Richard DeDomenici - American Assassin: Redux
Photo: Fluid4Sight
Rarely has an hour walking the streets of Croydon on a Friday evening been so enjoyable!
Richard DeDomenici is an extremely personable character with the very natural ability not only to entertain but to put people at ease enough to draw out their inner performer!
Amidst the walking tour of a surprising number of film and television locations in glamorous Croydon, Richard creates several impromptu reenactments of scenes from various films, selecting willing participants from the group. All participate wholeheartedly and with an undisguised sense of pride. 15 seconds of fame that has made their night! Some of the crowd, it later transpires are also the stars of Richard's film.
Once back at St Matthew's Yard Theatre for the screening of American Assassin -Redux, Richard gives an entertaining short presentation using footage from earlier projects up to present day, bringing those new to his work up to speed. Redux is essentially Richard's reshooting of an iconic section from a well known film, using the original locations with minimal budget and 'the man on the street' playing the parts. The short films are presented via split screen to show both the original and the Redux simultaneously. It is from this juxtaposition and the ingeniously improvised props that the humour is achieved, creating a quirky, comedic element. A prime example being Superman flying recreated fabulously using a cherry picker! The films have the feel of a spoof but with a dedication to authenticity and accuracy, the humour endearingly accidental rather deliberately created.
Scenes in the original American Assassin were shot in Croydon, with St George's Walk doubling as as Istanbul! This is fabulously, and humorously, recreated by Richard DeDomenici, with stellar performances by an enthusiastic local Croydon crowd, including our very own Anna Arthur, creator of the Croydonites Festival. Spoiler alert- she sadly meets her demise in the scene but, on the up side, we are treated to some fabulous outtakes! These are not only hilarious but also give us an insight into how difficult shot for shot recreation actually is.
All in all the entire evening, and the final product, was a joy.
**** Review by Ivonne Fernandes-Bonnar
Read a review by participant Michelle Marshall here.
Richard DeDomenici is an extremely personable character with the very natural ability not only to entertain but to put people at ease enough to draw out their inner performer!
Amidst the walking tour of a surprising number of film and television locations in glamorous Croydon, Richard creates several impromptu reenactments of scenes from various films, selecting willing participants from the group. All participate wholeheartedly and with an undisguised sense of pride. 15 seconds of fame that has made their night! Some of the crowd, it later transpires are also the stars of Richard's film.
Once back at St Matthew's Yard Theatre for the screening of American Assassin -Redux, Richard gives an entertaining short presentation using footage from earlier projects up to present day, bringing those new to his work up to speed. Redux is essentially Richard's reshooting of an iconic section from a well known film, using the original locations with minimal budget and 'the man on the street' playing the parts. The short films are presented via split screen to show both the original and the Redux simultaneously. It is from this juxtaposition and the ingeniously improvised props that the humour is achieved, creating a quirky, comedic element. A prime example being Superman flying recreated fabulously using a cherry picker! The films have the feel of a spoof but with a dedication to authenticity and accuracy, the humour endearingly accidental rather deliberately created.
Scenes in the original American Assassin were shot in Croydon, with St George's Walk doubling as as Istanbul! This is fabulously, and humorously, recreated by Richard DeDomenici, with stellar performances by an enthusiastic local Croydon crowd, including our very own Anna Arthur, creator of the Croydonites Festival. Spoiler alert- she sadly meets her demise in the scene but, on the up side, we are treated to some fabulous outtakes! These are not only hilarious but also give us an insight into how difficult shot for shot recreation actually is.
All in all the entire evening, and the final product, was a joy.
**** Review by Ivonne Fernandes-Bonnar
Read a review by participant Michelle Marshall here.