Local filmmaker gets to work again Alaniz starts filming of 'The Vision' by Lauren Traut - February 19, 2008:

Local filmmaker Robert Alaniz is at it again. In December 2007, Alaniz held auditions for his next film at the Bridge Community Center in Frankfort, which yielded local actors from the Frankfort area as well as Chicago. After selecting a cast of residents of New Lenox, Homer Glen, Tinley Park, Chicago, Orland Park, Plainfield, Frankfort, Palos Park, Joliet and Lockport, Alaniz is ready to kick off the production process on his next film "The Vision." Filming began in February and will be shot at various locations including Frankfort, New Lenox, Manhattan, Mokena, Palos Park and Chicago - including the Frankfort Station offices. "We have several locations locked in," said Producer and Frankfort resident Max Nayden. "We would like to include parts of Frankfort and New Lenox in this film that weren't used in Robert's previous films." Frankfort has been featured in all three of Robert Alaniz's films, giving a realistic feel to them, according to a press release. "My stories take place in the suburbs of Chicago for obvious reasons," Alaniz said, "the most obvious being convenience. But my stories involve ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances and you can't get any more ordinary than the south suburbs of Chicago." The cast of Robert Alaniz's THE VISION will include: Samantha Kuebler (New Lenox), Gary Gow (Homer Glen), Jodi London (Tinley Park), Lori Duncan (Chicago), Michael Stoskus (Orland Park), Bruce Spielbauer (Orland Park), Nora Quinn (Mokena), Ryan Vander Ploeg (Mokena), Ian Rigg (Orland Park), Savannah Emmrich (Plainfield), Vic Kuligoski (Orland Park), Dave Branigan (Palos Park), Maura Antas (Wheaton), Georgiana Jianu (Chicago), Ross Freier (Rochelle), Will Jones (Joliet), Brian Rigg (Orland Park), Paige Melnick (Lockport), Amanda Littleton (Frankfort), Ellen Hogan (Frankfort), Tyler Burke (Frankfort), Michelle Weissgerber (Chicago)."I am very pleased with the cast we have," said Director Robert Alaniz. "Our Casting Director, Marie Berner was very instrumental in the casting process." Berner, a Lincoln-Way East Graduate served as Casting Director for the auditions. "My uncle saw the article in the paper about a local film being made in the area, so I jumped on it instantly," said Berner. "I knew that if I passed this opportunity up, I would regret it." Berner, who is also attending Columbia College, will also be taking on the role of Production Coordinator for the film. "Joining the team in November, I felt an Instant connection," Berner said, "Not only do I love film, but I saw that I was able to share that love with many others". Jessica Styzinski, a senior at Lincoln-Way Central in New Lenox will be taking on the role of Director of Photography. Jessica worked on Alaniz's previous film Bitterblue as Assistant Director. Ron Dyrcz, who also attends Lincoln-Way Central, will be Production Photographer and Lighting Technician for the film. www.sole-productions.net. Robert Alaniz's THE VISION will premiere in October 2008 with a theatrical run and DVD release to follow. Lauren can be reached at l.traut@frankfortstation.com, or comment by visiting www.frankfortstation.com