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Rosita Lopez for President
PRESS KIT
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Rosita Lopez for President
KEY INFORMATION
CONTACT INFORMATION
Marketing Lead Rachel Goldberg
Cell Phone (661) 406 5036
FILM MARKETING INFORMATION
Website www.voterosita.com
Twitter @voterosita
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/rositalopezforpresident
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
TRT 8:39
NTSC
Stereo Sound
16x9
COLOR
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Rosita Lopez for President
LOGLINE
ROSITA LOPEZ FOR PRESIDENT is about a 14-year-old girl who is running for
President of the United States of America. As she tries to garner votes, she renews more
than just a faith in democracy in the people she meets.
LONG SYNOPSIS
This short film was created through Film Independent's signature diversity program,
Project Involve. Each fellow was given a theme -- democracy and California -- and was
asked to create a short film. Sponsored by Panavision, NBC/Universal, Wildfire Post-
Production Sound and Color Space Finishing, each team was given a package and a
limited amount of time to create a short film.
Starring Daniela Bobadilla (AWAKE, ANGER MANAGEMENT) and Charles Robinson
(ANTWONE FISHER, NIGHT COURT), ROSITA LOPEZ FOR PRESIDENT is about
Rosita Lopez, a 14-year-old girl scout who is running for President of the United States
of America. As she tries to garner votes, she renews more than just a faith in democracy
in an older man who has been estranged from his gay son for many years. Despite his
insistence that she is too young to run, she manages to convince him that she might just
be the right candidate for the job.
SHORT SYNOPSIS
Rosita Lopez, a 14-year-old girl scout, is convinced that if action stars and cowboys can
be Governors and Presidents, that she too can be President of the United States of
America. She begins a strange campaign to prove it, and along the way helps the people
she meets to rediscover more than just their faith in democracy.
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Rosita Lopez for President
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
TAGLINE
Changing the World One Person at a Time
CONCEPT
ROSITA LOPEZ FOR PRESIDENT is an exploration of
forgiveness, the power of democracy and redemption. Created
through Film Independent’s Project: Involve, it is also a
celebration of diversity both behind and in front of the camera.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
ROSITA LOPEZ FOR PRESIDENT was created through Film
Independent's signature diversity program, Project: Involve.
Each fellow was given a theme -- democracy and California --
and was asked to create a short film. This theme resonated
with me, because my mother immigrated to America from Iran
where she was persecuted for her religion. And my father has
always fought for what he believed was right, even unionizing
workers in his uncle’s factory as a teenage boy. I have always
valued the freedom we have in this country and the power of
democracy. I wanted to create a film that celebrates this power
while exploring the magical landscape of possibility and
diversity that is Los Angeles. But I also wanted to tell a story
that depicts the beauty of unlikely friendships, forgiveness and
the debilitating effects of regret.
Starring Daniela Bobadilla (AWAKE, ANGER MANAGEMENT)
and Charles Robinson (ANTWONE FISHER, NIGHT COURT),
ROSITA LOPEZ FOR PRESIDENT is about a 14-year-old girl
who is running for President of the United States of America.
As she tries to garner votes, she renews more than just a faith
in democracy in the people she meets.
I had the great pleasure of collaborating with an amazing team
on this short, including producer Danni Conner (COMING
HOME, CLEAN HOUSE), production designer, Warren Alan
Young (THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES, HAWTHORNE) and
gaffer Christian Epps (MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, CLOCKERS).
The film was sponsored by Panavision and NBC/Universal and
was Executive Produced by the extremely talented Andre
Braugher.
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Rosita Lopez for President
THE FILMMAKERS
RACHEL GOLDBERG writer/director
Rachel Goldberg is an award-winning writer/director who was one of 8 women selected
to participate in AFI’s prestigious Directing Workshop for Women. There, she created
her short film, NEIGHBORS. NEIGHBORS has screened at close to twenty film
festivals, including Oscar-qualifying fests such as the Palm Springs International
ShortFest, the Nashville Film Festival and the Rhode Island International Film Festival
where it won First Place for the Alternative Spirit Award. Stephen Nemeth, famed
producer of FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS and THE SESSIONS has said of
NEIGHBORS, “With the skills of a seasoned film director, Rachel Goldberg
served up a balanced/nuanced/serious film with just the right dose of levity to allow you
to thoroughly enjoy NEIGHBORS!”
