Squirrel Hill seniors are extras in bingo scene for longer version of film 'Thanks To Her'
A flyer was posted at Weinberg Village and The New Riverview Apartments — both housing seniors — in Squirrel Hill.
Extras were needed for a bingo scene for a longer version of “Thanks To Her,” first released in March as a short film.
It’s the story of a pair of high school girls who get in a fight and, in lieu of suspension, are punished with a month of community service at an old folks home. The girls meet two elderly women residents, Jade and Pepper, who offer insight and experience.
With more than $36,000 raised through a Kickstarter campaign, a longer version is being made. They are continuing to raise funds through Steeltown, a company that supports films and media arts.
“We are so happy to be part of this movie,” said Spencer Weinstein, 73, of The New Riverview Apartments, where he is president of the men’s club and vice president of the residents’ association.
His friend Priscilla Burgess, 86, who is president of the ladies’ club, told him about it. She said, “Let’s do this.”
So they did.
The scene was set inside the former Charles Morris Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center in Squirrel Hill. The Jewish Association on Aging ran the nursing home until it closed in January and currently runs Weinberg Village and The New Riverview Apartments.
“A movie scene and bingo?” said Annalee Firman, 86, of The New Riverview. “I definitely wanted to be part of this. It was something new and different. At our age, it’s important to stay busy.”
Firman encouraged her friend Fern Schindler, 83, to accompany her.
“This was fun,” said Schindler. “I am glad I did it. I really hope this movie is successful.”
University of Pittsburgh graduate Sam Orlowski of Canonsburg wrote the script. It features Millie Blake, a soccer star, and Andy Wellick, a brainy lesbian.
AJ Molder, a student at New York University and a Winchester Thurston graduate, plays Millie. Andy is played by Pitt graduate Julia de Avilez Rocha.
It is a coming-of-age tale about being comfortable with one’s sexuality. The 23-minute version was released in March.
But there’s more to this tale.
Production took three weeks. The feature film expands even more on the relationship of the young women, according to producer Hayley Ulmer of Millvale.
Viewers also will see more interaction with the nursing home residents.
The goal is to have the film be 80 minutes and ready next summer.
Being part of a multigenerational activity for its residents is something the JAA encourages, said Deborah Winn-Horvitz, president and CEO of the Jewish Association on Aging.
“It was really exciting to have the film crew on our campus with our residents participating as extras,” Winn-Horvitz said. “It seemed appropriate that the bingo game was the final scene they shot because it was like a party. The filmmakers were elated that they were wrapping up after a busy production schedule, and our seniors got to ‘star’ in a real movie, which was a thrill.”
Orlowski co-directed the piece with fellow Pitt graduate Sam McCoy, a Richmond, Va., native who lives in Brooklyn. She is a freelance camera assistant on films. Orlowski wrote the play for a screenwriting class taught by Pittsburgh native Carl Kurlander, known for writing the 1985 film “St. Elmo’s Fire.” He helped acquire a Pitt grant for the short film.
“Their goal was to go back to original independent filmmaking, and using real people is a good way to start,” Kurlander said. “They are using available resources. I helped them put the ball in motion, but they are the ones running with it.”
The movie was posted on YouTube and has over a million views.
Scenes were filmed at Winchester Thurston in Shadyside and houses around the city.
“This cast and crew are all dedicated to making this film successful,” McCoy said. “This is such a creative film, and it’s very beautiful. There is no way we could have done this without the help of the JAA and Winchester Thurston. Pittsburgh in general has been wonderful.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region’s diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of “A Daughter’s Promise.” She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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