C I T Y
L I F E
T O
C O U N T R Y
L I V I N G
USA $7.50 INTERNATIONAL $9.50 March / April 2017 Issue
MAGAZINE Up-Close and Personal with Canadian Actress
TAMI’S Never-
CHRYSTAL SNOW
Ending Story Continues…
Model/Actress
EVELINA WALTER
IVAN DJUROVIC IT Watches
A MAN WITH PASSION AND PURPOSE
LOU
FERRIGNO JR.
ISBN 978-1-365-58375-9
90000
9 781365 583759
Mar / Apr 2017 Issue
CITY TO COUNTRY MAGAZINE
CONTENTS MUSIC 6 Stephanie Grace – A Feel-Good Story 12 Ric Zweig and Fresh Air
COVER STORY
48 24
16 Lou Ferrigno, Jr. – A Man with Passion and Purpose
FASHION 24 Model/Actress – Evelina Walter 35 Katie Cimaroli
62 16
MUSICAL 39 Joy Hymon
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FILMMAKER 40 Harshrajsinh Gohil 43 Hiroki Jimbow 45 Lati Grobman and Christa Campbell of Campbell Grobman Films
CELEBRITY 48 Ivan Djurovic It Watches 54 Tami’s Never-Ending Story Continues… 62 Up-Close and Personal with Canadian Actress Chrystal Snow
MEDITATION 63 Meditating on the Grammy Awards
SUE’S COFFEE TALK 65 Dr. Antonio Borrello –Dating 3.0 www.facebook.com/citytocountrymagazine/ www.instagram.com/citytocountrymag/ www.twitter.com/citytcountrymag www.pinterest.com/citytocountryma/ http://citytocountrymagazine.com/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm8242725/ http://www.citytocountrymag.org
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SUE MCGAUGHEY JAY LUSTER MICHELLE MAGEE COVAN MAGEE CAMERON HOLDER THOMAS SPYCHALSKI TOM KELLY ROBYN WEISS SUE MCGAUGHEY CLINT MORRIS MICHELLE MAGEE JOSH MITCHELL BRENT GROH JESSICA ROSE ED SANDOVAL ERIC TIER
Write To Us: 1911 Market Street Beatrice, Nebraska 68310 CITY TO COUNTRY MAGAZINE LLC would like to thank our sponsors for their contributions and will be making changes to our digital and print issues to bring our readers and viewers the best of the best! Sponsors: Sue’s Coffee Talk and Bullz Eye Enterprises For those who would like to become a part of our Team here at CITY TO COUNTRY MAGAZINE LLC, you can join us over at CityToCountryMagazine.com and show your support. For those who would like to advertise in and/or sponsor an issue, you can email us at citytocountrymagazine@gmail.com. CITY TO COUNTRY MAGAZINE LLC is a Bimonthly Magazine. This publication may not be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission from the Publisher/Owner, Lisa Snyder. Copyright© 2017 CITY TO COUNTRY MAGAZINE LLC. All Rights Reserved. Distribution by Ingram Periodicals, Inc. http://www.ingramcontent.com
MUSIC
WRITTEN BY TOM KELLY, OWNER/FOUNDER OF CHASING YOUR DREAM RADIO
STEPHANIE GRACE
A FEELGOOD STORY
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bout an hour’s drive northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a small town called Douglassville. In less time than it takes a tourist to figure out how to order an authentic Philly cheesesteak “wit” or “witout” whiz, you can be transformed from city to country. The area code for Douglassville is 610, which is higher than the count of residents who call this tiny hamlet home. If the town had a Walk of Fame, the first star would belong to a lifelong resident, Nashville recording artist Stephanie Grace, who had this to say about her hometown. “I love that it’s a small town and that everyone is very kind and supportive! My hometown has really embraced my music career from the beginning! Nothing beats hometown support.” I suggested that she run for mayor, but she laughed that off really fast. I had the pleasure of meeting Stephanie and watching her perform a few months ago. She is a delightful young lady with a bundle of positive energy. She treated me and my friends like we were family. I had a wonderful time getting to know her. She is an amazingly talented performer. You can see the confidence flow through her as she captivates the audience. She is not just the lead singer. She is the star. This is what she is made for, and this is what makes her come alive. Stephanie is a rising star on the Country music scene. Her career is just beginning to blossom, and people in the music business in Nashville are starting to take notice. Stephanie doesn’t seem fazed by all the attention. I don’t think she really knows how good she is. When I showed her some things I was writing about her, she said I make her look way cooler than she is. If I could describe Stephanie Grace in a few words, I would say she’s a feel-good story. Stephanie has been performing professionally since she was 11. Her list of accomplishments keeps growing. Here are a few of the highlights. Stephanie has opened for some of Country music’s finest performers, including Easton Corbin, John Michael Montgomery, Taylor Swift, Scotty McCreery, Josh Turner, and The Charlie Daniels Band. She has performed the national anthem at many sporting events, including for one of my favorite teams, The Reading Fightin’ Phils. Her list also includes performances at the legendary Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, as well as the Milton Hershey School opening assembly (5,000 people) at Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania, with The Uptown Band featuring Erich Cawalla and Jenifer Kinder. Stephanie won the 2006 Kids Country Idol contest by 105.1 WIOV, and the prize was to open for Taylor Swift at Fall Fest to an audience of 40,000 people. Stephanie was named Artist of the Month for February 2017 on Chasing Your Dream Radio. She also co-wrote and performed the jingle for Miller-Keystone Blood Center. Stephanie has the vocal range to sing just about any genre of music. She takes pride in calling herself a Country music singer. Some of the artists that have influenced Stephanie along
