Local Filmmaker Finishes Second Film
A Lakewood-area filmmaker isn't waiting for Hollywood to come calling. She's making movies here and now in Cuyahoga County.
Lisa Seelinger's latest film, “Kings and Queens,” is about a chess game played between two people, with each strategic move igniting or stifling possibilities between them.
“This is a film about a young man and woman who are simply playing a game of chess,” Seelinger says. “But there are other complicated issues intertwined in the story. It indirectly deals with race, relationships, love, hurt and imagination. It's funny how relationships can seem like a game sometimes,” she says. “So what would happen if a game manipulated our relationship?”
Seelinger studied filmmaking at Farleigh-Dickinson University, then took a job at WSEE-TV. She currently directs newscasts at Cleveland's WEWS-TV. In her spare time she enjoys playing chess, which inspired “Kings and Queens.”
Volunteer actors Lee Grigsby of Cleveland and Ruby McCormick of Erie, Pennsylvania make their acting debuts in the lead roles. Another Cleveland native, January Keaton, appears in the film as well as James Xavier and M. Peter Cudicio of Erie.
“The most rewarding part of filmmaking is meeting and working with everyone while doing something we all love to do,” Seelinger explains. “It’s not very often that you get to be truly creative.”
Of course, the dynamics of shooting a movie are different in Erie than Hollywood. Without studio financing, area filmmakers have to raise their own funds and be resourceful to control costs. Seelinger, who shot her work on Mini DV, bought her camera and other equipment online.
Seelinger's previous feature film, “Missed Cues,” was an official selection in the Great Lakes Film Festival in Erie and the Newfilmmakers Series in New York City.
Seelinger’s advice for future filmmakers is simple, “Don’t give up.”
“I used to think it was impossible to achieve,” she says. “I just threw myself into any film projects I could and the opportunity presented itself, so I jumped on it.”
Seelinger's next film will be a feature shooting this summer in and around Lakewood. She is searching for volunteer actors willing to participate. In addition, Seelinger is currently looking for musicians or bands willing to contribute music for future movie soundtracks. For more information contact Lisa at SeelingerProductions@hotmail.com.
