Joey's Place - "Dine In or Get Whacked Out"
An enterprising, young, up and coming street hood has to hide his criminal activity from his idealistic new wife inside the everyday world of his neighborhood restaurant.
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The Show
Pressure Cooker is the pilot episode for the TV Series we are creating called “Joey’s Place”: an edgy, funny and fast-paced single-camera, half-hour dramedy about a resourceful but conflicted blue collar crime boss as he attempts to navigate his small-time rackets under the cover of his neighborhood eatery, while, at the same time trying to appease his naive, but utopian new wife who wants him to help her open a halfway house for runaway teens. When you add to that soup, a well-seasoned, thrice married, intimacy averse bartender who is not sure how many kids he has or where they are; a bipolar, middle-aged, former model, mother-in-law who is suspicious of him and over-protective of her daughter, his wife; a happy-go-lucky but nostalgically delusional father-in-law who lives in a version of the past he never had; a 22 year old hip and rocking barback who is naïve of what this bar world really is and is determined to make his bones as a music sensation; and, a crew of off-kilter henchmen who are the absolute embodiment of terrible upbringing, you have the gang at “Joey’s Place”; a restaurant where no matter what you sit down and order, you’re going to get something else.
Pressure Cooker is the pilot episode for the TV Series we are creating called “Joey’s Place”: an edgy, funny and fast-paced single-camera, half-hour dramedy about a resourceful but conflicted blue collar crime boss as he attempts to navigate his small-time rackets under the cover of his neighborhood eatery, while, at the same time trying to appease his naive, but utopian new wife who wants him to help her open a halfway house for runaway teens. When you add to that soup, a well-seasoned, thrice married, intimacy averse bartender who is not sure how many kids he has or where they are; a bipolar, middle-aged, former model, mother-in-law who is suspicious of him and over-protective of her daughter, his wife; a happy-go-lucky but nostalgically delusional father-in-law who lives in a version of the past he never had; a 22 year old hip and rocking barback who is naïve of what this bar world really is and is determined to make his bones as a music sensation; and, a crew of off-kilter henchmen who are the absolute embodiment of terrible upbringing, you have the gang at “Joey’s Place”; a restaurant where no matter what you sit down and order, you’re going to get something else.
The Concept
So yeah, we are talking about gangsters, pub workers, family, and the archetypal bar-restaurant haunt that they thrive in, and yeah, that has been seen before, but, the difference and the cool overall conceit here is that that these characters are not only are afflicted by psychological issues and crazy unresolved trauma from their childhood (that they act out in all the time), but these are also the hooks that drive this show and what we are centering on. From the hoods to the bartender, to the cook, to the kid sweeping up at night; there is a peculiar dual nature and secret self that viewers will be privy to, and that is what makes this series fresh, interesting yet falling right in line with the essence of this genre.
So yeah, we are talking about gangsters, pub workers, family, and the archetypal bar-restaurant haunt that they thrive in, and yeah, that has been seen before, but, the difference and the cool overall conceit here is that that these characters are not only are afflicted by psychological issues and crazy unresolved trauma from their childhood (that they act out in all the time), but these are also the hooks that drive this show and what we are centering on. From the hoods to the bartender, to the cook, to the kid sweeping up at night; there is a peculiar dual nature and secret self that viewers will be privy to, and that is what makes this series fresh, interesting yet falling right in line with the essence of this genre.
The Pilot Episode - "Pressure Cooker"
When Joey unwittingly plans a heist with the gang to prove he is capable of taking over the operation from Old Vic, and then realizes it is on for the same time that he is supposed be meeting Anne’s parents to announce her pregnancy, he decides to create a made-up boiler explosion that keeps him at the restaurant so he can pull the job and get over to Anne’s parents before they are any the wiser. However, when Anne changes plans and shows up at the joint with both of her parents in tow, Joey has to maneuver an escape to get to the heist else all of the gang will be nabbed.
