Santa Pitches New Movie on San Francisco TV Talk Show

Producer/Director Robert Battaile and Santa Claus will appear Wednesday, July 6th 2005 at 7:30 pm on Bonnie Steiger's Channel 29 television show "Movie Close Up" from San Francisco. Their new movie musical "SANTA AND SONS & daughter!" was shot in the North Bay and Napa Valley during 2004 and features a local cast and crew.

(PRWEB) July 4, 2005 -- Producer/Director Robert Battaile and Santa Claus will appear Wednesday, July 6th 2005 at 7:30 pm on Bonnie Steiger's Channel 29 television show "Movie Close Up" from San Francisco. Their new movie musical "SANTA AND SONS & daughter!" was shot in the North Bay and Napa Valley during 2004 and features a local cast and crew. Clips from the movie will be shown.

"We had a terrific group of people, from Sacramento to San Francisco, Benicia to Calistoga," says Battaile. "Our San Francisco camera crew included my son, Silvin Morgan as Director of Photography, Chris Norris as second camera operator and Danny McElmury as Key Grip and Photographer. Silvin is a partner in their video production company, Calexas (www.calexas.com) which works in the city and Napa Valley. He was nine years old when the show was first written and one of the characters is named after him. "Silvin was very critical to the whole look of the show. It's not like we had the budget or time to plan every shot, there was a lot of winging-it."

Santa, played by Bob Ayres drove in from Walnut Creek for the production. Bob is a stage actor and voice-over talent who's diverse range includes leads in Zorba the Greek, Oakland Lyric Opera productions and the voice of Grandpa in LeapFrog Toys video games. Bob studied drama at Stanford University. "Bob had the persona to pull off a difficult role. He has an amazing singing and speaking voice," Battaile said "even on his answering machine, it just leaps out."

Bob says, "It was just a delightful story with good songs. Watching the rough cut brought back fond memories."

Santa's daughter, Sandy was played by Kimberly Jensen of Berkeley. Kim is a founder of the United Bay Area Artists, has performed Off Broadway and in regional theatre. A singer and dancer, she is currently appearing as Snow White in Beach Blanket Babylon. "I think several of our cast members will be 'discovered,'" says the Director like a proud father, "Kimberly brings the character to life. She's a really skillful actor and has this bell-like voice."   The show was shot in mini-dv format using JVC GY-DV500U cameras and is being edited with Final Cut Pro on Apple Macs. "I've been editing for the past eight months to get the rough cut done. Now, we have five people working intently to finish the post production in time for the three film festivals we've entered," continues Battaile.

Eric Symons from Cotati has composed some new music. Eric is an accomplished classical guitarist who performs internationally and manages North Bay Entertainment along with owner and fellow composer Thomas Schoenberger. Thomas created a few pieces for the show, and has several CD's in the marketplace.

Show was an independent production with cast and crew deferring a portion of their wages in return for nearly one-third ownership. Two non-profit arts groups also participate. "We have three home video offers and two from record companies," says Battaile "we're starting to talk with pay per view and internet broadcasters and e-tailers. This could be a media frenzy come December."

To view movie clips, songs and photo galleries, please visit www.santaandsons.com/santa.html

Production photos are available at www.calexas.com/santa-gallery-eight.html.

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