Running Mates

A new film from the comedy team that brought you GREG & GENTILLON and HANK AND MIKE

Thomas Michael and Paolo Mancini

Starring Thomas Michael, Paolo Mancini, Jane McLean, Tarah Consoli, Mike Beaver, Linda Kash, Graham Greene, with DJ Qualls, and Henry Winkler

RUNNING MATES

The duo that brought you Hank and Mike and Greg & Gentillon, Thomas Michael and Paolo Mancini, are back with a comedy that captures the hilarity, drama and hijinks of small‐town politics. Thomas Michael directs from his and Mancini’s script. Sean Buckley of Buck Productions produces along with Michael’s Fella FIlms. Boutique Films distributes in .

Running Mates stars Thomas Michael (Hank and Mike, Greg & Gentillon, The Life and Hard Times of Guy Terrifico), Paolo Mancini (Casino Jack, Hank and Mike, Greg & Gentillon), Jane McLean (The Time Traveler’s Wife, 24, Dexter, Shoot ‘Em Up), Mike Beaver (Cooper’s Camera, He’s Just Not That Into You, Billable Hours), Henry Winkler (Happy Days, Arrested Development, Waterboy), and DJ Qualls (All About Steve, Hustle & Flow, Road Trip).

Archie Fenton (Michael) couldn’t wait to leave his childhood town of Shoulder. The minute he finished high school, he went out into the world in search of bigger and better things. Seemingly out of nowhere, he returns to town with his ambitious wife Ronnie (McLean) and announces his candidacy for mayor. He runs into his childhood friend Reg (Mancini) who now runs the local tow truck company with his brother “Moose” (Beaver). They barely recognize Archie in his fancy suit and non‐mullet big‐city haircut but friendship is forever. So after a night of catching up, the boys are fished out of the drunk‐tank by their angry wives. Archie is told by Ronnie that if he ever hopes to be mayor, he can’t hang out with his old buddies. When Archie tries to explain this to Reg, his friend is crushed. To get back at him, Reg decides it’s time to get into politics and runs against his old best friend for mayor of Shoulder. Along the way we meet the incumbent Mayor Weatherbee (Winkler), much loved for his increase of the litter fine from $20 to $22.50, and Archie and Reg’s tried and true friend ‘One‐Ball,’ (Qualls) manager of the pride of Shoulder – the curtain rod plant.

A balls‐out comedy with a heart of gold, Running Mates reminds us that good friends are hard to find and even harder to lose! Let the campaigning begin!!

THE PRODUCTION OF RUNNING MATES

You can never predict when a call from out of the blue will result in comedy gold, but that’s exactly what happened in the fall of 2008, when Nicholas Tabarrok called up writer/director Thomas Michael.

Having previously worked with Tabarrok on Hank and Mike, Michael was excited to get a call from the producer asking him if he had a script in the works that could be produced for his new distribution company with partner John Kozman, Boutique Films. Michael had an idea kicking around in his mind for a story about two friends who run against each other for Mayor of a small town and he ran with it. “I told Nicholas and John the basic idea for Running Mates and they loved it. I then asked Paolo what he thought of the idea and he said he was on board,” recalls Michael. “Paolo and I started working on the script right away.”

Thomas Michael and Paolo Mancini had worked together on two previous comedic feature films so it felt natural for the writing duo to work together on the script for Running Mates. Only this time, they took a different approach. “We usually write every script together, but for this one we beat out the scenes together and then divided it up – Paolo wrote some of the characters and I wrote some of the characters,” says Michael. With Michael in LA and Mancini in , they faced a small logistical challenge co‐writing the script, but found a very current solution – says Michael, “We did all of this over Skype!”

In addition to co‐writing the script, Running Mates would be Michael’s feature film directorial debut. Says Producer Sean Buckley of the first‐time feature film director, “There aren’t a lot of people that you would give the challenge of directing to, who were already wearing so many hats – writer, producer, actor – but in Thomas’s case it was a perfect fit because his confidence is unrivaled, and at the end of the day that’s the kind of director you want. He prepared beautifully, he understood the material, worked gorgeously with his writing partner Paolo, as well as the cast and crew.”

What started out as a quirky, low‐budget comedy quickly grew into something that no‐one saw coming, largely based on the strength of the script. The accessible storyline in Running Mates is brought to life by idiosyncratic characters with a lot of heart that people really seemed to respond to. “This is a film that just kept growing,” recalls Michael. “We started wanting to make it for almost nothing and it was going to be moc‐doc style, but suddenly it became a bigger film and that’s when we were able to land the incredible talents of Henry Winkler, DJ Qualls, Graham Greene, and Linda Kash. Everyone really responded to the script. They got it right away and loved the characters.”

THE TEAM

The blood, sweat and tears on the production came from a core team made up of the deadly duo ‐ Thomas Michael and Paolo Mancini ‐ along with Sean Buckley of Buck Productions. “Everyone is attached to this film for the right reasons – it couldn’t be made otherwise,” says Michael of the team. “Sean really makes you feel cushioned and safe in this crazy world of filmmaking.”

“I was an executive producer on Hank and Mike and I really got to know Thomas and Paolo through that,” says Buckley. “These guys inspire me. They have all this raw talent and drive. It’s infectious. When they asked if I would take the helm on the producing side I was thrilled.”

