YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – “Midwest Sessions” is not a typical first effort for a filmmaker.
Written and directed by Mario Ricciardi of Boardman, it is atmospheric and psychological.
While budding filmmakers tend to lean into action or comedy, Ricciardi draws in viewers in a more subtle way. The high-concept story unfolds through conversations.
“Midwest Sessions” also has a strange and supernatural aura, which makes its Halloween-season release date appropriate. The 90-minute movie will get its premiere Oct. 19 at 7:20 p.m. at Movies 8 in Boardman.
The storytelling alternates between different realities, which required Ricciardi to shoot scenes multiple times in various locations, and then splice them together.
It was an ambitious undertaking for him and the cast – all of whom are natives of the Mahoning Valley or current residents. Filming took place two years ago at multiple Valley locations.
The movie takes place in an economically depressed city, but from there it departs from what local audiences might expect. It is character-based, heavy on dialogue and philosophical in its messaging.
Ricciardi explained the offbeat premise in a recent interview.
“There are supernatural entities that act as totems for the frustration of the characters,” he says. “They antagonize some of the quirky individuals who live in the area. These characters are put face to face with their own frustrations.”
Working with a shoestring budget and experienced local actors, Ricciardi made the most of his resources.
Because he doesn’t want viewers to walk in expecting big-budget special effects and nonstop action, he dampened expectations. “This is an independent film,” Ricciardi says. “There are parts that look like it could be on Netflix, and there are parts where we don’t have all of the proper lighting.”
He describes the film as “an honest attempt to use the resources in this area to tell a story with a lot of meaning.”
Ricciardi wants viewers to form their own opinion about his film and then think about why they feel the way they do about it.
As his first feature film, he will also gauge the reaction of industry experts to determine where he needs to improve for his next effort. Ricciardi says he will submit “Midwest Sessions” to several film festivals.
To view the trailer for the film, click here. Tickets for the Oct. 19 screening are $10; to purchase a ticket in advance, go to boardmanmovies8.com or call 330 259 8946.
ACTORS
Two of the main actors in “Midwest Sessions” are Emelia Sherin and Brant Rothbauer.
They play former lovers and engage in a lot of fast-paced and deep conversation.
Sherin describes the film as a bit unconventional.
“It is science-fiction oriented, almost like a time paradox, with that ‘Twilight Zone’ or ‘Twin Peaks’ feeling,” she says. “That is what drew me to it. I am a fan of that ’80s sci-fi atmosphere and tropes.”
Shooting her scenes with Rothbauer took a few days, because they had to be repeated in multiple locations.
“It was the same situation happening in different realms of time, which is the coolest thing,” Sherin says. “It’s a concept that is so detail oriented, and a lot of directors don’t have the patience for it. But Mario is one of the most patient, creative and detail oriented – yet comfortable – artists I’ve ever worked with.”
The director and cast worked together to make the conversation flow.
“They are very natural and organic conversations that Mario wrote,” Sherin says. “He would write it and then have us say it, and if it didn’t sound natural, he would rewrite it.”
The cast also includes Dan Hobel, Tim Shannon, Terry Shears, Bill Rees, Brenda Zyvith, Kevin Shannon, Ken Miller, Christopher Corso, David Leach, Jim Osso, Mark Ricciardi, Kara Moyer, Samantha Gurd, Michael Huoy, Aaron Franks, Brady Sklenar and Damian Titus.
THE FILMMAKER
The 28-year-old Ricciardi – a Cardinal Mooney High School and Youngstown State University graduate – has always wanted to be a filmmaker.
“When I was in college, I realized that I’d better get more practical experience for what I wanted to do,” he says. “So, every summer I shot longer and longer film projects… maybe a six-episode miniseries, or a comedy series, and everything from writing it to shooting. They weren’t very clean or proficient, but as time went on, I realized my work was getting better.”
To support himself while pursuing his dream, Ricciardi started Appleridge Productions – a video production company – in 2018, while he was a junior at YSU.
Appleridge has made commercials, training videos and other pieces that have been placed on local television, social media and company websites.
His client list includes Penguin City Brewing, Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, Mercy Health and Salem Medical Center. He has also shot music videos for local artists.