LONG VERSION

Jim is the fading, emotionally isolated owner of an all-night diner. In his mid 50s, he moves more like he's 112. He spends most of his time hiding in the kitchen trying to avoid his wife and the routine banter of his regular patrons – a ragtag bunch of bums, college students, club hoppers, runaways, lonely hearts, geezers, and even a few local working girls. It’s the same old, same old.

But this night, about two in the morning, some guy from out of town walks in and innocently orders a cup of coffee and a cherry danish. The regulars have a good time harassing the rookie, but he’s too lost in his own thoughts to notice. All this changes when Shannon – a weathered, low-rent hooker well into her 30s – shuffles in with two of her friends and takes a seat at the counter, right next to the first-timer. Soon after, a simple idea permanently shatters the dull routine of Jim's diner. The same old, same old? Not tonight. Not ever again.

SHORT VERSION

It’s the same old, same old at the local diner. Jim, the owner, hides in the kitchen. The regulars retread old banter. And some new guy sits alone at the counter. Then, a simple idea shatters that dull routine. The same old, same old? Not tonight. Not ever again.

ONE LINE VERSION

The fading, isolated life of a diner owner and the dull routine of his late night crowd are forever changed by the unusual proposition of a stranger.

RIK SWARTZWELDER
BRYAN ZERVOS
EDMUND BAXTER
NINI HADJIS
BENJAMIN HERSHLEDER
SABRE CHASE
DAVE DeBORDE
ROB LYALL
RICK MORRIS
MICHAEL HODGES
CLARE JOHNSON
ELIZABETH BEIRISE
TRACY COCHRAN
RIK SWARTZWELDER
BENJAMIN HERSHLEDER
RON FRIEDMAN

CAST IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER
BATES ALTIZER
INGRID CORNELL
KATE DEBELACK
KATHRYN GRANT
BINNIE RITCHIE HOLUM
BURTON JOHNSON
AMY JONES
LORI RECORD
FELIX STEVENSON
ROBERT STEWART
TOM WALL
WILL WOODROW
JOHN YAGERLINE
BRYAN ZERVOS
DAN BRICK
KIMBERLY COOPER
CLARE JOHNSON
ELISA RODERO
STEVEN SANCHEZ
WENDY ACEVEDO-LOPEZ
DANIEL RYAN COPE
TONY DiBIASE
RYAN DRYBURGH
LOUISE FINCHAM
PATRICIA FRIEDMAN
KEITH GIBB
PRIYA GUYADEEN
MELISSA JEFFRIES
JAY JONES
STEVEN LAPHAM
DANIEL LOUIE
ROSEANNE MEDINA
TIMOTHY MERSON
RENEE MICHAEL
JAMES NICHOLS
CARRINGTON NORTH
MONICA PALKO
MARTY REYNOLDS
LINDA TATUM
HEATHER WATKINS
MARGARET WILLIE

NINI HADJIS
EDMUND BAXTER
BENJAMIN HERSHLEDER
NATALIE CLOTHIER
TRACY COCHRAN
ELIZABETH BEIRISE
CASEY BUTTERFIELD
SCOTT INGE
TIM FABRIZIO
MAGS MILLER
MONET CHAPELL
VINAYA SATHYASHEELAPPA
PAUL WILLIAMS
TIM NICHOLSON
MICHAEL POIST
SABRE CHASE
NATALIE CLOTHIER
DAVE DeBORDE
TAYNE KIM
RAJEEV "BUB" SIGAMONEY
JOSHUA STEVENS
ERIC NAUGHTON
TOM BENCA
DAVE DeBORDE
BARBARA PIERSON
CASEY BUTTERFIELD
NATASHA MIRONOVA
SHARON CONWAY
RICHARD SANCHEZ
TASTEE DINER
STEVEN SANCHEZ
AL PEASLEY
WENDY ACEVEDO-LOPEZ
BRYAN BROWNING
ALISA DeBORDE
CASSIDY GRANT
JAY JONES
MARTY REYNOLDS
EUGENE J. FIELDS, CPA
BOULAND & BRUSH, LLC
ALAN A. ABRAMOWITZ
H. DEAN BOULAND
JEFFREY S. GLASER
DANIEL S. KRAKOWER
W. EDWARD McLEOD
R. B. MUELLER, HAGAN INSURANCE
RICK MORRIS, MAVERICK SOUND
JIM GILCHRIST
MICHAEL HODGES
RALPH TORRALVA
PAUL A. BUTCHER
TINA STRAWBRIDGE
RICHARD E. CONINE
SCOTT REEVES
RALPH TORRALVA
BRAD SUNDGREN
MICHAEL HODGES
CHRIS HUGHES
NORTHEAST NEGATIVE MATCHERS
CHUCK MARTIN, NICK VASU, INC.
ROLAND HOUSE
SOUND ONE
SHORTenz
KODAK
COLORLAB
INFINITY FILM & VIDEO
THE WASHINGTON SOURCE
CHESAPEAKE CAMERA