When Joey unwittingly plans a heist with the gang to prove he is capable of taking over the operation from Old Vic, and then realizes it is on for the same time that he is supposed be meeting Anne’s parents to announce her pregnancy, he decides to create a made-up boiler explosion that keeps him at the restaurant so he can pull the job and get over to Anne’s parents before they are any the wiser. However, when Anne changes plans and shows up at the joint with both of her parents in tow, Joey has to maneuver an escape to get to the heist else all of the gang will be nabbed.
The Creators
Stephen Sacavitch: Writer/Executive Producer/Director
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Terry McFadden: Writer/Creative Producer/Director
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What Do We Need the Money For?
To create the best possible pilot episode of this genre, and perception shifting TV series. Not only so that we can assemble an experienced and enthusiastic cast and crew but so that we can do it in a fashion that gets our humor, passion, and message across in a visual cinematic cutting-edge style that is a delight to watch.
To create the best possible pilot episode of this genre, and perception shifting TV series. Not only so that we can assemble an experienced and enthusiastic cast and crew but so that we can do it in a fashion that gets our humor, passion, and message across in a visual cinematic cutting-edge style that is a delight to watch.
The Impact
At the core of this TV show, we are looking at how the effects of childhood trauma affects us as adults through these characters in funny, poignant, and sometimes tragic ways. Perhaps you know somebody who suffers as well, somebody close to you? Our mission is to blend the comic, the touching, and the heartbreaking and in an everyday identifiable setting that anyone will relate to as to highlight this issue. We want to bring more awareness to it in ways that are identifiable to everybody. This is why you should support this project and care.
At the core of this TV show, we are looking at how the effects of childhood trauma affects us as adults through these characters in funny, poignant, and sometimes tragic ways. Perhaps you know somebody who suffers as well, somebody close to you? Our mission is to blend the comic, the touching, and the heartbreaking and in an everyday identifiable setting that anyone will relate to as to highlight this issue. We want to bring more awareness to it in ways that are identifiable to everybody. This is why you should support this project and care.
The Team
Frank Volpe, "Joey" is an actor from Philadelphia that has a real passion for the craft and is constantly working to become a better character actor. From mobsters, to cowboys, to frightening cannibals, Frank is always taking the next challenge.
He really connects with this character, Joey, and brings his struggle to life: caught between walking in his father's footsteps and living a purpose-driven life with the woman he loves. This role was meant for Frank Volpe, and it is exciting to watch him work.
You can view some of Frank's previous work right now on Amazon's, "Sacrum Vindictae". You can also watch him as a cannibal killer in "Human Hibachi 2", now streaming on Lloyd Kaufman's Troma Now.
Kristin Minter, "LEW" is an American actress. She is best known as Heather McCallister in Home Alone (1990) and Miranda 'Randi' Fronczak in ER (1995–2003).
Minter portrayed Kathy Winslow in the film Cool as Ice alongside Vanilla Ice, and Rachel MacLeod in three episodes of Highlander: The Series. She has played many roles in numerous television series, most notably on ER as Miranda "Randi" Fronczak for 72 episodes from 1995 to 2003. Minter also portrayed Nina in the body horror film Excess Flesh.
Minter starred as Heather, the oldest cousin of main character Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin), in Home Alone. The blockbuster family comedy, directed by Chris Columbus, is about a young boy facing two inept burglars when he is left home alone. The movie made nearly $500 M worldwide.
Minter portrayed Kathy Winslow in the film Cool as Ice alongside Vanilla Ice, and Rachel MacLeod in three episodes of Highlander: The Series. She has played many roles in numerous television series, most notably on ER as Miranda "Randi" Fronczak for 72 episodes from 1995 to 2003. Minter also portrayed Nina in the body horror film Excess Flesh.
Minter starred as Heather, the oldest cousin of main character Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin), in Home Alone. The blockbuster family comedy, directed by Chris Columbus, is about a young boy facing two inept burglars when he is left home alone. The movie made nearly $500 M worldwide.
Terry McFadden, "Maxx" is an award-winning actor, playwright and filmmaker who has been performing on stages of all sorts since the age of 8. He is known for Life Coaches and Rockstars (2019), Twilights Grace (2007) and Unsolved Mysteries. He has appeared in many Indy films and TV shows as well as tons of live theatre and cabaret.
