THE CAST
Jon Dore
“Joey”
Jon Dore is a talented Canadian writer and actor who has infused his comedic abilities into numerous hit television shows and films. Getting his start as a stand-up comedian, Dore has been able to successfully transition into acting. Most recently, Jon sold a pitch to CBS where he also has an overall deal. He was the series lead in the CBS Pilot THE HALF OF IT. Jon’s other television credits include a memorable guest star role on CBS’ Emmy Award winning hit series, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, as well as a lead role on ABC’s HOW TO LIVE WITH YOUR PARENTS.
In addition to his television appearances, Dore has also appeared in several successful films. His film credits include a starring role opposite Michelle Monaghan and Radha Mitchell in the indy film, GUS, a leading role with Don Faison in Spotlight Picture’s, STAG, and he can be soon be seen starring opposite of Cary Elwes in Arclight Films comedy, TEEN LUST. In addition to acting, Dore has an impressive writing resume that includes The Comedy Network’s, THE JON DORE SHOW, CBC’s JUST FOR LAUGHS, and HBO’s popular, FUNNY AS HELL.
Lynn Cohen
“Rose”
Lynn Cohen‘s roles on film and television have ranged from Mags In THE HUNGER GAMES to Golda Meir in Steven Spielberg’s MUNICH and Maman in Louis Malle’s VANYA ON 42ND STREET to the nanny Magda in SEX AND THE CITY(both the two movies and the TV series). Included among her many other movie and TV credits are Woody Allen’sMANHATTAN MURDER MYSTERY and DECONSTRUCTING HARRY; EAGLE EYE; INVINCIBLE; THE EXTRA MAN; EVERYBODY’S FINE; HELLO LONESOME; LAW AND ORDER; NURSE JACKIE, DAMAGES, and BORED TO DEATH.
On the New York stage, she has appeared in such plays as Tina Howe’s CHASING MANET (with Jane Alexander), HAMLET (with Kevin Kline), MACBETH (with Live Schreiber), ORPHEUS DESCENDING (with Vanessa Redgrave), and ISRAEL HOROVITZ‘S NEW SHORTS with Barefoot Theatre Company. She has also trod the boards in many of the country’s leading regional theatres. Recent productions include THREE SISTERS in the new Sarah Ruhl translation directed by John Doyle and Beckett’s HAPPY DAYS.
Awards include a Fox Fellowship; a Richard Seff Award from Actors Equity Association: a Screen Actors Guild ensemble award (for SEX AND THE CITY), and a Bowden Award from New Dramatists. Barefoot Theatre Company Ensemble Member.
David Paymer
“Morty”
One of modern TV and moviedom’s most sturdy and reliable character actors, David Paymer dreamed of being an actor from early childhood. Although he came from a traditional middle-class Jewish family that urged him to become a doctor or lawyer, Paymer felt more at home in the world of the thespian. At 14, he used a fake I.D. to see THE GRADUATE, which starred a young Dustin Hoffman.
He grew up in Oceanside, New York, where his father was in the scrap metal business. His mother, a homemaker, had fled Belgium with her family to escape the Nazis. When his father quit the scrap metal business to pursue music, it inspired young Paymer to give his acting dream a try.
His aborted big break came when he was cast in the TV series, ST. ELSEWHERE, as Dr. Wayne Fiscus but was promptly dumped and replaced by Howie Mandel. Luckily, his real big break was destined to be on the big screen, as Ira Shalowitz in the Billy Crystal vehicle, CITY SLICKERS. Crystal was so pleased with Paymer’s work that he wrote the part of Stan Yankelman, beleaguered brother of the titular character in the movie MR. SATURDAY NIGHT especially for Paymer. The part earned Paymer an Oscar nomination in 1993. “That was like getting my passport stamped”, said Paymer and he was quickly in demand by directors such as Spielberg (AMISTAD), Redford (QUIZ SHOW), Oliver Stone (NIXON), David Mamet (STATE AND MAIN), Steven Soderbergh (OCEAN’S 13), and Sam Raimi (DRAG ME TO HELL).