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her musical journey include Shania Twain, LeAnn Rimes, Martina McBride, The Band Perry, and Maren Morris. Stephanie may be too kind to be a Country singer. Most of the time I hear a breakup song, the guy is running for his life and trying to decide whether to put his other boot on or pull up his pants. He’s already forgotten about his cowboy hat and truck. He sees smoke in the air and smells kerosene, as his possessions go up in flames. The guy is counting his blessings that he only has one black eye and that his shotgun is in the fire and not pointed at him. Stephanie just tells the guy we’re through, and if you asked her, she would say her life is okay. Any guy in those Country songs would like the sound of that. Stephanie’s music is a blend of how to handle life’s hard lessons and still have a positive outlook. The powerful words and vocals that come out of her tiny frame make you think she’s seen a lot, but can handle just about anything. Stephanie has a way of putting real life experiences into musical stories that people can relate to. Stephanie’s music can be heard around the globe on many Internet radio stations. She is a featured artist on Chasing Your Dream Radio. Her music is also played regularly on the Country Belles Show in London, England. Her song, “Life’s Okay,” is currently ranked #29 on KCEG Radio in the USA. Her debut single, “Hey There,” peaked at #45 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout chart. Her sophomore single, “Loser,” was one of the most added songs in Country radio its debut week. Stephanie has two EPs and a few singles. Her first EP, Stephanie Grace (2012), was recorded at Cupit Music Recording Studio in Nashville when she was 15, and her second EP, Life’s Okay (2013), and the singles “Scared” and “Oh Well” (2014) were recorded at Studio Red in Hendersonville, Tennessee. She has promised her fans she will be releasing new music later this year, and she is very excited about it. One of my favorite songs by Stephanie is called “The Sound.” The song showcases Stephanie’s remarkable
vocal range at the age of 16. The song grabbed me the same way another breathtakingly beautiful song did, the 1988 A&M Records hit, “Piano in the Dark,” by Brenda Russell. Stephanie says she would not be where she is without the love and support of her family and her band. She gives a lot of the credit for her success to her parents, who definitely raised her right. She had this to say about her family. “My family is tremendous. My parents have supported me from the very beginning. They were never pushy stage parents, but they’ve always been by my side 100%.” The Stephanie Grace Band consists of Paul Brown (guitar), Marty Hill (bass), Josh Heller (guitar), Scott Lloyd (drums), and Laura Orr (keyboards). Stephanie loves to interact with her fans, especially with children. She devotes a lot of the limited free time she has visiting schools, using the power of her music to deliver positive messages to our youth through school assemblies. She is also involved with various charities, including Relay for Life, United Way, St. Jude, and Keystone Warriors. Stephanie does many benefit concerts, as well as donating CDs and merchandise. Stephanie keeps her life in balance by eating healthy and maintaining a rigorous fitness routine. She also enjoys shopping and loves her two cats, Lacey and Bailey, who she calls her babies. I asked Stephanie what her dreams and ambitions are, and she replied, “My biggest dream/goal/ambition is to inspire others and to spread as much positivity as I possibly can in this world. Growing up, I never thought I’d be able to do the things I’m doing now. I want to inspire others to believe in themselves, and I also want to be good to others and to spread good vibes. I want my music to make people feel good. I certainly do not know what the future holds, but I just know that I want to make a difference!” One can’t help but wish for Stephanie to succeed. Whether it be in music or whatever vocation she chooses, she’d probably be a great teacher. Although, she has
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no plan B. Music is her only choice. She’s determined and ready to do the hard work and make the sacrifices necessary to reach her goals. Stephanie seems destined to be seen on television winning an award, and when that happens, there might not be a dry eye in Douglassville. Be sure to visit Stephanie’s website and find her on social media. If you live near Pennsylvania, I suggest you checkout where she is playing and go see her perform. You won’t be disappointed. In fact, if I was a betting man, I would say you would want to go back and see her
perform again. I know I sure do. You can also checkout her music wherever digital music is sold. Stephanie has a really nice Christmas song, “Wherever You Are.” There is a part in it where she mentions the passing of her grandmother and how they still set a place for her at the dinner table. I think that would be very hard to sing about and not have a lump in your throat or a tear in your eye. Stephanie sings it so flawlessly and with such elegance. In the song, she mentions that she hopes she made her grandma proud. Oh, yeah, Stephanie, you did.
Special Section from Author TOM KELLY: I didn’t want to ruin the artistic integrity by editing Stephanie’s answer when asked about stage fright. It’s too honest, so I thought it would be best to keep it like it was. STEPHANIE GRACE: I’m gonna be completely honest here. I don’t really have an answer, because I am ALWAYS nervous before a performance. And I don’t quite know how to calm my nerves, cause the reality is I don’t try to. Being nervous and having stage fright is all psychological, despite the physical symptoms like your heart racing or feeling nauseous. It’s in your head. It’s your thoughts, and YOU can control your thoughts. It all comes down to the way you talk to yourself, particularly those moments leading up to the moment you get out there. When I’m backstage, the moment before I walk out, I feel SO sick, and I’m literally shaking. But I tell myself that I am about to go out there and have the time of my life.
