STEEL CORSET PRODUCTIONS, LLC PRESENTS “CHARM CITY”
An independent romantic comedy feature film
shooting on location exclusively in Baltimore City

(Baltimore, August 8, 2008) — Steel Corset Productions, LLC is currently shooting the independent feature film “Charm City” on location exclusively in Baltimore City. This ambitious romantic comedy features local legend Joyce J. Scott and National Public Radio host Al Letson, as well as a hand-picked ensemble cast starring local actors Cheryl Scungio, Orlando Gonzales, Kelly Coston, Johnny Benson, Will Lurie, Darik Bernard, Phil Calvert, Tiffany Ariany, Phil Amico, Tommy Divinti and Kyle Holgren.

First-time Writer/Director/Producer Jeanie M. Clark offers her love letter to Baltimore with “Charm City,” highlighting local artists, musicians, sights and watering holes. A Pittsburgh native, Ms. Clark has lived in Baltimore for more than 10 years, after moving here from Washington, D.C.

“I’ve never seen a movie that portrays MY Baltimore,” Ms. Clark says. “The art scene here is not underground whatsoever, Baltimore is just one big art scene! Most of the friends I have made here do one thing for a paycheck, and something else that better represents who they really are. The creative energy in this city is overwhelming, and it brought me back to the artist that I forgot I was.”

Michelle Farrell of Absolute Independent Pictures is Director of Photography for “Charm City.” A Highlandtown native, Ms. Farrell has been cinematographer for 10 feature films, various documentaries and has worked for networks such as NBC, Sony, BET, A&E, Fox and many more. She has won several prestigious awards and has written, produced and directed other award-winning projects, such as “Unraveling Michelle,” which is currently running the film festival circuit, is in the distribution process, and will screen in New York this September 2008.

Rebecca Clear Dean is the Production Manager for “Charm City.” Mrs. Dean joins us with more than 15 years of film, television and advertising production experience. Her producer credits include both multiple Emmy-winning PBS series “Adam Smith” and “Wall $treet Week With Louis Rukeyser,” PBS and A&E documentaries, live theater and overseas telecasts, local ad production for nationwide distribution, her work as an independent filmmaker and former Chairman of Independent Filmmakers at Cornell University. A native of Washington, D.C., Rebecca has called Baltimore home since she moved here in 1996 from New York City.

An all-female management team–led by a female writer/director/producer—is virtually unheard-of in the industry, particularly among Indies.

“Charm City” is currently filming August 1 through 14, in locations such as Mount Vernon Square, Federal Hill, Dougherty’s Pub, Dionysus Bar, Baltimore Theater Project, Fin Art Gallery in Fells Point, the Wind-Up Space, and several private homes in Hampden, Waverly and Mount Vernon. Local artists whose work is featured in the film include Joyce J. Scott, Ellen Burchenal, Linda DePalma, Oletha DeVane, Caren Shelley, Keith Bentley, Charles Lawrence, Dave Herman, Jillian Jenkins, Allison Pasarew, Dr. Leslie King-Hammond—who currently has a major piece on display in the Reginald F. Lewis Museum—and Jeanie Clark herself. Jewelry has been provided by local artists Wayne Werner and Caren Shelley. Local musicians starring in the movie are T.T. Tucker and the Bum Rush Band, who play every third Sunday at the Cat’s Eye Pub in Fells Point, as well as festivals and other venues in D.C. and New York. The soundtrack will be strictly comprised of all original music by Baltimore bands and solo artists, including T.T. Tucker AKA Tommy Divinti, Joyce J. Scott and Jen Swartout. The original score will be composed by local band Yeveto.

Several bands and musicians who will be featured on the soundtrack will also be playing at the Wind-Up Space—owned by Yeveto band member Russell DeoCampo—at 12 West North Avenue starting at 9:00pm on Friday, August 15, for the film’s official Wrap Party, where patrons can meet the cast of “Charm City.”

Quirky Baltimore may not be known to outsiders as an artists’ haven, but the people who live here know that the pertinent question is not, “What do you do?” but rather, “What else do you do?” Struggling art gallery owner Gracie finds herself in a romantic dilemma when she forgets the Golden Rule of Charm City, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”

The overlapping stories in “Charm City” include gay and interracial romances. “I didn’t have a particular race or ethnicity in mind for most of the characters when I wrote it,” says Clark. “I just cast the best actors I could find, and it worked itself out - perfectly.”

Finally, a romantic comedy filmed completely in Baltimore, completely about Baltimore!
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