He wrote, directed and starred in the 2019 web series, Life Coaches and Rock Stars and has also written and starred in 4 complete full run stage shows in Hollywood entitled, "Overtones', 'Bar Tales', 'On Four' and 'Left the Building: In 2014 Terry, co-created six shorts with his company Rock and Geek Productions, that he also starred in and directed. Some other awards include "The Raymond J. Flores Award for Best One-Act Play'; the 'Best of the Best at Carrboro's 10x10 in the Triangle', and first place at 'Cruthaigh Productions One Act Festival" in Santa Monica, CA.
As a comic actor he has also performed in many stand-up venues such as Dangerfield's, in New York; The Comedy Works and The Comedy Factory Outlet in Philly.
He wrote, directed and starred in the 2019 web series, Life Coaches and Rock Stars and has also written and starred in 4 complete full run stage shows in Hollywood entitled, "Overtones', 'Bar Tales', 'On Four' and 'Left the Building: In 2014 Terry, co-created six shorts with his company Rock and Geek Productions, that he also starred in and directed. Some other awards include "The Raymond J. Flores Award for Best One-Act Play'; the 'Best of the Best at Carrboro's 10x10 in the Triangle', and first place at 'Cruthaigh Productions One Act Festival" in Santa Monica, CA.
As a comic actor he has also performed in many stand-up venues such as Dangerfield's, in New York; The Comedy Works and The Comedy Factory Outlet in Philly.
Maro DēLo, "Jett" is a multi-talented entertainer who seamlessly navigates the worlds of acting, music, and modeling. Born with a passion for the arts, Maro’s journey as a performer began at a young age when he delved deep into music and never looked back. He began music development with several prolific songwriters, producers and vocal coaches and played ongoing gigs and open mics. Maro is excited to release several pop songs he recently wrote and recorded with PJ Bianco.
A year or two into his music career, his manager felt he had the talent to be an actor and so began his newfound passion for acting. He secured an agent and In the last 4 years, he has studied under Shari Shaw Studios in LA and John Pallotta on the East Coast. He is currently working on a web series with John Pallotta and just completed a short film with Junitos Studios called ‘The Proposal Plan’ where plays a lead role and his song ‘Breathe You’ is also featured in the film.
His modeling career has included walking the runway at NYC Fashion Week and also walking the runway for Kyle Woodland and Gobanna in Philadelphia where in addition to walking, he also performs live music at the shows.
A year or two into his music career, his manager felt he had the talent to be an actor and so began his newfound passion for acting. He secured an agent and In the last 4 years, he has studied under Shari Shaw Studios in LA and John Pallotta on the East Coast. He is currently working on a web series with John Pallotta and just completed a short film with Junitos Studios called ‘The Proposal Plan’ where plays a lead role and his song ‘Breathe You’ is also featured in the film.
His modeling career has included walking the runway at NYC Fashion Week and also walking the runway for Kyle Woodland and Gobanna in Philadelphia where in addition to walking, he also performs live music at the shows.
Behind the Scenes and In-Betweens: The Crew
Evan Aretz: Production Manager/Coordinator. Hailing from "The "People's Republic of Brooklyn", Evan has worked for the last several years in the film industry in both Los Angeles and New York, and, on projects ranging from Feature films, Commercials, Music videos, Fashion shoots, and more. He is a graduate of the University of Vermont where he studied Film & Television Theory and Production.
Whether it be onboarding and taking care of crew members, dealing with paperwork, managing petty cash or acting as an AD, Evan’s versatility makes him not only a highly competent crew leader but someone you can always count on to come through, in any event.
On his free time, he creates 3D sculpts, silkscreen, and short animations.
Whether it be onboarding and taking care of crew members, dealing with paperwork, managing petty cash or acting as an AD, Evan’s versatility makes him not only a highly competent crew leader but someone you can always count on to come through, in any event.
On his free time, he creates 3D sculpts, silkscreen, and short animations.