LOS ANGELES, CA (February 2, 2011) -- Kestrel Media Partners, LLC has given the green light to film Del Shores' The Trials and Tribulations of a Trailer Trash Housewife, with principal photography to commence on March 21st in Atlanta, GA.
Trailer Trash is based on Shores' 2003 critically acclaimed play. And, for the first time in recent film history, every original member of the stage cast will reprise their award-winning roles. Shores will direct from his own adaptation of his play.
Budgeted at less than $1 million, Trailer Trash will be filmed under the SAG modified low budget agreement. This will mark the third Shores play to be made into a feature film. His others include Daddy's Dyin' Whose Got the Will? and Sordid Lives.
"I'm thrilled to be shooting in one of my favorite cities," Shores said. "I'm surrounded by an amazing cast and having producers who are honest and have integrity is just heaven."
The film explores the hidden emotions, shame, and secrecy of battered women, while also offering hope, healing and truth. A delicate blend of frightened humor and pain, the story takes the audience from the hysterical highs of side-splitting comedy Shores is known for, to the heart-rending depths of raw drama.
"There are plays that make you cry and plays that make you laugh till you cry. And then there is Del Shores' 'The Trials and Tribulations of a Trailer Trash Housewife,' which does both - sometimes in the space of a single sentence." Los Angeles Times
In 2003, Trailer Trash Housewife won Best Production from the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle, Backstage West Garland Awards, LA Weekly Awards, and the NAACP Theatre Awards. Shores won writing awards from NAACP, Los Angeles Drama Critics, Backstage West and LA Weekly for his harrowing tale.
The film will star Beth Grant (No Country For Old Men, Little Miss Sunshine, Rango, Sordid Lives) as "Willadean Winkler" an abused housewife who is looking for a way out. For the original stage production Grant won Best Actress awards from The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards, The LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards and the Backstage West Garland Awards.
Also reprising their stage roles will be Dale Dickey (Winter's Bone, Best Supporting Actress Nomination Independent Spirit Awards, Best Ensemble Gotham Awards, My Name Is Earl, Changeling), Octavia Spencer ("Minnie" in the upcoming The Help, Peep World, Dinner for Schumucks, Ugly Betty), David Steen (Sordid Lives: The Series, Disrupt/Dismantle, Yellow (play) and Billboard Top 5 and television recording artist Debby Holiday (Dive, Joyful Sound, theme to FX series Dirt).
"I am so excited to reunite with this amazing cast, my talented and beautiful sisters Octavia Spencer, Dale Dickey and Debby Holiday, along with the brilliant David Steen who safely battered me every night." Beth Grant stated. "And to collaborate with Del Shores again, recreating "Willadean" who represents so many of the forgotten women is just beyond thrilling."
Joe Patrick Ward will score the movie and write a new original song for the film in addition to the ones he composed for the play.
The producing team includes Kestrel Communications LLC's Chairman and CEO Robert L. Rearden, Jr, Del Shores and Emerson Collins (Sordid Lives: The Series, Yellow and Sordid Lives/Southern Baptist Sissies National Tour). Tamera Brooks (Our Very Own, Daltry Calhoun) will line produce. The film will be produced in association with Beth Grant's Big Leap Productions and Del Shores Productions.
"The newly passed tax incentives were very influential in raising the capital for the independent feature and bringing Shores and his team to Atlanta." Rearden explained. "I'm very pleased to have this opportunity to work with such a talented group of people who have passion and commitment to such an important and special project."
