Two of the stars of the Richard O'Sullivan-directed comedy, "Communication Breakdown", have signed to star in an upcoming horror film entitled "Swamp Zombies," which begins filming in August. Jasmin St. Claire and Brian Heffron will appear in the flick (from Killer Wolf Films) which tells the story of an outlaw scientist who illegally dumps genetically altered bodies in a swamp. When the bodies come back to life, a group of students must fight for their survival and stop the evil doc from continuing his twisted project.

Paul Schattel's gritty rural drama "Sinkhole" will play a showcase in New York sponsored by the Independent Film Channel (IFC) this September. The acclaimed feature will screen at the world-famous theater, the Angelika (the setting for IFC's popular  "At the Angelika" show, hosted by Alison Bailes) in a presentation geared toward industry professionals. Several key players on the "Communication Breakdown" team (Producer Linda Jean Marlowe, First Assistant Director Teresa Villa, and actress Holly Marlowe) were involved in the making of "Sinkhole."

Otto Merwin Gross, one of the individuals instrumental in bringing the Richard O'Sullivan-helmed "Communication Breakdown" to Blue Ridge Motion Pictures has inked a deal with FilmWorks LSD to develop and produce a sitcom pilot and four feature films from writer Lee Shargel. Gross, who is currently developing a feature-length biopic on obscure 60's rock group Moby Grape, was instrumental in turning a still-operating textile plant into a motion picture facility three years ago. "It's an interesting place to make movies," says O'Sullivan. "Walking through a loom room to get from the production offices to the sound stage is beyond surreal." 

Actress Vanelle, who stars as a Satanic nurse in the upcoming supernatural drama "AfterLife" (written by LCE's Richard O'Sullivan), recently fulfilled a lifelong dream when she danced alongside legendary funk rocker Prince during a concert. The star, a huge Prince fan since her junior high days, calls the experience "the next best thing to being Mrs. Prince."

Meredith Sause, who stars as radio executive Amanda Byrnes in LCE's "Communication Breakdown," will make a live in-store appearance at CD Alley in Chapel Hill, NC this Friday. The actress, most recently seen on "One Tree Hill," fronts the alternative/emo band My Little Phony, who will also be on hand.

Actor Craig S. Harper, last seen in the Richard O'Sullivan-penned "AfterLife," has been cast as stock car racer Kenny Schrader, in the upcoming ESPN TV movie "3: The Dale Earnhardt Story." Harper, who previously appeared in the Blaine Miller Civil War film "Strike the Tent," as well as the Cuba Gooding/Ed Harris vehicle "Radio," is the second "AfterLife" star to join the cast of "3." Greg Thompson (of "Dawson's Creek" and "One Tree Hill" fame) previously signed on in the role of Darrell Waltrip. "3" is being directed by "Highlander" director Russell Mulcahy, a filmmaker who rose to fame in the early 80's by directing music videos for the likes of Duran Duran, Elton John, and Queen.

The director of the acclaimed feature "Sinkhole" has struck gold again. Paul Schattel, whose recent festival hit was dubbed by LCE's Richard O'Sullivan as "the missing track from [Bruce] Springsteen's 'Nebraska' album," garnered the top prize for screenplays at the recent VisonFest competition in New York City. The winning script was for a new Schattel work entitled "Harvestman." Ironically enough, while in New York to pick up his prize, the Alabama-born Schattel swung by the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey, and literally missed bumping into Springsteen (an enormous indie film fan in his own right) by minutes.

Satu Rautaharju, who plays Misty in LCE's "Communication Breakdown" has been hired as the host of a new show biz magazine show called "E-Asylum." Her first assignment? Interviewing "Star Wars" beauty Natalie Portman and "Scrubs" regular Zach Braff in New York regarding their new film, "Garden State." Rautaharju, a favorite of director Richard O'Sullivan, has been tabbed to star in the upcoming fantasy epic, "Breach of Heaven." To see the trailer for "Garden State,"
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