Rancho D'Amour Press Kit

Press Kit

Rancho D'Amour

A Romantic Comedy by Bill Evashwick

USA | 2010 | Digital | Color | 1:27:04

For further information contact:
Frank McEnulty
(310) 230-2300 x 1
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Bill Evashwick
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Movie Synposis

Synposis - 3 Lines

Rancho D'Amour centers on Emily, a timid, aspiring romance novelist who gets rejected for a book deal, catches her fiancé in the arms of another woman and loses her job. Looking for an escape, she heads to the falsely advertised, run down "romantic resort" Rancho D'Amour. An unexpected discovery leads to love in the least likely of places and soon Emily finds that romance lives at the Rancho D'Amour.

Synpopsis - Short (100 words)

Emily Tisdale is having a REALLY bad day. Emily, a timid, aspiring romance novelist has her book rejected, catches her fiance in the arms of another woman and loses her job...all on the same day. Looking for any bright spot in the Universe, she finds a brochure in the elevator for a romantic resort – Rancho D’Amour. Her friend Roxie convinces her to go.When they show up, they find the reality is a far cry from the 'Four Seasons at the Grand Canyon' the brochure was touting. For Emily, at least one promise of the brochure comes true – Romance lives at the Rancho D’Amour.

Snyposis - Long (350 Words)

Emily Tisdale is having a bad day...a REALLY bad day. Emily, a timid, aspiring romance novelist has her book rejected, catches her fiancé in the arms of another woman and loses her job...all on the same day. Looking for any bright spot in the Universe as she leaves the office for the last time, she finds a brochure in the elevator for a romantic resort – Rancho D’Amour.

The brochure for this paradise in Arizona promises world-class luxury, five star dining, European spa and more lavish amenities, along with the chance for Emily to live out her “Wild West” fantasies – riding, roping, and wild, beautiful scenery...and a rugged, handsome cowboy that will make her forget her two-timing ex. Her friend Roxie convinces her to go.

When Emily and Roxie show up, they find the reality is a far cry from the "Four Seasons at the Grand Canyon" the brochure was touting. Things get worse when the only other guests, Denny and Alex, not only work in the same building (and heard about the fiancé discovery/humiliation), but Denny works at the publishing company that rejected Emily’s book. When Denny begins talking about his work as an editor, he mentions a terrible book that he had to read...a romance novel that was one cliché heaped on top of another. Yep. It was Emily’s (she writes under the pen name of Victoria Austin). And so begins a vacation of sniping, one-ups-manship and verbal sparring, with insults batted back and forth like a tennis ball. Just when it seems things can’t get any worse, Emily finds herself trapped in the Grand Canyon Caverns, 220 feet underground, with Denny.

In the caverns they discover the fossil of a 10-foot tall ground sloth, what they think is a vein of pure gold...and true love. For Emily and Denny, at least one promise of the brochure comes true – Romance lives at the Rancho D’Amour.

Statement of the Director - Bill Evashwick

Bill Evashwick When the folks at I Made A Movie told me that Rancho D’Amour was greenlit, I was thrilled with the opportunity -- and the challenges. The challenges were obvious. Filmmakers at every level complain about two constraints: not enough money and not enough time. Certainly Rancho shaped up as fitting right in. With one month from greenlight to the start of filming, our schedule was tight. And money...well, they’re called micro-films because of the budget, not because we use tiny film.

There were more challenges – it’s one thing to shoot a low-budget horror movie where hand-held low-quality cameras and poor lighting can actually work with the story. But Rancho D’Amour is a romantic comedy. It had to be light and bright, with graceful, flowing camera moves. Not easy to do on a micro-film. But low-budget often means high creativity.

This is where the opportunities came into play. Film is a collaborative medium, and a low-budget movie where everyone gets an opportunity to pitch in, share ideas, and do anything that needs to be done, builds a camaraderie that is unique. It was great fun to see our lead actress holding the slate for the camera crew and shouting, “Scene 49 Apple. Take One!”, then watching our makeup artist and costumer walk through the frame as background actors.

I Made A Movie fostered this creative and collaborative spirit from the top down. As someone who has been doing this for over twenty years, that was refreshing. It was also very gratifying to see people get their first shot at working on a feature film.

The truly distinctive aspect to working with IMAM was that the joy of making the movie extended to the members of the imadeamovie.com online community. From casting choices to behind the scenes video to daily blogs by the cast and crew, we were in contact with the IMAM community. Their feedback was helpful and on target. We even got our cast through auditions on the website.

At a time when major Hollywood studios depend more and more on 3D Summer blockbusters, everyone is looking for the new paradigm in moviemaking. I Made A Movie is leading the way, producing high quality films that are made with far more passion than money, movies that the audience not only enjoys watching, but being part of. How great is it that someone can pop in a DVD and turn to their wife or husband or friend and say, “Hey, I made a movie.”