THE AGNES STORY





TASTEE DINER

writer, producer, director
executive producer
producer
co-producer
co-producer
associate producer
associate producer
cinematographer
sound designer
composer
casting director
production designer
production designer
editor
editor
editor


bum
erica
woman in booth
shannon
helen
old man 2
runaway
denise
mr. joe
bill
jim
keith lewis
old man 1
businessman
club hopper
club hopper
club hopper
club hopper
club hopper
extra
extra
extra
extra
extra
extra
extra
extra
extra
extra
extra
extra
extra
extra
extra
extra
extra
extra
extra
extra
extra
extra

unit production manager
1st assistant director
1st assistant director
2nd assistant director
co-art director/props
co-art director/wardrobe
script supervisor
1st assistant camera
1st assistant camera
2nd assistant camera
key hair & makeup
hair & makeup assistant
gaffer
gaffer
key grip
grip & electric swing
grip & electric swing
grip & electric swing
grip & electric swing
grip & electric swing
grip & electric swing
location sound mixer
boom operator
boom operator
boom operator
pre-production coordinator
production office manager
columbia union college liaison
craft services
catering
stills
stills
production assistant
production assistant
production assistant
production assistant
production assistant
production assistant
accounting
legal counsel
legal counsel
legal counsel
legal counsel
legal counsel
legal counsel
insurance
final sound mix
additional dialogue recording
music mix
music mix
flugelhorn/coronet
vocals
saxophone/flute
electric guitar/jazz programming
acoustic guitar
bass
master programming
color timer
negative cutter
titles
video dailies
optical soundtrack
film stock supplier
motion picture film stock
prints
arri 35 bl3 & hmi lighting
fischer dolly, grip & electric
camera equipment

Screenplay based on
this short story
by Tony Campolo
Word publishers
used by permission

shot on location in
laurel, maryland

RIK SWARTZWELDER
writer • director • producer

Additional and current info at: www.rikswartzwelder.com.

Rik Swartzwelder is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker whose work has screened at over 145 film festivals, internationally, and garnered over 50 major awards—including the Crystal Heart for his 35mm short THE LEAST OF THESE, the Rebel Planet Best in Show for WAR PRAYER, an audience award at the Waterfront Film Festival for MICHIGAN SKY, a Reel Spirituality/LAFSC Film Award for LOADED, and the “Student Emmy” for his highly acclaimed graduate thesis film, PAUL McCALL. Other honors include two CINE Golden Eagles plus one CINE Special Jury Award, four ITVA-DC Peer Awards, and the Sprint PCS Filmmaker of the Future Award.

Coming from a strong background as a director and actor in traditional and experimental theatre, Rik learned and developed his film craft with wide-ranging production experience on over 50 narrative film and video projects. In addition, he has also sold two feature film scripts, SOMETHING ELSE and OLD FASHIONED, and one film treatment, THIRD DOWN & FOREVER—THE LIFE AND TIMES OF KING CORCORAN. Another feature script, MANEATER, is presently under option.

In April 2006, director Harold Cronk's WAR PRAYER, adapted for the screen by Rik (inspired by a Mark Twain short story), premiered at the Beverly Hills Film Festival (winner, best director). Also in 2006, Rk finished work on a trilogy of HD shorts directed for Dusk Films. The first piece in that trilogy, MICHIGAN SKY, began its festival run at the Waterfront Film Festival in June 2006. The other two films, LOADED and ART APPRECIATION found some festival play as well. Recently, Rik directed two new HD shorts that will begin making the rounds soon as well. Meanwhile, Rik remains under contract, working on two new feature-length screenplays.