What’s much, MUCH stronger than feelings of selfdoubt and nervousness are LOVE and PASSION, both things I feel for singing. So, you have to remind yourself why you’re doing it – cause you love it. The most important thing? Have. Fun. Nothing can go wrong when you’re having fun. You mess up? Smile and keep going. You fall down? Get up and keep going. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve literally fallen down in my stupid heels (or normal shoes…I can trip over a flat surface) or forgotten the words to my own songs, but I laugh it off and make those moments part of the performance. Contrary to what some might believe, I don’t have a whole lot of confidence. But one thing I do have a whole lot of is FUN. Do not think that nerves are a bad thing, cause they’re not. Recognize them, accept them, and use them as fuel for your performance. Trust yourself. Build yourself up. Tell yourself whatever you need to tell yourself. Get out there, and have fun.
For more information on Stephanie, please visit the following sites: Website: www.stephanie-grace.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/StephanieGraceOfficial Twitter: www.twitter.com/StephanieGmusic Instagram: www.instagram.com/stephaniegmusic/ SoundCloud: www.soundcloud.com/stephaniegmusic/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/stephgrace96 Bandsintown (Tour schedule): www.bandsintown.com/StephanieGrace
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RIC ZWEIG AND
FRESH AIR WRITTEN BY TAMMY KC HEGYES
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hen approached with the idea of this story, I sat and pondered the reality of the concept – that this amazingly talented man made his way to the stage and performs with a somewhat younger generation of musicians, who blow you away with their style. At first, I thought I was hearing something along the lines of The Doors. However, Fresh Air have a well-balanced sound – a mix, in my opinion, of a style of old Rock and a true feeling of wonder. They take you on their mind’s journey through their lyrics with their blastfrom-the-past style of playing. Personally, I have to say that I’m impressed! When you first catch a glimpse of Ric Zweig and then see how long he has been performing on stage with his band, Fresh Air, you put aside the fact that he, at one time, was a criminal judge! Yes, I said it, a judge! Where’s the justice in that? Listen and follow his journey. Open your mind and find yourself going in his direction and listening to his lyrics, the poetic side of genius. Lyrics that bring you into his meaning and flow along with his voice. Retired from criminal law, but definitely not done! Just following a different plan, opening a different door, and building a strong fan base. I do believe, if you find your way to his website and learn a little more about the man and the band, you might find yourself listening to his music and taking in that breath of Fresh Air. Thank you, Ric Zweig, for taking the time to answer our questions. CITY TO COUNTRY MAGAZINE: Tell us a bit about Fresh Air. Let’s start with the band members. How did you all meet, where are you all from, and how long have you been together? RIC ZWEIG: Ric Zweig & Fresh Air are the result of a search, several years in duration, for three very young, very attractive musicians, with world-class chops, to join little old me. Guitarist Alex Mallet (age 27), drummer Miguel Cruz (age 23), and bassist Ricky Risquez (age 21) are the result of that quest. We have now all been together just over a year. CTCM: Hailing from Florida, what prompted the band’s move to New Orleans? ZWEIG: South Florida is a location with scant opportunity. New Orleans is the music capitol of the United States. That’s why we are here. CTCM: How has the transition to New Orleans worked out for you all, and how is it going? ZWEIG: We arrived in NOLA in mid-January. Getting settled has been a challenge. We are now ready to kick butt and chew gum, and we are all out of gum. CTCM: How is the relationship mutually beneficial to someone who’s had decades of exposure and experience and those who are several years your junior? ZWEIG: Somewhat surprisingly, it seems to be working. I have a young heart. They have old souls. CTCM: Does age difference prove to be an asset in this instance? ZWEIG: Young musicians have better weed. ONLY JOKING. Time will eventually answer this question.
