Movie Shoot at SSP on Saturday

 

COMMUNITY RALLIES AROUND INDEPENDENT FEATURE  FILM 
Harrisburg,  PA  (July 4,  2004) 
From July  2nd through August 1st a film crew will be in the Central  PA area 
shooting the independent feature film, The  Guatemalan Handshake. Filming 
entirely on location in Steelton,  Middletown, and Dillsburg, the movie is being 
directed by Todd Rohal. As an  award winning writer/director of multiple short 
films, Rohal spent over 2 years  crafting the script for this feature project 
and recruited other industry  professionals to bring the story to life. 
Producer, Marissa Ronca, was raised in  Dillsburg and after reading the script 
decided to bring the production back to  her hometown. With no distribution deal 
or major studio backing, and an  extremely limited budget, they decided to 
reach out to the local community for  support and assistance with the project.   
While they  anticipated some support, they could have never expected the 
incredible amount  of help they received from residents on either side of the 
Susquehanna River.  From meals provided by local restaurants, to beer (donated by 
Yuengling), to an RV, and every kind of  prop and costume you can imagine. A 
local demolition derby champion is even  building a car for the film, which 
will be smashed in a fake derby at Susquehanna Speedway Park (York Haven)  this 
Saturday, July 24th. Everyone from the local police to area theater groups  
have rallied behind the film and it’s independent  spirit. 
And the  community is not only helping out behind the scenes, but also in 
front of the  camera. After multiple casting calls, Rohal cast 10-year-old Katy 
Haywood (Camp  Hill) and adult actors, Ken Byrnes (Hershey) and Kathleen 
Kennedy (Harrisburg)  in the lead roles. Current students from Messiah College and 
recent graduates  from Temple University, Bucknell, and Pittsburgh Filmmakers 
have also come  onboard to gain experience and work with the crew.   
We invite the press to come out to the  set of The Guatemalan Handshake and  
meet the cast and crew on:(date  and time subject to change due to weather 
conditions. Confirm before coming  out) 
Ø      Wednesday, July 28 at Fountainblu Skating Center for a Roller  Skating 
scene  
(Time: 11am  – 3pm) 
Ø      Saturday, July 24 at Susquehanna Speedway Park for Demolition  Derby 
scene  
(Time:  5pm-10pm) 
Or contact us for other  locations, days, and times that will work better for 
you. Interviews with key  cast and crew are welcome. Please contact Marissa 
Ronca in advance to schedule a  time. 
For more information on the film visit:  www.ghandshake.com 
Or  Contact: 
Marissa Ronca,  Producer 
C 202.841.0777 
Marissa@Ronca.tv