Also of note, SECRET OF THE CAVE, a feature-length family film shot in Ireland for which Rik served as a script doctor, had its world premiere at the Heartland Film Festival in October 2006 and is now available at Blockbuster, Best Buy, and numerous other video/DVD outlets.

While still in college, Rik founded the central Florida sketch comedy troupe STUDIO 13 which played exclusively to sold-out audiences for the entire two years he was the show’s chief writer-producer-director and lead cast member.

Rik earned his M.F.A. in Motion Picture Production from The Florida State University Motion Picture Conservatory; his B.S. from Columbia Union College; and, his A.A. from Lake-Sumter Community College. A strong supporter of education, Rik served the State of Florida as a member of the Florida Institute for Film Education and as a gubernatorially-appointed member of Florida’s State Board of Community Colleges. Rik has taught at the collegiate level and continues to teach an occasional workshop and present keynote addresses around the country.

He grew up in New Philadelphia, Ohio, and has spent many years living in both central Florida and Washington, DC. He is currently in Los Angeles developing several projects for future production.

EDMUND BAXTER
producer

Ed Baxter has been making pictures in the Washington, DC, film and video community since 1985. Starting out at the Washington Source for Lighting, he worked as a grip and production assistant on commercials, industrials and feature films such as ASSASSINATION and GARDENS OF STONE. In 1987, Ed was hired by The Acacia Group, a financial services company, as a staff writer, producer, and editor. In 1990, he went out on his own—producing high end corporate projects in such diverse fields as law enforcement training, health care education, robotics, financial services, student loan administration, and automotive recycling. In the past 18 months alone, he has produced over twenty programs for the health care industry.

Ed is experienced in producing in numerous formats—including Betacam SP, 16 & 35 mm, high definition, and other digital formats. In addition to his credits as producer, Ed has performed shooting and editing services for the FOX Television show "America’s Most Wanted."

For the past three years, Ed has also been an instructor at The American Film Institute, teaching their summer production workshop. He recently appeared as a Government Video Expo panelist on the topics of "Contracting with the Government" and "Lighting Tips from Shoestring to Big Budget." Ed has also been a panelist at ITVA seminars on "Being Creative in a Corporate Environment," "Producing on a Shoestring," and most recently, a reprise of the GVE seminar "Lighting Tips from Shoestring to Big Budget."

Ed has a B.F.A. in film from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, and has done additional studies at the University of Southern California School of Cinema and Television and the American University School of Communications. Over the course of his career, he has won over a dozen awards for programs he has produced – including the US International Film and Video Awards, the Tellys, ITVA and more.

NINI HADJIS
co-producer

Nini Hadjis is currently in Los Angeles developing multiple projects. Before heading west, she worked as Associate Director for the Lake Placid Film Festival and had worked for the Discovery Channel in a number of capacities, includin g footage research. Nini earned her Master of Fine Arts in Film and Electronic Media from The American University; her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from State University of New York at Albany. Nini's film production experience began while working on an independent feature film entitled THE NORTH END in Boston, MA and continued during her graduate studies at The American University. While there, she directed and produced a number of short films including her thesis project, FOCUS ON ME, which received a CINE Golden Eagle Award and is proud to have been a co-producer on Old Fashioned Pictures' multiple award-winning short film entitled THE LEAST OF THESE.

BENJAMIN HERSHLEDER
co-producer • co-editor

Benjamin Hershleder is an award-winning Director and accomplished Editor. Benjamin has produced and/or directed a variety of projects for such companies as Shapiro-West, The Spark Factory, Old Fashioned Pictures, and Green Productions. In April 2004 he set-up two television shows with Freemantle Media based Syd Vinnedge Productions (American Idol, Baywatch, Price Is Right, etc.).

His work includes producing, directing and editing “The Bronx Boys,” a documentary hosted by Carl Reiner. This heartwarming film about the reunion of 15 men from the Bronx who have been friends for an astounding 65 years was purchased by HBO/Cinemax and aired as part of their “Reel Life” documentary anthology series. In addition, it was recently acquired by PBS. “The Bronx Boys” has received a Telly Award, a Silver Remi Award, was a Winner in the 2002 DV Awards and screened as part of the prestigious HBO “Frame by Frame” showcase and Laemmle Theatres’ “Bagels and Docs” film series.