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COVER STORY
LOU FERRIGNO, JR. –
A Man with
Passion Purpose and
WRITTEN BY SUE MCGAUGHEY
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COVER STORY
W
hen you hear the name Ferrigno, you automatically think of Lou, The Hulk. Well, there is more than one Ferrigno carrying on the legacy! Lou Ferrigno, Jr. is a man of many passions. From fitness to art to acting, Lou does it all. Growing up with the famous Lou Ferrigno, Sr., Lou Jr. thought everyone’s father was a superhero. After all, his dad was The Hulk! Lou would frequently visit his dad on set. At such a young age, Lou wasn’t sure how his dad became The Hulk, he just knew he was. To this day, people tell
him how much they loved The Hulk and how much that character meant to them. Lou Jr. said, “It was so humbling to hear how impactful my dad’s work was in the lives of so many people around the world. It motivates me to create that kind of impact as well. The idea of bringing joy to people’s lives is so inspiring for me, and it’s what I will continuously work to achieve.” Acting is what Lou feels he was born to do. As a child, he spent a lot of time with his parents on the set of various 18
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film and TV shows that his father worked on. Since he was ten-years-old, Lou Jr. knew that he would be an actor. However, Lou did not start out that way. Although he loves and has enormous respect for his father, Lou felt he needed to differentiate himself from his father’s identity. Lou pursued and played football through his college days. Even then, Lou knew he was going to become an actor. He just needed to exhaust all other career options beforehand, so it would be absolutely clear that acting was what he wanted to do. “Acting demands so much to
succeed. I didn’t want to disrespect the craft by taking it lightly,” Lou said. “Once I booked my first job on the daytime soap, Days of Our Lives, deep in my heart, I knew I made the right choice.” Lou said his father’s dream for his son has always been for him to become an actor. Due to his dad’s hearing loss (85%), his speech, while acting, was always a challenge for him. He has always encouraged Lou Jr. to utilize his hearing to become the best he can possibly be and to
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perform in ways he couldn’t. Whenever times are hard, Lou’s parents tell him, “Keep going,” which keeps his head in the right place. “In order to supersede my father’s success, I know I must be fully-equipped to tackle any role in this very competitive industry. I need to pursue the craft from all angles…dramatic, comedic, or improv. Basically, whatever it calls for, I’m ready to tackle it,” Lou stated. After graduating from USC in 2007, Lou Jr. finally decided to pursue his dream. Having the same name as his father, Lou felt there might be some undue expectations placed on him as an actor. With this in mind, he set out to fine-tune his craft. He initially fell in love with the Meisner acting technique at the Baron Brown Academy in Santa Monica, California. Committed to the repetition of acting, Lou worked tirelessly, determined to succeed on his own accord. He couldn’t find an agent willing to represent him at first. He was without credits and fresh out of college. After booking several commercials and TV shows with only a manager, agents began to take him seriously. Not wanting to be put in the category of “child of a celebrity actor,” Lou felt he had to prove to them all that he could do this on his own. Lou Jr. is paving his own way in the entertainment business. He recently wrapped production on a romantic comedy, Happily Never After, where he plays the role of criminal attorney Mark Reskins, who is the new love interest of co-star Danielle Savre (Too Close to Home). He also works alongside Rick Costnett (Vampire Diaries) and Tedd McGinley (Married with Children). Happily Never After is written by Matt Marx and directed by David Cass, Sr. It’s a feel-good tale for the whole family that will be airing on the Hallmark channel during 2017. Lou said, “It was a nice change of pace for me. As a character, I’m usually wearing a cape, carrying a gun, or throwing a punch. You won’t want to miss this film.” Happily Never After isn’t the only film project Lou has done. He’s been on other projects and TV shows, such as How I Met Your Mother, Teen Wolf, and Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn. For the last year, Lou has played a recurring character, Super Sammy, on the kid’s show, Mutt & Stuff, on Nickelodeon. Getting to work with legendary producers, Sid and Marty Krofft, as well as
Cesar Millan from Dog Whisperer, Super Sammy is a Supermanesque super hero who wears a cape and plays with dogs! Lou said he can’t think of a better gig! Acting is not all that Lou is interested in. He is heavily involved in Ferrigno Legacy and is extremely health and fitness conscious. “I think maybe I work-out too much,” Lou stated. “I try to balance my fitness repertoire with strength, flexibility, increased lung capacity, and meditative health. I also make sure I keep a healthy diet devoid of processed foods and unnecessary sugars that, unfortunately, taste so good.” Lou confessed he loves to cook. Look out, ladies! A man who can cook is a rare commodity. Periodically, you may catch Lou indulging in some pizza or frozen yogurt, although he knows not to get carried away. Fortunately, he works out a lot, so he burns those indulgence calories. Working-out is a big part of Lou Jr.’s life, just like Lou Sr. He is an owner and co-promoter of Ferrigno Legacy, alongside his business partner, Chris Minnes, and his father. Fitness has been integral to the foundation of this family. Lou Jr. traveled the world, attending bodybuilding competitions with his father, when Lou Sr. returned to competition in the early ‘90s. After attending a bodybuilding event in 2011, Lou Jr. recognized that the scope of the event greatly undervalued the hard work and dedication that all the competitors had put into it. He felt something needed to be done to create a fitness competition that could rival big-ticket sporting events. With Ferrigno Legacy and its considerable growth in only four years, they have clearly created something that fitness enthusiasts from across the globe are excited about year-round. In the process of all this, Lou Jr. has created another career for himself as MC, hosting another similar fitness production, The Tahoe Show, in South Lake Tahoe, California. Something fans may not know about Lou is that, besides sharing his passion for fitness with the world, he works with teenagers at an adolescent treatment center in Malibu, California. The program is called Paradigm Malibu. Paradigm provides troubled teens with the opportunity to turn their lives around and get on the right track. Jeff Nalin and Cole Rucker are the founders. Paradigm has expanded across the country,
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with houses in San Francisco and New York. Lou really enjoys supporting this program. It allows him to have a real impact on children less fortunate than he was. Lou Jr. obviously lives a very busy and fulfilling life. He strives every day to not only improve himself, while making his mark as his own man, but also by helping and touching lives of many others. I asked Lou if there was a Mrs. Ferrigno right now or another important woman in his life. His response was, “The only Mrs. Ferrigno in my life is my beautiful mother, Carla Ferrigno. She is my biggest fan and the most supportive person in my life. I’ve made her a promise that, one day, she will be my date to the Academy Awards. Until that happens, I will not be fully happy with any of my achievements in entertainment. My sister, Shanna Ferrigno, is an actress and has been a big inspiration throughout my career. She keeps me humble and motivated and is always available for advice when I need it. She runs our other family fitness website, www.ferrignofit.com, and it has grown substantially since its inception in 2009.” As for advice to upcoming youth in the entertainment industry, Lou says he would tell any young actor that they’d better be sure acting is what they want to do before they start auditioning. Real success in any field takes hard work, dedication, and a lot of patience. In this instaculture, impatience can lead a person to make irrational decisions and perhaps digress from their path. Focus is key, and without a strong passion for the craft, greatness is merely a pipe dream. Lou personally believes in karma. There is so much uncertainty in the entertainment industry that one can drive themselves mad. “I try my best to harness my obsessive overthinking and redirect it to making strangers laugh at the grocery store. I believe that if I have made at least one person smile or laugh throughout the day, I have fulfilled my purpose,” Lou told me. Personally, I think Lou Jr. has only put a dent into life so far. It was such a pleasure to interview him. His spirit and enthusiasm are contagious. This young man has a very wide-ranging skill set. I’m betting his beautiful mother will be taking him up on that date to the Academy Awards one day. City to Country Magazine wishes Lou Jr. much success in all that he does. For more on him, you can follow him on all social media, as well as visit his website at http://louferrigno.com/pages/train-with-lou-jr.
