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Local dishes up film starring Summit County

JENNIFER HARPER
summit daily news
Summit Daily/Kristin Skvorc
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SUMMIT COUNTY ” Ever wanted to see yourself on the silver screen? Well, one starlet’s dreams could come true because of longtime local Patti DiVita.

The soon-to-be star’s name? Summit County.

“I wrote this screenplay specifically for Summit County. To put this place, this beauty in a movie is an amazing thing,” DiVita said.



DiVita is the writer and director of the independent film “Did I Say Thousand Island?”, which will be shot at various locations in the county beginning in the next two or three weeks. The shoot should take about one month to complete.

DiVita is, however, still seeking financing for the film.



“I’m on a mission,” DiVita said. “I’m going to do whatever it takes to make this successful.”

The movie is a romantic comedy based on DiVita’s and others’ experiences working in the restaurant industry, but she said someone doesn’t have to work in restaurants to enjoy this movie.

DiVita has been working in the service industry for more than 20 years.

After an injury from a horse accident in 1999, DiVita realized she couldn’t waitress any more.

“The idea for the movie hit me, and I had to say yes,” she said.

“Servers have always been very stereotyped in movies. People don’t look up to servers. They’re always saying, ‘Why don’t you get a real job?’ I want to change that.”

DiVita surveyed restaurant employees in eight states to add to the authenticity of her film. Her goal is to make an entertaining and humorous film that will be a tribute to the restaurant industry.

She said the main message in the movie is “Treat others as you would like to be treated.”

“That goes for the servers and the customers,” DiVita said.

DiVita admits that there are different sides of the restaurant industry as there are in any industry, but she wants the movie to portray the positive side and show realistic situations.

“Regardless of the result, this has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life,” DiVita said.

DiVita has the screenplay and location but needs a cast. She wants to use local actors, production people and businesses.

The film is a nonunion, low-budget film with deferred payments to those who participate. DiVita is looking for a core group of five lead actors who are or have been servers.

They are surrounded by about 12 co-workers, including chefs, bartenders, servers and hostesses. She’s also looking for extras, including wedding guests and restaurant patrons.

Auditions for the film will be held noon to 5 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the old Silverheels Restaurant at 81 Buffalo Drive in Wildernest.

For information, contact DiVita at (303) 810-6177, or at leftviewproductions@yahoo.com.

Jennifer Harper can be contacted at (970) 668-3998, ext. 248, or at jharper@summitdaily.com.

Cathy Dempsey, a single waitress with a college degree, lives a great life but she doesn’t see it quite that way. Cathy and her friends have the kind of fun nearly every day that most people get to have for only two weeks out of the year, but maybe she should “do something with her life and get a real job,” as she’s always hearing. She falls for handsome newcomer Pete Bacha, discovering the true meaning of friendships and humor while celebrating what it really means to be a worker in the American institution of restaurants.

– Cathy Dempsey ” 30 years old, athletic, rides horses, kind hearted and sensitive, frustrated with pressure to get a real job, loves waitressing.

– Maegan Holtz ” 34 years old, subtly sexy, great shape but not conceited, strong- willed, good heart, a happy restaurant “lifer.”

– Sue Hampton ” 32 years old, witty, rides horses, married, wants to sing again, but happy being a waitress.

– Kelly Swanson ” 26 years old, confident but quiet and shy, in love with Steve, wants to dance, a “stone stepper” with restaurants at the moment.

– Steve Hughs ” 31 years old, athletic and easygoing, preoccupied with fly-fishing and wanting own his business, good server for now.

– Pete Bacha ” already cast, 31 years old, athletic and hard-working, a carpenter by trade, quiet but energetic, from Slovakia but moved to Nebraska when younger.


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