Die Alone Together
Who's Who
(in chronological order)
JOSH BORTKOWSKI, young boy
Joshua ("Josh") Borkowski has recently worked on his first three student shorts: THE MALCONTENTS (extra), RAIN ("boy"), and RIDDY (as the title character, Jeff "Riddy" Ridanski, at ages ten and 12-year-olds).
Josh has been involved in two productions of THE NUTCRACKER, portraying a party boy. He's played the part of an Anatevkan/villager for Spotlight Production's FIDDLER ON THE ROOF in West Bend, WI.
KAMILAH LAY, young girl
Kamilah Lay has performed in professional (primarily musical) theatre for three years running. She's appeared in the Midwest with M & W Productions, First Stage Children's Theater, Fireside Dinner Theatre, Acacia Theatre, Marriott Theatre and alongside Patti LuPone (in her GYPSY debut as Mama Rose) at Ravinia Festival Pavilion. Additionally, Kamilah garnered rave reviews for her portrayal of Tootie Smith at Drury Lane Oakbrook's MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS. The production traveled to Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts through Gateway Playhouse in NY.
Kamilah's indie film debut was THE MAGNIFICENT DONUT, which won Best Dramatic Film Short in 2006 at the WI Film Festival. She also was a regular in the nine-episode educational series INTO THE BOOK. This WI Education Communications Board offering currently airs in ten states and is the winner of a Silver Honor for TV from the Parent's Choice Foundation, spring 2007. Two episodes each received bronze Telly awards (one of which also won a gold Aurora award).
Kamilah is an accomplished singer and violinist. She recently completed voice over work as American Girl Kit Kittredge for a new PC Game entitled "Kit: A Tree House of My Own".
JIM DUFFEY, man in diner scene
Jim Duffey is a native of Boston, MA. He graduated from Assumption College with a Bachelor of Arts. Jim moved to Chicago in 1999 to begin his career in theatre by studying at The Second City Conservatory Program. There, he successfully trained and performed with the sketch comedy group, Stupid Hot. He then went on to perform in the production of "Maui" at Second City skybox theatre and Chicago Improv Festival.
Jim's experience encompasses television, film and commercial work. Highlights include Prison Break, Dirty Work, D.O.A.P, Grace Is Gone and Bubblerama. He would like to thank his family and friends for their constant support and encouragement. A special thanks to his sister Maureen and the all the kids at the T.H.I.T.W.G.C who are his inspiration.
EDIE ALLEN, woman in diner scene
bio to come
DON SEBEK, man in the car scene
Don Sebek is a seasoned veteran of Chicago’s independent film/ theatre communities. He honed his skills at Chicago Actors’ Studio and at Acting Studio Chicago where he worked under respected instructors Kurt Naebig and Adrianne Cury. A self-proclaimed “film snob”, his favorites include the Coen brothers, Hitchcock, and all things Robert DeNiro. He’s a long-suffering Chicago sports fanatic and he recently earned a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
SONDRA ELLINGSON, woman in car scene
Sondra Ellingson is an actress and model living in Chicago. She has done many independent film projects, including Hank’s Auto Repair and The Chemistry of Dating, which secured her listing on imdb.com. Sondra made her theatrical debut in March 2007 in ‘Proof’ directed by Michael Ryczek, playing the principal role of Catherine. Sondra took that knowledge and applied it to her second theater role of Daisy in ‘The Adding Machine’ in the fall of 2007.
Sondra is a host for Hair and Clothing Television. She has done extra work in commercials, TV pilots and movies produced in the Chicago area, such as The Express and Batman. She has studied at The Acting Studio, Act One Studios, and Second City. She also has modeling experience in runway, print work, hair shows, commercials, and videos. Sondra was showcased in an ad for Wal-Mart in the January 2007 issue of Glamour Magazine.
She continues to learn and develop her craft as she pursues her passions. This great cast and crew for Die Alone Together is a pleasure to work with and Sondra looks forward to seeing all the hard work come together!
RENEE DOMENZ, woman in the fight on the street
Renee is excited to be part of the cast of "Die
Alone." She is a native of Chicago and has had roles
in other films, as well, including "Vacant", a role
for which she won a Best Supporting Actress award at
the Microcinema Film Festival in 2006.
Other films
she's had roles in have traveled the film circuit, as
well, throughout the US and in Canada. Upcoming
filmwork includes a role in comedy thriller "Dr.
Spine" starring Joe Estevez, and "Reality Star." She
has also had roles in theater, industrials,
commercials. She recently played
Catwoman in an independent Batman film. Most recently, she had a voice over lead
role in an episode of the Twilight Zone radio series
that will air on WGN radio in the summer of 2008.
