HfaT press kit

Written & Directed by
Erin Kitzinger
Produced by Jay Delaney
Erin@hopeforathorn.com
727-688-3418
www.hopeforathorn.com
Hope for a Thorn
SHORT SYNOPSIS
One line:
Fighting loss, loneliness, and madness, an estranged grandmother and granddaughter’s only chance for
redemption is each other.
Paragraph:
HOPE FOR A THORN is the story of a troubled grandmother who seeks redemption for her past by helping
her granddaughter overcome the cycle of neglect that has plagued the family for generations. The film
focuses on Victoria, a recently widowed woman living alone in a big house in a small town. That is, until the
disappearance of her estranged daughter Maggie forces the arrival of 12-year-old Sophie, the
granddaughter Victoria's never met. Desperately clinging to the belief that her mother is returning for her,
Sophie slips into fantasies to deal with the loneliness of her grandmother’s home. Victoria, a terrible mother
to her own daughter and too caught up in her own demons and the loss of her husband, has no idea how to
care for this wounded child. Slowly, she begins to realize that the damage she did to her daughter has
affected her granddaughter as well. The misery and demise of her family begins to weigh heavily on her
shoulders. Is she past the point of redemption? Can Sophie break the cycle that's been tearing the Thornes
apart for generations or is she doomed to repeat it?
w w w. h o p e f o r a t h o r n . c o m
erin@hopeforathorn.com
727.688.3418
p. 2
Hope for a Thorn
PAGE SYNOPSIS
HOPE FOR A THORN is the story of a troubled grandmother who seeks redemption for her past by helping
her granddaughter overcome the cycle of neglect that has plagued the family for generations. The film
focuses on Victoria, a recently widowed woman living alone in a big house in a small town. She spends her
days lost in a reverie, reminiscing about her deceased husband. The sudden disappearance of her longestranged daughter Maggie leads to the arrival of 12-year-old Sophie, the granddaughter Victoria's never
met. Unable to break her habits, Victoria is prone to delusions and often forgets the child is even there.
Desperately clinging to the belief that her mother is returning for her, Sophie slips into fantasies to deal with
the loneliness of Victoria's home.
Victoria, a terrible mother to her own daughter and too caught up in her own demons and the loss of her
husband, has no idea how to care for this wounded child. Sophie is a constant reminder of the daughter that
Victoria thought she despised, forcing Victoria to finally come to terms with her true feelings. At times
mistaking Sophie for Maggie, Victoria frightens and confuses the child. Sophie tries to escape, but after a
failed attempt at running away, realizes there is nowhere for her to go.
As her loneliness grows, Sophie begins to conjure up visions of her mother for comfort. Slowly, Victoria
begins to realize that the damage she inflicted on her daughter has affected her granddaughter as well.
Sophie must now pay the price for Victoria’s mistakes. Victoria has lived a lifetime of pain and her family’s
troubles begin to weigh heavily on her shoulders.
Is she past the point of redemption? Can Sophie break the cycle that's been tearing the Thornes apart for
generations or is she doomed to repeat it?
w w w. h o p e f o r a t h o r n . c o m
erin@hopeforathorn.com
727.688.3418
p. 3
Hope for a Thorn
BIOS: FILMMAKERS
Erin Kitzinger: Writer/Director/Editor
Erin Kitzinger graduated in 2008 from the University of Central Florida’s School of Film & Digital Media, as
one of the first six students accepted into the Entrepreneurial Digital Cinema MFA program, where she was
also a film instructor. She has directed several short narrative and documentary films, which have played the
Sarasota Film Festival, Gen Art Ignite!, and the Women as Global Leaders Conference in Abu Dhabi, United
Arab Emirates, among others. Her script for "Hope For A Thorn" was the recipient of the UCF School of Film
& Digital Media Grant for Special Achievement in Screenwriting in 2005. This is her first feature. Erin
currently resides in Chicago where she works as a freelance editor.
Jay Delaney: Producer
Jay Delaney's passion for people has led to a career that spans filmmaking, politics, government, and the
nonprofit industry. His feature-length documentary, "Not Your Typical Bigfoot Movie," premiered at the 2008
SXSW Film Festival and is available on DVD by Oscilloscope Pictures. He has also helped produce various
films and videos in New York City. He studied film at the School of Visual Arts in New York City and at the
University of Central Florida in Orlando and is currently the President and CEO of the Edgewater Chamber
of Commerce in Chicago.