Chameleon-like in his portrayals, Paymer has since starred in hundreds of roles in film and television, notably THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT, GET SHORTY, PAYBACK, THE HURRICANE, IN GOOD COMPANY, Francis Ford Coppola’s TWIXT and Kenneth Branagh’s JACK RYAN: SHADOW ONE. Paymer received Golden Globe nominations for MR. SATURDAY NIGHT and for HBO’s CRIME OF THE CENTURY.
Paymer became a hyphenate in 2002, directing the acclaimed comedy short CANDOR CITY HOSPITAL for Showtime. He has since directed over 60 episodes for broadcast television, including such hits as GREY’S ANATOMY, THE MENTALIST, BROTHERS AND SISTERS, MEDIUM and THE UNIT. He is also a producer and director on the CW series HART OF DIXIE.
Paymer resides in Santa Monica, CA with his wife and two daughters.
Eric Edelstein
“Ted”
Eric Edelstein is an actor, improv performer and writer based in Los Angeles. He was most recently seen on the big screen in the record breaking summer blockbuster JURASSIC WORLD. On television, Eric currently recurs on ABC’s hit sitcom FRESH OFF THE BOAT. He has also appeared in acclaimed comedies such as KEY & PEELE (Comedy Central), PARKS AND RECREATION (NBC), MODERN FAMILY (ABC), NEW GIRL (FOX), ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT (Netflix) and CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM (HBO). He also voices for Cartoon Network’s WE BARE BEARS and CLARENCE. Additionally, Eric was featured in Disney’s ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY and will next be seen in the indie GREEN ROOM opposite Imogen Poots and Patrick Stewart.
THE FILMMAKERS
Michael Manasseri
Director
Meet Michael
Michael started his entertainment career as a child actor. He appeared in over 40 national commercials, toured the country in THE KING AND I with screen legend Yul Brynner, worked on Broadway in the revival of OLIVER! with Patti Lupone and Ron Moody, co-starred with the Coreys (Haim and Feldman) and Heather Graham in the 20th Century Fox teen comedy, LICENSE TO DRIVE, and starred in the long running TV series WEIRD SCIENCE on the USA Network.
Years on professional sets served as Michael’s film school. He made the transition behind the camera in the early 2000’s. Michael served as a producer on the comedy, DIRTY LOVE, which premiered at the 2005 Sundance International Film Festival. In 2008, Michael co-directed and produced the highly acclaimed independent horror film, BABYSITTER WANTED. That same year he worked with television icon, William Shatner, producing William Shatner’s GONZO BALLET.
In 2009, Michael relocated to Metro-Detroit to be closer to his immediate family and founded local production company, Made in Michigan Entertainment (MIME). Over the past five years, MIME has brought Hollywood productions to Michigan, produced national commercial campaigns, worked with world-renowned musical artists and forged relationships with international filmmakers.
As MIME outgrew it’s regional moniker, Michael rebranded the company as Flux Capacitor Studios in 2015. THE PICKLE RECIPE is the first feature co-production under the Flux Cap banner. Michael has also worked with over 200 students through an academic-entrepreneurial partnership he formed with Oakland University’s Cinema Study program in Rochester, Michigan providing opportunities for students in all aspects of film production. He’s extremely proud of the students who participated in the “pickle making” process.
Sheldon Cohn
Writer/Producer
Meet Sheldon
During his 33 years at Doner Sheldon produced thousands of television, radio and web advertisements for a host of regional and national and international clients. In addition he also was the creative director and writer of many campaigns. He’s a total creative producer, overseeing all aspects of a project from inception to completion. Working with budgets up to 7 gures he always sought to maximize every ounce of a project’s potential. At its height, Sheldon lead 27 people in the broadcast production department, hiring the most talented professionals and nurturing them to become leaders in their own right. Working in many countries around the world he’s won nearly every advertising award including multiple gold lions and Clios. In addition, he has created video projects for many nonprofit organizations in the Detroit area. The Pickle Recipe is his first feature film.
