friday evening at the theater in West Boca High (Glades about 3 miles west of 441).
We also learned that The Life is being performed at Delray Square Performing Arts Theatre. Preview performances have already been done and the regular run starts tonight.
Tickets are $37.50 for The Life and the shows are held at 4809 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, FL 33445. It’s on the south side of Atlantic just east of Military Trail.
Showtimes are Wednesday through Saturday 8 pm. Saturdays and Sundays also have 2 pm matinees (same price). There are 215 seats in the theater and some nights are close to selling out.