GABRIELLA To Film In Early December With Indie Veteran Filmmaker, Sopranos Star And Local Stage Actress

Award-Winning Producer/Director Sam Borowski will be filming his latest production this December, a short titled Gabriella. The Indie Veteran will return to the director's chair with an original script he wrote. The film about a waitress named Gabriella, who is obsessed with movies, and dealing with a creepy customer named Joe, who is obsessed with her, will star young ingénue, Devony DiMattia in the title role, Joe Gannascoli, best known for his role as Vito Spatafore from The Sopranos as a shady character Gabriella suspects is a mobster and John Calvanico as the potential stalker, Joe.

"I got this idea from some 'Sketch Comedy' John was doing and it took on a life of its own," said Borowski. "John and Devony are students of mine, and I always look to give opportunities for my students. Still Devony had to go through an audition, which she totally knocked out of the park.

"I've also been looking for a project for Joe (Gannascoli) for a little while now. He is such a talented and funny actor. He actually played two characters in a reading I did this past Spring for my upcoming feature film that I wrote and will be directing, Stay Fresh. He did such a great job with it. This is going to be a fun film that will kick off a few collaborations with him."

Borowski has produced 14 films, including seven features and has directed five films, perhaps best known for the feature Night Club, which starred Oscar-Winner Ernest Borgnine, Zachary Abel, Oscar-Nominee Sally Kellerman and Natasha Lyonne. He also will be directing a feature, Stay Fresh, in the near future.

DiMattia, who studied Theatre and Dramatic Arts at Penn State, has been a technical director at the Bickford Theatre in New Jersey and has also served as an assistant director and choreographer for the Tri-State Actor's Theater. She also recently worked on "The Bloody Deed of 1857," Off-Broadway. In addition, she was the lead in the short film Anna, has been on INSTINCT (CBS) and BILLIONS (SHOWTIME) and THE DEUCE on HBO and has been doing commercial work.

"I've worked with Sam a couple of times now including the acting class and I was so blessed to have that opportunity to audition," DiMattia said. "Gabriella just talks about all of these different films that are meaningful to actors in this day and age. I'm so excited to get on the set with Sam - so excited to see what we're going to make from this.

"I loved the script from the moment I read it. It has so much depth to it. I get to watch and re-watch all of these movies that mean something to Gabriella. I'm blessed to have the opportunity to work on this kind of project."

DiMattia spoke of the various elements to the project.

"The script is so strong and meaningful on its own. Just calling it a comedy is not necessarily indicative of this film. Having both of those components in one is kind of a different project. And, I'm very curious to see how the audience plays in to the serious component of this story."

Pete Magrino, who also was cast out of Borowski's 'SO YOU WANT TO BE AN ACTOR' class, will also play a role in the cast and Borowski is in talks with Mike Vezza to join, as well.

Gabriella is described as a "dark comedy," and will be set at a Diner in the New York/New Jersey Tri-State area; "Bam-A-Lam Burger" at Route 35 in Sayerville, New Jersey.

Nick Turco, who shot the soon-to-be-released short, In This Moment, will serve as Director of Photography. This will reunite Turco and Borowski. Turco served in the same role for In This Moment, while Borowski produced for first-time director, Taylor Salotti. Ironically, the roles will be REVERSED as Salotti will be producing alongside Borowski, as he returns to the director's chair. Also on the producing staff will be Melissa Singh.

"From John's silly comedy, a greater idea was born," Borowski smiled. "And, it will be great to return to the director's chair. I'm excited for this one."

Gabriella begins principal photography in early December in the Tri-State area.

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