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| Warren Vanders and Matt Valenti (the creators of TOUCHED) on set during filming. | 5 x 7 inches | ||
| Warren Vanders (Writer/Director/Actor/Producer) during a location scout. | 7 x 5 inches | ||
| Jack Wall (played by Matt Valenti) on death row. | 7 x 5 inches |
Did divine intervention end the TOUCHED shoot as it was just beginning?
On the first morning of shooting, Debra DeLiso, Special Assistant to the director, Vanders, was told he was flat on his back in the wardrobe room. Alarmed, she investigated and found him hurting and stunned by what was happening to him. He said an old hernia had quadrupled in size in the last hour. Seeing her confused, questioning look he placed her hand on the hard lump in his groin area. Concerned, she asked what it was, adding that she wore many hats in the production but didn't believe touching him 'there' was one of her jobs. Vanders, between moaning and laughing assured her he had a serious health problem. Within the hour he was on his way to a nearby hospital's emergency room with a strangulated hernia requiring surgery and four days in bed.
As a result, the TOUCHED production plug was pulled. While lying in hospital, Vanders wondered if his story of two rogue heretics wrestling with their flesh and spirit had antagonized god to attack his groin. However, the show must go on prevailed and looking back, the hernia was a blessing in disguise providing extra time, which benefited the entire production.
Can an older American and young Aussie crack the Hollywood job market?
Their initial association was acting teacher and student. The veteran American actor, Warren Vanders, tutored the young Aussie, Matt Valenti, in the craft of acting. After reading Vander's TOUCHED, an award winning short screenplay and essentially a two character story, Valenti insisted Vanders direct it and act in it with him. Vanders, a working actor for decades, had been turned out to pasture by an unpredictable film industry. Valenti's passion inspired Vanders to jump the fence. The old war horse and the young colt galloped off into the fray.
Vanders, now, followed Valenti's lead as they jumped the many pre-production hurdles. They formed their FLYING KITE PRODUCTIONS while rewriting, rehearsing and bringing together a production crew. TOUCHED is Vanders first film as a director.
Why an Oscar winning film editor joined the TOUCHED production team?
Neal Travis, a gifted, highly respected editor of many successful major feature films, including, DANCES WITH WOLVES was sent a TOUCHED script by Vanders. Travis, a former acting class acquaintance from decades ago called the screenplay, “Terrific!”. He offered to donate his talent because of his interest in the main character’s unique problems. Travis said he initially came to editing because he wanted to deal with strong personal character relationships and TOUCHED fit that need. When Vanders told him he could only offer him cold cuts as payment, Travis added he liked cold cuts. That someone of his prolific professional reputation would align himself with a low budget short film production reveals Travis’ love of film and passion to tell a good story.
Travis has been an exciting addition to the TOUCHED team. His special insight, contributions as overseeing Editor Emeritus, valued positive support and generous act of giving of his talent have been extremely significant.