Gary Wolfson
Writer/Producer
Meet Gary
Gary is a veteran executive creative director in advertising and marketing. He is known and recognized for his creative contributions to iconic brands both nationally and internationally. His creative style of storytelling is rich with humor and warmth, which has helped him receive worldwide recognition for his creative talents. His accolades include multiple Cannes Lions, BAFTA, Clio and AICP awards. After twenty-five years he decided to pursue his love of ideas and filmmaking beyond 30 seconds. The Pickle Recipe is his first feature film produced with his creative partner Sheldon Cohn.
Eddie Rubin
Executive Producer
Meet Eddie
Eddie Rubin’s career began before he even graduated from college. He found his passion for producing while interning for Academy Award-Winning Producer/Directors Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz. While a sophomore at the University of Michigan he created Deep Blue Pictures. By the time he earned his B.A. in Film and Psychology Eddie had already produced several films and received a number of awards. The first film he produced was the Academy-Qualified award winning short, Fingers, which played at festivals around the world.
In 2008 Eddie produced his first feature film, Art House, starring Greta Gerwig and featuring rock legend Iggy Pop. In 2009, Eddie produced the music video for Kanye West protégé, Big Sean. He continues to produce music videos for artists such as Delta Rae, Brilliance, The New Boyz and ICP.
Since finishing college, Eddie was an Associate Producer on Sucker with Big Screen Entertainment. He also Co-Produced the post September 11 drama, Mooz-Lum, starring Danny Glover, Evan Ross and Nia Long. The film went on to be independently distributed via AMC Independent. In 2013, Eddie Served as the Executive Producer on Love and Honor starring Liam Hemsworth and Teresa Palmer. In March of 2013 the film was released world wide and domestically by IFC.
In between film projects Eddie produced multiple national commercial spots for companies such as Dan Gilbert’s Fathead. He also consulted on films such as the critically acclaimed It Follows.
In 2014 Eddie Co-Produced the independent film, Destined. He also segued into television, producing the reality series American Muscle for Funny or Die Inc. and Discovery Channel.
Most recently Eddie formed a new production company, Long Road Film, with Peter Pastorelli (Beast of No Nation) and Marshall Johnson (The Last Poker Game). Under their new banner they produced the feature film The Last Poker Game starring Academy-Award winner Martin Landau and Paul Sorvino.
Along with producing his own projects Eddie has line produced multiple projects including The Pickle Recipe, the made-for-TV movies A Royal Family Holiday and A Royal Family Christmas and most recently When We First Met starring Adam Devine and Alexandra Daddario.
Jason Potash
Producer
Meet Jason
Jason Potash is a film producer and co-founder of Storyboard Entertainment where he has been producing a rapidly growing slate of award-winning films since its inception in 2012. Jason launched the company with “Brightest Star”, an adaptation of his Tribeca Film Festival winner “Some Boys Don’t Leave” starring Academy Award nominee Jesse Eisenberg. “Brightest Star” was released theatrically by Gravitas Ventures, Warner Brothers Digital and Paramount International. The film stars Chris Lowell, Jessica Szohr, Golden Globe nominee Allison Janney, and Clark Gregg. Jason next produced Chris Lowell’s directorial debut “Beside Still Waters” with an ensemble cast led by Ryan Eggold (“The Blacklist”). Recipient of awards including Austin Film Festival’s Grand Jury and Audience Award, the film was acquired by Tribeca Films and released theatrically in November 2013. Recent film credits include “Dial a Prayer” starring Brittany Snow and Academy Award nominee William H. Macy, sci-fi horror “Darkness Rising” from visionary Austin Reading, and “The Pickle Recipe” starring comedian Jon Dore and Academy Award nominee David Paymer. “Dial a Prayer” sold during the 2015 Sundance Film Festival and was released theatrically by Vertical Entertainment. Storyboard’s second collaboration with director Austin Reading, “Pledges” is currently in post-production.
