Currency is a series of simple interconnected stories about the complex questions we all ask.
Currency weaves together a tapestry of tales as we observe several lives over the course of eight decades. A writer asks why we live. A child asks why we die. Mobsters ask why life has value. An old woman asks why we are alone. A scientist asks why there is anything at all. Part mystery, part drama, Currency is a collection of simple stories about the hard questions we are all dying to have answered. We all want to know why. And we all die.
Damon portrays the role of biochemist Owen Drexil in the film. Damon is originally from South Bend, Indiana and is a graduate of Westwood High School. He has performed in countless stage productions and also enjoys singing. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California where he is pursuing a career in acting.
Rachel portrays the role of aspiring young writer Micah McBryar. Rachel graduated from Fairview High School before attending Bethel College in Mishawaka, Indiana. At Bethel, she studied education. Rachel has performed in many short independent films and countless stage productions over the years. Rachel recently moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue future acting opportunities. Currency is her feature film debut.
Nora portrays the role of homeless woman Gracie Thomas. A graduate of Roosevelt University in Chicago, Nora enjoys community service work. She resides in South Bend, Indiana where she has acted in several local films as well as stage productions at the South Bend Civic Theater. Nora enjoys volunteering her time teaching acting to children. Like her film character, Nora is a widow and devoted Catholic. Her late husband was owner of Batteast Const. Company, Inc. and graduate of IUSB.
Katelyn portrays the role of the little girl in the film. Katie lives in South Bend, Indiana and is currently in the sixth grade. She is a talented guitar player and artist who loves to draw. Katelyn participates in many activities at school and church such as volleyball, alter service and Student Council.
Kevin portrays the role of rising musician J.T. Foster. He was born in Lakenheath, England and grew up near Tampa, Florida. Joiner has performed in numerous stage productions and short films. He is a gifted singer/songwriter and producer and has worked professionally across the country for the past 15 years. Kevin also wrote and performed much of the music used in the film.
DeSelm portrays the role of ex-gangster Sedgewick Hess. He has performed in several stage plays earning leading roles in productions such as The Matchmaker and The Heiress. During the day, Nathan works as the Web Director for Villing & Company, a marketing and communications agency in South Bend, Indiana. Nathan is a huge video game and TV buff. He and his wife Lisa are enjoying life as new parents.
Jamie portrays the role of Pierce Asher. Jamie graduated from Ball State University where he studied theatre and was involved in several student film projects. He currently lives in Los Angeles where he works for NBC and JLTV as a television editor and post-production supervisor. He also acts in independent films and TV commercials.
Brittany portrays the role of Gracie’s friend in the film. She is a gifted fine artist who specializes in painting. She has also acted in several roles in college stage productions and short films. A theater and fine arts graduate of Bethel College, Baughman now works at Target Media Partners. She and her husband reside in Moses Lake, Washington.
Amy portrays the role of Micah's friend Daisy. She has most recently been seen at Wagon Wheel Theatre in Footloose, Cinderella and Guys and Dolls. She is a graduate of Bethel College and had title roles in Peter Pan, Guys and Dolls and Anne of Green Gables. Amy was recently married and is a Manager at Wet Seal in Merrillville, Indiana.
Allan portrays the role of ruthless mobster Doyle White. Allan grew up in Allen Park, Michigan. He has performed leading roles in several plays and musicals. An avid baseball fan, Allan enjoys umping area games in the summer. He is also a member of St. Matthew’s Cathedral Singers. Allan has been married for 35 years to his wife Sheila. They live in South Bend, Indiana and have two grown children.
Ed portrays the role of mobster Danny “the Domino” Cardone. Ed grew up in Southern Indiana. Since 2004 he has been in 23 films. He had a small role in The Dark Knight and has had major roles in several indie films in the Chicagoland area. He is an aspiring screenwriter as well. Ed has worked as a TV reporter in South Bend, Indiana since 1981.
Coffman portrays the role of wealthy physician Dr. Chapman. John is a talented actor who has played roles in countless stage productions in the South Bend area. He has also had several roles in independent films, including the locally produced 2006 horror film Joshua. He also had roles in Kill the Messenger and Paranoid. John lives in Mishawaka, Indiana.
Vince portrays the role of Mr. Tinsley. He grew up in South Bend, Indiana and attended the University of Notre Dame. Vince has starred in lead roles in multiple plays such as Run For Your Wife and Dracula. He played the cowardly lion in Wizard of Oz. Deal is an avid reader of pulp novels and he loves singing and dancing. Vince works as a Purchasing Manager at Jamil Packaging in Mishawaka, Indiana.
Production for Currency took place in and around South Bend, Indiana. Additional photography of exteriors and iconic locations took place in Chicago and Indianapolis. For the Prohibition-era scenes, several Michiana area landmarks were used including the historic Beiger Mansion in Mishawaka, the National New York Central Railroad Museum in Elkhart and the Olympia Candy Kitchen in Goshen.
The 1928 dining car scenes were shot in a homemade set built in a basement belonging to one of the director's friends. Inexpensive green fabric was used to construct makeshift greenscreens that were placed outside the windows of the set. Animated trees and buildings were added later in post-production to create the illusion of movement. Downtown Goshen, Indiana doubled Gary, Indiana in the late twenties (as seen outside the train).
