Jan Cartwright, Phillip J. Hughes

MAY 23, 2010—WYANDOTTE, MI—The home of a former steel mill worker became the ghostly setting for “Toby’s Room,” the latest episode of Michigan’s first and only locally produced dramatic TV series.

Lead player Jan Cartwright, a veteran of many local stage and film productions, brought her unique skills as a character actress to her role as Edie, a domineering wife whose love/hate relationships with her two sons drives the story. By day, Cartwight’s activities are decidedly more conventional. “I’m a professional photographer,” she says. “I own the Bounce Photography studio and specialize in portrait and event photography. But I love acting as well.”

Joining her were Phillip J. Hughes and Alex Munteneau as her emasculated husband Sherman and least-favored son Billy, respectively. Local FX makeup artist, Jason Hiltz, of Howling Mad Studios in Novi, made a memorable guest appearance as her preferred son. “Toby’s Room” is set in motion by Billy’s return home after a three-year stretch in boarding school. Finding his mysterious parents still at odds, he discovers the house is also inhabited by an unseen guest whose presence becomes undeniable after a session with a Ouija board and an unforgettable bit of magic in the reflection of an old, ornate mirror.

Kevin O'Connor, David Kennedy, Sandy Carpenter, James Meyers, Phillip Hughes, Jan Cartwright, Derek Hanna, Donna Terwillinger, Eric Dodson, Brion Dodson, Alex Munteneau (seated), Jamie Lynn Turner (seated)

Staffed by a team of up-and-coming local filmmakers, “Toby’s Room” features the work of numerous recent graduates from the Lifton Institute for Media Skills in Allen Park. Eric Dodson served as sound engineer while gaffers Richard LeValley and James Meyers provided the show’s beautifully saturated hues. 1st AD David Kennedy kept filming ahead of schedule and wrapping early with the help of 2nd AD Derek Hanna and script/continuity supervisor Jamie Lynn Turner. Set designer Donna Terwillinger joined forces with property master Sandy Carpenter to create ghostly manifestations to great effect.

“Toby’s Room” will air Thursdays at midnight and Saturdays at 10:30pm on select Comcast and WOW! systems throughout August, 2010. See the Air Dates page of www.themidnighthour.tv for details.

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