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FASHION
MODEL/ACTRESS
EVELINA WALTER PROVIDED BY EVELINA WALTER
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velina Walter was born and raised in a small city in Stalowa Wola, Poland. In 1997, she migrated to the United States at the age of 17. Once in the US, her family settled in Springfield, Massachusetts, where she began to learn the American culture and the English language. After approximately two years, she felt confident enough to start a career in the health industry. In 2000, while working full-time, she began to introduce herself into freelance modeling, working with several photographers who were just starting out to be professionals. Until 2003, she participated in several photo shoots and runway sessions. From 2003 to 2009, she took a break from modeling to start her family. In June of 2009, Evelina was approached by a local designer, Craigo Cardicci, and was reintroduced to modeling by participating in a fashion show wearing his latest designs. In August of 2010, she modeled for several local boutiques out of Northampton, Massachusetts, during a fundraising fashion show at the estate of and hosted by CEO Michael Kittredge of the Yankee Candle Company. In November of 2016, while continuing with her modeling career, she was selected to model for Theo’s of Hartford during Hartford Fashion Week, showcasing evening gown designs at Union Station in Hartford, Connecticut. Currently, Evelina Walter is working with actors/models Chaunty Spillane and Keith Fluker on an up and coming improv comedy sketch. When she is not working in modeling and acting, Evelina enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She also enjoys traveling, taking long road trips to explore the country.
Bill Windy, Photographer KLBPro Photography www.klbpro.com www.facebook.com/BillWindy www.instagram.com/klbpro www.twitter.com/klbpro
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FILMMAKER
WRITTEN BY MICHELLE MAGEE OF BULLZ EYE ENTERPRISES
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recently had the honor of speaking to Hollywood filmmaker Harshrajsinh Gohil about his projects and his thoughts on filmmaking. I must say it was a pleasure.
MICHELLE MAGEE: Tell readers about your background. Where are you from, and what brought you to the US? HARSHRAJSINH GOHIL: I was born and raised in the state of Gujarat in India. I grew up in a small village where there was no media penetration at that time, and no one would think of a career in film or TV. I used to watch a lot of TV, and I wanted to visit all the places I saw. Once I decided to leave advertising and join film, my first thought was to come to the USA. I think Indian literature is a very rich and old culture. There are too many great stories about India and Indian people, and I want to share those with the world, not just India. Hence, I came to Los Angeles, as Hollywood has a large international audience. MAGEE: Was there a particular event or time when you recognized that filmmaking was not just a hobby, but that it would be your life and your living? GOHIL: I was an advertising copywriter, but I did not like telling my stories to sell the products. I made a short film, Irrespective of Respect, with a very small budget. It was an alright film, as I did not know filmmaking, but I loved the process. I decided to learn filmmaking in 2010 and have never looked back since. MAGEE: What projects are you currently working on? GOHIL: I am working at AOL Studios, and at this point, I am working on MAKERS Conference. I am also working with an Emmy-nominated filmmaker on a travel documentary series. The pilot was nominated for an Emmy in 2016. I am also writing a TV pilot and will go into production mid-2017. MAGEE: Is it harder to get started or to keep going? What was the particular thing that you had to conquer to do either? GOHIL: I don’t think it’s hard to keep going when you are in the right field and do the work you love. I left my family, my country, and some very good things to work in film, so that is enough encouragement to keep going. It’s very easy to get lost in a big city like LA and to forget your purpose. So, every morning, I ask myself, “Why am I here?” That makes my day productive. MAGEE: What advice would you give to someone who wanted to have a life of creating film? GOHIL: You will have to do 50 different things you do not like in order to do one thing that you love, so do all the things that will push you forward towards your dream, whether you like it or not. At the end of the day, all the dots will get connected, you will be able to do what you love, and you will be better at it.
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FILMMAKER MAGEE: What was the most important lesson you had to learn that has had a positive effect on one of your films? How did that lesson happen?
You must choose your friends and team wisely. It’s better to have a less talented person with the right attitude than a more talented person with a bad attitude.
