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Hot Talents @ AFI Fest 2012


Sarah Hagan in “The Most Fun I’ve Ever Had with My Pants On”
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It’s easy to be in awe of indie darlings when they’re as accessible as Sarah Hagan. Give her an “A” for likable charm for this lissome talent genuinely resonates in the features she’s done, most significantly in the Sundance fave “Jess+Moss”. She enchantingly delivers once more in “The Most Fun I’ve Ever Had With My Pants On” playing an actress with issues of her own and discovers new beginnings on a road trip with her high school friend. Sarah does have a distinctive appeal that sets her apart and she even does a high-nasal voice in her latest onscreen persona. She’s a versatile actress we should all passionately follow.

Lila Salet in “Simon Killer”
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The True meaning of French Flair is how effortlessly sexy French women can be and Lila Salet is dropping with sexiness. Flattering her comes with the territory and she carries herself with sophistication on a very sweet level. Watch her in the violent, sex-drenched French-American production “Simon Killer” which promises to be a wild trip into the seedy side of Paris. Considering how photogenic Lila is with her kissable, full lips, it’s a stroke of genius in casting her in the erotic tale. Those inviting green-blue eyes of hers should yield a wave of devotees who have long desired European faces.

Stella Maeve in “Starlet”
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Don’t you think Stella Maeve has an old-world beauty that just keeps getting more and more praiseworthy every time you see her. It’s no wonder her choice of movies have invoked unforgettable memories from the 1970s. The bewitching actress of “The Runaways” and “The Manson Girls” is the perfect choice to play the feel-good women of that era which Stella emulates so well. Even in the indie film “Starlet”, she somehow manages to channel the understated hotness in her role as a pot-smoking dysfunctional roommate. Her name Stella means “A Promising Star” and that alone should augur well for her.

Vinessa Shaw in “Come Out And Play”
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One of the industry’s under-rated talents, Vinessa Shaw may not often get the accolades she deserves but her longevity should point to her widespread appeal. Just like Parkey Posey who was only recognized after a long spell, Vinessa started off in a slew of independent features. Wes Craven’s exploitation-horror film “The Hills Have Eyes” gave her prominence and it’s great to see jumping into horror once again in “Come Out To Play”. She has faced mutants before and this time it will be a deadly confrontation between her character Beth and a group of sinister children. Unconventionally sexy, Vinessa does make us swoon…:)

Rising Starlet: Rebecca Ocampo


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As you read this, viewers would already have been treated to exotic temptation Rebecca Ocampo who makes an appearance on “Hawaii Five-0″ in the episode “Kalele (Faith)”. She is touted to have a nice scene with Emmy Winner Ed Asner so when you get a chance don’t miss it! I’m ecstatic for her that she’s gaining prominence in TV Land but for for me personally, it’s nice to know she was in a music video of one of my fav bands, horror punks AFI. In the director’s cut of ‘Miss Murder’, Rebecca is every bit a video vixen in the slinky and sexy black dress. Her hazel eyes and sensual glossy lips are the cornerstones of her blossoming appeal. As a dancer, she’s performed with artists such as Goo Goo Dolls, My Chemical Romance and Nelly Furtado. One only has to check out the REBECCA OCAMPO OFFICIAL SITE and notice how her interests revolve around fashionable things.

She’s definitely someone whom you can throw gorgeous threads at her and she’ll make it look trendy and presentable. Her personable and sweet disposition is also infectious giving those around her such joy. With so many positive responses on her guest spot on “Hawaii Five-0″, REBECCA OCAMPO is the face everyone should get to know. News are abound that she’s been invited to do more scenes related to her character and all this means more yummy servings of REBECCA….:)

Indie Princess: Lanie Hoyo


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My final feature on the amazing women of the AFI Film Fest calls attention to the pleasing talents of Portland actress LANIE HOYO. If you’ve at the Hollywood Boulevard film fest, check her out in “Light Of Mine”. Featuring Rebecca Sanborn and the vivacious LANIE, it’s a beautiful tale of the fortitude that resides within us all in the face of impossible odds. It delves into the life of a photographer who is degenerating into blindness and his subsequent journey with his wife (Rebecca Sanborn) before darkness envelops him leading him to discover the true meaning of courage. LANIE herself has been roundly praised by the producers of “Light Of Mine” for giving a heartfelt performance which I’m certain everyone can’t wait to see. LANIE also recently made her television debut on an episode of “Leverage” giving us another avenue to glimpse the wonderful her.

If you’re into Parker Posey then LANIE will be right up your alley since she has a similar off-kilter charm which we’ll be able to enjoy when “Georgie’s Big Break” is released. Guest-starring cultured personalities including Fight Club’s Chuck Palahniuk and Monica Drake (whose story this short film was adapted from), LANIE plays a single mother aspiring to reach the fame of accomplished authors. With the added burden of an infant, she tries her luck at Portland’s largest literary fest. We don’t often get to see the scholarly world and from LANIE’s interesting turn as Georgie in the teaser (above), this is will be a draw for viewers. There’s a favorable likability she instills in her character that makes us all want to see her succeed. Speaking of success, it’s right around the corner for LANIE HOYO.

