SABA Member Meeting - July 2026
Featured Speaker: Katie Fissore, Writer/Producer/Actress & Kelsey Cooke-Guerra, Director
Here is the one-pager that Katie and Kelsey shared with details on how to get involved with the film process.
Quick Notes on the Talk
Katie shared a brief history of her experience in the arts from Knoch High School through her professional work in NYC, including meeting Jimmy Fallon. Katie's vision and passion for the film and persistence that it be actually based IN SAXONBURG is palpable and infectious. Casting is already underway with some well known names. The team is working intentionally to remove inappropriate content from the film, even excluding all "swear words".
Kelsey shared from the director's perspective. She and her husband created a production company in 2020, during COVID. Importantly, Kelsey shared that the desire and goal is NOT to "take over and be Hollywood here". They came OUT of Hollywood so that they could do this differently. The production will need many things: food, catering, lodging, printing, services, in kind donations, features… There is an executive producer opportunity for larger donors which does include an ROI and some residuals.
Also looking to hire crew from the local area as much as possible. May need additional crew which could come from work crews, school, community groups, etc.
Existing trailer is a "proof of concept". The script was not written until after this was created.
Timeline as of the meeting in July (this may have adjusted back since then) - Looking to be "greenlit" by end of July. Looking to be prepared by mid-August, and aiming to shoot in Saxonburg in October.
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