GOHIL: The most important lesson I learned was from my film A Tourist. Some people say script is most important, some say actors are most important, and some would say direction is most important. I think everything is most important… the actors, script, lighting, editing, and the fonts you use for the credits. I believe when you take each and every process of filmmaking as the most important process, you end up creating a great project.
MAGEE: What role have film festivals played in your life so far? Why are they necessary? How do you get the most out of them?
MAGEE: What type of films do you make? What is your favorite film genre? GOHIL: I like the concepts of dream, time, and karma. I want to incorporate Indian mythology with those concepts to tell my stories. I like science fiction and drama as well. MAGEE: What makes a film great for you? Are there certain qualities that make a film better for you? GOHIL: A great film makes people forget that they are watching a movie and connect with characters like they are real. When people cry, laugh hard, and scream at the screen, I think that’s the sign of a great film. A film that makes people forget that it’s just a film. MAGEE: What films have been the most inspiring or influential to you, and why? GOHIL: Taxi Driver has been very inspiring for me. It’s just a great firsthand character study. That movie has really shown me how complex people can be, and when I am creating my characters, I want them to be as real and as complex as Travis Bickle from Taxi Driver. MAGEE: When you get angry at a movie, what sets you off? Are there common qualities in cinema today that you dislike? Is there something you try to subvert, avoid, or rebel against in your work? GOHIL: I don’t get angry at other people or their projects, but if someone doesn’t let me tell my story my way, then it’s a problem, and I keep away from those people.
GOHIL: Festivals give us validation, and it’s a place where you celebrate all the hard work you have done for your project with your team. They are necessary to promote your work. MAGEE: I am a big believer in the importance of social media in many aspects of the film process. Are you on social media, and do you use it in your work? Why or why not? GOHIL: Yes, I am on social media. Social media is a very important aspect of anyone’s career, and it’s most important to my career, which is all about engaging with people. MAGEE: Do filmmakers have any responsibility to culture? Do you feel that being a creative person requires that you give back or tell a particular story or do something else? Why or why not? GOHIL: It’s the individual choice of each and every filmmaker, as everyone becomes a filmmaker for different reasons…some to gain money, some to entertain, and some people want to give something back to their society. I believe all the reasons are valid. But we most definitely need artists who use their art to give a good message to society and to inspire them or just the art that reflects our society. MAGEE: If there is one thing you think would make the film industry better, what would it be? GOHIL: I think activist filmmakers or any artists who are activists would definitely make the industry better, as it’s needed in the times we live in. MAGEE: Thank you for your time. To wrap this up, tell the readers something personal about yourself that they can only learn here…hobbies, favorite food, pet peeve, etc. GOHIL: I love music, and I also want to use some of my free time to learn singing and dancing. I learned little bit of salsa, but need to get better at it.
Website: www.gohilharsh1987.wixsite.com/hurshgohil IMDb: www.imdb.com/name/nm8030078/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/harshrajsinh-gohil-523712117?trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile Facebook: www.facebook.com/harsh.gohil.75 Vimeo (Reel): www.vimeo.com/user41461152 Instagram: www.instagram.com/harshrajsinh1987/ 42 CITY TO COUNTRY MAGAZINE LLC
WRITTEN BY JOSH MITCHELL
LATI CHRISTA GROBMAN
CAMPBELL
0f Campbell Grobman Films 45 MAR / APR 2017 ISSUE
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ntroducing Academy Award-nominated Producers Lati Grobman and Christa Campbell (https://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Campbell-Grobman_Films). These friends became producing partners in 2011, as Campbell Grobman Films, after working as executive producers on such films as Lionsgate’s Leatherface 3D and Kat Coiro’s romantic comedy, A Case of You, which stars Justin Long, Sienna Miller, and Brendan Fraser. Grobman was also an executive producer on the Michael Shannon/Chris Evans crime drama, The Iceman, and James Cox’s indie dramedy, Straight A’s, both of which co-star Campbell.
CURRENT FILMS The Bleeder – Starring Naomi Watts, Liev Schreiber, Ron Perlman, Elisabeth Moss, and Jim Gaffigan. Premiered at 2016 Venice Film Festival, Toronto Film Festival.
The duo scored with Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013), which took in $47 million worldwide. “We’ve done a lot of different things,” says Campbell, whose acting credits include Drive Angry, The Mechanic, and a fair amount of genre. “We were nominated for an Emmy for the documentary Brave Miss World,” she adds.
The Hitman’s Bodyguard – Starring Salma Hayek, Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, and Gary Oldman. Lionsgate release.
Their list also includes executive producing duties on She’s Funny That Way, starring Jennifer Aniston and recently wowing those at the Venice Film Festival, and Criminal, which stars Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman, and Tommy Lee Jones. Other projects on their docket include Eliza Graves with Kate Beckinsale, Jim Sturgess, and Michael Caine; Red Sonja, based on the graphic novels; and Day of the Dead, a remake of the George Romero film.
ACCOLADES Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom – Received Oscar nomination for Best Documentary and Emmy nomination for Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking. Won 2015 Toronto International Film Festival.
Texas Chainsaw 3D – Starring Lili Taylor and Stephan Dorff. Relaunched Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise. Lionsgate release. Criminal – Starring Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman, Tommy Lee Jones, and Ryan Reynolds.