Marco Cordero: Director of Photography
Marco Cordero is an accomplished cinematographer and photographer. He recently graduated from the
University of Central Florida's film program and has shot nearly 40 shorts, feature film, and music videos,
including the short film No-Air House, which premiered at Slamdance in 2008. Marco combines his skillful
eye for composition, color, and movement with impressive technical knowledge. He recently shot a feature
film, A Beautiful Belly, entirely on the cutting-edge Canon 5D Mark II.
w w w. h o p e f o r a t h o r n . c o m
erin@hopeforathorn.com
727.688.3418
p. 4
Hope for a Thorn
BIOS: CAST
Pat Fisher: Victoria Thorne
Pat Fisher began her acting career on stage in San Francisco and made
her way into film acting in 1990 when The Asolo Film Conservatory
accepted its first class. When the Conservatory's filmmakers sought actors
from the Sarasota community, Pat became one of the regulars, performing
the female lead in "The Customer" which won an Academy Award (Student
Division) nomination. She also had a featured role in "Curdled." She has
done many commercials, industrial films and publicity campaigns for
television and print. She returned to the stage several years ago in Tampa's
production of "The Vagina Monologues", which was a delightful experience,
but not as good as making movies.
Sarah Grace Ackerman: Sophie Thorne
Sarah Grace Ackerman is a talented young actress who has played several roles in
commercials, film, and video. HOPE FOR A THORN is her first lead role in a film.
She has trained with Karen Storms through the Storms Acting Studio and the Lisa
Maile School of Acting. Sarah has many interests, including tennis, snorkeling,
swimming, fishing, four-wheel riding, target shooting, and dance. She lives in
Orlando, Florida, where she continues to act, most recently in the short film
“Crooked.” She recently started high school, where she’s a member of the Thespian
Club.
Jacqueline Caruso: Maggie Thorne
Jacqueline Caruso is an accomplished actress and singer. She graduated
from American University with a degree in Musical Theatre and has
appeared in shows such as Fiddler on the Roof, Kiss Me Kate, and Into
The Woods. She also teaches singing lessons. Jacqueline and her
husband recently relocated to Los Angeles and celebrated the release of
Jacqueline’s band’s first album, Thurlow’s Training Wheels.
w w w. h o p e f o r a t h o r n . c o m
erin@hopeforathorn.com
727.688.3418
p. 5
Hope for a Thorn
ABOUT THE FILM
HOPE FOR A THORN was one of the first feature films produced through the University of Central Florida’s
new Entrepreneurial Digital Cinema Master of Fine Arts program. The unique graduate program requires its
students to finance and produce marketable microbudget digital feature films. Kitzinger graduated from the
program in August of 2008.
Shot entirely in Central Florida during the summer of 2007, THORN utilized local cast and a combination of
student and professional crew.
Kitzinger embraced the limitations imposed by the small budget and used the opportunity to focus on
character. The resulting film is a highly personal story that features women as the lead characters, in tragic
and deeply flawed roles, in a story about family and second chances.
AWARDS
UCF School of Film & Digital Media Grant for Special Achievement in Screenwriting, 2005
w w w. h o p e f o r a t h o r n . c o m
erin@hopeforathorn.com
727.688.3418
p. 6
Hope for a Thorn
CREDITS
Victoria Thorne
Sophie Thorne
Maggie Thorne
Richard
Bobby
Child Victoria
Victoria’s Mother
Voice of Victoria’s Mother
Sheriff
Western Union Man
Charles
Pat Fisher
Sarah Grace Ackerman
Jacqueline Caruso
Michael Ray Davis
Jimmy Vosler
Lily Flanders
Lauren Maleski
Leander Suleiman
Mike Kazimar
Jay Delaney
Byron West
Writer/Director/Editor
Producer
Executive Producers
Erin Kitzinger
Jay Delaney
Paul Kitzinger
Dan McSherry
Stacy Broome
Brigan Gresh
Andrew Kenneth Gay
Nicole Betz
Mike de la Vina
Michael Diaz
Georginia Hurge