The Chicago exterior street scenes were shot on streets in downtown South Bend and Mishawaka. One street scene was shot using the last remaining phone booth in the area. Historic South Bend Central High Apartments and local motels also served as filming locations for Currency. One scene in which the homeless woman appears dead caused a local police detective to arrive on the scene after receiving a call that there was a body of a woman on Main Street. The director was across the street shooting the scene from a distance so it wasn't immediately obvious to passersby that filming was taking place. This was compounded by the fact that Nora had been playing dead for so long during the shoot that she had drifted off to sleep. Luckily, after waking Nora up and a brief explanation, the officer understood the situation and finally left.
The movie was created for next to nothing compared to big Hollywood productions. As a microbudget project, the film cost less than $10,000 total to complete. To accomplish this, everything possible was done to avoid spending money. Props and costumes were borrowed. Locations were donated. Places that would be expensive or impossible to shoot practically were created digitally and added later in post-production.
All actors and crew were volunteers and the spirit of the project was much more like the collaborative nature of local theater than big-budget filmmaking. Nearly all the scenes were shot with only a one or two-man crew and the actors. A few scenes had a slightly larger crew of 3-4 people. The film was the ultimate bare bones, no-budget endeavor.
We’re excited to announce that Currency won an award for Best Screenplay at the 2011 Atlanta Underground Film Festival. The AUFF strives to support indie artists who continuously break the boundaries of film. Thanks so much for supporting our film, AUFF!
Currency Wins Emerging Talent Award at the Santa Rosa International Film Festival
We’re thrilled to announce that Currency just won the 2011 Breakthrough Creative Achievement Award at the Santa Rosa International Film Festival. Thanks again SRIFF for all of your support for our little film!
For more information, visit the festival site at sriff.org
Currency to Screen as Official Selection at the Flint Film Festival
We’re excited to announce that Currency is an Official Selection at the Flint Film Festival which will be held this October 14-15. The festival is committed to exhibiting films that express fresh voices and differing perspectives, with the expectation that these films will enlighten audiences, provide important exposure for filmmakers and exhibit inspired entertainment for all. More information on screening dates and times to come. Thanks Flint Film Festival!
Currency to Screen as Official Selection at the East Lansing Film Festival
We’re happy to announce that Currency is an Official Selection at the East Lansing Film Festival taking place this November 9-17. ELFF is the largest and most diverse film festival in Michigan. The festival screens independent and foreign feature, documentary and short films from around the world. Currency will be part of the Lake Michigan Film Competition. Past LMFC films include Annabelle & Bear and Sundance favorite Bilal’s Stand. Thanks, ELFF!
For more information, visit the festival site at elff.com
Currency to Screen as Official Selection at Louisville's International Festival of Film
We are thrilled to announce that Currency is an Official Selection at Louisville’s International Festival of Film in Louisville, Kentucky. The festival welcomes filmmakers and film lovers from around the world to the home of the Kentucky Derby for three days of screenings, educational workshops, and open dialogue with savvy audiences October 6-9. More details on specific screening dates and times to come.
Currency to Screen as Official Selection at the Atlanta Underground Film Festival
We’re pleased to announce that Currency is an Official Selection at the Atlanta Underground Film Festival in Atlanta, Georgia. AUFF promotes creative artists who continuously break the boundaries of film, video, art and music, so they too have a voice in a market typically saturated with commercial entertainment. Currency will play on Friday, September 23 at 8 PM.
For more information, visit the festival site at auff.org
Currency to Screen as Official Selection at the Santa Rosa International Film Festival
We’re excited to announce that Currency is an Official Selection at the Santa Rosa International Film Festival, formerly the Wine Country Film Festival, in Sonoma County, California. Celebrating 25 years, wine country’s original and most prestigious festival of international cinema will take place September 14-20 at various venues throughout wine country. More details on specific screening dates and times to come.
For more information, visit the festival site at sriff.org
Currency to Screen as Official Selection at the Ohio Independent Film Festival
Currency is an Official Selection at the Ohio Independent Film Festival! OIFF is dedicated to freedom of expression through independent media and among the leading film exhibition organizations in Ohio. The film will show at Arts Collinwood, 15605 Waterloo Rd. in Cleveland’s Historic Waterloo Arts District at 9 PM on Friday, May 20.
For more information, visit the festival site at ohiofilms.com
Currency Wins Award of Merit at the Indie Fest International Film Competition
We are excited to announce that Currency won an Indie award. The Indie Fest is a top-tier international film competition that honors independent films, often by first-time directors. The competition is aimed at helping independent filmmakers secure distribution. We hope this award will help get our foot in the door when attempting to sell the movie in the coming year.
Currency Wins Best Screenplay at AUFF 2011
Currency Wins Award at Santa Rosa Int'l Film Festival
Currency Official Selection at Flint Film Festival
Currency Official Selection at East Lansing Film Festival
Currency Official Selection at Louisville's Festival of Film
Official Selection at the Atlanta Underground Festival
Official Selection at Santa Rosa Int'l Film Festival
Currency Official Selection at Ohio Indie Film Festival
Currency Wins Award at the Indie Fest
