Post by jag11 on Sept 7, 2007 7:34:29 GMT -5
September 4, 2007 CBS Soaps In Depth
In Moondance Alexander, filmmaker Michael Damian (ex-Danny) takes families for an entertaining ride.
Already a star of music, television, and Broadway fan favorite Michael Damian (ex-Danny, Y&R) had additional creative vision to impart. Together with his wife and partner, Janeen, he's now writing, directing and producing movies. "We're really passionate about what we're doing," Damian enthuses.
Having achieved critical acclaim with last year's release, Hot Tamale (starring Jason Priestly and Carmen Electra), the talented duo pulled off the amazing feat of premiering a second film, Moondance Alexander, at the prestigious Newport Beach Film Festival exactly one year later. "It's inspired by Janeen's story of when she was a teenager living in Mississippi," Damian offers of the award-winning film that's coming to theaters nationwide in September.
Coming Soon!
The inspiring movie features a young misfit (SUMMERLAND's Kay Panabaker) who finds a lost pinto pony and convinces a down-and-out trainer (Don Johnson) to turn her and the unlikely horse into a successful hunter/jumper team. "It's a story of courage, hope, faith, and family," Damian offers of the film that also stars Lori Loughlin (Jody, THE EDGE OF NIGHT) and Janeen's father, James Best (THE DUKES OF HAZZARD). Additionally, Moondance Alexander is the feature film debut of Olympic skating sensation Sasha Cohen. "She plays this character who's sort of a diva: She's a champion equestrian, the most popular girl at school... everything that Moondance isn't," Damian notes. "Of course, she's a sweetheart in real life, and she did a fabulous job!"
Currently, Damian is in production on their next project, Christmas At Castleberry Hall. "It's a holiday drama set in the English countryside," he hints of the family film that will enjoy a theatrical release in 2008. Next up? They'll start work on a romantic comedy called The Art Of Love. "What's so great about being a writer and a director is that when I'm writing, I'm visualizing how to put it on the screen and fantasizing about the people I'd like to play the characters," Damian confides. "It's really wonderful when you get to see it as a complete film." More importantly, he explains, is that combining his and Janeen's talents to make it happen is really fun. "She sits on the computer and I'm chasing around the room while we're doing dialog back and forth," he reveals, grinning. "The writing process is very exciting."
You Can Go Back
While filmmaking is a seven-day-a-week commitment, Damian hasn't given up the idea of revisiting his Y&R character sometime. "It sounds like [Danny's son] Daniel needs help, and I'm sure the fans are wondering how a father could be so irresponsible," Damian observes. "We'll definitely need to talk about it!"
Galloping Ahead
by Kelli M. Larson
In Moondance Alexander, filmmaker Michael Damian (ex-Danny) takes families for an entertaining ride.
Already a star of music, television, and Broadway fan favorite Michael Damian (ex-Danny, Y&R) had additional creative vision to impart. Together with his wife and partner, Janeen, he's now writing, directing and producing movies. "We're really passionate about what we're doing," Damian enthuses.
Having achieved critical acclaim with last year's release, Hot Tamale (starring Jason Priestly and Carmen Electra), the talented duo pulled off the amazing feat of premiering a second film, Moondance Alexander, at the prestigious Newport Beach Film Festival exactly one year later. "It's inspired by Janeen's story of when she was a teenager living in Mississippi," Damian offers of the award-winning film that's coming to theaters nationwide in September.
Coming Soon!
The inspiring movie features a young misfit (SUMMERLAND's Kay Panabaker) who finds a lost pinto pony and convinces a down-and-out trainer (Don Johnson) to turn her and the unlikely horse into a successful hunter/jumper team. "It's a story of courage, hope, faith, and family," Damian offers of the film that also stars Lori Loughlin (Jody, THE EDGE OF NIGHT) and Janeen's father, James Best (THE DUKES OF HAZZARD). Additionally, Moondance Alexander is the feature film debut of Olympic skating sensation Sasha Cohen. "She plays this character who's sort of a diva: She's a champion equestrian, the most popular girl at school... everything that Moondance isn't," Damian notes. "Of course, she's a sweetheart in real life, and she did a fabulous job!"
Currently, Damian is in production on their next project, Christmas At Castleberry Hall. "It's a holiday drama set in the English countryside," he hints of the family film that will enjoy a theatrical release in 2008. Next up? They'll start work on a romantic comedy called The Art Of Love. "What's so great about being a writer and a director is that when I'm writing, I'm visualizing how to put it on the screen and fantasizing about the people I'd like to play the characters," Damian confides. "It's really wonderful when you get to see it as a complete film." More importantly, he explains, is that combining his and Janeen's talents to make it happen is really fun. "She sits on the computer and I'm chasing around the room while we're doing dialog back and forth," he reveals, grinning. "The writing process is very exciting."
You Can Go Back
While filmmaking is a seven-day-a-week commitment, Damian hasn't given up the idea of revisiting his Y&R character sometime. "It sounds like [Danny's son] Daniel needs help, and I'm sure the fans are wondering how a father could be so irresponsible," Damian observes. "We'll definitely need to talk about it!"