Jay Hopkins Moves Up to Producer; Premieres June 2014 at NYCIFF
The executive producers of “Ron and Laura Take Back America” announce today that Tony Award-winning producer Sue Vaccaro (“Clybourne Park”) has signed on as a Producer. In addition, Jay Hopkins (“A School of Their Own”) moves from Associate Producer to Producer. The film stars Mel England (“Little Big Top”), Janice Markham (“Press for Democracy”), Golden Globe® Best Actress Nominee Irene Bedard (“Into the West”), Jim J. Bullock (“Hollywood Squares”), and features a celebrity cameo by Academy Award® Best Actress Nominee Sally Kirkland.
“Ron and Laura Take Back America” is a mockumentary satire about a suburban couple who decide to take their country back from Obamacare, Gay Marriage, and Hollywood Health Food Nuts! The film will make its US premiere at the New York International Film Festival on June 3, 2014 at 8:00pm.
“I am very proud to be a part of such a funny and engaging film,” says Vaccaro. “I hope that audiences around the country will embrace our little film with a big heart.” As Producer, Sue helped raise money for the project’s post-production. In addition, as the film is rolled out in the summer of 2014, she will be instrumental in coordinating its New York premiere and worldwide release. “Sue's experience as a Broadway producer, a Tony winner, is important,” states Markham, also an Executive Producer of the project, “because she brings her New York theatre savvy, as well as independent film experience, to our project.”
“Sue is one of the most effective, positive and smartest people in the business. She builds strong teams around any project she works on,” says England, also an Executive Producer. “We’re thrilled to have her to help guide the rollout.”
Hopkins, in an increased role as Producer, has been working on the project from it’s early post-production stage. “I saw a rough cut and knew it was something I wanted to be involved with. Ron and Laura decide to fight Obamacare and gay marriage — and everything backfires: their son is gay, they lose their health insurance…” says Hopkins. “The film deals with these hot button issues in a clever and hilarious way. Laughter is the best medicine!”
In addition to being the official publicist for the project, Hopkins recently secured a post-production facility for color correction and post supervision. “Jay’s extensive relationships in Hollywood led us to a perfect fit with Digital Jungle,” says Markham. “Jay is a unique talent and resource for independent films at all stages, from production all the way through to film festival promotion.”
About Sue Vaccaro
Sue is a Tony Award Winning Producer of both Broadway shows and films. Sue won the Tony Award as a co-producer of Bruce Norris’s wonderful play “Clybourne Park.” Sue’s other theatrical credits include the critically acclaimed revival of Smokey Joe's Café in London and the upcoming hit musical “Empire” by Caroline Sherman, Robert Hull and creative consultant multiple Tony Award winner Rupert Holmes. Sue started in theater as a producer of Rue McClanahan’s (“Golden Girls”) musical “My First Five Husbands” for Broadway. In film, Sue has worked on Sharon Greytak’s “Archaeology of a Woman,” starring Sally Kirkland and Victoria Clark. Ms. Greytak’s film won the Gold Remi and Gold Cine Awards in 2012. Sue is currently producing a horror film with renowned writer/director Huck Botko, “Diana Truly” a family comedy and a romantic comedy called “Love Anonymous.”
About Jay Hopkins
Jay Hopkins produced his first documentary, “A School of their Own,” which tells the story of education of low caste and tribal children in rural Nepal. The documentary was well received at many film festivals and was picked up for distribution in 2005. He is also credited as a Producer on “Nice Guys” starring Danny Trejo and Andy Dick, distributed by Maple Leaf (Canadian division of Lionsgate). He is also one of the Producers on a romantic comedy, “Love Anonymous.” He has worked in the industry as an entertainment publicist with a client list that has ranged from production companies to post production facilities to authors and costume designers to actors, directors and independent films. He has taught PR courses in Los Angeles on how to promote independent film projects. His experience in publicity, advertising, marketing and post production has given him a wide range of contacts in film festival channels and distribution companies.
About “Ron and Laura Take Back America”
“Ron and Laura Take Back America” is a joint production of Vox Box Entertainment and Magical Iguana Productions, produced, written and directed by it’s co-stars, the comedy team of Mel England and Janice Markham.
Additional Information: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mel-england/ron-and-laura-take-back-america_b_1858489.html
Other links:
website: www.ronandlauratakebackamerica.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ronandlaura
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ronandlaura
New York City International Film Festival: www.nyciff.com
Video Credits
VOX BOX ENTERTAINMENT & MAGICAL IGUANA PRODUCTIONS in association with VACCARO PICTURES
DIRECTED BY MEL ENGLAND & JANICE MARKHAM
WRITTEN BY JANICE MARKHAM & MEL ENGLAND
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS JANICE MARKHAM MEL ENGLAND SUE VACCARO
PRODUCERS GIDEON MARKHAM ANTHONY WANDELL LUCAS KAMP JAY HOPKINS JILL ROTHMAN KASSI CREWS NEAL RUBINSTEIN
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY GIDEON MARKHAM
EDITOR CINDY PARISOTTO
CO-PRODUCERS IRENE BEDARD THOM DENOMME RAY & DIANE MAUTNER LILLY RUBINSTEIN
ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS RACHELLE MASTERS MARC ALAN MINICK CARY HARRISON DAVID URBAN GHEN LARYA & JOY DABBS
Jay Hopkins
The PR Spin
310.975.4162
Contact Jay via email
@ThePRSpin
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