Experimenter – Starring Peter Sarsgaard, Winona Rider, and Anton Yelchin.
Brave Miss World – Received Emmy nomination for Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking.
For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/Campbell- Grobman-Films-336999609674457. Also, see www.forbes.com/sites/kathycaprino/2015/12/15/the-power-duo-of-campbell-grobman-films-pavesthe-way-for-more-women-at-the-top-in-entertainment/#79a5b00629f7. For interviews, meetings, or questions, please contact: Josh Mitchell Wickid Pissa Publicity www.wickidpissapublicity.com
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47 MAR / APR 2017 ISSUE
CELEBRITY
IVAN DJUROVIC WRITTEN BY JESSICA SVENSON
IT WATCHES 48 CITY TO COUNTRY MAGAZINE LLC
CELEBRITY
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hough born and raised in Chicago, actor Ivan Djurovic spent many of his summers in Europe. Clearly, the actor and writer has been influenced by his Serbian parents, family, and colleagues overseas when writing his screenplay, It Watches, which features the kind of unique, artistic, and brave sensibilities and themes not normally found in a traditional American horror film. JESSICA SVENSON: Djurovic. Such an amazing name. Where do you come from, Ivan? IVAN DJUROVIC: Thank you for the compliment. It definitely has helped me stand out, to say the least. I was born and raised in Chicago, but both of my parents are from Belgrade, Serbia. I was fortunate to spend my summers there growing up. I also lived in Europe for a year, before moving to Hollywood. SVENSON: Was acting always the passion? DJUROVIC: It has always been a passion. From the time I could walk, I was putting on shows for my parent’s guests at parties. I knew it was something I loved and wanted to do. The moment that sealed the deal was in grade school. I was cast as Prince Charming in the musical Cinderella. After our opening night, I went home and told my parents that I would finish high school early and move to California to become an actor. SVENSON: Did you study? DJUROVIC: I have been in and out of classes for the past 12 years. You should always be improving your craft, whatever it may be. If it were up to me, I would always be in some type of class, whether it be a scene study, audition technique, or improv class. I also strongly believe in going ahead and creating your own work. Making this movie was the best form of education. SVENSON: Do you still base yourself in Chicago, or are you in Los Angeles now? DJUROVIC: I’m based in Los Angeles. Just hit my tenyear mark in October, which was bittersweet. I do visit Chicago every year and would love to book a show based out there or film a movie in the city.
SVENSON: Is It Watches the first screenplay you’ve written? DJUROVIC: It was actually my first screenplay! I’m so happy that it turned out that way, because it opened an entirely different creative outlet for me, which I never knew I would learn to love or even had any interest in. Since then, I’ve continued to write. I am currently working on two feature scripts and actually just finished a TV pilot that I’m working on getting picked up. SVENSON: You also produced the film. Are you the one that got the ball rolling? Did you then go out and find a director, the cast, and so on? DJUROVIC: Dave Parker and I met on a show we were both working on. That’s really how everything began. Both he and I expressed our love for film and the frustration of wanting to do something unique and our own. Once the bug was there, it was destined to happen. We began brainstorming ideas. We co-wrote the film, which had a lot to do with what it became, with Dave having a horror background, but me not being familiar with that genre at all. I’m thankful to have had a very talented and hardworking counterpart that, through the experience, became a close friend. We both pushed the movie from the beginning to the very end. The benefit of having someone else there is you can push each other when the going gets tough, and believe me, there were definitely difficult obstacles, like in any endeavor. SVENSON: What appealed to you about this particular story? DJUROVIC: It’s a good, old mind game! Look, at the end of the day, our society has seen it all or at least close to it. I loved the idea of someone being left at a foreign place with no real way of leaving. While writing, I tried to think back to when I was young and what triggered fear in me, like running up the stairs, because someone might pull you under, or an intruder in the house…the games your mind plays with you with different sounds you may have or haven’t heard. SVENSON: Did you watch any similarly-themed movies before kicking it off?
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DJUROVIC: Yes, we did get some inspiration from movies like Paranormal Activity and Insidious. Our challenge was trying to find those subtle, unnerving moments. It was fun, because Dave usually thought more on the horror side. For me, who is now a horror fan, but wasn’t the biggest before, we would meet halfway with ideas and tried to make them for all audiences. SVENSON: Where was this one filmed? DJUROVIC: We filmed here in beautiful Los Angeles. Of course, the one time it decides to rain in this city, it happens to be our first week of filming. It made things a bit more difficult. I love LA, and filming at home is a very nice luxury. To be able to sleep in your own bed at night, in the comfort of your home, is amazing. I was also fortunate to have my mother staying with me during filming. She catered the whole movie and, thankfully, made sure I ate and slept the few hours a night I had. SVENSON: Do you think the setting suits the story? Is it a star in itself? DJUROVIC: Yes, I do, 100%. The location was something we had early on, and the film was really developed around it as a character itself. SVENSON: Is it hard, physically and mentally, to play a role like the one you play here? DJUROVIC: There were some challenges with this role, like any other, but I didn’t really notice them at the time. I absolutely love what I do, and I get immersed entirely in it. Early on, I started making video diaries, while in character, to help me get to where I needed to be. Knowing that a large portion of the movie was going to be myself alone, with no one else to play off, was at times a bit daunting and in many ways exhausting. It takes a lot out of you when you have to go to a dark place for long periods of time.