As for the writing duo, Michael and Mancini have a long history together – of being friends as well as creative partners. The pair grew up in the same town and have been friends since the age of 12. When Michael convinced Mancini to (reluctantly!) join a sketch comedy group he was in, they found they had the ability to write really great material together. After doing a series for The Comedy Network they decided to pen a script for a feature film. When that proved successful, they kept going, and Running Mates is the duo’s third feature film collaboration.

Having been friends as long as they have plays a big part in their working relationship. They have a short hand as a result of this history as well as an ability to be very candid with each other. “Sometimes art can get poisoned by ego, and both Thomas and I know that,” says Mancini. “Because we are such good friends and have worked together on various projects, we don’t take things personally. We can really be straight with each other.”

Michael agrees; “We are colleagues and best friends. Paolo is a wonderful talent. He’s all heart and all passion. What makes our professional relationship work is that we’re not afraid to tell each other the truth all the time. This relationship keeps us grounded and at our best.”

The duo’s offbeat comedy style tends to draw from the charming quirkiness in humankind as represented by the characters they write. “The comedy of Thomas and Paolo is unique in the sense that it pushes a lot of boundaries, but also introduces a lot of familiar story components – friendship, love, and loyalty,” says Buckley. “They get a lot of laughs and have a lot of great comedic moments while doing that.”

Ultimately, their friendship is also at the thematic core of their writing as well. “The recurring themes in our movies seem to be friendship, brotherhood and loyalty as well as figuring out your place in the world,” says Michael. “But this is also just a really fun platform for comedy ‐ two friends tearing each other apart running for mayor.” IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR

Michael and Mancini’s own friendship is very much at the heart of this story. They also play the two central characters ‐ Archie and Reg ‐ who are best friends in RUNNING MATES.

Michael takes the part of Archie Fenton ‐ a man trying to find himself. He left the small town of Shoulder to see the world, only to find himself back years later, running for Mayor – his first step in an ambitious political career. “Archie has created this idea of who he wants to become and he’s running away from who he is, or used to be,” says Michael of his character. “He’s created this outward shell of the perfect guy – fancy suit, nice car, slick hair ‐ but really, there is very little behind it. It takes a clash with his former best friend Reg and the memories of his old town to make him realize who he truly is. At the end he understands that it’s okay to grow and change, but to always stay true to who you really are.”

Mancini plays Archie’s long‐time friend Reg Rossi, who still lives in Shoulder and runs the local tow truck company. “I was really excited to play this part because I usually play emotionally conflicted characters,” says Mancini. “Reg is a hard‐working, blue‐collar guy with a heart of gold. His loves his town, he loves his wife, he loves his brother and he loves his best friend. Reg is always so happy to be alive. He feels like he’s the luckiest guy on Earth and that’s so fun to play.”

After a long night of drinking, a friendship ban by Archie’s wife, and hurt feelings, Reg decides to run against Archie for Mayor as a form of revenge. In the midst of the comedy that arises from this scenario lies an underlying truth about political campaigning. “The characters started to form with Archie becoming an Obama wannabe with his slogan ‘Sure We Could’ instead of ‘Yes We Can,’” explains Michael. “And with Reg, we thought it was a funny idea that you could get people to vote for you on the premise that you never left your small town – so we came up with the slogan ‘I Never Left’ for him.”

If long‐time friends Michael and Mancini playing long‐time friends on screen wasn’t enough of a ‘family affair’, the duo’s real‐life partners also play their wives in Running Mates. “This movie really was a love fest. Paolo’s wife Tarah is in the film as well as my partner Jane,” says Michael. “So it was the four of us versus the world and we had a blast. It’s fun to go to work every single day with your best friends.”

Adds Mancini, “Working with them was really easy because we didn’t have to pretend to be best friends or married. It was all there. What a blessing to already have that relationship present in the work.”

Michael created the part of Archie’s wife, Ronnie Fenton ‐ a type A personality with a fascination for politics and power ‐ for his real‐life partner Jane McLean. “Ronnie is convinced that she’s going to be the First Lady some day and the first step is to ensure that her husband is on his way to becoming the leader of the country. The place to start is in his own town,” says McLean of her character. “I was honored to be able to bring Ronnie to life as Thomas was building this story. When he was talking about this, we’d share ideas about Ronnie. When I finally read the script after discussing these with him, there were so many things that pleasantly surprised me.”

Similarly, the part of Betsy Rossi – Reg’s wife – was written by Mancini for his real‐life spouse, Tarah Consoli. “When I wrote this part, I knew Tarah’s strengths and we kind of molded the character to her,” says Mancini.

“Betsy was born and raised in Shoulder and is the sweetheart of the town,” says Consoli of her character. “She’s a bit of a town celebrity – she has her own cable access show on yard sales! She’s a sweet girl who doesn’t like conflict and who has a heart of gold.”

On working with her loved ones, Consoli adds, “It’s been really nice to work with all of them on this film and watch it in its deepest creation. There’s so much work involved in this, but there is also so much laughter and that makes it feel less like work.”

CAST AND CHARACTERS

Finding the perfect person to play Bob Weatherbee – the existing Mayor of Shoulder – was crucial for the comedy of the film. It would take someone special to play a Mayor who’s about to retire from thirty‐six years of uninterrupted service, who feels restricted wearing pants, and whose proud moments include raising the litter fine from $20.00 to $22.75. “When we received the news that Henry Winkler was interested in the part, I was blown away. I watched “Happy Days” every day when I was growing up. “The Fonz” was my hero!”, says Michael.

