LA Screenings of The War of Game

The War of Game will screen in Los Angeles this February!

Tough Guppy Productions is proud to announce that The War of Game has been accepted to the Show Off Your Shorts Film Festival, which screens it's films February 7th and 8th at Raleigh Studios in Los Angeles, Ca. Please go to for showtimes. Showtimes will be posted no later than Jan 16th 2009. Pre-sale tickets are $10.00 for the day, or $15.00 for the weekend. I play the character Radiance in the film



The War of Game wins Accolade Award

The Accolade is a non-traditional, virtual venue. Awards go to those filmmakers, television producers and videographers who produce fresh, standout entertainment, animation and compelling documentaries. It is a showcase for cinematic gems and unique voices. For more information on The Accolade Competition go to

Congratulations Brandon, Cast and Crew of The War of Game! Click on the title of this blog to visit the official The War of Game site!

Film Festivals

Great news! The film "The War of Game" is officially in the festival circuit. The little film that could will be screened at two different festivals this fall. The film will debut in the Gangreen Film Festival this weekend in Utah. This festival showcases comedy shorts from emerging film makers. So exciting for the projects creators Brandon Lawrence and Jacob Cooney. Visit the Gangrene Film Festival website at www.gangreneproductions.com/festivals

The War of Game has also been accepted in the 14th Annual Temecula Valley International Film and Music Festival September 17-21! This festival spotlights outstanding independent filmmakers and over 14,000 people are scheduled to attend in 2008. Please visit the link to learn more about the schedule and The War of Game screening times at the Temecula Valley Festival by clicking the title of this blog or clicking this link http://www.tviff.com/index.html . As always you can visit the official website for The War of Game at www.thewarofgame.com.

'The War of Game' Film Premiere

[Melissa Strom as "Radiance"]

The premiere for The War of Game was held a couple weeks ago in Hollywood. I was unable to attend due to traveling to Colorado and Texas. (I wish I could have been there!) The film's website was launched so feel free to browse through the photography stills, the film's trailer (I'm in the coming attraction) and the character profiles. Click on the title of this blog to automatically link to The War of Game Website.

[Directors Jacob Cooney and Brandon Lawrence]

I play "Radiance" a player in the game who teams up with Jimmy to triumph over the bad guys! "Radiance" is a smart and strong woman who shares valuable information that keeps Jimmy alive. We shot the film in Malibu Canyon State Park this past spring. It was gorgeous, remote and fun to shoot on location. I was climbing trees and rocks, jumping through the creek and hiking to get into position. It was hot and dry in the canyon so being by the creek kept us cool. There were actually local kids jumping into the lake from boulders twenty feet high! The crew also was accompanied by a State Park Forrest Ranger during the shoot. Ranger Lincoln was so friendly and informative and was very interested in the art of film making. We couldn't have asked for a better ranger!


["Radiance" climbing a tree - getting into place! Yeah baby!]

The part of the film that I appear in takes place during the "war." I had to learn how to hold, aim and carry a M52 gun. It was quite the learning experience. I had never played a character that holds a gun. I was the only girl acting on set that day...how come I'm always in projects where the men severely out number the women?!!! Speaking of fellow actors in The War of Game, I had acted with two of the leading men before in some plays at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The world is getting smaller the older I get! The shoot finished right on time as we chased the sun getting the last shots filmed before sunset. The crew was great to work with- professional, happy and easy going! That night, I fell into bed and was asleep the minute my head hit the pillow-whew!



Congratulations to Brandon Lawrence and Jacob Cooney for creating and making The War of Game. I am so happy to be a part of this fun and interesting project. Please visit The War of Game website!