by Elena Gorsheneva

Rob Hunter played the lead role of Steve. This absolutely non-heroic role of tormented eighteen-old boy required from Rob really heroic effort. He had to fall on concrete in front of the car, to cover his face with mashed tomatoes, and oh horror! to keep this goo on for a long time licking it off by tiny little drop at a time.

Here>> you can read more about Rob Hunter and watch some footage that was not included into final cut.

Here>> you can read more about Steve and watch a short scene from the film.

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When I first audition for Elena & Ilya it actually was with another actor which I didn’t expect. Yet I was very excited. (more…)

As a beginning actor, Red Tomatoes Crosswalk was my first real acting gig, so I didn’t know quite what to expect. What made a lasting impression on me were Elena’s professionalism, dedication, and focus.

When I first read the script, several suggestions came to mind for improving the English (Elena’s native language is Russian), but I didn’t know whether I was overstepping any boundaries by coming to her with re-writes. There was one word in one of my lines, however, that clearly needed to be changed, and Elena readily accepted my suggestion. When the policeman approaches the vegetable vendor on the sidewalk, the script originally had me saying, “You are a germ of street disorder. There’s no space to walk through here.�

Hmm. (more…)