Welcome to "The Shadow of the Bear" movie blog!

We are an independant young adult-run production based in the U.S. Midwest. The film has been in pre-production since summer 2008, and wrapped up filming on August 26th, 2010.

We premiered the project on June 23rd, 2011 at the St. Anthony Main Theater in Minneapolis, MN to a delighted audience of over 100 viewers.

For details about the future of the project, click here.



Sunday, December 14, 2008

Introducing Rose Brier




Sharayah, whom I first met while she was in the role of the beautiful and spirited Belle (from "Beauty and the Beast") is our actress for the part of Rose Brier. Rose, the younger of the sisters, is imaginative, stubborn, loyal and inquisitive.
(And before you ask, yes, she just informed me that she is going to try to get blue contacts.)
Elena: So Sharayah...how long have you been acting?
Sharayah: I've been acting basically since I could walk - this being before I could talk. My parents could tell what I liked from the faces I made. When I could talk, my friends and I started writing plays in my basement, and that was that! An actress was being created! Acting is definitely one of my passions, and although I haven't had a ton of experience in the actual professional field of acting, that's where I hope to end up.
Elena: Wow, I can definetely tell you are passionate about acting! Which is great for Rose, of course. What have been some of your favorite parts to play?
Sharayah: Hmmm. Well, one of my first larger roles outside of my small church-musical world was Dorothy Gale. That was really fun to do, because the three actors I was with were an absolute blast! And I became rather good friends with the "Wicked Witch of the West" as well. But currently my favorite role was Belle in Beauty and the Beast in my backyard! Feisty women always catch my attention, and Belle isn't your average "Disney princess," which is why it was so much fun. Plus, I got to look beautiful without leaving my house... whenever I dress up and try to go somewhere it somehow gets messed up, I dunno wherein lies the problem, but there you have it.
Elena: Hahaha! I can totally understand that. And those are great roles. Rather funny too, because I can see elements of Rose in both of them. Would you agree?
Sharayah: Yes! The imagination and sort of wistfulness in both of them are strikingly similar...
The creativity element, too.
Elena: It's really funny how you can cast someone and then find out even more ways in which they fit their character. I credit it to God's planning of this project, though. It's really amazing. Anyhow, this is your first film project, correct?
Sharayah: Yep!
Elena: What inspired you to agree to it?
Sharayah: Well, film is just something that I've always aspired to... I don't want to be a movie star or anything, but just something I could get up close and personal and really tackle the little quirks of a character sound extremely exciting to me. So this opportunity was sort of irrisistable... I mean who in their right minds could honestly expect me to say no?! :)
Elena: Hahaha! Well I'm thrilled that you said yes! Especially since you and Rose are so much alike. Why don't you tell us about some of the things you two have in common?
Sharayah: Oh where do I begin?
Elena: At the beginning. It's a very good place to start, you know!
Sharayah: Well I'll start by saying, when I read the book "The Shadow of the Bear" for the first time, I was actually shocked by the similarities! For instance, Rose likes to look at people as sort of... how did she put it? Other people or creatures trapped in the bodies of whoever they appear to be. It's rather fascinating that I actually do that myself! For instance, on of my social studies teachers was a rather inquisitive rat. (Don't tell!) Another of my friends was an empress, forced into hiding by her rebellious subjects and humbled by the situations of everyday people like me. That's how I found the gumption to forgive her about things.

So that's just one of many incredible similarities, and if I can find something like THAT, you can IMAGINE how many others there must be... like how talkative Rose is, for instance? Yea okay, except I know when to stop talking.. which I'll do right now...
Elena: Hahahaha! Nno, I love to hear you say all this! It's really cool! It just makes me go..."This is so Amazing!" Boy, I can't wait to start filming. What do you think you're looking forwards to the most?
Sharayah: Um, filming?
Elena: But like what scenes?
Sharayah: Haha actually I'm really looking forward to a couple of scenes we're gonna film... first off, the scene where Rose confronts Rob? WOW what a woman. I'm also looking forward to the scene in the basement with Fish when Rose has a plastic bag over her head? Call me crazy, but that is going to be instense!

