WEST SPRINGFIELD-Chaunty Spillane is on a mission – to create a first-rate film – and to help some friends along the way.
Chaunty Spillane poses as the Cancome Lady (Photo submitted)
Spillane has come a long way from her theatrical high school days in Westfield, and now has transformed her career from model, actor and photo double to director/producer of her first film, the Screen Actors Guild contracted “Cancombe Lady Comedy Improv Sketch.”
“The production has a growing cast including SAG-AFTRA actors Frankie Imbergamo, celebrity chef/top winner of Emeril Live’s Italian Contest, Christine Cilano who is loosely affiliated with the Wahlbergs, Keith Fluker, Denzel Washington’s photo double/picture double, and Tierre Diaz, who has completed all four levels of improvisation classes at Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York,” said Spillane.
The production at press time also features two non-union actors, Evelina Walter and Nate Dunn, as well as “highly sought after” composer and sound producer Kenneth Hampton, noted Spillane.
“I am incredibly thankful to have Ken be a part of the production,” she said.
During the past few years while Spillane, a national SAG-AFTRA member, was enjoying success as a featured background actor and photo double for A-list actors, she started to “branch off” and explored writing short film screenplays as well as feature length films.
After attending a filmmaking workshop by Woodhaven Production Co. of Rhode Island, in association with Verdi Films in 2015, Spillane felt her calling.
“My partner and manager Nate Dunn and I created the character of the Cancombe Lady based off of the 90’s horribly excessive lip-liner phase/trend with influence from variety shows combined with a taste of this decade,” said Spillane.
As Spillane sees it – the Cancombe Lady is the “Joan Rivers of Today.”
The “look” for the Cancombe Lady will be unique because Spillane said she is Czechoslovakian with an accent.
“Her name is catchy and mysterious,” said Spillane, adding the character is rude, borderline offensive and sometimes acts like a “dude.” Also, Spillane said the Cancombe Lady will be “fabulously dressed” at all times and will meet actors in a variety of settings.
Chaunty Spillane has opportunities for area residents to get involved in a film project. Above is the first movie poster for the “Cancombe Lady Comedy Improv Sketch.”
“I will be portraying her in a specific style,” said Spillane. “She will not be like myself in real life nor how I portray myself online. Plus, I will be acting in a comedy and that is very different for me.”
Spillane added she has had a lot of practice discovering her comedic timing via Vine 6 second videos that have had more than 5.3 million views.
As the plot unfolds, the film explores a “day in the life of the Cancombe Lady” which she said will be “absurdly hilarious.”
“How actors will meet her will be very location dependent and we are looking at a lot of great locations with pre-built sets,” said Spillane. “Since the production is comedy sketch style, we will be pushing actors to the limit.”
Spillane said that over the years she has talked to colleagues who have spent time and money on improvisation classes and then do not have an outlet to demonstrate how they “reshaped their craft.”
Spillane said she became a SAG Signatory Actor for a New Media production which allows her to create an “amazing opportunity” for her colleagues – as well as bring to life the character she and Dunn created.
“My colleagues deserve a platform and the very, very rare opportunity to do improv in a production,” said Spillane. “The production will make life better and dreams come true for all.”
As Spillane moves forward on pre-production, she is managing and promoting a GoFundMe campaign which is entitled the “Cancombe Lady Comedy Improv Sketch.”
Spillane noted since the production is improv, she will provide direction, however, the cast does not have a script to follow.
The Cancombe Lady Comedy Improv Sketch is on Facebook as well as IMDb.com with an unofficial movie poster. Future plans for the “Cancombe Lady” include showcasing the film on iTunes and Netflix.
While Spillane continues to recruit cast members in upcoming casting calls, she is also in need of local individuals including college students who are interested in serving as production assistants. Additionally, she hopes to recruit a camera person and a personal assistant. For persons interested in getting involved in the production, contact Spillane through the Facebook page which allows one to click on a link to message her.
“People should become involved because this is a very rare opportunity for actors to show off their improvisation skills,” said Spillane. “So many actors for the past five to seven years now, I’ve known, have taken a multitude of improvisation classes yet have no where nor any opportunities to be compensated generously and still be profiting with travel expenses, etc., factored in rather than breaking even or losing money just to perform in a comedy club or bar as a new comedian.”
Spillane expects to be in post-production mode later in April but does not have a target date to launch the film at press time.
“The target for launch is most likely the summer of 2018 because we have other platforms in mind that will allow this to be available worldwide,” she said.