Cast & Crew Bios

leah-headshot

Leah Kercheville, "Emily"
Actress
Leah was born and raised in California. Interested in the craft of acting she began performing in school plays while in junior high and continued on in high school. In 2006 she attended Circle in the Square’s acting program in NYC. She stayed in New York after graduating the 2 year program to hone her stage craft and booked roles in several productions including “tweaked”, “The Seagull, and “Thieves Carnival”. Ready to take the stage to the screen Leah moved to LA at the beginning of 2010 and immediately began going out on auditions. She booked her first gig with a role on Bob Harper’s Yoga for the Warrior and has been working ever since. Passionate about her acting, Leah is always looking for intriguing roles and loves the challenge of stepping into the skin of a new character. Leah is also a certified yoga instructor and believes it’s an integral part of her wellbeing.

Marc Bianchi, "Carter"

Actor
Marc Bianchi was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. He studied theater and film at Ithaca College in New York where he graduated with a degree in filmmaking. Since acting for television and film have always been his passion, he moved to Los Angeles after graduation, where he is currently working as an actor.

Katie Keene , "Roxie"
Actress
Katie Keene is an actress from Marion, Kentucky with a bachelor’s degree in theatre from the University of Kentucky. She has starred in various plays around the Mid-West. Some of Katie’s favorites include Tecumeseh! The Ultimate Outdoor Drama, The Lonesome West, The Tempest, As Bees in Honey Drown, After Miss Julie and Summertime. Katie recently played the lead role in the feature film Sandbar opposite Rick Rossovich, and the lead in the feature Nobody in Particular filmed in Lexington, Kentucky. She is now working as a film actress in Los Angeles, California.

sam_headshot Sam Rhodes, "Pete"
Actor
Sam Rhodes is an actor, juggler, comic writer/artist, and filmmaker. In addition to television, internet and theatrical work around L.A., he also enjoys occasionally performing improv at iOWest with his teams "Toast" and "Teflon." Past credits include Wonder of the World (CA Institute of the Arts), Zoo Story and Marat-Sade (Pittsburgh Playhouse), Servant of Two Masters (Pittsburgh Public Theater), The Big Secret of Hidden Pines (Harmony Gold Productions), Circus Welt (Whitefire Theatre) and The Sisters Rosenzweig(Jewish Theater of Pittsburgh). Sam is the Creative Director and Co-Founder of Fanboy Comics, for which he is writing, drawing and producing several web comics. He also wrote and starred in the short film "Something Animal" and co-wrote the graphic novel of the same name.

Kirt Kingzett, "Chad"
Actor/TV Host
Kirt Kingzett is a man of many passions. From his love of the natural places on the Earth to real estate design, construction and finance to world travel, performing, diving, cycling and running marathons, Kirt follows his passions, and it is amazing how often they seem to coincide. Past work include Lead roles for the films "Almost Hollywood", "Criminal Intent", "Kevin", and "Less Than Zero." In addition, Kirt works regularly as a commercial voice artist, and has appeared on camera in everything from the daytime drama "Passions" to the host of iNHD's popular series "Beer Nutz."

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Jacqui Holland, "Elena"
Actress
Jacqui has acted in several sitcoms including "Quintuplets", "Stacked", and "How I Met Your Mother". She recently booked a recurring role on Comedy Central's new improv show, "Let It Ride". She has also appeared in numerous independent films, and had a scene opposite Kate Hudson in "My Best Friend's Girl".

Character List

LEAD ROLES:

EMILY TISDALE
An aspiring novelist who writes about romance and adventure, but has never come close to experiencing either in her sensible, somewhat sheltered life. This all changes on the worst day of her life...she gets fired from her job, catches her boyfriend cheating on her, and has her book rejected – with some very snarky comments. She decides to change her life and adopts the persona of the heroine of her books, Victoria Powers, the mysterious, romantic adventurer.

CARTER BOSWELL
Carter is an editor for a publishing house, and has a love for literature and writing (it’s where his well-hidden romantic side comes out). He seems a bit cynical since “Romantic Fiction” has been added to his duties, but it’s all a cover.

ROXIE BLAINE
Roxie is much more savvy about the ways of the world than Emily. She enjoys playing up the “wild child” side of herself to tease Emily. While she is definitely a risk-taker, she is smart, grounded, and knows how to get what she wants.

PETE THOMAS
Pete is an entrepreneurial spirit who is always pitching “the next big thing.” Each idea, no matter how crazy is “the best idea I’ve ever had” and sure to make everyone involved a zillion dollars. He’s passionate, funny, and definitely marches to the beat of his own drummer.

SUPPORTING ROLES:

CHAD
Chad is Emily’s fiancé...but only she knows that. His name should really be Slick Rick. He’s using Emily to move up the corporate ladder. He’s good looking, charming, and has absolutely no conscience. He takes money from Emily for his date with Lorena, the office bombshell.

LORENA
Lorena is very attractive...VERY. She drives men wild. But don’t hate her because she’s beautiful. Lorena is really very sweet, but rarely gets a chance to show it...to other women. Because men – like Chad – are after her constantly.

WIMBISH
He’s the officious manager of the office, Keeper of all HR Rules and Protocol. He has a little power and really enjoys using it. Especially on meek little Emily Tisdale.