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Director's back story of Gloworm Productions, LLC and getting Special Needs off the ground. Hello, I'd like to share some thoughts with you about Gloworm Productions LLC, how we started, who we are and what we're trying to do. After a trip to Texas in January 2009, I came back with the promise for financing we needed to make our first film. I hit the ground running. Sharon and I chose to produce one of our scripts that really meant a lot to us, “Special Needs.” We named our company Gloworm Productions, LLC after our youngest daughter Gloria, it's her nickname. The company consists of Sharon, Gloria, Kelly, our oldest daughter, and me. We were naive about starting a production company, but knew we had to, in order to yell "Action." Sharon and I both have some business sense, I have been in manufacturing for many years and Sharon has owned and operated her own in home Montessori School, which is one of the locations in the film. Anyway, we got started by Googling. Really, we found everything from how to start an LLC, to free contracts on line for anything from production crews to talent. To say it was a lot of hard work would be a huge understatement. But we got it done and it was well worth the effort. We had thought we were going to get enough money to actually go out and hire people and, believe it or not, do something that is unheard of in the independent film making community, pay them. It was really exciting. So, we got the script done, we crossed the T's and dotted the I's on the budget and were ready to go into pre-production. Well, as things often do, something happened, the economy tanked and the budget went south. Our executive producers, Julie, Wes, Randy and me, managed to pitch in enough to buy the equipment, the "kit" if you will, and put enough money in the bank for food and gas. Thank God for technology. The camera I bought was the Sony EMX3 HD. You shoot with cards, not film. That alone saves about $150,000.00. Camera and script in hand we ventured out into the world to test people's good will and ask for help. You would not believe how many people opened their hearts to our story and helped us in so many ways. Their names are on the credits and we love them all. We were about ready to get going, when life happened again. Through understandable circumstances, I was thrust into the director's chair, not by choice, but by necessity. I was a little nervous about this as I have never directed a movie before. My confidence was boosted by the support of everyone on the film and by a friend that told me, "Scott, this is your story. You need to direct this movie. You can do it." So I took on a whole new attitude and realized that if I didn't get serious and take the lead, we could have problems. So, with Sharon's blessing, I took the bull by the horns and we got busy. We went out and found the key production personnel we would need, made them an offer of profit participation and put our production crew together. John Giles, our Co-Producer, has been a friend of ours for, well, a long, long time. John and I have written a couple of scripts together and have shared this dream for many years. A very wise man of the film biz and good friend, told me to get a good DP. Tim O'Donnell came on as Director of Photography and was better than good. He taught me so much about filmmaking. Thanks to Tim for his talent and hard work. Archie Johnson was there to get it started as camera operator before moving on to his own success. Thanks for your help Archie. Sandra McNamara did set decoration and was awesome. She worked very hard and was there whenever we needed her. She was also our still photographer, PA, and worked together with Brenda Giles on wardrobe. Brenda gave us embroidery that was perfect. Gloria Sowers not only acted, but she was one of our production assistants and sometimes held the boom. Sharon Sowers and I produced and handled craft service, transportation, accommodations, catering, location management, etc, etc, etc. Let's just say that we all wore many hats. There was David, Michael, Debra, Joey, Lucas and all the players, coaches, buddy helpers and volunteers that we can't thank enough. We had a small crew, many friends and a lot of heart and determination. Casting, what can I say? It was hard to find people that had time to do a film for no pay. Not to mention we had to shoot at nights and on weekends. Yep, we still had our day jobs. Anyway, we knew who we wanted for Bobby Spencer, Chris Garner. Chris is a great friend, an awesome singer/songwriter and, in my humble opinion, a natural in front of the camera. Look out for Chris, I think he's going to do just fine. Ella Wilson took some time to cast. We talked to casting agents, friends and family and nothing. Then one day I asked Tony Stephens at St. Pius X High School, one of our locations, if he knew any