America's '60's Sweetheart, Tina Cole Stars In Film To Help Promote Burn Survivor Awareness

LOS ANGELES - Sept. 11, 2013 - PRLog -- Los Angeles, California – Actress Tina Cole, best remembered for her roles in the 60s TV shows, “My Three Sons,” “Hawaiian Eye” and “The King Family” will star in a new short movie being made to draw attention to the plight of those who survive severe burns.

Inspired by a tragic childhood memory of a close friend, the movie’s producer, Double Trouble Productions’ Debbie Vaughn – who also produced the successful web television series, “Girl Talk TV” – is creating this new film called “See Me” that depicts the trials and challenges faced by survivors of horrific, debilitating burns.

Vaughn approached Tina Cole about the project and says the actress was immediately interested in being involved, due to her own personal experience with a burn survivor.

“My father-in-law's dear friend was the most burned survivor of WWII, and when I met him for the first time, his disfigurement was quite shocking,” said Cole. “But within 5 minutes of talking with him, all I could see was his warmth, his charm, his humor and his sense of humanity. I have come to realize that it is only our fear that prevents our understanding. And for these reasons, I was delighted to be asked to be a part of this wonderful production.”

Cole is also a member of the famous “King Family” and “The Four King Cousins,” who are also making a singing comeback this year.

Vaughn has teamed up with her identical twin sister, Donna Eames, to produce this film.  They both grew up with a best friend who was a burn survivor from the age of six months old after her baby carriage exploded in flames.   This will be the twins’ first producing project as Double Trouble Productions.

Helming the film is Director Diane Cornell who also wrote the screenplay.  Cornell has worked in film and television production for many years, and is a member of the Directors Guild of America. This will be her second film as a director; and she is slated to direct two other feature films, “Last Night in Savannah” and “Hunted” – both of which she also wrote.

“When I was approached by the producer I was so moved by her passion and personal connection to a childhood burn survivor, how could I not want to be involved?  I’m very excited to work with the producer and our wonderful cast.  Being from Michigan it’s also a great chance for me to give back to a wonderful Michigan organization, The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors,” said Cornell.
The  Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors (http://cd3.campaigndispatch.com/link.php?M=1490101&N=... (http://cd3.campaigndispatch.com/link.php?M=1490101&N=...)), based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, assists in helping burn survivors meet the emotional challenges in recovery, providing the community support and tools they need to thrive again.   According to the American Burn Association (http://cd3.campaigndispatch.com/link.php?M=1490101&N=... (http://cd3.campaigndispatch.com/link.php?M=1490101&N=...)), there are one million burn injuries in the USA annually and an estimated 45,000 hospitalizations.  About half of those hospitalizations are admitted to the 150 specialized burn treatment centers and the other half to the nation’s 5,000 hospitals.  It is estimated that one-third of those injured are children.

Another Foundation the production is supporting is The Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation.  The foundation is based in Burbank, Calif.  Survivors from the foundation will be visiting the set while filming in Simi Valley on October 13, 2013.

Young actors, Dyllan Christopher, star of Warner Brothers’ “Unaccompanied Minors” and Steffani Brass, who played Michaela in the award winning HBO series, Six Feet Under, have been cast as the young leads; and Jamie Bernadette, writer/actress of the new film “The 6^th Friend” starring Dominique Swain will co-star.

Professionals attached to this film are: Cinematographer George Hosek, award-winning Composer James McVay who has scored hundreds of movies for television, Editor Josh Muscatine and Make-Up Artist Thomas Bacho from “Six Feet Under.” Hosek’s film and TV credits include:  Wild Ride, This Side of Eden, Changing Course (short) and the television series “Mother, Full of Grace.”

Filming is scheduled to begin October 12, 2013 and will be filmed locally in Simi Valley, West Hills and Universal City, California.