In the world of short films, Benjamin has written, produced, and directed several award-winning short films and documentaries. His highly acclaimed comedy "Paul McCall," which he wrote and directed, screened at over 60 international festivals and received over 15 awards and honors, including an Emmy, a CINE Golden Eagle, and a Gold Ebenseer Bear. The poignant drama "Tickits," which he produced, directed and edited, screened at over 25 festivals and garnered 14 awards and honors, including a Directing Citation from Turin, Italy’s International Festival of Young Cinema and a N.E.M.N. Gold Apple Award. Other films include the detective drama spoof "To Speak To Her Again" and the short documentary "More Than A Sport."

Benjamin is also very proud to be associated with Old Fashioned Pictures’ film entitled, “The Least of These.” Hershleder served as a Co-Producer and Co-Editor of this multi-award-winning production directed by Rik Swartzwelder. The film has screened internationally in over 55 festivals and received 27 awards, including a CINE Golden Eagle, a CINE Special Jury Award, a Crystal Heart and a Silver Telly.

In addition to his work as a director, Benjamin is an accomplished Avid Editor. He was editor of the recently released Paramount Studios’ feature “The Original Latin Kings of Comedy,” a concert film starring George Lopez, Paul Rodriguez and Cheech Marin. He was also recently named a Winner of The Silver Telly Award (their highest honor) from the prestigious Telly Awards for his editing and writing on a piece for The American Heart Association. His background in postproduction also includes editing the feature film “Hollywood Capri,” two years as a Lead Editor for E! Entertainment Television and editing one of the hour-long pilot episodes of “In Search Of…” for Fox Television. Additionally, Benjamin's strength in postproduction has been recognized by Avid Technology. He is one of approximately two hundred Avid Certified Instructors worldwide.

Benjamin may be found on the internet at www.ContactBen.com.

ROB LYALL
cinematographer

Born in upstate New York, Rob Lyall studied filmmaking at Denison University. After working his way up from gaffing and camera assistant positions, he shot and directed several award-winning short films, then formed a production company which produced industrial films, documentaries, and TV commercials. Lyall’s company branched out into feature film work in the early 90s and he received his first feature cinematographer credit in 1994. Lyall won acclaim for his stylistic lighting, rich compositions, and dynamic camera movement.

In 1997, Lyall won a Rosebud, and numerous other awards for shooting, co-writing, and directing THE PITCH. Recently, Lyall shot and directed a series of spots for the NFL, as well as campaigns for Goodwill Industries, NEXTEL, AT&T, and USA Today.

Additionally, Lyall has won numerous Telly, Cine-Golden Eagle and Peer awards for his commercial, documentary, and feature work as one of the premiere cinematographers in the Washington, DC, metro area.

THE LEAST OF THESE was shot over seven partial nights at the historic Tastee Diner in Laurel, Maryland.

Always loyal to his customers, the owner of the Tastee refused any and all cash offers—as well as other forms of bribery—to close down his establishment for film production. But, after numerous requests, he finally agreed to allow the filmmakers to section off a large portion of the diner. Even with the complications that arose from shooting while the diner remained open for business—it was worth it. Especially since the employees and Tastee regulars all chipped in and did what had to be done to help make the experience magical and capture the uniqueness of this exceptional diner on film.

The Tastee Diner was only chosen after an extensive and savory scout of nearly 20 diners over a 100 mile stretch through Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC.

The sound designer of the project, Rick Morris, has worked on numerous high profile projects, including FACE/OFF—which was nominated for an ACADEMY AWARD, Best Sound Editing for Motion Picture. He’s also been nominated for the GOLDEN REEL AWARD for his work on FACE/OFF, THE NEGOTIATOR, PRINCE OF EGYPT, and POCAHANTAS. Other credits include BLOW, HEAT, SOLDIER, THE RELIC, SPEECHLESS, U-TURN, NYPD BLUE, and LAW & ORDER.

There is a picture of Tony Campolo—the man who experienced the actual events depicted in the film—located near the register when the character based on him, Keith Lewis (Will Woodrow), walks into the diner for the first time.