actresses. Two days later I come home from work to find Alex Ciccarelli sitting at our kitchen table talking to Sharon. We found our Ella. Alex is not only a beautiful woman, she has an extensive theater back ground and she is wonderful. There is no doubt in my mind that if an agent got a hold of her, she could go places. She could be a star in a heartbeat. Sam Gildiner has wanted to be an actor his whole life. He works with me and I saw something in him that I really think sets him apart. He has the energy and the good looks of an up and coming star. I worked with him to help him find Kenny Wilson inside himself and it worked. He was nervous at first, but everyone welcomed him with open arms and he really brought Kenny to life. Wes Kennemore came on as a favor and really showed everyone what a pro can do. Wes's "Don", Bobby's boss, brought humor, sensitivity and caring to the film. Wes has been in the business for a while and we were blessed to have him. Bobby's mother, Betty is our Aunt Joyce Mayer Lipe. She is a big star in Fayetteville, North Carolina, her theater resume is extensive. You would not believe the work she has done. What a wonderful presence. Ever since Sharon and I moved to Georgia and talked about making movies, we told Aunt Joyce, "One of these days we're going to put you in a movie." Well that day has come and she delivers the message of our story with such grace and class. It was an honor to watch her work. Frank Wilson is none other than Jim Basile. Jim is an old vaudeville actor... okay maybe not now, but he surely was in another life. I also think he was the fifth Marx brothers back in the day. Jim is not only a great actor and TV personality, he's an accomplished musician and can play almost, well, probably any instrument. He is part of the Atlanta Polka Band and if you haven't seen these guys, you should. They are so much fun! Jim is also one of my writing buddies. We've written a few scripts together and are always bouncing around ideas. Maybe we'll make one of those next. Jim, Annie and their son Bob are great friends and we thank them so much for everything. Roger Lenwood. What a pro. He's going places, trust me. Larry Braswell as Officer Goddard brought a "tough guy" to the story. He's really a big softy. Perry Thibaudeau, Officer Burt, steals a shot with his stare down of Goddard. Danielle Jarnigan is our waitress. Even though she is only seen for couple seconds, look out for her. She has a look and a way about her. The rest of the cast is rounded out by mostly family and friends. Sharon's brother, Dennis Kelly, dawns a great lab coat and makes one heck of a "doc." Let's see, there's Chris Garner's wife, Sally, and his precious daughter, Saxon. Sharon, Gloria, Kelly, Chauncey (our sheepdog) and I all have parts. Sharon's mom, Gloria Mayer Kelly, is Aunt Belle, and her dad, Thomas Patrick Kelly, plays our Priest. Will and Barbara Jenkins, and their nephew, Joe, are fantastic. There's Nancy Thrower as Charlotte and her man, Jerry Brier. Our good friend from Nashville, Quinton Q. Qualls came all the way down to play our umpire. Quinton has his own business running TraxFax4Songwriters. Check out his WEB page. He offers articles from the folks trying to make it, to the big Nashville stars. He helps young singer songwriters try to get their songs heard. Our nephew Dylan Kelly and his buddies showed up to play the Marlins when Kenny slides home in the "What if?" scene. There was Mike, as Mike, Britney and Karen Bagley as themselves, Chris Smith, Bobby's co-worker, has had the acting bug for a while. Maybe this will help. There was Josh and his campers at Wellspring Camp in Jefferson, Georgia. Thanks Josh! Our post production folks were great. Our editor, Sean Irish, did a bang up job to get the film through the first couple of edits and then had to go back to his job, so he handed-it-off to my latest hero, Bobby Jones, who brought it home. They both worked so hard. Jeff Giessen, at Whirling Dervish Studios, and Sharon worked tirelessly together to get the audio and score that we needed to bring this story to life. None of us settled for anything. We worked until we liked it. As for the music, Sharon, Chris, Barbara, Will, Bob and Paul, thank you for your time and talent with your unbelievable original songs. Thanks to Thomas Van Soelen and the St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Lilburn, GA for their rendition of "His Eye Is on the Sparrow," it was so moving. This film has a lot of great music. Above all this, there is no way to express how I feel about everyone that touched “Special Needs” and I hope that in some small way “Special Needs” touches each and every one of them. Thank you all for your help and your support. It was a labor of love, done by all and we think it shows. Our goal is to produce more family friendly films with great messages. Until next time, Scott Bryan Sowers