By Kerri Mariano, Administrative Assistant to the Dean Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business, Associate Producer of Santa Girl, and Tooth Fairy
I still can’t believe I am actually making a movie! It is a dream come true for me. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to work on the movie “Santa Girl.” The partnership between Shenandoah University and Capital Arts is over-the-top amazing and just brilliant! We are getting real experience creating a movie from the ground up.
I think what I love most about this is that my opinion matters and my ideas count. I can see real changes in the movie based on what I contribute. I became involved after I signed up for a class participating in making the film, and I volunteered to scout locations. After landing the George Washington Hotel, a mansion, a red Ferrari to use and free lunches from local businesses for the actors, the team quickly realized that my connection to the local community could make a real difference in the movie and I was promoted to associate producer.
As for getting the “Tooth Fairy role,” I’m not certain exactly, but I think it was a funny joke after I broke my front tooth recently. They asked me to play it and I couldn’t be more thrilled for the opportunity. It’s a fast-paced, jump-in-with-both-feet experience, and a thrill to be on set, working side by side with actors I have grown up watching on television and in the movies. (What an exciting opportunity to be playing opposite of Barry Bostwick!) As the “Tooth Fairy,” I have a huge sparkly gown, massive tiara and wand – a girl’s dream come true. When I arrived on set at the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum for the Tooth Fairy Ball scene, people were cheering “TOOTH FAIRY, TOOTH FAIRY!” and clapping. It was an amazing moment I will never forget.
