Hello all,

Wanted to let everyone know that GRAND AVENUE, our Richard Benjamin directed coming-of-age comedy / drama set in Queens, NY in 1989, has secured 2 of its 3 leads. However our deal at this point is that we cannot announce them publicly. The actress is the lead in a very popular network show and has appeared in major motion pictures. The actor is a triple threat, having appeared on major TV shows, in major movies, and on Broadway.

We have also met with a major distributor who's very interested in viewing footage.

Not posting this to receive congratulations, but doing so on the off-hand chance that there are legit money people coming to the board looking for product. Our production budget is $5.2MM and we'd like to acquire all of that so that we can keep the shoot in NY...

If anyone is serious about investing in the comeback project from a Hollywood icon, please PM me.

Anthony J. Russo

Man, "My Favorite Year" ranks as one of my all time fave comedies!

There's a prodco I've worked with here in town that might fit the bill.
Occasionally they will partially fund projects close to their goals.

This was their latest theatrical project...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1405365/

If an introduction would interest you.
You know how to contact me!

Either way, I'm pulling for ya!

Regards,
Brett

Thanks Brett, sent you the bat signal via FB. Of course anything I can do to return the favor, let me know...

Good to hear things are still moving along on this project. You've worked very hard on it! Hope Brett, and others, can give you a hand with this. Like Brett said, we're all pulling for ya!  

Thanks Pia, and if there's ever anything I can do for your projects please let me know. Money is definitely tight in our budget range, however I've made some pretty good agency contacts, so if you're ever looking for a particular talent let me know and I'll see what I can do....

Hey Anthony

Great to see the "Maspeth" project taking shape. Hopefully you get the financing buddy. I would love to see this film.

Mark

Anthony -

Congrats!  Both for you personally, and for getting something locally done in our neck of the woods...!!

--Janet (Wonka)

Thanks Janet and Mark. And yes Pia, Brett has indeed worked some of his magic. I hope to return the favor to him someday.

He'll be successful with or without my help though because he understands what it takes most writers in this economic environment a long time to come to grips with, and that is that it's as much about marketing nowadays as it is about writing.

The competition for movie $$ is beyond fierce. A writer needs to be ready to answer what sets his or her project apart from the pack.

I can't offer much beyond well wishes, but I sure do wish you and "Grand Avenue" lots of success, Anthony. =)

Nice work, Anthony.

I actually lived in Maspeth from July to October last year, literally a five minute walk from 69th street and Grand.

I'll be keeping an eye out for this one when it hits the shelves.

Or should I say, when it hits the theatre EXCLAMATION MARK

Thanks Sean, and Col that's really cool. If you visit our GRAND AVENUE THE MOVIE Facebook page you'll see that our poster is the building on the corner of 69th and Grand. Those my age remember it as Caruana's Pizza.

It's funny, last time my agent was in town I drove her through the neighborhood so she'd finally know the location. We pulled up to that corner, and she screamed "I know that building, that's the building!" Like she was seeing the Grand Canyon for first time... (0:

Maspeth has a pretty "colorful" history. The shine box scenes from Goodfellas were filmed in a restaurant on Grand Avenue. The Sopranos filmed a car chase with Tony and Phil Leotardo there. Coming To America used the Wendy's on Queens Boulevard just a stone's throw from Grand Avenue. And John Gottio's wake took place on Grand Avenue...

Quoted from ajr Thanks Janet and Mark. And yes Pia, Brett has indeed worked some of his magic. I hope to return the favor to him someday. He'll be successful with or without my help though because he understands what it takes most writers in this economic environment a long time to come to grips with, and that is that it's as much about marketing nowadays as it is about writing.

Thanks for the endorsement, Anthony.
I see a potential connection between colleagues and I try to make it happen.
I'm barely smart enough to know this much...
Opportunities in this industry tend to come at you sideways.
So, make something happen for someone if you can.
If they're worth working with, they won't forget you when they break through.

Best wishes for you and your new friend over on the Paramount lot!

Regards,
Brett

Yup, I know it well. It's Joey's Pizza now, right? They do good slices but I preferred Rosa's further up the street, used to hit that place up waaaay too often after work.

I knew about the Dapper Don's wake been held around there but didn't know about the films, nice. Wish I had known this when I was there...but I'll be back at some point in the next couple of years.

For my sins, I've been in that very Wendy's on Queens Blvd more than once!

Hey Anthony good to hear things are still ticking along.  It seems a long time ago when I read the script and I'm still itching to see the movie.  Fingers remain crossed it all turns out well but judging by the people involved I'm sure it will.

Thanks Alffy. Col - yeah the ones who got the wake - and I say got because it was like a bidding war for a house - was Papavero's on Grand Avenue, who are family friends of ours. I went to school with one of the sons and they've always done our family wakes...

One more Grand Avenue connection - Fangoria's Tony Timpone, who is producing with us, is also a family friend. Tony's family owned the local deli on, you guessed it, Grand Avenue, directly across the street from Papavero's. Tony remembers Gotti coming into the store once. He also tells a story of how Bryan Singer was a PA on a movie that was shooting in Queens, and came into the store to buy craft services. Bryan remembers Tony all these years later...

Oh and yes, Rosa's pizza is world class. Every time I'm back in NY I make sure to end up there for lunch or dinner...

Look forward to the announcement, Ant. Good luck with pushing this through into pre prod - sounds like you're very nearly there!

Quoted from Anthony Rosa's pizza is world class. Every time I'm back in NY I make sure to end up there for lunch or dinner..

Brings back some memories from my single days Bar hopping 65th, 69th and ending on Grand avenue   good times

Mark

I can still remember your script for this and I'm glad something is happening with it. Sounds like great news so far. Well done.