Rising Starlet: Thia Schuessler


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This past week has been one of warm approval for the Fresh Faces in the film world and newcomer THIA SCHUESSLER could yet be another gem. As I’m writing this, she’s currently at or around the majestic theaters in Hollywood where AFI Fest 2011 runs till November 10th in support of the enchanting short film “Clear Blue”. It’s “Cocoon” (the youthful rejuvenation swimming pool) meets “Harold and Maude” (the unexpected bond between older woman and younger man) as a lifeguard encounters a magical phenomenon that suspends our disbelief. The woman at the center of this haunting tale is Fiova, an elderly lady who mystically becomes a much younger version of herself as soon as she’s into the blue. THIA plays the younger version of Fiova, ethereally angelic as she spends significant time underwater that includes a kissing scene or two….can’t wait to see how this perplexing mystery unravels. Already she reminds me of mumblecore princess Greta Gerwig in terms of her magnetic beauty, you know that indie cool, arty European glow that keeps us fascinated (ok I’m a little blatantly bias when it comes to cute blondes…hehe).

A visit to the THIA SCHUESSLER OFFICIAL SITE should give an inkling of her fetching qualities. Blessed with ambrosial features (I believe she’s attractive even sans makeup), THIA does have a comely appeal which even in the 20 mins of “Clear Blue” is captured sublimely. In this fast-changing cinematic terrain, it’s a pleasure to be in touch with the stars of tomorrow such as the lovely THIA who could find herself being regarded as one.

Screen Siren: Natalija Nogulich


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Noted for her personable disposition and gregarious allure thanks to her Serbian heritage, film doyenne NATALIJA NOGULICH has and will always hold our captive attention. AFI Film Fest entry “I Melt With You” might have its testosterone-laden, steeped in darkness tomfoolery by way of leading man from “Hung” Thomas Jane and “Entourage” star Jeremy Piven but it’s female cast is just as colorful. NATALIJA appears in this hallucinogenic tale of excess (could this be the heavier, gloomier answer to “The Hangover”) alongside the ravishing Melora Hardin and porn star turned legitimate actress Sasha Grey. Over the years AFI’s mission has been one of presenting the best films out there irregardless of their stature and I’m following their lead in featuring actresses who deserve their share of recognition. Having lit up Broadway, television and film (she played Jack Nicholson’s wife in “Hoffa”), NATALIJA continues to churn out outstanding examples of character work that cuts across different genres. Her recent guest spot as fortune teller Vadoma on Betty White’s “Hot In Cleveland” is testament to her knack for consistently keeping things interesting every time she graces a role.

The NATALIJA NOGULICH OFFICIAL SITE is where one can keep up with her latest projects. Sci-Fi fans and Trekkies in particular cherish her as the tough cookie Admiral Nechayev in “Star Trek-The Next Generation”; she excellently added an intricacy to what is essentially a personality of someone that’s straight-up and regimental. On MTV’s comedy series “The Hard Times Of RJ Berger” shone in a fun, eccentric manner perfecting the idiosyncrasy of play director Mrs. Bender to such enjoyable heights. Proving what a creative masterclass she is, NATALIJA is also an accomplished screen writer, novelist and director, thus growing ever more absorbing by the day.

Sizzling Cutie: Alicia Anthony


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Future stars are so often unearthed on the independent scene and ALICIA ANTHONY could very well be the newest with a debut that has aroused keen interest. Some like Amy Adams had to slog for years to get to where she is while others like Jennifer Lawrence struck big thanks to a resonating performance (Winter’s Bone) and the winsome ALICIA has more than shown her enchanting credibility onscreen at the first time of asking. She’s the leading lady of “Wuss” in the skin of Maddie, a student with an undesirable past who by the hand of fate crosses path with her teacher Mitch. Let’s just say she’s the polar opposite of most high school students with an inherently dim view towards teachers, an anti Tracy Flick if you will. Not the type to join in the bandwagon of ridicule on her weakling of a teacher, she uses her infamy that’s seeming striking fear on all sides of the school population to shade him from the abuse. Wanton bullying in institutions has been around for ages but to have it happening to an educator with such brutal fashion as in “Wuss” is an eye-opener. Inevitably. revenge is set in motion by the inappropriately attached teacher-student duo, each with their own demons to purge. ALICIA impeccably handles every bit of the darkly humorous material courtesy of Writer/director Clay Liford. Audiences can catch the movie’s run from November 6-7 at the AFI Fest 2011.

For ALICIA, it must have been a moment of serendipity as she was discovered by the film’s producers at a Taco stand where she used to worked. Mesmerizing as the reticently complex Maddie, they were spot on their choice of ALICIA in the integral role. I’ve read that she has an aura and a smile that’s saliently captivating…ahhh….more reasons to love her. It’s also great to see Arianne Martin (a fav actress of mine) in the cast of “Wuss” and I can foresee ALICIA becoming an indie sweetheart in her own right.