It was a real thrill to see the germ of an idea - that kids and seniors would bond while working together on a movie - actually happen! Over the course of 3 years of proposal writing, workshops, rehearsals discussions, shooting and editing, many ideas came up about aging, community and filmmaking. Below are some of them.

Jack Shafran (Old Harry) - Age 77 It reminds me of the fact that black people and white people don't mix. Why don't they? Why don't they get along better? They don't know each other. And this is one way of getting to know each other, by doing all these things together. Catie Rowley (Marcelan the 2000 year old Witch) - Age 12 They weren't as creepy and old as I thought they'd be. They were nice. It was fun to make friends with the seniors and talk to them. I really enjoyed working with Mildred. She was cheerful and friendly. It was really fun to talk and work with her. It was really uplifting to see her on those hot hot days. She just kept on going when I thought I was going to pass out. Peter Rhodes (Producer/Director) - Age 44 Our very first workshop with the seniors was an eye-opener for me. I discovered that seniors are worldly people who may be frail physically but psychologically can be just as open to new ideas and a good rowdy joke as anyone. At that point I knew we didn't have to make serious, sensitive film - we could make a wacky comedy and the seniors would have a great time doing it. Boyd Estus (Director of Photography) - Age undisclosed I was quite amazed at the endurance of the seniors which in many cases was greater than the kids. I think the pairing of the old/young worked very well. Sam Zimman (Jake) - Age 13 What surprised me about working with the seniors was how much energy they had and how much passion they had for working on this movie. It's like you would walk onto the set and they would be so happy and ready to go. Rachel Sandalow-Ash (Young Patty) - Age 9 It was interesting seeing how me and Evelyn (the lady that I turn into) had to relate to each other. It was interesting seeing how a kid acts as an old lady. What I enjoyed the most was I think knowing that I'm in something and having that feeling that I'm famous even though I'm not.... really. Guy Holt (Gaffer and father of Circus Performers) - Age 42 My kids' perception of seniors was always their grandparent who was much more sedate and to see these seniors dancing the Charleston along side the kids and having fun I think was an eye opening experience for them. Leah Gellineau (Young Pia) - Age 9 I thought me and Jean, she was the senior I turned into, got really close. I went over to her house a couple of times, and I just think she's amazing - she's so much fun to be with and we got a really good connection going. And I think that's really cool. I didn't think that most seniors would be so energetic. The funnest thing about working on this project was working with so many people that you never knew and making so many new friends. Morey Perlmutter (Old Rudy) - Age 74 I think a movie like this is important because it promotes a better relationship between children and adults and helps us to understand each other more and be more tolerant and to be respectful of each other . I think the kids learned that too. They learned that we are not ogres and we're not old fogeys, (well some of us may be but I'm not for sure). I loved it. I haven't had this much fun since I was drafted. These kids are just so damn smart, There's no difference anymore in the ages. In the film we were going back and forth, and we found that in working together with them for so long, that this was really turning out that way. Marcy Goldberg (Writer/Co-Director and Nurse Missy) - Age 29 At first I wondered how comfortable the seniors would feel in the comedic roles that I created, but they were all so fun and open to being silly, wearing costumes (even if they were blue pajamas with baby ducks!) some of them wrote their own funny lines. Working with the kids and seniors in the workshops and also on screen showed that age really doesn't matter when it comes to being able to work together and have fun. I laughed so hard with the seniors and kids, and especially at myself. I think everyone did. I feel like I have 20 more grandparents now. And about 60 babysitting jobs offers. Claire Weston (Evie) - A "young senior" I never feel old, I just keep on going. As you go along you start being more ctreative and keeping yourself busy all the time. Mixing in with all age people is a big help also. I knew I was talented but taking these classes with Peter and teaching us how to do more I think I've gained more experienced in life too. I've learned how to work with people. Mildred Adelson (Rose) - Age 86 The first time I felt elderly was when I moved into elderly housing. Celia Goldberg (April) - Age 91 In my script I say "it helps me stay young" - and it does, being with children does help me stay young Camille McGregor (Wardrobe and Make-up) - Age 25 I loved being with the crew - they all put so much effort into what they did, making great props and costumes and doing extravagant make-up. It was beautiful to see and it was a lot of fun. I got to go to a lot of senior citizens home and talk with parents all the time. It was great . A lot of the seniors and kids really started developing a bond, and they really felt like they had a big part to play and though it was new for everybody they all had a lot of fun. It was pretty beautiful I would say. Evan Sternstein (Young Blind Extra) - Age 8 It was fun because I met a lot of new people and I'm good friends with a lot of them now. Ilana Chason-Sokol (Young Extra) - Age 11 You see them walking with canes but a lot of them like just bounced around sometimes. They were so lively ... I felt like they were jumping off the walls just as we were because they were so excited. I have grandparents but I had never really spent time with other seniors. It was really nice to work with the senior who I was supposed to have been changed into because she was really nice. Also just working with everyone it was really nice and seeing how everyone acted and everything. Arlene Perlmutter (Sylvie) - Age 70 Well it was just about one of the best experiences of my life. It was wonderful working with Peter & Marcy - it was wonderful doing the acting lessons, it was a great pleasure working with all of the kids and all of the other seniors, and getting to know so many good people. We became one big happy family by the end of the filming. I was surprised at how delightful it was to work with the children. The children had so much energy, it was a pleasure to see the kids rolling around and running around. I'd like to start all over again right now. I miss it terribly. We used to rehearse on Saturdays, and I had withdrawal pains for a long time. I miss it. THOUGHTS ON MOVIE MAKING Charles Jenness (Biff the Bully) - Age 12 There were long hours & it was very hot. Sun directly in your eye and then the spot lights were on you! That was difficult. Hannah Shapiro (Weird Sister) - Age 11 I liked seeing the props, it looked really fun. I liked the window behind me, it was decorated with flowers and stuff. I didn't like how they never could get the sun right so we had to keep moving and doing it again and again. Sam Zimman (Jake) - Age 13 The worst part about working on the movie was having to do everything 1000 times but I'd be in a movie again any day. The positives far outweighed the negatives. Morey Perlmutter (Old Rudy) - Age 74 The toughest part was getting to rehearsal and finding a place to park. Mildred Adelson (Rose) - Age 86 It's much more hard work than a play - A play is much easier to produce. After the heat of the summer, I don't think I'd do it again. But I thank everyone for their patience. It's fun now that it is over. Now I know why movie people get so much money. Evan Sternstein (Young Blind Extra)- Age 8 It felt really fun because it was the first movie I acted in and now want a career on Broadway. Willa Mayo (Weird Sister) - Age 12 I liked the cool make up and costumes and getting to tell fortunes. Leah Gellineau (Young Pia) - Age 9 It was cool to know what it felt like to be in a movie I had never done it before. The worst thing was the changing the lighting, doing it like 35 times you got tired and my shoes were too small so I kept tripping when I tried to dance Camille McGregor (Wardrobe and Make-up) - Age 25 Some of the shoots were very early and I was exhausetd by end of day. We also had some temper tantrums & thirst issues but everyone stuck with it. Evelyn Golden (Old Patty) - Age 76 Well I thought to myself gee why is it that these stars in Hollywood get a million dollars to be in a movie? Now I know. The work involved in it is tremendous.

© 2003 Community Movies / communitymovies@hotmail.com / Site Design by Gomarmar.com