PHOTOS: Bradenton-shot film 'Blind Pass' has special screening at Burns Court Cinemas

"Blind Pass" writer/director Steve Tatone with his co-producer and star Danielle White at Burns Court Cinemas in Sarasota for private screening of their film on Jan. 26, 2013. PHOTO BY WADE TATANGELO

"Blind Pass," the movie featuring an Armand Assante cameo that I watched being filmed about a year ago in Lakewood Ranch, had its debut screening Saturday at Burns Court Cinemas in Sarasota.

It's the latest by Sarasota-based independent film production company Midnight Pass Productions and the producing team of Steve Tatone and former Bradenton resident Danielle White, a past winner of Fox’s “American Juniors” reality show.

The duo got their start collaborating on the musical-drama “Beautiful Noise,” another locally shot film also written and directed by Tatone and starring White that sold out an unprecedented six showings at the 2010 Sarasota Film Festival.

Ed Lauter, second from left, participates in a post-screening Q&A.

In the thriller “Blind Pass,” 20-year-old White plays the daughter of a wealthy businessman played by Assante, who makes the most of minimal screen time. White's character is going blind from a rare disease and her mother sends her to a psychologist played by Chris McKenna, best known for his appearances on the CW series “90210.” The movie largely focuses on their rocky romance. 

Crowd gathers outside Burns Court Cinemas in Sarasota for screening of "Blind Pass."

Mike McGlone (“The Brothers McMullen,” “She’s the One”), Tampa-based Mary Rachel Dudley (“Dear John,” “Free Ride”) and up-and-coming child star Sydney Rouviere, a South Florida native whose appearances include “The Glades” TV series, also appear in “Blind Pass.”

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2011/12/01/3691857/armand-assante-movie-filming-in.html#storylink=cpy

Veteran Hollywood character actor Ed Lauter (“Leaving Las Vegas,” “The Longest Yard,” “Seabiscuit”), who was in attendance Saturday, makes a most welcome cameo in "Blind Pass."

Ed Lauter at Burns Court.

State Sen. Bill Galvano, Bradenton Mayor Wayne Poston, John Lakin, a judge of the Twelfth Circuit Court and Kathy Jordan, managing director at the Sarasota Film Festival, were also among those in attendance. 

The Saturday screening was designed to raise awareness of the new movie and encourage funding for the global marketing of “Blind Pass." The film has been entered into this year's Sarasota Film Festival taking place in April.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2011/12/01/3691857/armand-assante-movie-filming-in.html#storylink=cpy

WATCH: 'Blind Pass' trailer shot in Sarasota with Armand Assante scenes in Lakewood Ranch 

—All photos by Wade Tatangelo

Ed Lauter movie 'The Artist' named best of the year by New York Film Critics Online

Ed Lauter publicity photo

Last month I wrote about the Sarasota Film Society's Cine-World Film Festival closing night film, writer/director Michel Hazanavicius’ “The Artist,” which features veteran character actor Ed Lauter.

Lauter was in town last week to film scenes for the Sarasota-Manatee movie "Blind Pass," starring Bradenton resident Danielle White with an appearance by Armand Assante. 


Dinner at Gio's in Bradenton with Lauter and others from the movie led to my Sunday column.


READ "ED LAUTER: CHARACTER ACTOR."

From the HollywoodReporter.com:

The Artist has been named best film of the year by the New York Film Critics Online.

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Additionally, Michael Hazanavicius, who helmed the silent black-and-white movie, was named best director by the group, which met Sunday in New York to select its 12th annual awards in 15 categories. The movie also nabbed a third honor, best use of music, for composer Ludovic Bource.

PHOTOS: The Making of 'The Artist'
Sunday was a big day for the movie, which also recognized by the American Film Institute and the Boston Film Critics.