        32 Awards • 100+ Screenings

Comcast On Demand The Cutting Edge - Shortz Click here for more info November 3, 2006 - January 5, 2007

Reel to Real Motherwell, Scotland November 5, 2006

Platform Florida Lakeland, Florida September 29, 2006

HCC-TV Independent Film Festival Howard County, Maryland - Channel 71 May 2006

Compass Film Academy Grand Rapids, Michigan January - June - October 2006

New Directors, New Visions Planet Hollywood Paris, France October 14, 2005

NCF at Sligo Takoma Park, Maryland September 24, 2005

An Evening of Arts & Entertainment Los Angeles, California September 10, 2005

Creation Arts Festival Edmonton, Alberta, Canada August 10, 2005 WINNER – Best Director, Rik Swartzwelder

Cloud 9 Short Film Festival Frontier Airlines July 2005 FINALIST – July

Best of DCIFF Washington, DC July 2005

God on Film Festival New York, New York July 11, 2005

ICVM Crown Awards Denver, Colorado July 7, 2005 WINNER – Gold Crown, Best Drama under $250,000 WINNER – Gold Crown, Best Evangelistic Film WINNER – Bronze Crown, Best Picture WINNER – Bronze Crown, Best Musical Score

SONscreen Showcase St. Louis, Missouri July 6, 2005

Platform Arts - Florida Lakeland, Florida February 18, 2005

Adirondack Film Society presents Damah Film Festival December 18, 2004

HCC-TV Independent Film Festival Howard County, Maryland - Channel 71 May 2004

Envoy Film Festival April 16 - 19, 2004 Westcliffe, Colorado WINNER – Best Dramatic Short Film

Cinema Slam February 3, 2004 Ann Arbor, Michigan

Compass Arts Grand Rapids, Michigan January 29, 2004

DAMAH Film Festival in Park City Screened concurrently with the Sundance Film Festival January 16 - 23, 2004 WINNER – 2002 Best 30 Minute Short Film

Ragamuffin Film Festival rerun in New York City January 16, 2004 WINNER – 2003 Audience Choice Award

Andrews University Berrien Springs, Michigan January 15, 2004

Green Valley Film Festival Green Valley, Arizona January 2004

AFI Silver Mid-Atlantic Regional Showcase Filmmaker Spotlight – Edmund Baxter December 2, 2003

Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival Rehoboth Beach, Delaware November 5 - 9, 2003

Sacred Heart New Philadelphia, Ohio November 9, 2003

Cambridge Study Center Lakeland, Florida November 7, 2003

Annapolis Film Festival October 31 - November 2, 2003

Calvin College Grand Rapids, Michigan October 27 & 29, 2003

Ojai Film Festival October 23 - 26, 2003

DAMAH Film Festival October 23 - 25, 2003 WINNER – 2002 Best 30 Minute Short Film

WYSIWYG Film Festival San Francisco, CA October 22 - 25, 2003 WINNER – Best Short Film

Gloria International Film Festival October 16 - 18, 2003 NOMINATED – Best Picture NOMINATED – Best Cinematography, Rob Lyall

SONscreen Orlando, Florida October 9 - 12, 2003

Kent State University – Tuscarawas October 1, 2003

Oscar Qualifying Screenings September 26 - 28, 2003 Laemmle Sunset 5 Theatre, Hollywood

Platform Arts - Florida Lakeland, Florida September 26, 2003

Compass Arts Grand Rapids, Michigan September 25, 2003

Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films September 20, 2003

San Diego Film Festival September 19 & 21, 2003

Los Angeles International Short Film Festival September 18, 2003

Crested Butte Reel Fest August 13 - 17, 2003 Crested Butte, Colorado

Atlantic City Film Festival August 9 - 16, 2003 WINNER – Best Short Film Screenplay

Wine Country Film Festival July 17 - August 10, 2003 Napa Valley & Sonoma Valley, California

