Stage Director Diane Namm Helms The Sacrifice



The Sacrifice, a compelling, visually stunning drama marks the directorial debut for screenwriter Diane Namm. This short film expands Namm's accomplishments in the entertainment arts beyond those of author, playwright, producer and stage director.

Slated for debut on the 2008 film festival circuit, The Sacrifice recounts the gripping tale of 13-year-old Esmee Johnson on the day in which cult leader Rev Dobbins comes to take her as his wife.

Working with a low budget, The Sacrifice (www.thesacrificemovie.com) was shot on Super 16 film, in three days, on location in Southern California. "As a first-time film director it was invaluable that I had an incredible cast and crew," says Namm. "I was fortunate to have connected with Jeffrey Seckendorf and his One on One Film Training program. Jeff was teacher and advisor from pre-production through post. He introduced me to Eric Mofford, an experienced and greatly respected producer, who assembled and oversaw a dazzling array of talented individuals who care as much as I do about the issues of child-trafficking and child slavery within the United States."

"When I first read the script, I believed it was a project that a lot of people might be willing to support," says Eric Mofford, Producer, The Sacrifice. "After speaking with Diane, I was convinced of it."

The high-powered and multi-talented cast includes: Chris Mulkey (Cloverfield, Friday Night Lights, Dragon Wars, First Blood, Radio, American Girl, BUllworth, The Fan, 48 Hours); Molly Quinn (A Christmas Carol, Walk HArd: The Dewey Cox Story); Darby Stanchfield (Mad Men, Jericho, NCIS, Monk, 24, and General Hospital); Jon Lindstrom (Must Love Dogs, Double Born, While the Children Sleep, Right on Track, and General Hospital) and Richard Riehle (Office Space, Grounded for Life).

Key players in the filmmaking process were Terrence Hayes, Director of Photography; Ivy Isenberg, Casting Director; Katherine Bulovic, Production Design; Lindsay Mofford, Editor; and Buddy Judge, Composer and Musician.

About Diane Namm

Diane Namm (www.dianenamm.com) is the author of over 50 published children's books and young adult novels. Her most recent titles--adaptations of Jungle Book; Doctor Dolittle; Phantom of the Opera and The Five Little Peppers are published by Sterling Books/a division of Barnes & Noble Publishing.

Namm founded West of Broadway (www.westofbroadway.org), in order to stage updated classics for family audiences. As Artistic Director of West of Broadway, Namm has penned and directed modern adaptations of classics by Dickens, Twain, Beatrix Potter and O. Henry, putting an interactive spin on each production: Mrs. Scrooge; Huck; Bunny Tales Episode IV: Bunny Wars and Red Chief! Namm is also the writer/director for the annual LA Street Scenes series, which she produces in conjunction with Create Now! a mentoring organization for at-risk youth. Her work in the industry also includes writing award-winning, feature-length screenplays such as Warrior Queen; Pranksters; Greed, and Full Blue.

Namm began her career in book publishing, was Executive Editor at Simon & Schuster, and has a Master's Degree in English Literature at the University of Michigan. After founding West of Broadway, Namm moved into directing and producing. Namm serves on the Advisory Board of the English Department at the University of Michigan, is a member of the LA Stage Alliance, Author's Guild, American Film Institute, American Screenwriters Association and Women in Film, and is listed in the National Museum of Women in the Arts.





Stage Director Diane Namm Helms The Sacrifice