Rachel earned her interdisciplinary MFA in Directing for Theater, Film and Television
from the California Institute of the Arts and her BA in Theater and Psychology from the
University of Pennsylvania. Upon graduation, she had the great pleasure of working in
the editing department of KILL BILL: VOL. 2 with Quentin Tarantino, and was one of 16
international filmmakers chosen to study under David Sacks (THE SIMPSONS) and
Jason Venokur (3rd ROCK FROM THE SUN) as a Jewish Impact Films Fellowship
Recipient. Since then, Rachel has directed numerous productions for film, theater and
television, including BOTTLE ROCKETS, which won Best Pilot at both the Las Vegas
International Film Festival and the Indie Gathering Film Festival. Her direction of
MAN, WHERE’S MY SHOE?, a short film made in collaboration with a group of at-risk
teenage girls through Film Outreach LA, won the Garden State Film Festival’s Broader
Vision Award, and her theater production of Vern Theissens’s APPLE was described as
“poetry in motion” by the LA Weekly and “stunning” by the LA Stage Scene. In 2012,
she was named one of “30 Emerging Filmmakers to Watch” by Film Independent and
was an HBO/DGA Directing Fellowship Finalist the same year.
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DANNI CONNER producer
Danni Conner got her first opportunity to produce in Atlanta working on major music
videos and commercials. Her video production credits include videos for Usher, New
Edition, the Indigo Girls, Joe, Bow Wow, Ludacris, Outkast, DBrat, Mary J. Blige, Joi,
Erykah Badu, Goodie Mob, TLC, Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson. Her commercial
experience includes heavy-hitters such as Toyota, Apple, Pepsi, Coca Cola, Nike, Tide,
and Lexus. Next she entered the movie business as an intern on the film ON PROMISED
LAND, written by Ken Sagoes, and produced by veteran producer, Robert Benedetti.
Conner continued to work on independent films before relocating to Los Angeles. Upon
her arrival, she jumped into reality TV managing, directing and producing shows for
CBS, NBC/Universal, The WB, Style, A&E, VH1, BET, Lifetime and E!
Conner is currently developing two feature length films and working as a freelance
producer on Lifetime’s new reality TV show COMING HOME. Her new focus is
developing her own company, Graffiti Tomboy, which is currently in preproduction
for her upcoming documentary film, THEY SAY I’M DIFFERENT. Conner is a member
of The Academy of Arts & Sciences, Film Independent, The Producers Guild and
International Documentary Association.
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ANDRE BRAUGHER producer
Andre Braugher is best known for his roles as Cassiel in CITY OF ANGELS, Thomas
Searles in the film GLORY, as the fiery detective Frank Pembleton on HOMICIDE: LIFE
ON THE STREET from 1993 to 1998 and again in the 2000 made-for-TV film, and as
Owen Thoreau Jr. on the TNT show MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE. He received Television
Critics Association awards for individual achievement in drama in 1997 and 1998. He
was also nominated for an Emmy Award for best actor in a drama series in 1996 and
1998, winning in the latter year. He also appeared in the TNT series MEN OF A
CERTAIN AGE, for which he was nominated twice as Primetime Emmy Award for
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. He also voiced the villain Darkseid in
the animated film, SUPERMAN/BATMAN: APOCALYPSE. He has a recurring role as
defense attorney Bayard Ellis on LAW & ORDER SVU, and appears as the lead
character, Capt. Marcus Chaplin, in ABC's military drama TV series LAST RESORT.
Braugher co-starred in the Manhattan Theatre Club's production of The Whipping Man,
off-Broadway, for a limited run from January–March 2011. He narrated the
introduction to the Olympic Games on NBC from 2006 to 2010, succeeding James Earl
Jones in the role.