“When I read the script I thought the story was funny and when I chatted with Thomas Michael, he was so inclusive, precise and clear about what he wanted that I thought I would be in good hands,” says Winkler. “Henry set a tone the minute he walked on the set that was infectious,” says Buckley. “The town of Burks Falls loved him, the crew loved him, the actors loved him. He truly lifted the production both on and off the screen.”

Another amazing talent the team attracted was DJ Qualls, who plays Graham ‘One‐Ball’ Jones, the floor manager of a curtain rod factory in Shoulder. One‐Ball earned his nickname after an unfortunate accident that left him with only one testicle. “I read the script and thought it was funny and charming and very true to life. It’s about small town culture and the people who are left behind,” says Qualls. “I love this character so much. There is a bit of a gag with the ‘One‐ Ball’ but he has such a good heart and is such a genuine person. I love playing him.”

“DJ is a true fan of independent filmmaking. He read the script, really liked it and connected with Thomas and everyone else on set,” says Buckley. “He plays a genuine yet quirky kind of an individual so brilliantly. He slipped perfectly into the make‐up of this cast.”

Mike Beaver plays the part of Lee Marvin ‘Moose’ Rossi, a tow truck operator who is Reg’s brother. “I thought the script was really funny,” says Beaver. “Moose has a mullet and it feels familiar to me. People in Canada know the mullet look – you’ve seen it all your lives.” “Mike Beaver was perfect for Moose,” says Mancini. “Moose doesn’t have a filter so we needed an actor who was really ready to take chances and blurt stuff out. Mike was perfect – he’s a great improviser, he is really open and he’s willing to take risks which made him easy to work with.”

The team landed Graham Greene to play the part of small‐towner, Dilton Harper. “Graham loved the script,” says Michael. “He’s a really funny guy on and off camera – he’s got this sarcastic, observational edge. He made Dilton a bit effeminate, which you wouldn’t expect from Graham. It was a real learning experience watching him work.”

Rounding out the incredible cast is Linda Kash, a veteran of several Christopher Guest films, and the adorable Helen Hughes in dual roles as the town busybodies. Comments Michael, “There is an element of our comedy that has always paid homage to Christopher Guest, who is the king of this kind of irreverent, small town comedy. So to have Linda in the cast is a thrill. And Helen, well she’s just the most charming woman alive.” He adds, “We’ve been lucky with our casting over the years but this film seems to have really been blessed by fortune.” LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Running Mates is set in the fictional but familiar small town of Shoulder. Michael and Mancini have a knack for finding humor in the absurd, which is demonstrated by the characters that live there. Although the duo write characters who are quirky, they embrace the small town life on and off screen. “Paolo and I never wanted to make fun or look down on small towns at all,” says Michael. “We both grew up in a small town and have a lot of affection and warmth for them.”

They needed to find the perfect location that could double as Shoulder in the film and they found it in Burks Falls. “We needed a town that was a bit frozen in time, that wasn’t riddled with name‐brand businesses and big box stores. And I wasn’t sure if we could find it until we finally landed in Burks Falls. It’s the loveliest little place you’d ever want to live,” says Michael.

It wasn’t only the crew who found affection for the small town of Burks Falls. The cast members also loved the opportunity to shoot in a lovely small town. “One of the reasons I took this film is because it was shooting in a place I probably would have never otherwise come to,” says DJ Qualls. “It’s beautiful here and we’re lucky enough to be staying right on a lake. I said yes because I really liked the script, but I’m also pleasantly surprised by the crew and the surroundings.”

How was Burks Falls affected by having a film crew in town, never mind “The Fonz” becoming a regular fixture of the landscape? “Everyone here has been so welcoming,” says Winkler. “I kind of feel like I’ve been here forever. People don’t so much stop and ask for my autograph, they just say ‘Morning Henry!’ and throw me a wave.”

Why are small town so ripe for comedy? Offers Mancini, “The cynicism that exists in urban areas doesn’t exist in the same way in small towns and small town residents tend to be unabashedly themselves. But as Thomas said, I don’t think we or other filmmakers who set comedies in this milieu are making fun of small town people at all. What’s so appealing about movies like those of Christopher Guest is that the comedy doesn’t come from making fun of people, it comes from their point of view on things. And it’s a point of view that is ultimately relatable. “

And while Michael and Mancini are certainly inspired by their predecessors, Henry Winkler has confidence in Michael and Mancini’s own unique style of comedy. “I think this film will tap into people’s sense of humor. These guys are serious about their comedy.”

CAST

Thomas Michael (Writer/Director/Producer/Archie Fenton) was born in Poland and grew up in Canada. At age 15, Thomas wrote, produced and starred‐in his first award‐winning film: The Borkin Brothers, taking home the Audience Award at that year’s CFI Film Festival in Alberta. Within months he was writing, starring‐in and producing his own hit sketch‐comedy series, Y B Normal?, which ran for several seasons on the Comedy Network.

After moving to Toronto, Thomas quickly established himself as a multi‐hyphenate ‐ splitting his time working as an actor (The Eleventh Hour, Kevin Hill) and writing, producing and directing his own award‐winning* projects, including dozens of episodes of national television series, such as the daring comedy series chunkydonkey for the CBC.

