So much news!
Sunday we went to see Universal Signs in the Philadelphia Film Festival. It was a "sneak preview" at the Prince Music Theater.
Wow is all I can say. We had attended a cast and crew screening in December but the whole thing just didn’t sink in during that screening. That first theater had less-than-optimal lighting and it was during the holiday madness, for whatever reason I didn’t feel as if I had actually seen the movie.
Well, say no more because it just sooo blew me away!!
I was a nervous wreck as usual, and my wonderful husband made everything run smoothly like he always does.
There were many members of the Deaf community attending, and lots of cast and crew too. Several of the interpreters who had been present during filming were there.
But it was open to anyone who bought tickets through the film fest. So the general public was in attendance, first time!!! We’ve been anxiously awaiting this for 3 years.
People laughed, cried. The visuals were stunning. Shimmering light and color juxtaposed against stark black and white as the story weaves between Andrew’s dreams and his waking experiences.
I was amazed to see my paintings used in so many ways. In one scene in Andrew’s apartment, I think, the scene was in B&W, but the painting was lit in color in the backround, using the color symbolism that Ann so deftly paints into every scene. Paintings that I’d forgotten I’d loaned during the filming were suddenly on the screen. My easels, my paintbrushes, my palette. The glass vase I put my brushes in! Several unfinished canvases, one that I’ve painted over in the meantime. My sister was sitting next to me and I kept nudging her."There’s my old easel" "there’s my other old easel" "there’s my french easel".. it was so cool 
Thanks to the art director, Hillary Frisch.
And of course the paintings....
Anthony Natale and Sabrina Loyd, the two stars, were present and did a Q&A at the end along with Ann Calamia and Catherine Miller, the Director and Producers. The two stars have a powerful screen presence. The two filmakers have a powerful vision.
I have a special place in my heart for Anthony because Ann and Catherine brought him to my home studio to learn how to paint like a real artist. He is, what we used to call in my youth, a Dreamboat 
But such a fine actor and a sweet person. I am so proud of the way he painted on screen.
They brought me on set as a consultant during the filming of the painting scenes. What a trip that was! So many activities by so many people getting choreographed all over the place. And that was just one days filming. I have no idea how people can have the stamina to do that for days on end. Send me back home to my studio where I belong!
In one scene, Ann took the painting off the easel and filmed Anthony painting from behind the empty easel. It was amazing. She is so creative.
So it was extra wonderful to see Anthony in person again on Sunday. My first and only painting pupil is a movie star LOL!
Many thanks to Frank Davis at Qoro for providing the reproductions for filming.
Gone to glory
Desert Giraffe
Musical Cottages
Flower Girl