Kristen Baker
Addison Bryan
Tony Brown
Marco Cordero
Drew Agan
Matthew Richards
Christina Santa Cruz
Michelle Wargo
Christine Olson
Michelle Roca
Kyle J. Britt
Alexis Block
Jonathan C. Hohensee
Hyun Han
Phil Bergquist
Sarah Bordelon
Eunice Paik
Sheri Victor
Katie Wollam
Susan Bucciero
Carla Tamma
Katie Russo
Consulting Producer
Line Producer
Production Coordinator
First Assistant Director
Second Assistant Director
Key Set Production Assistant
Production Assistants
Director of Photography
First Assistant Camera
Second Assistant Camera
Script Supervisor
Casting Director
Production Designer
Art Department Coordinator
Prop Master
Set Decorator
Leadman
Swing Man
Construction
Art Production Assistant
Art Research Assistants
Costumer
Wardrobe Supervisor
Key Makeup Artist
w w w. h o p e f o r a t h o r n . c o m
erin@hopeforathorn.com
727.688.3418
p. 7
Hope for a Thorn
Boom Operator
Production Sound Mixer
Catering
James Solomon
Shawn Anderson
Linda Zweifel
Dennis Zweifel
Amanda Mohammed
Dave Currie
Michael Nikolla
Mark Valentin
Travis Bell
Logan Wade
Coby Wilson
Adam Gaiser
Nick Colvin
Craig Weinstein
Jon Friskics
PostAmp Sound
LHV Audio
David Jones
David A. Harper and Terri L. Harper
William Whitacre
Bryan Girgenti, EA, CFP
www.BryanGirgenti.com
Location Manager
Location Assistant
Gaffer
Key Grip
Electrician
Set Photographer
Sound Designer
Post-Production Sound
ADR and Foley recorded at
Original Music Written & Performed by
Music Supervisors
Legal Counsel
Tax & Accounting Services Provided by
Special Thanks
Ula Stoeckl
Paul Kitzinger
Linda & Dennis Zweifel
Dan & Dawn McSherry
Stacy & Craig Broome
Jim Atkisson
Davey Johnson
Mark Gerstein
Steve Schlow
Constance Jessup
Jean Kitzinger
Nick Amoro
William Hough
Mo Krausman
Chris Scott
Tony Broome
Lisa Betz
Pat Burdette
Tom Powers
Victor Liu
Bill & Sally Atchley
w w w. h o p e f o r a t h o r n . c o m
Greg & Jerrie Cunningham
Christine Padovan
Tom & Sandy Peeples
Jennifer Grider
Chester Baumgartner
Mark Russell
Mary Johnson
Phil Peters
Joy Ackerman & the Ackerman Family
Sigrid Tiedtke & The Enzian Theater
Randy Finch
Patty Hurter
Manuel & Adeline Garcia
Christina Rackley
Phil Bergquist
Anne Mulis
Dave Moore
Lisa Cook
Metro Orlando Film Commission
Women In Film & TV-Florida
Chimene Hurst
erin@hopeforathorn.com
727.688.3418
p. 8
Hope for a Thorn
Larry & Margaret Massey
Chris & Maureen Kemp
The Kossens
Bootie & The Drawer, Mt Dora, FL
Leah Fairchild
Greenwood Cemetery
Barbara Solomon & Oldies But Goodies
Dan Jones
Zach Stribling
UCF School of Digital Media
Theatre Downtown
Fran Hilgenberg
Robert Melendy Sr.
UCF Costume Shop
UCF Theatre Prop Dept
Laurence Vexler at LHV Audio
Donnie & Mac White
Donna Zecker
Tom & Linda Wagner
THANKS
Travis Bell
Merrick Beatty
Brett Bonowicz
Mike Glumicich
Jason Harper
Rich Grula
Michael Hausman
Eric Ernst
Angelyn Gay
Dale Gordon
Gregg Hale
Danny Daneau
Susie Copeland
Alix Duggins
Amanda DeSantis
Angel de la Vina
Dino Gallina
Melissa Gruver
Jamie Hanson
Julia Jordan
Jamie Konet
Shannon Lacek
Laura Lopez
Sarah Long
Keith Alan Morris
Meredith McNiece
Vincent's Italian Restaurant, Mt. Dora, FL
Christopher Mertens
Nick Martinolich
Randy Molnar
Alyssa Maio
Jennifer Pennypacker
Karen Pennington
Planet Smoothie, Orlando, FL
Sara Peeples
Chris Silveira
Rachel Schlow
Tracey & Scott Schlather
Steve Schutt
Barry Sandler
Jessica Stofan
Andrew White
Shot on location in DeLand, Mt. Dora, and Orlando,
FL
This film was produced at the University of Central
Florida as part of a Master of Fine Art’s thesis
© 2009 Hope for a Thorn, LLC
w w w. h o p e f o r a t h o r n . c o m
erin@hopeforathorn.com
727.688.3418
p. 9
Hope for a Thorn
TECHNICAL SPECS
TITLE: Hope For A Thorn
GENRE: Drama
RUNNING TIME: 74 minutes
FORMAT: high definition
SHOOTING FORMAT: Panasonic HVX-200, HD
ASPECT RATIO: 1.85
EDITED WITH: Final Cut Pro
EXHIBITION FORMAT: HD, DVD, Bluray
ORIGINAL LANGUAGE: English
w w w. h o p e f o r a t h o r n . c o m
erin@hopeforathorn.com
727.688.3418
p . 10