Since founding his production company, Fella Films, Thomas has created a slew of projects. Thomas’ directorial debut, Three (a short he also wrote and starred‐in), premiered at the prestigious World Film Festival and was a finalist in competition at the Los Angeles International Film Festival. In 2005, Thomas wrote, produced and starred in the feature bilingual comedy Greg & Gentillon (WINNER – DISCOVERY AWARD – Calgary International Film Festival). Greg & Gentillon was released theatrically in the U.S. by Anthem Pictures; and in Canada by Alliance Films. Thomas’ second feature was Hank and Mike (WINNER – BEST COMEDY – Seattle’s True Independent Festival) Thomas wrote, produced and co‐starred with and Chris Klein in the film, which was released theatrically in the USofA by Magnolia Pictures and in Canada by E1 Entertainment. The film also sold to countries around the world (including a 10 screen, 3 month theatrical run in Prague). Thomas recently completed HAPPENchance, a short film he wrote, produced and directed for Bravo!. The film stars Gil Bellows (24, Shawshank Redemption, Ally McBeal). Thomas is currently putting the finishing touches on his feature‐length script, The Mule, while finishing post‐production on his latest feature, Running Mates (which he wrote, directed, produced, and starred‐in). The film co‐stars Henry Winkler, DJ Qualls, and Graham Greene. Thomas also recently completed production of a pilot with National Lampoon for a series he created called The Gentillon Show. (Thomas plays the title character). In 2008, Playback Magazine named Thomas one of “The Next 25 ‐ Canada’s Rising Stars and Dealmakers”.

Thomas splits his time between Los Angeles and Toronto, but can no longer do the splits. He believes in recycling and loving your mama.

*(only some won awards)

Paolo Mancini (Writer/Reg Rossi) Originally from Aylmer, , Paolo is an actor and screenwriter currently residing in Toronto. He served as one of the leads and head‐writers for the hit comedy series Chunkydonkey (Comedy Network and CBC’s ZED TV). Paolo is also an accomplished improviser having trained at Toronto’s Second City, as well as having studied with Academy Award winner .

In 2003 he starred as Angel Cruz in the highly acclaimed Canadian premiere of Stephen Adly Guirgis’s Jesus Hopped The “A” Train (Berkeley Street Theatre). Additional work for the stage includes Inch Of Your Life (Edgemar Center for the Arts‐ LA), Glorydays! (Theatre Aquarius), Den of Thieves (Surface/Underground), Lawrence & Holloman (Fish Shak), and Cheapskate (Critic’s Pick‐Toronto Fringe 2006).

In 2005 Paolo co‐wrote and starred in Greg & Gentillon (Winner‐ Discovery Award, Calgary International Film Festival) which was released theatrically by Alliance Films. The second feature he co‐penned, Hank and Mike, in which Paolo stars alongside Joe Mantegna and Chris Klein, had its theatrical release in the Spring of 2008 by E‐1 and was also released in the U.S. by Magnolia Pictures. Selected Film/TV work includes Bloodletting and Miraculous Cures (Shaftesbury), Rent‐A‐Goalie (Showcase), Run Robot Run! (Darius Films), and Cool Money (USA Network). Up next, Paolo will be appearing in George Hickenlooper’s Casino Jack with , Barry Pepper and Kelly Preston.

Jane McLean (Ronnie Fenton) Born in the Philippines and raised in Toronto, Jane McLean began her acting career in 2001 after studying at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. McLean’s credits include Showtime’s hit series Dexter, TMN/Sundance Channel’s multi‐award winning series Terminal City, Sci‐Fi’s The Dresden Files, New Line’s actioner Shoot Em’Up, the Emmy & BAFTA nominated BBC drama Supervolcano, Magnolia Pictures’ darkly comedic Hank & Mike, ’ feature comedy Intern Academy, The CW’s Kevin Hill and Lifetime’s 1‐ 800 Missing, Wildcard, and Two Sisters and Of Murder and Memory– to name a few.

Most recently, McLean co‐starred opposite Rachel McAdams, Eric Bana and Ron Livingston in Warner Bros’ blockbuster romance The Time Traveler’s Wife, based on Audrey Niffenegger’s international bestseller.

Next up, McLean plays ‘Laura Hendricks’, in the upcoming 8th season of the hit FOX series 24.

Mike Beaver (Lee Marvin ‘Moose’ Rossi) is a founder the Toronto sketch troupe The Bobroom which enjoyed specials on CBC and The Comedy Network before being picked up for a 10 episode series on CTV. He then wrote, produced and starred, with his writing partner, Jason Jones (Daily Show with Jon Stewart), the independent cult comedy feature Ham & Cheese. Their second feature film Cooper’s Camera (which premiered at TIFF) will be released in theatres early 2010 and they’ve written a comedy feature with John Hamburg for . Currently they are working with Will Ferrell's Funnyordie.com on an exclusive short. Beaver’s television credits include three seasons of Showcase’s Billable Hours, Blue Murder, This is Wonderland, NCIS, and The Buzz. Beaver will also be seen in the hotly anticipated new series The Kids in the Hall – Death Comes to Town and the upcoming Fakers on HBO. His films credits include playing Jennifer Aniston’s cousin in the romantic comedy He’s Just Not That Into You for New Line/Warner Bros, and his own Cooper’s Camera.

