Made From Scratch

 

ATLANTA, GA Award-winning author and filmmaker David-Matthew Barnes has penned an original screenplay titled Made from Scratch, a story for and about women. The independently produced film will soon be shot on location in Atlanta.

 

In the film, the lives of four women merge causing each to experience a life-changing moment of truth. Longing for her former wild days as a party-hopping powerful executive, Claudia Veramonte (Heather Brant) secretly strategizes her escape from her dull life as a Southern housewife. Refusing to rely on welfare, Tameka Walker (LaKisha Long) struggles with working two jobs, attending night school, and raising her nine-year-old-son. When summoned home by her estranged mother, Victoria Alvarado (Lisann Valentin) realizes what's missing in her life is love: a realization prompted by the sudden admission by a female colleague that Victoria is the not-so-secret object of her desires. After Sahara Mobley (Mallorie Halsall) accepts a proposal from a man she's only known for three months in order to escape her overly dependent mother, Sahara quickly realizes her marriage is a mistake. Made from Scratch is a film every woman can identify with: it's about the importance of sisterhood and the strength of friendship that you sometimes need just to survive.

 

Barnes’ first film was Frozen Stars, also independently made that went on to receive worldwide distribution. Like Made from Scratch, his first film was also female-centric and featured a multicultural cast including a then unknown Lana Parrilla who has since shot to stardom on ABC’s Once Upon a Time. On the evening Parrilla recently won an Alma Award for her performance on the popular television series, she sent Barnes a personal message thanking him for giving her the first break she needed in the entertainment industry.

 

Barnes is no stranger to writing powerful roles for women. His all-female stage Sky Lines recently received a world premiere at the Producer’s Club in New York City. As the child of a single mother, Barnes says he’s determined to bring attention to the lives of women in the films he makes. “Women fascinate me on a creative level. I’m very committed to presenting the female characters I create in an authentic light.”

 

Made from Scratch features a multicultural, multigenerational cast of 18 women and 10 men that also includes Trish DeBaun, Tara Henry, Margaret Champagne, Kasey Williams, Alison Kendrick, Jessica Alexandra Green, E. Ambriz DeColosio, Ernesto S. Bustos,   stand-up comic Logan McCoy, off-Broadway star Kimberly Faye Greenberg, teen sensation Zoe Myers, Latin heartthrob Danny Williams, and Atlanta actors Lisa Allender, Coral McGhee, Deborah Childs, Debi Kimsey, Joyce White, Wesley Arnold, Mark Anthony, and Lilton Moore, Jr. The film is being produced by Fairground CineFilms.

 

Meet Joyce White

Joyce White stars in Made From Scratch as Ruth Walker.

Joyce White began acting in church productions in the fall of 2001.  After hearing some encouraging words from a church member, she began pursuing acting roles outside of her church.  She has been involved in many independent films, theater productions, and a couple of commercials.  Acting has become her passion. It is her ultimate goal is to become a full time actor.

Meet Debi Kimsey

Debi Kimsey stars in Made From Scratch as Ginny Fullerton.

Two years ago career doors closed with a slam. God opened a stage door and Debi Kimsey faced her biggest fear and crawled through. Today she juggles print, film and theater while playing "Dee Dee" (her grandma name) in real life. Her motto is "Sassy, Classy and a tad bit trashy". She thanks family, friends, faith and Facebook for her success. LOL

Meet Ernesto S. Bustos

Ernesto S. Bustos stars in Made From Scratch as Walter Veramonte.

Living in Sacramento, CA with his two children. Ernesto S. Bustos has a long history working in theatre and is making his feature film debut with Made from Scratch.  Ernesto can also be seen in Bracero Brothers, a short film depicting the plight of migrant farm workers. In addition to his long history in the theatre, Ernesto is a voice actor and one of the original talents behind the El Smosh YouTube channel. He has performed in numerous plays over the years. Some of his favorites have included Talk Radio, Anna in the Tropics, In Switch, Love Suicides at Sonezaki, and Richard III. Ernesto has previously worked with Mr. Barnes in a stage production of Pensacola and is pleased and honored to be working with him again on this film.

Meet Jessica Alexandra Green

Jessica Alexandra Green stars in Made From Scratch as April Corday.

Jessica Alexandra Green is a Chicago native now residing in New York City. The ever-dedicated thespian, Jessica started acting before she could read and eventually graduated from Florida State University's School of Theatre. While attending FSU, Jessica frequently appeared in Film School productions; these experiences transformed her love of acting into a true appreciation for all aspects of cinematography. Her passion for on-camera work ignited, Jessica has since focused on film and commercials both in Los Angeles and New York.  Her most recent work includes two made-for-television films that have just been released on DVD: Alien Opponent starring Roddy Piper and Jeremy London, and Steve Niles' Remains starring Miko Hughes, Grant Bowler, and Lance Reddick.  This summer she shot a mystery film, Campus Life, directed by Catherine Scorsese and Kenneth Waddell.  Jessica has also been fortunate enough to play the role of Candace in the New York production of David-Matthew's original stage play Better Places To Go, and is thrilled for the opportunity to work with him on this film.

Meet Wesley Arnold

Wesley Arnold stars in Made From Scratch as Travis Mobley.

Wesley Arnold is an artist from Atlanta, Georgia. Dabbling in art since childhood, he primarily specializes in drawing, painting, and sculpting. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, listening to music, and breathing fire. Wesley has been told he's a bit too eccentric but he strongly disagrees.

Meet Lisa Allender

Lisa Allender stars in Made from Scratch as Beverly Floyd.

Lisa Nanette Allender grew up in Tampa, Florida, and graduated from University of South Florida with a B.A. in Theatre Arts, Performance. Lisa Nanette is a published poet, and has appeared in commercials, tv, and film, and performed as a voice-over artist. She is an activist for LGBTQ issues.