Local producer Dan Wilson and director Brian James McGuire will shoot a film in Milwaukee called "not this girl" later this year. Leann Slaby from the television reality show "Survivor:Vanuatu" will star in the lead role.

"I studied acting and appeared in a few independent film projects before my appearance on 'Survivor,'" says Slaby, "and now I feel fortunate to be involved in this film in a starring role. I love the script, am completely enamored with the main character, and am very excited about the unique storyline and vision."

"not this girl" is the story of a compulsive liar trapped inside a life created entirely by deception. According to Wilson, the movie's storytelling style is similar to films like "The Good Girl," "The Virgin Suicides," "21 Grams" and "The Ice Storm."

The film, currently in pre-production, will be shot entirely in Milwaukee and the surrounding communities, and will use local crews. "There's an extremely talented crew base here in Milwaukee," says Wilson. "We're eager to showcase both the talent and the production environment that Milwaukee has to offer."

Casting will take place in Milwaukee, Chicago and Los Angeles. The film's budget is $1.225 million dollars, but Wilson and McGuire plan to start shooting once they raise $500,000.

Brian McGuire studied film at UW-Milwaukee and Columbia College-Los Angeles. In 2001, he shot an existential arthouse film "No Exit", and the short film, "Stolen," in the fall of 2004.

Dan Wilson graduated from UW-Milwaukee's Film Program in 1991. His company, Bartoli Filmworks, provides marketing communications services to small business, non-profit and educational clients. He has produced a number of independent films and worked in a production management capacity on numerous films in Los Angeles and Chicago.

"The people in Milwaukee are wonderful to work with and are excited about the opportunity to have a film shot locally," says Wilson.

For information, please contact Dan Wilson at (414) 964-5525

6 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by OMCreader on Aug. 30, 2005 at 1:55 p.m. (report)

Stash said: I guess I should clarify my distaste for Chump Change which was, indeed, screened at, not a product of the MIFF. "Piece of crap" is somewhat general. I just don't understand why the filmmaker had to include every tired Milwaukee cliche (the Domes, the fact that Traci Lords worked at a brewery, the cold winter, etc.) I'm no film connoisseur, so it may have been a great movie technically, but I thought that it could have been done by painting a little better picture of this city. What Milwaukee has gained culturally to boost its reputation in the past several years was negated by that film. Just one of many opinions, I'm sure.

Posted by OMCreader on Aug. 30, 2005 at 12:44 p.m. (report)

JP said: Some people obviously have no sense of humor....Chump Change was a scream...the fact that Jarts were an implement of death.....hysterical! "Milwaukee, I love Minnesota."

Posted by OMCreader on Aug. 30, 2005 at 12:40 p.m. (report)

Kurt said: Carl: I sense a bit of jealousy in your little note. With the lack of work for professional actors in todays world (due to I might add the plethora OF reality TV shows)reality TV is a new opportunity that was never offered up until 7-8 years ago. Now I know you will write back and say things like "I'm not jealous"...or "I'm just stating fact"...or something else, but the fact is that reality TV shows are today's version of yesterday's 'Pilot' opportunities. That doesn't make reality shows a good thing, but it certainly doesn't make them a bad thing to audition for. And "Yes" Carl, you still need to audition even if it is a so-called reality show.

Posted by OMCreader on Aug. 29, 2005 at 6:56 p.m. (report)

Picky said: Chump Change wasn't "from the Milwaukee International Film Festival... it was screened "at" the festival.

Posted by OMCreader on Aug. 29, 2005 at 6:07 p.m. (report)

Carl said: The term "star" is certainly thrown about casually these days. Reality TV appearances do not equate stardom. A desparate grab at fame is more accurate.