Press Releases

July 31, 2002
Southampton Players Debut First Feature Film for Free

College Troupe Shoots Romantic Comedy With a Quirky Twist

Contact:
Darren Johnson (PR@southampton.liu.edu)
(631) 287 8313
Fax: (631) 283 4081

The ever-innovative Southampton Players venture boldly into the new frontier of digital filmmaking with the premiere of "Personoddities," their first feature film, on Wednesday, August 14.

Showtime is 8 p.m. in the Avram Theater. Admission is free. For reservations call 631-287-8480.

Written and directed by John Gannon, an Assistant Professor of Arts and Media at Southampton College, "Personoddities" features a cast and crew comprised of Southampton College alumni, undergraduates and local community members. Actors Brian Lang and Kymme Napoli have performed in numerous Players stage productions. Cinematographer Peter Eilenberg is the Players' resident technical wizard and also a performer. Sarah Sullivan won the 2002 Players Best Play Award for her work in last January's "InterAct." Richard Gardini makes his acting debut.

"Personoddities," shot on the East End of Long Island, is a romantic comedy with a twist. Four misfits find themselves in a double blind-date scenario. This awkward pairing exposes the four 20-somethings' dreams, aspirations and personal quirks. Hopes are fulfilled, wrongs redressed and flaws rectified. In the end, they discover that sometimes the oddest thing a person can do is try to be normal.

Six months from concept to completion, the piece stars homegrown talent; Gardini, Gannon and Napoli are East Moriches residents. Eilenberg and Lang are Long Island natives.

"I was eager to explore the different possibilities and advantages that distinguish film from stage," said Gannon, who has had four of his stage plays produced as part of the Southampton Players "InterAct" program.

"Also, the advent of digital filmmaking has made small productions feasible and affordable," he added. "The real impetus for doing this project now, however, was that this talented cast was leaving the area, striking out for Broadway, Denver and Hawaii. I didn't want to let them go without one more opportunity to work with them."

Michael Disher, Southampton Players Director and head of the college's theater department, said, "What I would like to see Prof. Gannon develop is what we have developed with 'InterAct,' which is a practical realization of screenplays. The process is the reward, and discovery is the bounty."

"Personoddities" premieres at Southampton College on Wednesday, August 14, 8 p.m. Running time: one hour. The event is free and open to the public. For reservations, call 631-287-8480.