Nicholas Baronzzi | Actor Highlight | Meet the Cast | Gretchen’s Lock

Next on our Actor Highlight series is Nicholas Baronzzi. As I was writing the script I wanted to have one of those characters who was sarcastic, arrogant, and an interrogator. The character in the Gretchen’s Lock film who has these traits is Jason. There was a lot of interest in playing this role because, let’s face it, everyone wants to get the chance to be a jerk.

Nick_B_0001When Nick auditioned he blew us away! Without any direction or explanation, other than the character description, Nick proudly presented his audition for the role of Jason. When he was finished we looked around at each other and immediately decided that he was perfect for the role. Oddly enough, Nick has a quiet demeanor in real life, but his performance for the outspoken role of Jason was fantastic!

img_01Not only does Nick have natural acting talent he also whipped up a few original tracks that were used in the film. He is an active local music performer, blogger, photographer, and music producer. He owns and operates an independent recording studio, The Underground, in which he records and masters albums for local artists and bands. Here’s the link to his Instagram.

img_02Here are the questions we asked Nick:

MPF: What was your favorite part of filming for Gretchen’s Lock?

Nick: Filming in the muddy Lock at night, breath and drizzle suspended in the eerie reflected light, little spiders everywhere. It was easy to forget I was surrounded by a couple dozen people.

MPF: Did you know anything about the local legends of Gretchen’s Lock before auditioning?

Nick: I think everyone who grew up in the vicinity has this vague consciousness of the legends. I live about 15 miles from the Lock. Whether uttered behind the crackling of a campfire, told in whispers on the playground, or passed down by grandparents, the stories find their way to everyone around here.

MPF: Do you believe in ghosts?

Nick: Our understanding of the universe is so young. Though I don’t put stock in the supernatural, surely the things we can explain are dwarfed by those we can’t. The world is alive with wonder; weird things happen. I’d love to have a supernatural encounter.

MPF: What’s your favorite role you’ve ever played? (Don’t worry; it doesn’t have to be your role in Gretchen’s Lock). 🙂

Nick: Definitely the role of the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz. I showed up in pajamas, threw on a lion suit, then sat and talked while people put make-up on me. On stage, I could ham it up as much as I wanted and still be in character. Caper around in pajamas and make everyone laugh: dream role.

MPF: Which actor(s) inspire you?

Nick: Leonardo DiCaprio. (have you seen The Revenant yet!?) Daniel Day-Lewis is up there, too. #mustachegoals

MPF: What’s your favorite movie of all time?

Nick: 2001: A Space Odyssey, no doubt about it.

MPF: What are a couple of your hobbies?

Nick: Listening to music, making music, and helping other people make music. I’ve converted part of the garage into a private recording studio; I call it “The Underground”. I hope to move to the west coast this fall for music—or whatever else comes my way.

MPF: What made you interested in acting?

Nick: I did lights for shows as an underclassman in high school. It looked like a lot of fun, but I was a quiet kid. As an upperclassman, roles kind of just came to me; I never auditioned. Our drama program was tiny—I think it’s somehow smaller now. But, when no one else could fill the role, I stepped up. And it was even more fun than I’d imagined.

MPF: Favorite color?

Nick: I’m glad you asked. It’s blue. Cobalt blue. Night sky blue. Some teacher once told me that blue is the most popular favorite color and therefore an unoriginal, “conformist’s choice”. She was wrong. Blue is a lifestyle.

MPF: Who is your favorite character in the Gretchen’s Lock film?

Nick: Jacob. I don’t know, there’s just something about him…

MPF: Do you have any advice for aspiring actors?

Nick: Every day, people act to escape from themselves. Professional acting is the exact opposite of that.

Thank you Nick for being a stupendous jerk, haha jk! We’re so glad that you were a part of the film and you did an awesome job!

For more information about the Gretchen’s Lock film & for tickets to the ONLY local showings in Columbiana, go HERE. We’re thrilled to bring you a locally made independent film production featuring local legends and made in Beaver Creek State Park! Thank you for your support in our endeavors & we hope to see you at the Grand Premiere of Gretchen’s Lock on April 23. It’ll be a brazen good time!

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Sarah Hunter | Actor Highlight | Meet the Cast | Gretchen’s Lock

Today we kick off a series that highlights the cast members for the Gretchen’s Lock film. Everyone that we worked with during the making of Gretchen’s Lock were incredibly talented! We asked the cast members some questions about their experience with filming of Gretchen’s Lock as well as previous and future endeavors.

