Midwest Movie Maker

Actress, educator and Cleveland-native Amy Stoch Here’s the truth, and I hope Amy Stoch will forgive me.  The actress, educator and Cleveland native, possibly best known for her role as Missy, Bill & Ted’s stepmom throughout the time-travelling Bill & Ted trilogy , should star in her own dramedy series based on her life.  No kidding. Her most recent journey back to Los Angeles to reignite the film component of her long career as both a performer and educator is both compelling and revealing. It’s a glimpse into the ebb and flow of the entertainment business and the challenge of chasing your dreams through middle age - especially in an industry as unforgiving as Hollywood - and retaining a passion for the discipline even as new obstacles get in the way.  But I’m getting ahead of myself.  A movie star from Cleveland’s east side Stoch’s journey began in Euclid, Ohio , an east side ring suburb of Cleveland, where she grew up. Her childhood was a lot like that of ...

The mission of 6 with Heels Productions. In a 1982 Frank and Ernest comic strip a female friend of the two main characters makes a poignant observation about Fred Astaire: “Sure, he was great,” she says, “but don’t forget Ginger Rogers did everything he did backwards and in high heels.” The observation caught national attention with Texas Governor Ann Richards used it in a convention speech. Others, like Ohio-native filmmakers Sarah Chaney and Heather Olt, would use it as inspiration. The spirit of that phrase is the foundation for their production company, 6 With Heels , and its mission. “It’s an homage to the notion that women have often been underestimated and have, throughout history, had to work harder to prove themselves, especially in the entertainment world,” explains Sarah. “Our mission is designed to help level the playing field so that women don't have to do everything ‘backward and in heels’ to achieve the same result or level of success,” says Heather. ...

Copley, Ohio, native Carrie Coon stars in Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Nostalgia drips from the new Ghostbusters: Afterlife trailer, which debuted early Monday morning. The preview introduces us to a young family - a single mom and siblings - who move into a ramshackle farmhouse in Summerville, Oklahoma, only to discover that someone stacks books a lot like they did in the New York Public Library back in 1984. Oh, and that they’re the grandkids of OG Ghostbuster Egon Spengler. ECTO-1 back in action The trailer gives off a teen angst Stranger Things vibe, especially since it stars Stranger Things lead Finn Wolfhard and because of Jason Reitman’s experience in teen angst ( Juno ) and drama ( The Front Runner ). That’s all likely a ruse for theater goers who will experience the trailer without knowing what they’re seeing at first and will then be surprised to learn of its comedy pedigree. Expect more comedy in the first official trailer (and maybe a glimpse or two at the orig...

Kenyon grads Allison Janney and Paul Newman Dayton, Ohio, native Allison Janney appeared on the  Late Show with Stephen Colbert and confessed to the talk show host that she once catfished legendary actor Paul Newman. “I like to think I catfished him into casting me,” Janney said during her April 24 visit. The part was for a play at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, where Janney - and Newman - went to school. Newman returned to Kenyon in 1978 to direct the debut play at the school’s newly constructed Bolton Theater. The play? C.C. Pyle and the Bunion Derby . Granted, Janney’s “catfishing” was more of the professional type. And, okay, fine, not really catfishing at all. Though Janney admitted to making up a story about her new Volkswagen Scirocco. It was part of her audition for Newman, which included getting up on stage and extemporaneously talking about anything you wanted. “I decided I was going to appeal to his love of race car driving,” Janney said. “I made up a story...

Though you may not making a full-time living , there's plenty of opportunity to act in the Midwest. With big blockbusters setting up shop throughout the Movie Belt and generous tax incentives helping smaller films get made, there’s never been a better time to be a film actor in the Midwest . Though it’s still a challenge to make a full-time wage in the profession while living in Cleveland , Pittsburgh or Detroit , there’s plenty of opportunity to get hands-on experience. We recently sat down with four Cleveland-area actors (hey, we’re in the Cleve – it was the easiest this time around – not that we didn’t search for some Pittsburgh and Detroit thespians) to get their take on working in front of the camera. Melanie Hauer grew up in the Cleveland area and is active in local theater. More often than not, you can catch her on-screen acting through the 48 Hour Film Project. She’s also appeared in a number of short films, as well. Her turn as Ms. Pop in Super to the H...