/24-7PressRelease/ - BURBANK, CA, August 02, 2008 - Renowned theatre director Michael Leoni announces the development of the feature film The Playground. After several successful Los Angeles runs of the play version of the project, Leoni is looking to broaden the audience for this project by the creation of the film.
Touted by Entertainment Today as a "frightening environment" and "brave" by Backstage West, the play was created over a period of 10 years of research and innovation and explores the lives of a handful of street kids in Los Angeles. Leoni is dedicated to constructing the film with larger social goals in mind. "Beyond making a successful film, I want to institute social change. I want to create a mentoring program on set and have homeless kids working hands on with the production crew in areas that they are interested in, either behind the scenes or as extras. I want to get them involved and inspire them to change their lives," he says.
To help him accomplish this, he has teamed up with producers April Wade, Corey Wish and Jeanne Elfant Festa. They are also working with many other creative professionals to help the project come to fruition.
Women on Top Productions founder, April Wade's first feature, Juction, will be premiering in Hollywood, CA on Monday, July 28th, 2008. She has since produced three additional feature films under the company name. She is currently in the advanced stages of post production on April Showers, which stars Tom Arnold, Illeana Douglas, Daryl Sabara (Spy Kids), Kelly Blatz (Prom Night) and Janel Parrish (Bratz) in a gripping drama based largely on the Columbine High School shooting, through the eyes of a real-life survivor.
Corey Wish actively works in the entertainment industry on shows for CBS, the WB, MTV, and HGTV as well as producing his own work. After wrapping production on the feature film Punching the Clown, he is enthusiastic to bring his network and post-production experience to the project.
Jeanne Elfant Festa launched independent feature film, documentary, and television production company, Piper Cub Productions, in the summer of 2003. She is committed to making socially conscience films that ignite emotions and inspire investment in social change. Piper Cub Productions is currently in development on several projects.
The newly assembled team has begun shopping the script and is already starting to amass locations, charities and supporters of all kinds. As they commence the search for talent attachments and collaborators, they hold true to the message and goals of this incredibly unique rock-film: to create social change.
For more information about the film or for media/industry inquiries please contact Women on Top Productions at 323.819.9233 or visit The Playground website at http://www.theplaygroundmovie.com.
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