THOMPSON E. CLAY (Director)
Tom Clay is a twenty-year veteran of the commercial film business.
After graduating from the London Film School in 1972,
Tom returned to Michigan, where he has directed and produced
hundreds of commercials and industrial films. Tom's clients
include more than 50 of the Fortune 500 companies and he has
received numerous awards. In his first feature film, Tom has
used his proven talents to make the available budget for
Postmark Paradise look unlimited.
CHARLES PEICH (Director of Photography)
Charlie Peich is an award winning commercial cinematographer
who began his career as a television cameraman in Chicago.
Charlie has worked his way into the very top level of
commercial photography and is the owner of Peich Photography.
Innovative lighting and creative use of lens are Charlie's
trademarks and he brings both to Postmark Paradise.
DAN SLIDER (Screen Writer and Assistant Director)
Dan Slider studied screen writing under Jim Cash at Michigan
State University in 1982 and '83. Postmark Paradise is
Dan's sixth screenplay, and he's also written a novel.
While developing the story line for Postmark Paradise,
Dan created the lead characters of Reenie and Viktoria.
As assistant director on the production, Dan worked very
closely with Tom and Charlie to bring the story to the
screen. Conferring with Tantoo and Natalia as they gave
life to his characters was the most rewarding experience
of this career.
JEFFREY R. GUND (Composer)
Jeffrey
R. Gund is an award winning composer and sound designer with over a
decade of experience working on high profile projects for film, television,
and multimedia with companies such as Paramount, Disney, New Line, and
Orion Pictures.
DIRECTOR'S NOTES
Postmark Paradise is the "little story with a big heart"
I was looking for in my first feature film. I chose
Freeport, Michigan, as the setting for reasons which
will become obvious. Freeport is a small town with
middle American values. It has a creek, a lumbar mill,
working class people, and one little bar on main street.
One of the biggest surprises of the production was Randall
Godwin. You are always taking a chance when you cast
against character. I knew this when I chose Randy for
the role of Chick, but I saw something in his audition
tape that I liked. He fell into the role and ran with
it. His improvised lines were so good in rehearsal, we
added most of them to the script.
I love the human emotions and personal growth in this story.
The xenophobic patrons of the bar bring this woman to America,
Thinking they will change her life. Viktoria is such a
strong and remarkable character, she ends up changing
their lives.
The developing relationship between Reenie and Viktoria
can be interpreted on many levels, and I enjoy each one.
Tantoo and Natalia became Reenie and Viktoria during the
shooting. It was heartwarming to watch their friendship
develop off the set as well. Their performances are the
foundation of this film.