Tarah Consoli (Betsy Rossi) is an actor currently residing in Toronto. She is one of the originating members of the Canadian Stage Company’s GYM program where she has shared the stage with some of Canadian theatre’s elite artists. She has also been a member of the Second City National Touring Company where she developed and performed in The Best of Second City, Abbreviation Nation, and Big Bad Wolf. Her favorite film and television credits include Dan for Mayor (CTV), The Ron James Show (CBC), Howie Do It starring Howie Mandel (NBC), Plastic Makes Perfect (Slice), Run Robot Run!, Train48 (Global), ZooZoo (BBC Kids), as well as lending her voice to the series Best Ed (Cartoon Network), and Superwhy! (PBS Kids). Her theatre credits include: the critically acclaimed Canadian premier of Mikel Rouse’s Dennis Cleveland (LuminaTO), John/Yoko Bed Piece (Draft89), Goodnight Amherst (Teatro Comunque), The Vagina Monologues (VDay), Taking Chance (London Fringe), Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding (Second City), The GRRRLZ Show and One Night Only (Bad Dog Theatre). Upcoming: Feature Film Running Mates, where she’ll star alongside Henry Winkler and DJ Qualls.

Helen Hughes (Midge Muggs) is a beloved Canadian actress of film, television, and theatre, and the recipient of multiple Gemini and Dora award nominations. She has been seen in such films as Suzanne, Echoes in the Darkness, Palais Royale with Kim Cattrall, Billy Madison with Adam Sandler, Tommy Boy with Chris Farley and David Spade, and The Colour Grey. Television credits for Ms Hughes include such classics as Eight Is Enough, The Littlest Hobo, South of Wawa, Nan’s Taxi for which she received a Gemini nomination, Due South, Puppets Who Kill, Stephen King’s Storm of the Century, and The 11th Hour. Ms Hughes also recently worked on the pilot for a new show with Spencer Rice, Single White Spenny.

Her noted stage work includes roles in The Glass Menagerie, Hedda Gabler, and Three Penny Opera with Theatre Calgary, Waiting for the Parade, Eve, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and One Crowded Hour with Centaur Theatre, and Bonjour La Bonjour and Islands for the Tarragon. Linda Kash (Maude Beasley) Linda Kash began her professional life at the Second City in Toronto. She has also appeared in a number of plays for Canadian Stage. She was a series regular cast member in The Comedy Mill, Max Glick, and Variety Tonight in Canada and She TV, Minor Adjustments and Style and Substance in the US.

As well Linda has been a guest on Seinfeld, Third Rock From The Sun, Cybill, Everybody Loves Raymond, Ellen and Sabrina. She also worked on Ken Finklemen's new series for CBC The Hotel and Hatching, Matching & Dispatching.

Her list of films include Waiting For Guffman and Best in Show both directed by Christopher Guest, the multi nominated Cinderella Man directed by Ron Howard and more recently Man of the Year directed by Barry Levinson and Are We Done Yet.

Linda has co created several shows for TV including My Talk Show, Go Girl!, and The Joe Blow Show, which she also directed. Linda has also taught sketch writing and improvisation for Humber College and teaches corporate workshops for Beyond The Box and to local children and teens in her community. She is also known as Canada's beloved Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese Angel, which has become one of Canadian advertising's most successful campaigns and is now in its 14th year.

Graham Greene (Dilton Harper) An Oneida Indian from Ontario, Canada, Greene is best known for his Oscar‐nominated performance as the sage Kicking Bird in Kevin Costner's Dances With Wolves, and his starring roles in Die Hard 3, Thunderheart, Cooperstown, Into the West, Buffalo Dreams, Spirit Bear and Maverick. He was cast as the title role in Ishi – The Last of His Tribe, opposite Jon Voight, and had a recurring role in CBS’s hit show Northern Exposure.

Mr. Greene’s many awards have included a Grammy Award in 2000 for the role of Narrator in Listen to the Storyteller, a Best Actor Award at the Tokyo Film Festival for Skins, a First Americans in the Arts Award for The Green Mile and a Harvard Foundation Award from Harvard University, honoring him for his ‘contributions to international performing arts and intercultural relations’. He has been nominated for both a SAG Award for his work in The Green Mile and an Independent Spirit Award for is work in Skins. He has been nominated for 5 , winning in 1998 for his role of Mr. Crabby Tree in The Adventures of Dudley the Dragon; in 2004 he was honored at the Gemini’s with the Earle Grey Award for his outstanding body of work and his significant contribution to the international profile of Canadian television.

Recent film and television projects include: Into the West, Luna, All Hat, Breakfast With Scott and Pushing Up Daisies. He was also the Host and Narrator of the PBS Documentary The War That Made America. In the past year, Mr. Greene also mad the film Gunless with and the international hit film New Moon, the second in the Twilight series.

DJ Qualls (Graham ‘One‐Ball’ Jones) A hip and hot rising star, DJ Qualls continues to shine in a myriad of film roles. DJ was just seen in the highly anticipated production of All About Steve for 20th Century Fox opposite Sandra Bullock, Thomas Hayden Church and Bradley Cooper.

Other movie credits include his role opposite Terrence Howard in the critically acclaimed Hustle and Flow, the independent film Little Athens with Alexis Bledel and Jay Baruchel, and Delta Farce with Larry the Cable Guy.

In 2003, DJ joined Hilary Swank and Aaron Eckhardt in The Core for Paramount Pictures. Just prior to The Core, Qualls starred in Revolution Studio's The New Guy, a script written specifically with him in mind.

In the can for DJ is Sony Screen Gems' Lone Star State of Mind, opposite Joshua Jackson and Jaime King. Set in Texas, this comedy is about a young couple fighting to get out of the state. Along the way things go awry when Qualls who plays Junior, robs a pizza delivery boy who just happens to be a mobster. In addition, Qualls co‐produced and starred in the Lions Gate film Comic Book Villains, a dark comedy about the comic book industry and rival comic book stores. He stars opposite Donal Logue, Michael Rapaport, Danny Masterson and Cary Elwes. DJ can also be seen in the Lions Gate film Chasing Holden. Qualls plays Neil, a student who is assigned to answer the question, "What happens to Holden Caulfield?" While searching for answers about this main character in "Catcher in the Rye," he discovers unanswered questions about his own life.