SVENSON: How different is it, working on a film like this, compared to working on a series like Days of Our Lives? DJUROVIC: It’s extremely different! Working on this film has been, single-handedly, the most amazing learning experience ever, from beginning to end…coming up with an idea, writing it, pre-production, filming, and post. In many ways, I look at the experience as my film training in and of itself. Ultimately, there is no better training than hands-on experience. For example, having to delegate my time properly on set between the time to act as the producer and make sure things are handled and stopping myself and saying the only thing I need to focus on is my performance as an actor. Thankfully, Dave Parker and I worked very well together and had each other’s backs, making sure each of us had time to do our jobs properly. Working on Days of Our Lives was also a great learning experience. From casting to crew and cast, everyone was amazing to work with. The pacing is so different from anything I’ve ever worked on. They go in and rock scene after scene with very little rehearsal, and everything moves fast, which means everyone comes ready to work. It’s refreshing how serious everyone takes it. SVENSON: Where can we find out more about you online? DJUROVIC: You can find out more about me at these sites and follow me on social media:
www.IvanDjurovic.com http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3068246/ www.ID-Entertainment.com www.Facebook.com/OfficialfbIvanDjurovic Twitter: @IvanDjurovic Instagram: @IvanDjurovic Snapchat: @IvanDjurovic
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51 MAR / APR 2017 ISSUE
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WRITTEN BY JESSICA SVENSON
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TAMI’S
NEVERENDING Story Continues…
55 MAR / APR 2017 ISSUE
SUE’S COFFEE TALK
DR. ANTONIO BORRELLO –
DATING 3.0 WRITTEN BY SUE MCGAUGHEY
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hen Dr. Antonio Borrello and his ex-wife, Theresa Pavone, went through a divorce, they managed to maintain a solid friendship and decided to write a book together, Dating 2.0. Recently, they fine-tuned that book and turned it into Dating 3.0, which has more content that pertains to many divorced couples. Like many divorcing couples with children, Antonio and Theresa struggled through their adjustment period. Eventually, they found a good place where they could happily co-parent. Both Antonio and Theresa knew they had to redefine their relationship to make it workable for them and for their children. They knew their children had to come first. Antonio and Theresa were married for ten years. It was a bit of an adjustment for Antonio to find himself divorced after being married for so long. After recovering emotionally, he started to get excited about dating again, especially with all the new ways to meet people. When Antonio and Theresa met, dating was quite
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different. Social media, smartphones, and texting didn’t even exist! Dating has changed so much over the years. Now, people meet and date in ways we could never have dreamed. Not knowing the rules of dating can be quite intimidating. Antonio and Theresa had to relearn the methods of stepping into the dating world. That’s when they decided to write the book together. Antonio himself has been a psychologist and relationship therapist for the past 15 years. He has helped thousands of people improve and save their relationships and marriages. He has very interactive Twitter and Instagram accounts, where people can communicate with him as @eDatingDr. I’ve sent him plenty of tweets myself. He always responds. At first, he used his social media just to post memes and quotes, but then fans started asking questions. Antonio started responding, and the people love it! The core purpose of their book, Dating 3.0, is to show people how to improve their relationships and how to find lifelong love in a time when so much of our communication happens online or through our electronic devices. It helps people to understand how their failed relationships can teach them how to avoid repeating mistakes of the past. The book also guides you through handling online challenges. It’s a tool that will help you prepare for the happy, healthy relationship of your dreams. This book is for those who, at some point, have declared, “Dating sucks!” It’s for those who think they can’t find “the one” and struggle to believe in second chances. Dr. Antonio said, “Finding and developing an amazing, lifelong relationship is arguably the most important goal of our adult life, and it should be treated as such. Those who desire a long-term relationship should be actively engaged in making that goal a reality.” People need to identify and define goals, then develop a path and a plan to make it happen. Many people use the Internet to find a romantic partner. Internet dating has become an increasingly popular and effective strategy for meeting singles, but it is not something only desperate or lonely people do. It has clearly become an effective and legitimate way of meeting potential partners. Dr. Antonio believes that using the Internet appropriately to find mates can be and is an effective and less time-consuming way of finding romantic partners. For a while, even he wasn’t convinced, but he has absolutely changed his mind. Dr. Antonio has his own personal philosophy by which he lives. “I’ve argued that knowing yourself and being able to listen to your inner voice, in the absence of blinding self-deception, are essential prerequisites for a healthy and happy relationship,” Antonio stated. “That’s why so much of the book is concerned with developing and practicing self-love and being your own best friend.” Antonio believes once a friendship is solid, you can’t simply rest on your laurels. Best friends can’t rely on their memories alone. Instead, they must tend to that relationship, keep it fresh in the present, and develop future goals. Currently, Dr. Antonio is in the process of creating a Dating 2.0/3.0 YouTube channel that focuses on helping people develop healthy relationships. In the meantime, you may purchase the book at https://www.amazon. com/dp/B01N75ECMB/. Make sure you visit Dr. Antonio’s website and follow him on all social media. Enjoy the book and taking steps to finding your special someone!
Website: www.drantonioborrello.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aborrello2?fref=ts Twitter and Instagram: @eDatingDr
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