And any scene with Blanche in it will be great. I love Hannah. Love love love love love love love Hannah. We get along quite like Blanche and Rose get along, actually.
Elena: So I've heard! I think that is awesome! Well, I think that just about covers my list of questions. Anything else you'd like to say to our fans?
Sharayah: I hope you like my interpretation of Rose? Books that people are fans of, once they get turned into movies, leave a lot of very disappointed and sometimes very bitter fans. Please don't be bitter. Put a smile on! Just like McDonald's commercials... MAN commercials are annoying, can't television just be free? If everything was free, people wouldn't be losing money, because they wouldn't need money to pay for anything else! It's a rather silly system. But what's done is done.
(...random...)

Elena: Hahahaha! I love it. Thanks for taking the time to do this!
Sharayah: Of course!

22 comments:

MJ said...

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited to see this all come together. God has blesses this project

Delaney said...

I'm really looking forward to the Rose-Rob confrontation as well. Every time I read that scene I say something like "Go, Rose!"

Ditto to what Madeline said - there's no other way that everything and everyone could be so perfect. :) I'll continue to pray.

Rose Marchen said...

Sharayah, I think you will make a fantabulous Rose! (Don't worry, here is one fan who will not be bitter!)

The Real Katie said...

I agree with Rose! I don't think anyone could pick a better Rose.

Anonymous said...

How could we be bitter? Thanks for putting this together!

Anonymous said...

Umm . . . weird question, but how do you pronounce her name?

Elenatintil said...

Pretty much just how it looks. Shah ray ah

Elizabeth said...

I can't wait! I am so excited!!
Sharayah you are soooo Rose!!!! :)

Katrina said...

She'll make an awesome Rose!! And don't worry, I'm sure I won't be dissapointed!

Anonymous said...

Well thanks guys! I shall try my best!

...Wow, I must have been really tired when I was doing that interview... Just a little A.D.D. methinks? :)

Anonymous said...

You have a very pretty name! :D

Anonymous said...

Wow, you'll make an amazing Rose! I was praying that they would pick somebody perfect. They did! I'll pray- have fun and God bless!

Rain said...

You are exactly how I imagined Rose, Sharayah. May God bless you and all the other people working on this movie!!

Anonymous said...

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!! Sharayah, you must be the most perfect Rose Brier ever!! You are so beautiful, spirited, and hilarious just like her!!! I am soooooooooo excited to see all of this come together!! God bless you and I will be praying for this production!!
P.S-- I know what you mean about dissapointed and bitter fans, but with God so totally blessing this book and movie I know this will be something very successful and pleasing to all the fans!! NO bitterness whatsoever!!:)

Grace said...

yes! i think you sound perfect rose!!! i can't wait to see the movie! but what i'm wondering is: who's playing rob?

carriemccor said...

I was mad when I heard that someone was making a movie of my favorite book because I was afraid it would get butchered but after I found all this I was soooo excited! I cant wait and I know you'll do a good job on it. Have fun! May Our Lady bless you and this project!

Elizabeth said...

Sharayah is so perfect! I saw her picture and immediatelly thought "Rose!!" YAY!! Rose is my favorite character I think. It sounds like y'all are staying true to the book! Kudos for you! I love you for that. It's like my favorite book in the universe, so I'm really excited about this movie!!

Anonymous said...

I know Hannah and Anthony quite well, and when I heard they were playing Blanche and Fish I knew they were perfect for the parts. I've never met Sharayah, but I thought her picture was perfect; she looked just like her.

But now that I've read her interview, I just have to laugh! She is Rose. That all there is to it. She's Rose!

IrishAnnie said...

She sounds just like me and she sounds just like Rose!!! Haha... I am SO totally like Rose. ;) And she sounds AWESOME!!! Can't WAIT to see the movie. :D

Scarlet Rose said...

Wow. 0.o It's like... she IS Rose! Sweet pajeebies! :D I'm pretty much psyched about this! I've fallen in love with all these actors, I know they'll just do great!
It must take a lot of courage to try to take on a role as huge and dramatic as Rose, so... Kudos to you, Sharayah!

Anonymous said...

I think Sharayah will play a great Rose! They're really similar! I can't wait for the movie!
~Maribeth

Gwendolyn said...

She sounds like an awesome person... She will make a perfect Rose!!!