Qualls is perhaps best known for his role as the geeky Kyle in Dreamworks' smash hit, Road Trip. DJ received much praise for his portrayal as the studious member of the road trip gang.

Other film credits include Big Trouble, Cherry Falls and Mama's Flora's Family. His television credits include: Criminal Minds, Lost, Monk, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Scrubs, and My Name is Earl.

Henry Winkler (Bob Weatherbee) is one of the most recognizable and loved actors in film and television history and has enjoyed over three successful decades working in Hollywood.

Henry’s portrayal of “The Fonz” for 10 seasons (1974‐84) on the iconic TV series Happy Days made him one of the most recognized actors in the world. He won two consecutive Golden Globe Awards for Best Actor in a Comedy Series (1976 and 1977), and three Emmy nominations in the same category. He was also honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located directly in front of the forecourt of Hollywood’s Pantages Theatre. The leather jacket worn by “The Fonz” has hung in the Smithsonian since February 13th, 1980 and recently has been joined by “Fonzie’s” lunch box.

His other myriad network television credits include The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Bob Newhart Show, The Paul Sand Show and Rhoda, and more recently the cult hit Arrested Development on which he played the recurring role of the family lawyer.

Mr. Winkler has worked in film on all sides of the camera. As an actor, he has most recently enjoyed success with an ongoing relationship with friend Adam Sandler, with roles in Don’t Mess with the Zohan, Little Nicky, Waterboy and Click. Other notable film credits include a role on Ron Howard’s Night Shift and in the first installment of the hit franchise Scream.

As a director, Mr. Winkler’s credits include Memories of Me starring Billy Chrystal, Alan King, and Jo Beth Williams and the film Cop and a Half with Burt Reynolds.

His producing credits include Rob Reiner’s The Sure Thing, Young Sherlock Holmes produced in association with Steven Spielberg, and the long‐running hit series MacGyver.

In 2003, he began writing a series of 17 children’s novels with his partner Lin Oliver for Penguin Putnam entitled, Hank Zipzer: The World’s Greatest Under‐Achiever. The books are inspired by Henry’s struggle throughout his education due to his learning challenges. The first 16 novels of the series are in bookstores now and so far, 3 million copies have been sold, and they are now published in Great Britain. They have appeared on several Best Seller lists including The New York Times Best Seller List and The Los Angeles Times Sunday Book Review.

In 2001, Winkler starred on Broadway in Neil Simon’s The Dinner Party for nine months with the late John Ritter. The production made its world premiere at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. An engagement at the Eisenhower Theatre at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. led to its Broadway run, marking Winkler’s return to the Broadway stage after an absence of 30 years. In 2001, the cast of The Dinner Party won the Outer Critics Circle Special Achievement Award for Best Ensemble.

As Henry became increasingly visible, he found that he could use his position to help others. He says that had he not succeeded as an actor, he would have become a child psychologist because of his deep interest in working with children. And work with children he does. The list of groups with which he is associated is as long as his resume of acting credits and includes Honorary Chairman of United Friends of the Children (the support group for MacLaren Children’s Center, a facility for abused children in Los Angeles); Founding Member of the Children’s Action Network, an organization composed of entertainment industry leaders dedicated to raising the profile of children’s issues through the media; co‐host of the annual Cerebral Palsy Telethon; the first National Honorary Chairman of the Epilepsy Foundation of America; National Chairman of the annual Toys for Tots campaign; the National Committee for Arts for the Handicapped; the Special Olympics; the Los Angeles Music Center’s Very Special Arts Festival for children who are physically challenged, and numerous teenage alcohol and drug abuse programs.

While Henry’s personal commitment to helping others is reward enough, his efforts have been recognized by a variety of prestigious organizations including B’nai B’rith (“Champion of Youth”), United Nations (“Peace Prize”) and in 1988, Henry and his wife, Stacey (they were married May 5, 1978), were presented with Women in Film’s Norma Zarky Humanitarian Award for their tireless efforts and devotion to the “improvement of the human condition.” In May of 1995 they received the Cedars‐Sinai Medical Center Support Group Service’s Helping Hand Award in recognition for all they have done for the children of Los Angeles and on June 29, 1996, Henry received the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Artes et Lettres, the French Government’s highest honor. CREW

Cabot McNealy (Director of Photography) Based in Toronto, Cabot has been experimenting with photography since the age of 9 when he received his first point and shoot stills camera for his birthday. Since then it has been a labor of love having taken formal training in photography as well as studying film at York University for which he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Upon graduating, Cabot honed his skills as a photographer while etching out a successful career as an assistant in the camera department. By working on the frontline of his chosen department, Cabot developed proficiency in all pro camera systems and was able to observe the work of some of the world's most celebrated cinematographers. In his off time, Cabot relentlessly pursued his own opportunities as a cinematographer and in the last few years has shot a wide range of material, culminating in his first feature film, 'You Are Here', shot in Toronto fall 2008.

Cabot more often takes a very natural approach to lighting, favoring single sources and shadow manipulation over the often, intoxicating lighting set ups found on most feature film sets. Having shot numerous shorts and 2 more feature films including 'Running Mates' (starring Henry Winkler, Graham Greene and DJ Qualls), 2009 proved to be a huge year for Cabot and with 8 films currently slated for release next year, 2010 will undoubtedly be even bigger.

