A Profile on Sassy Mohen by 22 year-old Alicia Sassano
Senior film major, Sassy Mohen is releasing her feature film, “Happy Holidays” this month, (www.happyholidaysfilm.com.) which will premiere at numerous locations in the United States to send a message that although life is difficult, drive and persistence can make dreams come true.
Mohen knew at a young age that film was her passion. According to Mohen, both her parents have worked for television, which ignited her interest in directing films.
"I grew up around it. Plus, I’ve always been ambitious. In high school, I directed five plays, wrote and directed three feature films, and started a student film festival," Mohen said.
“Happy Holidays” was a long process in the making. On Mohen's first day of class as a freshman at Chapman University, not only did she feel intimidated, she was told by professors to just quit.
"I had moved all the way from Washington D.C., I was scared of California, and my professor told the class to save their money and quit because nobody makes it in this industry. But one of the only things that has ever made sense to me is film, quitting just wasn’t an option," Mohen said.
Marissa Crisafulli believes that Mohen will achieve anything she sets her mind to. "The thing with is, is that she is so driven and motivated that she takes the initiative to go after what she wants where most Chapman students sit and wait for the initiative to come to them," Crisafulli said.
The summer after her freshman year, Mohen kept a journal of all her thoughts and feelings which initiated the blossom of “Happy Holidays.” At the time however, it was only a hobby for Mohen, something she did after school.
"I edited what I started with to make it more fictional. Finally the summer after my sophomore year I pulled a mock cast together, including one of my good friends John Maher," Mohen said.
Shortly thereafter John committed suicide, sparking Mohen to change the theme of the movie.. According to Mohen, John had just graduated high school and felt that life would not get any better. Mohen recalled her friend expressing that life was too hard as one got older and too complicated to deal with problems.
"Growing up is tough, but I want to figure it out. I changed the theme to my main character overcoming her past and moving on with her future. Yes, you're going to get kicked around, but I wanted people to watch this movie, relate to it and change from it. I want kids to watch it and not be afraid to go to college and maybe even prevent another suicide," Mohen said.
Mohen has edited and reedited her script for “Happy Holidays,” to make it be a polished piece of artwork to her audience’s liking. “Happy Holidays” has a full Chapman cast who has been dedicated to help Mohen create her film in the image she desired.
“They have been more than dedicated throughout this long process. They have put this before work and stuck with me despite numerous people telling us we’d never succeed,” Mohen said. “Their performance’s are stellar and through hopeful distribution I want to eventually pay the five amazing leads with the money they deserve.”
Mohen held auditions at the beginning of 2006. After casting, she started shooting in late October of 2006. They continued to shoot all through spring of 2007. She has worked diligently post production, working with editor Ross Mathy to get the final version, which will be previewed December 7 this year at the Folino Theater in Chapman at 6:30PM. Since production, Mohen has been attempting to “bring Happy Holiday’s to the masses.” She attends night clubs in Los Angeles and Orange County to promote the release of her first full length feature film.
Mohen had no money when starting film making. She used bedrooms and houses of friends and different locations for her film. Friend, Director of Photography and Co-Producer, Dillon Morris took Mohen’s film to another level professionally by his parents partially funding the movie.
“If it wasn’t for Dillon’s help, it would have never happened,” Mohen said. ”He is a brilliant DP and wonderful to work with.”
Friend, Candy Landau believes the film industry will be blown away by Mohen as a person. According to Candy, Mohen is not only driven, but intelligent and has a unique qualities that attribute her towards success.
"She is wise beyond her years. She has a young and fresh perspective on modern story telling in film," Landau said.
Mohen will show 15-30 screenings of her film, raising money to eventually send her film to festivals. Ultimately, Mohen wants to show her film internationally to high schools and colleges not only so her message will be heard, but so everyone who has put their time and effort into the project will benefit. . Mohen already has newspapers from her home town aware of her film, including The Washington Post.
“I admire her and respect the fact that she has gone against the grain of the normal Chapman student,” Crisafulli said.
“Well, it hasn’t been easy. But sometimes it’s almost not worth it without a challenge,” Mohen said.
article by Alicia Sassano (sassa100@chapman.edu)
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