To start the series off we begin with Sarah Hunter. Sarah is a beautiful girl who has a wonderful heart. We first got introduced to Sarah a couple of years ago when we took her senior photos. Right off the bat you could easily tell how selfless and confident she is. She has been in many school plays as well as acting competitions in National American Miss pageants which she has won many times. Sarah recently signed with Pro-Model and Talent Management for local modeling and acting.

Sarah 2015_0040When she auditioned for Gretchen’s Lock she demonstrated a diverse skill set and we knew we had to have her play a role in the film. We selected her to play Gretchen and she did an awesome job and truly captured the essence of what we envisioned for the role.

Gretchen_0001

Here are the questions we asked Sarah:

MPF: What was your favorite part of filming for Gretchen’s Lock?

Sarah: I would have to say that my most favorite part of filming Gretchen’s Lock would be when I went into hair and makeup and was turned into a 12 year old little girl who got malaria. It was super fun and scary all at the same time! I even scared myself a few times looking in the mirror and seeing myself in some replays of scenes!

MPF: Did you know anything about the local legends of Gretchen’s Lock before auditioning?

Sarah: I did happen to hear some local stories and tall tales of the legend of Gretchen’s Lock every once in a while. I live around the area where Beaver Creek is located so I’ve visited the Lock a few times before filming. Beaver Creek is beautiful!

MPF: Do you believe in ghosts?

Sarah: I most certainly believe that there are some sort of “ghostly” spirits that still remain. I’ve always believed that there was some type of spirits around. But not sure if I would classify them as “ghosts”.

MPF: What’s your favorite role you’ve ever played? (Don’t worry; it doesn’t have to be your role in Gretchen’s Lock). 🙂

Sarah: Well, my most favorite role I’ve ever played would have to be when I was on the speech and debate team in high school I had the opportunity to play the role as Shrek! It was super fun and exciting to play. Getting to use that raw accent and those Ogre mannerisms was an absolute blast!

MPF: Which actor(s) inspire you?

Sarah: Oh by far Melissa McCarthy is my role model!!! She is my most favorite actress ever! She is so not afraid of being who she is and feeling comfortable in her own beautiful skin. To me, that’s inspiring enough. Her talent is by far the best in my opinion!

MPF: What’s your favorite movie of all time?

Sarah: My all time favorite movie would have to be The Great Gatsby. It’s so classy and I love movies where the time period is based in the early 1900’s. They fascinate me. And I mean come on… Leonardo DiCaprio is a genius actor and super good looking! He finally received an Oscar! ? It was well deserved!

MPF: What are a couple of your hobbies?

Sarah: A few of my hobbies would include helping my boyfriend Zak work on and restore his three wheelers, being a member of the Columbiana County 4-H group Farmer’s Pride, and raising my farm animals for the Columbiana County fair. I’m also recently signed with Pro Model and Talent Management for local commercials and still advertising.

MPF: What made you interested in acting?

Sarah: The first time I realized I wanted to be an actress was during my freshman year of high school. I made the speech and debate team and was so thrilled I was finally able to express my love for acting and share my stories and talent with other kids my age and the judges! At that point, my acting skills began to get better and better as the years went on and before I knew it I was one of the top competitors in the state for my category. It was amazing. That feeling of being better than you could ever imagine at something you love to do is the best feeling in the world! I then decided that acting was definitely something I wanted to keep doing after graduation.

MPF: Favorite color?

Sarah: My all time favorite color would have to be PINK!! Pink can be such a fun and bright color or it can also be very sweet and subtle. That is why I love pink!!!

MPF: Who is your favorite character in the Gretchen’s Lock film?

Sarah: My favorite character in the Gretchen’s Lock film would have to be Esther Hale!! She [Emily Geary] looked so beautiful and dead! She played the role perfectly!!

MPF: Do you have any advice for aspiring actors?

Sarah: My number one rule of advice for aspiring actors and actresses would be to seriously just be yourself and don’t let the fear of not being good enough get in the way of your dreams. If acting is what you really wish to do, then do it!! You are ALWAYS good enough!

A huge thank you to Sarah for being an amazing ghostly 12-year-old and for being a wonderful human! We’re so glad we’ve gotten to know you, Sarah!

For more information about the Gretchen’s Lock film & for tickets to the ONLY local showings in Columbiana, go HERE. We’re thrilled to bring you a locally made independent film production featuring local legends and made in Beaver Creek State Park! Thank you for your support in our endeavors & we hope to see you at the Grand Premiere of Gretchen’s Lock on April 23. It’ll be a spooky good time!

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