Naz Goshtasbpour (Production Designer) is a graduate of Ryerson University's film studies program. It was at Ryerson that she channeled her passion for film in the art department. Shortly after graduating, she joined the Director’s Guild of Canada and began her career in the art department on a number of feature films such as "You Might As Well Live" and award winning television series such as "The Latest Buzz" and "Flashpoint." In 2007, Naz designed an independent feature film titled “Rock, Paper, Scissors: The way of the Tosser” which won the audience choice award at Cambridge Film Festival in 2008.

Since then she has been working as a production designer on various short films such as “A Small Thing,” that won Best Canadian short drama at the imaginative film festival in 2008. Her credits also include music videos, commercials and feature films such as “Reverie,” and “You Are Here” starring Tracey Wright. Most recently, Naz designed the feature comedy, "Running Mates", starring Henry Winkler, DJ Qualls and Graham Greene. Naz is currently working on the feature film “High Chicago” starring Colin Salmon and directed by Gemini Award nominee Alfons Adetuyi.

Melissa Stewart (Costume Designer) is a Toronto based Costume Designer for film and television. Born and raised in Huntsville Ontario, Melissa returned home to shoot Running Mates, her first feature film. She has designed numerous television series for Discovery and the History Channel, including “Mayday” and “Outlaw Bikers” as well as two seasons of the television series “Cold Blood” airing on Global.

With nearly a decade of design experience, Melissa brings a “hands‐on” approach to her designs, frequently sketching and building costumes from scratch in her home studio. Melissa marries her unique and smart eye for detail with a sense of humor in her designs, often paying homage to her favorite filmmakers in the process.

Melissa is an honors graduate of Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology in Fashion Arts and Design. Designing Running Mates has given Melissa the opportunity to emerge as a cutting‐edge designer amongst Toronto’s Independent Film Industry, and truly flex her creative muscles.

Stephen Philipson (Editor) is a graduate of the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design and the Canadian Film Centre. He edited the feature dramas GROWN UP MOVIE STAR, which won a Jury Prize at Sundance for lead actress Tatiana Maslany's breakout role, and THE WILD HUNT, which was voted Best Canadian First Feature and one of Canada's Top Ten by the Toronto International Film Festival, and recently won the Audience Award at Slamdance. Stephen began editing short films, including CAN YOU WAVE BYE BYE? (which was nominated for a Genie Award and won Best Canadian Short Film at the Worldwide Short Film Festival), CONGRATULATIONS DAISY GRAHAM, WHITE OUT, TERMINAL VENUS, BERLIN and TROLL CONCERTO, all of which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. He then moved into television, editing the Gemini Award winning office comedy THREE CHORDS FROM THE TRUTH, THE SMART WOMAN SURVIVAL GUIDE, and THE WILKINSONS. His break into features came with the 2009 documentary PROM NIGHT IN MISSISSIPPI (starring Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman). Prom Night premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, won Best Documentary at the AFI Dallas Film Festival and premiered on HBO. Between editing gigs, Stephen also finds time to write and direct, most recently completing a Bravo!FACT‐funded short entitled THE TWILIGHT EXPRESS.

Sean Buckley (Producer) began his career 15 years ago and since that time he has shot hundreds of commercials, created, produced and directed several successful television properties, as well as added more than a dozen feature length films and documentaries to his credit list. He is also one of few producers/directors with award winning projects across all genres including broadcast commercials, music videos, web content, television, and feature length productions. Sean has watched Buck Productions explode with four new television properties, growing feature film and documentary divisions, as well as one of the strongest commercial divisions in the country. Buck has delivered award‐winning productions to networks and distributors throughout the world, including Columbia Tri‐Star, Alliance Atlantis, Fox, Disney, Universal, CTV and CanWest amongst others.

Buck Productions’ unique business model caught the eye of the corporate world when Sean was nominated for the 2008 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year award.

Buck Productions’ television credits include Rich Bride, Poor Bride (distributed in over 75 countries worldwide,) Keys to the VIP, Petal Pushers, and Switch. Feature film credits include Hank and Mike, Cooper’s Camera, and Defendor, all in collaboration with Darius Films.

Nicholas Tabarrok (Executive Producer) is a prolific film and television producer, whose career began in production in his hometown of Toronto. Nicholas describes himself as a “blue collar producer” which he explains by noting that he started his career in the film business at the bottom; as a production assistant on a soap opera. He then moved into production accounting, which lead to production managing which in turn lead to line producing. Nicholas credits these years as imbuing him with an invaluable knowledge of the “nuts and bolts” of physical production.

In 1998, while working as a production manager, Nicholas read the screenplay Motel and knew he wanted to produce the film himself. He managed to raise the necessary financing for the low‐budget indie in a remarkably short period of 6 months through a combination of private investment and studio financing. Motel spent a year on the festival circuit and screened at over a dozen festivals around the world, earning prizes and critical praise along the way.

