Tag Archives: Obba Babatunde’

HUDSON GOES HOLLYWOOD

Hudson County logo Producer PJ Leonard in pre-production for New TV Series HUDSON COUNTY

Shows will feature fictional reality similar to LAW & ORDER

 

 By Sally Deering  

PJ Leonard
PJ Leonard, Creator/ Producer, HUDSON COUNTY

Once upon a time in Hudson County, the splotch of towns across from Manhattan, some strange, brutal and even hilarious happenings seem to have taken place in the dog-eat-dog world of local politics. Just mention former Jersey City Mayor Frank “Boss” Hague, who ruled with iron fists in Kidd gloves from 1917-1947, and people’s ears perk up. Hague’s infamous political career paved the way for those who followed in his corruption-soaked footsteps. Their stories made front page headlines and to film producer PJ Leonard, they also make for good TV.

Leonard has assembled a creative team to launch a new TV series he’s creating, HUDSON COUNTY, which he says, will be fiction based on non-fiction similar to shows like “LAW & ORDER”. He recruited writer Raymond McAnally, whose play SIZE MATTERS earned critical acclaim, and who lived in Jersey City for several years; actors Obba Babatundé and Sonny Marinelli, and Robert S. Fingerman, CPA, founder of Independent Films Production Consultants. Continue reading HUDSON GOES HOLLYWOOD

Jersey City Film Producer PJ Leonard Lends a Helping Hand With The Premiere of Falling Faithful

Executiver Producer PJ Leonard
Here’s Lookin’ at You, Kid!

 

 Film Producer PJ Leonard Rolls out Red Carpet for Little Curly Top at NYC Premier of “The Fallen Faithful”

 By Sally Deering

 Film producer PJ Leonard grew up in Jersey City at a time when mothers taught sons to do the right thing with a smack in the back of the head. He’s one of those tough-talking types with the heart of a marshmallow, like when Bogart says bye-bye to Bergman in “Casablanca.”  Bogey, too, had to do the right thing and maybe his mama cracked him good because he ended up sacrificing his only crack at freedom for the woman he loved.

fallenfaithfullposter_final-001web1 “The Fallen Faithful” is Leonard’s second crack at filmmaking as Executive Producer doing what producers do best – making a movie from script-reading to film screening. As Executive Producer of Other Side of the River Productions Leonard raises money, puts creative teams together, hires actors, negotiates contracts and scouts locations – the bim, bam, boom of movie-making. It’s also his job to get his new film seen, which is exactly what Leonard put in place for Monday, October 25th at the Director’s Guild Theater in New York City where “The Fallen Faithful” makes it’s NYC premiere. It promises to be a glitzy night with the film’s stars Sonny Marinelli and Obba Babatunde attending and one special name on the guest list that isn’t in the credits. 

maggierusso1 Meghan “Maggie” Elizabeth Russo, a curly-topped two year-old from Staten Island was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare form of cancer that forms in the eye. Currently in treatment at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, little Meghan has a tough road ahead as she prepares for a bone-marrow transplant and a series of chemo. Her dad, Mike is a NYC Firefighter and mom, Mary Beth, left her full-time job to care for Maggie, her older brother Michael and baby sister Mary Kate. Keeping the family healthy and happy are Mike and Mary Beth’s number one priority, and according to Leonard, “they look like the happiest people in the world, always doing things together,” but they can use a helping hand paying for necessities like Pampers and babysitters. That’s where Leonard plays a part.

 

Continue reading Jersey City Film Producer PJ Leonard Lends a Helping Hand With The Premiere of Falling Faithful

The Fallen Faithful Hollywood Premiere Monday June 21st -Jersey City’s PJ Leonard Executive Producer

pj-lenoardI have known PJ Leonard for over 25 years. I have seen him in good times and in bad. I am so happy to see him where he is today. On Monday PJ Leonard who now resides in downtown Jersey City will be in Los Angeles at the Arclight Theater for the premiere of  The Fallen Faithful a film that Lenoard was Executive Producer on and produced through  his production company “Other Side of the River Productions.” 

 

the-fallen-faithfulThe Fallen Faithful is Leonards’ second feature length film having also made: “The Immaculate Conception” and  also adding in 2007 and 2008   two short films to his credits: The Hit and Waiting.

The Fallen Faithful stars Sonny Marinelli, who  has appeared in many high profile television productions including  recurring roles on ER, NYPD Blue, and most recently Raising the Bar. The movie also stars Tony Award -nominated actor Obba  Babatunde’ and Mark Margolis.   Obba Babatunde’ and Mark Margolis are faces everyone recognizes instantly having both been in hundreds of televison productions and movies. Margolis in Scarface with Al Pacino for one. Continue reading The Fallen Faithful Hollywood Premiere Monday June 21st -Jersey City’s PJ Leonard Executive Producer