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ANDREW AHN associate producer
Andrew Ahn is a Korean-American filmmaker born and raised in Los Angeles. His short
film DOL (FIRST BIRTHDAY) premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival and has
screened at numerous other festivals and venues around the world, including Outfest,
REDCAT, and the Los Angeles Film Festival. The film received the Outfest Grand Jury
Award for Outstanding Dramatic Short Film.
His short film ANDY screened at the Slamdance Film Festival, the San Francisco
International Asian American Film Festival, and many others. ANDY won Best
Narrative Short at the 2011 San Diego Asian Film Festival. He was a 2012 Film
Independent Project: Involve fellow. He graduated from Brown University with a degree
in English and received an MFA in Film Directing from the California Institute of the
Arts.
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MARLENA STEINER director of photography
Marlena Steiner is a freelance cinematographer who seeks projects that challenge her to
try something new on a technical level. She was born and raised in Northern New
Jersey where she discovered her passion for filmmaking and photography. She attended
the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and later transferred to Loyola
Marymount University where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and Television
Production. While studying at LMU, Steiner was awarded the Entertainment Industry
Scholarship and worked on over 50 student and professional films. In the spring of 2010
she wrote, directed, and photographed a short film that later went on to win her an
award for “Best Director Honorable Mention” and a nomination for “Best
Cinematography” at Film Outside the Frame. As a camera enthusiast, Steiner worked at
the Student Camera Department and the Burns Photography Lab. During her final year,
she was the teacher’s assistant for the introduction and advanced level cinematography
classes and interned at The Camera House in North Hollywood. Before graduating from
LMU with honors, Steiner was awarded the Ian Connor Cinematography Award, which
exemplifies her passion for the cinematic image. She believes that it is an important part
of filmmaking to learn and have fun on every job.
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SUSUMU KIMURA editor
In Japan where Susumu Kimura was born and raised, he saw a movie called The
Untouchables that changed his life forever. That decision led him to study film at
Emerson College, where he caught the editing bug. He started editing commercials in
Japan until he moved to Los Angeles to further his career. From then on he has been
cutting independent movies, documentaries, studio promos and entertainment news
shows. Though working on different formats, his passion and mission remain the same:
"to discover stories and tell it in a best possible way". He lives with his wife and a son
who looks just like him.
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GREG NICOLETT original music
Greg’s music has enlivened the drama in some of today’s most popular television shows,
commercials, and indie films. For the 2011 mobster feature CHICAGO OVERCOAT
(starring Frank Vincent, Katherine Narducci, Armand Assante) Greg uniquely combines
elements of spaghetti westerns and noir, while his scores for the CW’s web spin offs
SMALLVILLE: THE VENGEANCE CHRONICLES (2007) and THE VAMPIRE
DIARIES: A DARKER TRUTH (2009) preserve the tone of the series while expanding
on the thematic content. In 2010, Greg’s music was heard nationally for several Old
Navy and Microsoft ad campaigns. His score for Keegan Wilcox’s PORCELAIN
UNICORN helped it win “Grand Prize” in Ridley Scott’s Parallel Lines competition. In
2004, Greg composed an electronica driven score for Rene Alberta’s short film ABOVE
AND BENEATH, which screened at the 2005 Sundance and Toronto film festivals.
Other recent projects include additional music for the romantic comedy BARRY
MUNDAY (with Chloë Sevigny, Patrick Wilson, Judy Greer) orchestrations for the
horror feature 30 DAYS OF NIGHT: DARK DAY, and a live orchestral score for a new
adaptation of Ray Bradbury’s chilling thriller THE SMALL ASSASSIN. In his spare time,
Greg plays trombone with the LA based band Killsonic and is a proud member of the
Young Winos LA Chapter.
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Rosita Lopez for President
THE CAST
DANIELA BOBADILLA (Rosita)
Daniela Bobadilla is a Mexican-born Canadian actress who most recently was featured
in MR.TROOP MOM(2009) with George Lopez, portraying his daughter, Naomi, as well
as in an episode of SMALLVILLE. She is currently appearing in her most high-profile
role to date as Sam Goodson, the daughter of Dr. Charlie Goodson played by Charlie
Sheen in the new TV sitcom, ANGER MANAGEMENT.