Nicholas has since produced over a dozen films including the teen comedy Jailbait!, the first of MTV’s original movies which premiered on the network to record ratings, The Limb Salesman, a love story set in a dystopian future, The Life and Hard Times of Guy Terrifico, a honky tonk‐ umentary starring Kris Kristofferson which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was named the best Canadian film of 2005 by the readers of Inside Entertainment magazine, the heist film Cool Money, a true story starring James Marsters, A Lobster Tale, starring Colm Meaney, Graham Geene and Alberta Watson, Run Robot Run!, a romantic comedy about a man who must compete with a seemingly perfect robot for the girl of his dreams. Nicholas also produced Weirdsville, starring Scott Speedman, Wes Bentley and Taryn Manning, directed by Allan Moyle (Pump Up the Volume, Empire Records) which was selected as the opening film of both the 2007 Slamdance Film Festival and the Raindance Film Festival in addition to playing to sold out audiences at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival, and Hank and Mike, a surreal comedy that does for Easter what Bad Santa did for Christmas which stars Joe Mantegna and Chris Klein. His film Surviving Crooked Lake played at the 2008 Slamdance Film Festival where it won the best cinematography award and was picked up by distributor Neo Classics for a June 2008 theatrical release.

Most recently Nicholas produced Cooper’s Camera, a dysfunctional family comedy starring The Daily Show’s Jason Jones and Sam Bee, and the breakout success Defendor by first time director Peter Stebbings and starring Woody Harrelson and Kat Dennings, which had great critical response at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival and sold to Sony Pictures for US distribution. With this success behind him, Nicholas expanded his production company, Darius Films, beyond Canada, and now has offices in both Toronto and Los Angeles. John Kozman (Executive Producer) is a founding partner in Canadian distribution company Boutique Films along with producer Nicholas Tabarrok. Since it’s founding in early 2008, Boutique Films has inked deals to distribute several feature films and documentaries including Darkon, Surviving Crooked Lake and Running Mates. John was Executive Producer on Cooper’s Camera, starring Jason Jones and Samantha Bee from The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Cooper’s Camera was chosen as a selection in the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival. More recently he served as Executive Producer on Defendor starring Woody Harrelson and Kat Denning which premiered at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival and subsequently sold to Sony Pictures.

Jesse Ikeman (Executive Producer) Originally from Montreal, Jesse started his career with Alliance Atlantis. Following which he took a position with Blueprint Entertainment Corporation (currently Entertainment One), as their VP Business Development & Co‐production. For Blueprint Entertainment, he was an Executive Consultant on the CTV movie‐of‐the‐week Playing House, and a Co‐Producer on the Lifetime and Global Television licensed production Absolution.

In 2001 Jesse started Sudden Storm Entertainment Ltd., with business partner Jeff Glickman. Jesse has produced the feature film Killing Zelda Sparks, starring Sarah Carter (Shark, Skinwalkers), Vincent Kartheiser (Angel, Dandelion), Geoffrey Arend (Garden State , The Ringer) and (The Sum of All Fears, The Chronicles of Riddick).

Jesse was as an Executive Producer of George A Romero’s Survival of the Dead which premiered in 2009 at the Venice International Film Festival and had its North American Premier the Toronto International Film Festival.

He has further provided consulting services on some of Canada’s top produced television programs including the new CTV series Whistler and CBC series The Newsroom and Hotel. He was also the Executive in Charge of Production Finance on Intervention (Andy McDowell, Jennifer Tilly).

He has also produced the TV half hour The Crypt Club (winner of over 6 best film awards) starring Alison Pill (Pieces of April) and The Store starring Patrick McKenna (Traders, Trudeau). He was also a Consulting Producer on a Documentary Channel production, Stupidity (Best Documentary – Atlantic City Film Festival).

He has spoken on film and financing panels at the Cannes Film Festival, the Toronto Film Festival, and Berlin.

Jeff Glickman (Executive Producer) is originally from London, Ontario, and studied theatre at the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan.

At 19, in his first year of University, Jeff directed his first theatre production of Barstool Words (by writer Josh Friedman) which had a sold‐out run and played consistently to standing ovations. Jeff soon had the honor of apprenticing for writer/director John Patrick Shanley (Moonstruck, Joe Vs. The Volcano, Congo) and stage director Daniel DeRaey at the Powerhouse Theatre in Poughkeepsie, NY.

Jeff directed numerous productions both at home, as well as in New York, Toronto, and other places. Various productions include, Fool for Love by Sam Shepard, The Birthday Party by Harold Pinter, an elaborate production of Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett (including a massive 20‐foot rear‐projection video screen), and American Buffalo by David Mamet. Jeff’s productions have garnered several awards, including his second production of Barstool Words in 2001 in New York, which won the “Best of the Fest” award at the Midtown‐International‐ Theatre‐Festival.

In 2002, Jeff directed his first film, an adaptation of the one‐act play The Store by noted Canadian playwright Mavor Moore, starring Patrick McKenna. The film was an Official Selection of the Vancouver International Film Festival and in addition, aired on CBC, WTN, and IFC Canada. The project also led to the foundation of a partnership with producer Jesse Ikeman and together they formed Sudden Storm Entertainment that year.

Several music video and industrial projects later, in 2004 Jeff produced and directed his first feature film Killing Zelda Sparks, starring Sarah Carter, Colm Feore, and Vincent Kartheiser. The film won the Heineken Red Star Award for Directorial Vision at the San Diego International Film Festival, and as well played that Montreal Cinema Du Monde.

In 2007 Jeff created and exec produced the reality series ReVamped for Slice Network Canada, in conjunction with Blueprint, Barna Alper Productions, and Sudden Storm Entertainment. Later that year Jeff & Jesse embarked to Co‐Executive Produce George A. Romero’s newest zombie feature Survival of the Dead.

Jeff currently has three feature films in active development and is attached to direct, as well as several TV projects in active development as a prod