As the crowds line up for the June 30 release of “Twilight: Eclipse,” 15-year-old Toledo native Albert Bryant recently began rehearsals for his debut film “Vampire Chick.” The horror short will soon begin shooting at the Collingwood Arts Center as well as the property of  family and friends.

Bryant began his path to success as a client of the Make-A-Wish Foundation with one dream — to meet renowned acting coach and “Scream Queens” judge John Homa. Homa is the exclusive acting coach for the daytime soap opera “General Hospital.” Bryant lives with a form of Mitochondrial Myopathy, a muscular disorder that can cause muscle weakness, muscle cramping, fatigue, lack of endurance and poor balance. He has appeared in a number of local theater productions, as well as multiple regional commercials for Make-A-Wish. Bryant will next appear with Make-A-Wish at the Lucas County Fairgrounds on July 3.

“John Homa told me if you want to make a movie, just make a movie. I first got the idea for “Vampire Chick” while working on another script last summer. I originally wrote like 86 pages, but cut it down to around 25 due to budget concerns. We’re making this whole project for around $140.” Bryant said. “The hardest aspect of the production has been our casting. We cast our lead because we love her acting abilities. I think chemistry is what makes movies — building character relationships and, as a director, being dedicated and loving what you’re doing,”

A number of Bryant’s cast members were taken from the Children’s Theater Workshop at 2417 Collingwood Blvd.  The film is being shot by Bryant’s uncle and is set to wrap principal photography before July 1.

“One of my greatest influences as a filmmaker is Alfred Hitchcock; there was a man who was just ahead of his time,” Bryant said. “When I finish the film I plan on sending it to John Homa, just to see what he thinks, and maybe make a longer version, maybe do a benefit screening for the Children’s Theater Workshop.”

The Toledo Make-A-Wish chapter can be reached at (419) 244-9474.

Tags: Eclipse, Make-A-Wish, Twilight

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 29th, 2010 at 2:25 pm and is filed under Pop Culture, Star.
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