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CHARLES ROBINSON (Thomas)
Charles Robinson a critically acclaimed American theater and television actor. He is best
known for his role as Mac Robinson in the NBC sitcom NIGHT COURT. Robinson was
cast as Mac Robinson after the first season in 1984, and played the role until NIGHT
COURT ended in 1992; he also directed three episodes of the series. He has also been
performing since the 1960s, is a member of the Actors Studio, and is considered by
Playwright Lyle Kessler to be "one of the great American Actors. Robinson's credits
include appearances in BLACK GESTAPO, THE WHITE SHADOW, FLAMINGO
ROAD, THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL AIR, TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL, and ANTWONE
FISHER. Robinson played recurrent character Bud Harper in Home Improvement, and
continues to appear on shows including HOUSE, THE BERNIE MAC SHOW, MY WIFE
AND KIDS, SOUL FOOD, CHARMED, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER and MY NAME IS
EARL.
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Rosita Lopez for President
SCREEN CREDITS
Director Rachel Goldberg
Written By Rachel Goldberg
Producers Danni Conner
Executive Producers Andre and Ami Braugher
Lauri Conner
Josh Goldberg
Bela and Jonah Goldberg
Associate Producer Andrew Ahn
CAST (in order of appearance)
Rosita Lopez Daniela Bobadilla
Thomas Hamilton Charles Robinson
Sandra Hamiltion Elayn J. Taylor
Maria Lopez Alandra T. Ortis
Herman Mike Muscat
Alex Hamilton Rich Pierrelouis
Filipe Santos Alex Paez
Beggar Girl Mikaela Euro
Old Man Christian Epps
Young Man Brendan Hainer
Veteran Kevin Lino
Nurse Ellie Wen
Homeless Teens Jayme Foremaster
Filip Milenkovic
Alessandro Nori
Nell Nakkan
Victoria Ortiz
Director of Photography Marlena P. Steiner
Editor Susumu Kimura
Casting Director Robin Lippin, CSA
Script Supervisor Mary Shellogg
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Production Designer Warren Alan Young
Art Director Elizabeth Ryan
Set Decorator Tara Bopp
Brandy Rhea
Melissa Ficociello
Toi Whitaker
Property Assistant/ On Set Dresser Michelle Truong
Costume Designer Hellin Kay
Hair/Make-Up Jada Styles
Costume Assistant Hanni Fox
Unit Production Manager Jason Fracaro
1st Assistant Director Andrew Ahn
2
nd
Assistant Director Art Helterbran,Jr
Property Master Travis Prow
Victoria Cloyes
Assistant Production Designer Brandon Cater
Production Sound Thomas Curley, CSA
Additional Production Sound Yancey “Pon” Franco
Supervising Sound Editor/ Robert C. Jackson
Sound Designer
Re-recording Mixer Leslie Shatz
Sound Recordist Tim Limer
Visual Effects Artist William J. Meyer
1st Assistant Camera Amir Rakib
2nd Assistant Camera Kevin Boot
Ashe Coburn
Joseph DiBartolomeo
Gaffer Demian Barba
Christian Epps
Key Grip Kevin Boot
DIT Susumu Kimaru
Grip Takashi Matsuo
Michael Meehan
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Final Colorist Peter Swartz
Transportation Coordinator Brian Allen
Location Manager Danni Conner
Stand-in Tara Bopp
Sarah Kapp
William J Meyer
Mark Nager
Savannah Schoenecker
Tucker
Assistant: Ms. Goldberg Jason Fracaro
Production Assistant Katie Bard
Still Photography Rosie Djibinian
Cooper Bates
Title Designer William J. Meyer
Caterer Grace Lee
Music by Greg Nicolett
Music Supervisor Jen Malone
SOUNDTRACK
“Periodic Snip Flute”
Performed by Bart Hopkin
Written by Bart Hopkin
Musical instruments designed & built by Bart Hopkin
Published by Experimental Musical Instruments
“Cat’s Face”
Performed by Bart Hopkin
