Credit: Image Ten
Credit: Image Ten
“I love and admire what ‘Night of the Living Dead’ represents for me as a regional filmmaker,” said Catalano, who studied film production at Bowling Green State University. “I love the black and white cinematography, which reminds me of ‘The Twilight Zone.’ The film also has a comedic edge to it as well, which I’ve always appreciated.”
As a budding filmmaker, Catalano admires Romero’s ability to create in a landscape removed from Hollywood or New York City. Most of Romero’s films were shot in Pittsburgh, where he attended Carnegie Mellon University.
Credit: Kevin Winter
Credit: Kevin Winter
“George Romero was in a completely different realm from people from Hollywood or New York City,” Catalano said. “He had a film family that kind of followed him throughout Pittsburgh. He never really broke into the Hollywood system. The majority of his films were produced independently.”
Produced by Erica Bock and written and directed by Catalano, “Sunday Dinner” tells the story of Rob, a young con artist in Ohio, who owes a lot of people a lot of money. He has nowhere else to turn besides his estranged older sister, Betsy. When Rob visits Betsy at her trailer unannounced on a cold night, he is surprised to discover his sister has an important guest for dinner.
Credit: CONTRIBUTED
Credit: CONTRIBUTED
Catalano is confident in his film’s merit but wants to ensure enough financing before moving forward.
“We want this film to be our calling card,” he said. “We’re hopeful this is the film that will allow others to know we are legit filmmakers with artistic merit and with a voice specific to where we’re from and who we are as people. The people I work with in the Dayton and Cincinnati area are really not looking to go out to Hollywood and just be another cog in the machine, so to speak.”
Two months ago, Catalano presented a regional independent film showcase at the Plaza. He hopes to offer more evenings devoted to his craft.
“I think it’s important for me to recognize filmmakers in the area who are legitimate artists and deserve to have their films shown on the big screen and have it respected in that way,” he said. “I want to maintain a certain amount of independence as an artist. I would absolutely love to be able to produce films right here outside of the Hollywood system. I want people to know you just don’t have to be in Hollywood to make films.”
HOW TO GO
What: “Night of the Living Dead”
When: Thursday, May 26 at 6 p.m.
Where: Plaza Theatre, 33 S. Main St., Miamisburg
Cost: $5
Tickets: https://www.myplazatheatre.com
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