Returning to His Roots
Written by Laura Carlson | Posted by: Anonymous
Bringing a piece of tinseltown back to Boston, Winchester native Frank C. Muggia introduces his first foray as executive producer with Hot Tamale. The indie film, which premiered at the Newport Beach Film Festival in April will screen at the Boston International Film Festival on June 9th at the Boston Loews Theatre.
Hot Tamale boasts an impressive cast that includes Randy Spelling (Sons of Hollywood, Pledge This!); Diora Baird (Wedding Crashers); Jason Priestley (Monkey Love, Beverly Hills 90210) and Carmen Electra. In addition, Matt Cedeño, a soap opera star and one of People Magazine En Español’s 50 Most Beautiful in the World and veteran actor Mike Starr appear in the film.
A graduate of Boston University Law School in 1989, Muggia specialized in entertainment law, advising clients on a wide variety of matters and managing entertainment related litigation. Working on Hot Tamale offered him the opportunity to work with some Hollywood’s hottest up-and-coming talent.
"I have always been fascinated with movies, how they are produced and how they are marketed," Muggia says. "When I saw the script for Hot Tamale I knew it was a special and impressive script, I knew I wanted to be executive producer. I formed Orchard Park Productions and have wonderful partners who share a common goal. We want to make films people enjoy. Since then it has been a great ride."
Muggia notes that one of the things he’s learned in the business is that relationships drive success in any business venture. He was confident about the script Janeen and Michael Damien had written and knew getting an impressive cast to carry the script would be a an obstacle they would find easy to overcome. "This is the first film that Janeen and Michael Damian wrote and produced. It is the first film Michael Dmaian directed and it is the first film I served as executive producer. Because we had no proven track record in the film industry, it is natural that some would be skeptical. In the end, we overcame these obstacles because of the confidence the industry had in Damian and his impeccable reputation and talent as an actor."
Hot Tamale screened to foreign buyers at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival and will also be showcased at the Winnipeg International Film Festival this month. Coming back to Boston to unveil his first major film project is an exciting event for Muggia.
"Returning to Boston is such a thrill. I was born and raised in Winchester and attended high school locally. Boston is in my blood. To bring a film to the Boston International Film Festival is very special. I feel the festival in Boston will give the film great recognition as we prepare for our worldwide release. It is a well run and very respected festival and I am honored that they have considered my film for submission."
Keep an eye out for Muggia’s next project as executive producer of the family drama Moondance Alexander, which is scheduled to being shooting this June in Calgary, Canada. He is also in development on the next Riviera Films/Orchard Park production the romantic/comedy The Art of Love set to begin shooting in the spring of 2007.
To buy tickets for Hot Tamale screening at the Boston International Film Festival on June 9th and attend the after party at Felt Nightclub, go to the film’s website: www.hottamalethemovie.com.