Written by Bart Hopkin
Musical instruments designed & built by Bart Hopkin
Published by Experimental Musical Instruments
VIDEO CLIPS
“Homeless Americans forced to live in tents”
Used in courtesy of RTAmerica
Under Creative Commons License
Atributed 3.0 Unported (CC By 3.0)
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EXTRA SPECIAL THANKS
Presidents
Carmella Cardalina
Sheila & Gary Collier
Robert & Shirley Conner
Sharon Craig
Adriana Dardas
David & Rajita Goldberg
Fred & Jamileh Goldberg
Greg Gorden
Grace Halligan
Thomas & Lori Halligan
Missy Hughes
Michelle LeTarte
Manuel Morris
Janice Saunders
Carey Williams
Leah & Jason White
Vice Presidents
Gary Brustie
Rose Caraet
Ava Duvernay
Charles Howard
Nicole Jackson
Ann Kimbrough
Karla Marin
Jonard Nelson
Keesha Patterson
Morgan Rhodes
SPECIAL THANKS
Governors
Jane Hwang
Francisco Velasquez
Project Involve Fellows
American Academy of Dramatic Arts
Arhoolie Records
Nicco Ardin
Ruth Atkinson
Brendan Beseth
Richard Calhoun
Alison Cardoso
Jonathan Pope Evans
Clayton Flournoy
Ian Forester
Jerome Halligan
Shai Halligan
Theresa Hayes
Steve Irvin
Madoka Kimura and Jobson H. Kimura
Andreas KirnDiana A. Kosven
Jake Krueger
Deborah Lintz
Adam Machado
Lauren McNulty
Einat Metzl
Ryan Meyer
Hope Parker
Andrew Rakos
Georgia Peach Rakos
Seth Rakos
Zaydee Sanchez
Sara Scott
Reggie Spangler
Teri Swopshire
Ellie Wen
Leah White
Senators
Michael Abrams
Nicole Cataldo
Andrew Kurland
Saraphina Monaco
Jay Schachter
Dave Secor
Bruce Tufeld
Daniel Hoff Agency, Inc.
ICM
Mavrick Artists
SMS Talent Agency
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Sponsors
Hey What’s Your Face Lighting and Grip
Hollywood Short Films
Film Independent
Ascap
Cal Humanities
Color Space Finishing
Hollywood Rentals
Panavision
Rudy’s Barbershop
Universal Studios
Wexler
Wildfire
Location
American Academy of Dramatic Arts
Olde Goode Things
Special Thanks To:
Film Independent
ASCAP
Color Space Finishing
Hollywood Rentals
Panavision
Rudy’s Babershop
Universal Studios
Wexler
Wildfire Post Production
© copyright MMXI
AFI (LOGO)
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Rosita Lopez for President
PRODUCTION STILLS
“Daniela Bobadilla as the young Rosita Lopez.”
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“Behind the scenes at Olde Good Things.”
“Production sound guru, Tom Curley, adjusts a mic on the talented Elayn J. Taylor.”
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“Rachel directs the talented Charlie Robinson in his role of Thomas Hamilton.”
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Rosita Lopez for President
AWARDS & FESTIVALS & REVIEWS
FESTIVALS
2014 WINNER BEST OVERALL SHORT FILM River Bend Film Festival
2014 HBO JURY PRIZE RUNNER-UP BEST SHORT FILM Miami GLBT Film Festival
2014 Cleveland International Film Festival
2014 Athens Film + Video Film Festival
2014 Gasparilla International Film Festival
2014 Capital City Film Festival
2014 Boston LGBT Film Festival
2014 San Francisco Black Film Festival
2014 LA Diversity Film Festival
2014 SHOUT Birmingham GLBT Film Festival
2104 Queen City Black Film Festival
2013 Rhode Island Film Festival – World Premiere
2013 BET/HBO Urbanworld Film Festival – NY Premier
2013 Chinese American Film Festival
REVIEWS
"Rosita Lopes is a wonderfully quirky, well executed, dynamic and stylized short film-
which highlights the talent of the capable and unique storytelling that is of director,
Rachel Goldberg. A strong female visionary- brava!"
-Lauren Avinoam (Producer, Undiscovered Gyrl)