Hardacre Film Festival August 1 - 2, 2003 Tipton, Iowa

Woods Hole Film Festival July 26 - August 2, 2003 Woods Hole, Massachusetts

Artscape July 25 - 27, 2003 Baltimore, Maryland

Stony Brook Film Festival July 24th, 2003 Long Island, New York

Ragamuffin Film Festival July 19 - 20, 2003 WINNER – Audience Choice Award

Da Vinci Film Festival July 18 - 21, 2003 Corvallis, Oregon

Real To Reel Film Festival July 17 - 18, 2003 WINNER – Best of Fest

AFI Summer Film Workshop July 13, 2003 Takoma Park/Silver Spring, Maryland

Flickerings Film Festival July 2 - 5, 2003

Dead Center Film Festival June 19 - 22, 2003 WINNER –  Best Narrative Short

Waterfront Film Festival June 12 - 15, 2003

Filmstock International Film Festival Luton, Bedfordshire, England June 8, 2003 WINNER – Audience Choice Award

Thunderbird International Film Festival June 6, 2003 WINNER – Best First Film WINNER – Best Photography WINNER – Best Set Design

Maryland Film Festival May 1 - 4, 2003

Rochester International Film Festival May 1 - 3, 2003 WINNER – Rochester Trophy

MPT/Independent Eye Film Festival May 3, 2003

Tambay Film Festival April 27, 2003 HONORABLE MENTION – Best Short Film

International Family Film Festival April 25 - May 3, 2003

Back East Picture Show April 24 - 27, 2003

Bare Bones International Independent Film Festival April 25, 2003 WINNER – Best Dramatic Narrative Short Film

Dawson City Int'l. Short Film Festival April 18 - 20, 2003

Phoenix Film Festival April 12 & 13, 2003

New Hope Screening and Filmmaking Lecture Burtonsville, Maryland April 12, 2003

Palm Beach International Film Festival April 4, 5, 6 & 8, 2003

WorldFest Houston Int'l. Independent Film Festival April 2003 WINNER – Bronze Award, Dramatic Adaptation

Cleveland International Film Festival March 25, 2003 WINNER – Best Ohio Short Film

Pensacola Bay International Film and Television Festival March 20 & 22, 2003 WINNER – Sprint PCS Filmmaker of the Future Award

Durango Film Festival March 1, 3 & 7, 2003

Fargo Film Festival March 8, 2003

DC Independent Film Festival March 1, 2003

CINE – Washington, D.C. February 27, 2003 WINNER – CINE Golden Eagle (Professional Divison) WINNER – CINE Special Jury Award - Best of Entertainment/Drama

Big Muddy Film Festival February 26 & 27, 2003

24th Annual Telly Awards February 2003 WINNER – Silver Telly

Calvin College – Grand Rapids, Michigan February 11, 2003

Magnolia Independent Film Festival February 8, 2003 WINNER – Best Short Drama

Polk Theatre; Lakeland, Florida February 1, 2003

Denver Christmas Conference Adams Mark – Denver, Colorado January 6, 2003

Compass Arts Grand Rapids, Michigan December 9, 2002

Burtonsville, Maryland Invited for screening and Filmmaker Q & A November 22, 2002

The 50th Annual Columbus Int'l Film & Video Festival  (The Chris Awards) November 15 - 17, 2002 WINNER – The Silver Chris Award (Best of Entertainment Division)

Heartland Film Festival October 17 - 25, 2002 WINNER – Crystal Heart Award, Dramatic Short

Columbia Union College October 25, 2002

Marco Island Film Festival October 18 - 27, 2002

DAMAH Film Festival October 10 - 12, 2002 WINNER – Best 30 Minute Short Film

Washington, D.C. ITVA Peer Awards September 27, 2002 WINNER – Best Short Film WINNER – Best Cinematography, Rob Lyall WINNER – Best Actor, Tom Wall HONORABLE MENTION – Best Director, Rik Swartzwelder

Breckenridge Festival of Film September 15, 2002

Rhode Island International Film Festival August 12, 2002

Redlands, CA Invitational screening and filmmaking lecture. July 13, 2002

650@Visions Washington, DC June 25, 2002 – "The Least of These" screened as part of a special shorts program hosted by 650@Visions, a Washington, DC film group that spotlights local and independent film, and Visions Cinema Bistro Lounge. Other films shown included Ed Baxter's "When Roommates Go Bad" and Nini Hadjis' "Focus On Me." For more information on 650@Visions or Visions Cinema Bistro Lounge, visit their website: www.visionsdc.com.

Rik Swartzwelder, Writer-Director
Click on the