JOHN CORIELL, man in late scene
John Coriell has worked as a stage and voice actor for over 18 years appearing in commercials for Office Max, Lennox, Red Eye Newspaper, Portillo’s and the Majestic Star Casino with Mike Ditka. Theatre roles he enjoyed were Room with a View, Bang the Drum Slowly, An Empty Plate in the Cafe Du Grand Boeuf, The Dining Room and I’m Not Rappaport. John’s movie credits include The Engagement, Hollywood Jerome, Pull and Fresh Horses. He has also worked with Chicago’s Dramatic Diversity, as an actor and facilitator. In a previous life he was heard on the radio
CAROLINE DODGE LATTA, woman in late scene
I'm a Distinguished Professor of Theater at Columbia College Chicago where I've taught since 1981. From 1993-2001 I served as Academic Dean of the College. I have a PhD in theater from Univ. of Illinois Champaign/Urbana. I've taught at Case Western University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Northwestern, and Univ of Illinois Chicago and other places. I'm a director and professional actress as well as a teacher. I specialize in teaching acting, esp. Shakespeare.
NICHOLAS REISE - co-author and producer
Nicholas Reise was born in Chicago, Illinois. He received his A.A. in English Literature at Elgin Community College (2004) and his B.A. in Film at the prestigious Columbia College Chicago (2006). During his term at Columbia, he was very active in all facets of production: writing, producing, photographing, editing and acting in many short student films, including his own works.
Upon graduating, he decided to move to Los Angeles (2006). While there, he quickly secured an executive assistant position for the founding partners of the Kaplan Stahler Gumer Braun Agency, where he acted as the principal reader of client and cold submission material. Deciding the agency wasn't the ideal environment to develop himself and his career; he left and began writing full time. Aligning with co-creator/co-writer J.J. Balczo, they turned out a television pilot: BETWEEN LOVE & SEX (2007). The show was pitched at Tri-Star and returned with positive feedback, but because of the WGA strike, talks died down.
After that disappointing news, Nicholas decided to relocate to Chicago with the passion to produce and write his own independent films. It wasn't long before he was approached by fellow Columbia Alum Mario Valdivieso to co-write and produce: WE COULD DIE ALONE, TOGETHER (2008). Nicholas has since co-wrote and is currently producing a short film: BLOOD KIN (2008), with prolific Chicago filmmaker Del Harvey, set to compete in respected festival circuits both domestic and international. Nicholas now lives in Chicago, Illinois with his brother, Ian.
MARIO VALDIVIESO, director
Mario Valdivieso is currently a student of Columbia College in Chicago and an aspiring filmmaker. Born and raised in the North side of Chicago, from the age of 7 he’s had an interest in making movies sparked by his first viewing of “Jurassic Park”. Now at the age of 23 his passion for filmmaking only grows stronger by the day as he wishes to focus on the writing/directing aspect of film.
Drawing from influences such as Paul Thomas Anderson to Woody Allen, his themes tend to focus on the interactions between men and women, passivity, and the complications that can arise from relationships. In 2004 he made his first short film as a part of school project entitled “The Overjoyed Sadness of Mary Winterbourne” adapted from a short story by Kate Chopin about a woman in her 60’s her rejoices the death of her husband. He then went on to direct four more short films as a part of school projects.
He is currently working with fellow writer/ filmmaker Nick Reise to direct his first semi-big production entitled with “We Could Die Alone, Together!” He is working very hard along with a dedicated crew and a talented cast of fourteen to put this film together. They begin production in early June. After completing this project he plans to develop a short comedy film with a local Chicago group called Backhanded Compliment. His future plans include moving to New York, and writing/directing his first feature.
LOU ANN FRANICICH, director of photography
LA is a producer, director, editor, director of photography, camera operator, producer, and singer/songwriter/ musician, as well as horse trainer, private pilot, professional driver. Since 1994, as creator of Transient Organs, a video production company oriented toward music videos, corporate promotional videos, and independent film production and post production, projects have included: The Mugz (feature film), The Lovin’ Spoonful (promotional video), Buckinghams ‘I Knew You When’ (music video).
Freelance projects include: Eye Contact (feature film), Mic Test CD and Video for AKG Microphones, My Nappy Roots (Discovery Channel documentary), Callaway Golf (promotional video), camera operator various ABC, CBS & FOX SPORTS, media acquisition for Iron Spring Farm, and ‘The Kari Files’ for director Greg Grabianski.
As owner of Captain Edgar’s Videoworks/RNS Videomedia, a production company specializing in serving the equestrian community, her library of footage is considered the de facto library for the United States Olympic Team. Projects include: Official promotional material for the United States Combined Training Association, Pony Club International, and the North American Young Riders’ Championships, Commercial work for Ford, USDF, Practical Horseman, MBNA.
LA has produced nine nationally syndicated television programs for the Three Day Olympic Equestrian Team. Produced associated advertising for Ford, USDF, Practical Horseman, and MBNA.
Don Sebek
Sondra Ellingson
John Corriell
Caroline Dodge Latta