Jason has always loved being behind the camera, and founded his first production company at age 16, where he produced commercials, corporate videos, and special event presentations for over 200 clients. A graduate of the film school at Columbia College Chicago, Jason is a proud native of Detroit, Michigan and currently resides in Los Angeles.
Paul Finkel
Producer
Meet Paul
Paul has been a business owner and entrepreneur for over 30 years. Upon graduating from Michigan State University, Paul joined the family property management company and promptly reinvigorated the company seeking new developments, which the company had not done since 1979. To date, Paul has developed projects of over 500,000 square feet from the ground up, acquired properties in excess of 500,000 square feet, and today maintains ownership positions in approx. 1,000,000 square feet of properties located in southeast Michigan.
Following his life-long passion of entertainment, Paul pursued an opportunity to invest in his first feature film “Brightest Star” starring Chris Lowell, Allison Janney, and Clark Gregg. Immediately gravitating toward producing and not solely investing, Paul partnered with Jason Potash in 2012 to form Storyboard Entertainment. With the success of their first film, Paul went on to produce “Beside Still Waters,” which was acquired and released by Tribeca Film. In 2014 Paul produced two additional films, “Dial A Prayer,” starring Brittany Snow and William H. Macy, which went from principal photography to screen in thirteen months (released April 10, 2015); and “Darkness Rising,” a sci-fi horror film currently in post-production. In 2015, Paul produced “The Pickle Recipe,” starring comedian Jon Dore and Academy Award nominee David Paymer, and “Pledges” his second collaboration with director Austin Reading. In addition to these movies, Paul has several other films in various stages of development, preparing his slate for 2016 and beyond, and is currently developing several television shows.
Paul is married and has two daughters. He enjoys fly-fishing, skeet shooting, and golf when he is not spending time working or with his family.
Stewart Shevin
Editor
Meet Stewart
Stewart Shevin’s tenure as editor began in the early 80s, in Detroit, Michigan, earning his chops in the advertising world. By his late 20s Stewart had accumulated a significant roster of clientele as partner at editorial house Image Express. A testament to its insight for the craft, Image Express I.E. was the first commercial editing company to invest in the Lucasfilm EditDroid, the precursor to non-linear editors of today. Stewart served on the international Association of Independent Commercial Editors board as a desire to elevate the role of editor both financially and creatively. Over the years, Stewart has cut award-winning documentary, shorts, and music video projects. THE PICKLE RECIPE is his first foray into feature films.
Geoff George
Director of Photography
Meet Geoff
Geoff George is a cinematographer based in Detroit and Los Angeles. He was born in Detroit and graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in filmmaking. As a DP, Mr. George is known for the contemporary and cutting-edge look he has brought to features, shorts, and music videos, and as a 2nd Unit DP he has created captivating establishing shots and action sequences for several theatrical films such as IT FOLLOWS and ORION. As a fine art photographer, he has explored historic cities and industrial sites across North America and Europe, and exhibited his work in Detroit, New York City, and Turin. In 2015 he shot two feature films, THE PICKLE RECIPE and OVID: THE ART OF LOVE. In addition to being an accomplished cinematographer, Mr. George is owner of two historic buildings in the city of Detroit and a passionate city booster, introducing the revitalizing city to filmmakers such as Quentin Tarantino and Ryan Gosling, as well as architects and photographers from across the globe.
Michelino Bisceglia
Composer
Meet Michael
Michelino Bisceglia has composed soundtracks for multiple feature films, working with such renowned orchestras as the Brussels Philharmonic. His most praised soundtrack was composed for the film MARINA, for which he was awarded with the World Soundtrack Public Choice Award. The film is based on the childhood memories of singer Rocco Granata, and was directed by former Oscar nominee Stijn Coninx.
A typical characteristic of Michelino Bisceglia is collaborating with artists from different genres. His most notable co-production in this regard was released with the Belgian DJ Buscemi on Blue Note Records.