Magnolia Pictures Presents
A Capacity Pictures Production
MATTHEW BRODERICK
& BRITTANY SNOW
FINDING
AMANDA
A film by Peter Tolan
90 min., Rated R
Distributor Contact:
Jeff Reichert
Matt Cowal
Arianne Ayers
Magnolia Pictures
49 W. 27th St., 7th Floor
New York, NY 10001
(212) 924-6701 phone
(212) 924-6742 fax
publicity@magpictures.com
Press Contact NY/Nat’l:
Betsy Rudnick
Falco Ink
850 7th Ave., Suite 1005
New York, NY 10019
(212) 445-7100 phone
betsyrudnick@falcoink.com
Press Contact LA/Nat’l:
Steven Zeller
GS Entertainment
522 N. Larchmont Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90004
(323) 860-0270 phone
(323) 860-0279 fax
StevenZeller@gsemg.com
49 west 27th street
7th floor
new york, ny 10001
tel 212 924 6701
fax 212 924 6742
www.magpictures.com
Synopsis
From director Peter Tolan, creator of the hit television series Rescue Me, comes Finding
Amanda, a hilarious and heartbreaking autobiographical comedy about the compulsions
we can’t shake, and the unlikely lengths we’ll go to while trying.
Taylor Mendon (Matthew Broderick) is a television writer and producer working on a
low-rated, little-respected half-hour sitcom. Once destined for bigger and better things,
Taylor's compulsive gambling, recreational drug use and drinking all conspired to throw
his career off the rails. After kicking the alcohol and drugs, he only has one more
hurdle...the horses.
His beautiful twenty - year old niece Amanda (Brittany Snow) has her own habit to kick.
Living in Las Vegas, working as a "dancer," her family has just discovered she is actually
a prostitute, and they suspect hooking for drug money.
On their way home from an emergency family meeting, Taylor's wife Lorraine (Maura
Tierney) finds recent racing stubs in Taylor's glove compartment. After years of standing
by him, she leaves.
Taylor comes up with a plan: he'll win back his wife by doing the right thing. He'll go to
Las Vegas, find Amanda, and deliver her to a rehabilitation center in Malibu. While he’s
at it, he might even catch up with some old friends (like slimy casino host Steve Coogan).
But besides that, it’s strictly the business at hand—while he's there, he vows, he won't
gamble a single cent, but things don’t turn out quite as he’d planned.
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About the Cast
MATTHEW BRODERICK (Taylor Mendon)
Taylor Mendon, portrayed by Matthew Broderick, is a witty, successful television
producer who is trying to reconstruct his shaky career. He’s a recovering alcoholic and
drug addict but won’t admit to his latest addiction- playing the horses. When his wife
Lorraine, dispatches him to Vegas to convince their young niece, Amanda, to enter rehab,
Taylor sees it as his golden opportunity to sneak in some heavy gambling and finds
himself slipping back into some very bad habits. Broderick, a two-time Tony awardwinning stage actor and instantly recognizable film presence, recently wrapped
production in the feature film THEN SHE FOUND ME opposite Helen Hunt, who also
directed. Broderick recently starred in the hit comedy DECK THE HALLS alongside
Danny Devito. In 2007, Broderick was seen in MARGARET with Matt Damon and
Mark Ruffalo. His voice was also heard in the Dreamworks animated film BEE MOVIE
opposite Jerry Seinfeld. He most currently finished filming DIMINISHED CAPACITY
opposite Alan Alda and Virginia Madsen. He will next begin work on WONDERFUL
WORLD alongside Sophie Okonedo. In 2005, he also starred in the feature film version
of THE PRODUCERS reprising the Tony nominated performance he gave on Broadway
in this smash hit musical.
Broderick starred in the critically acclaimed YOU CAN COUNT ON ME opposite Laura
Linney. He also earned considerable acclaim starring opposite Reese Witherspoon in the
critically lauded and Independent Spirit Award winning political satire ELECTION,
directed by Alexander Payne. Broderick has also starred in such blockbuster movies as,
FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF, GLORY, GODZILLA, ADDICTED TO LOVE, THE
CABLE GUY, INSPECTOR GADGET, WAR GAMES, and Disney’s THE LION
KING, as the adult voice of Simba. Additional credits include MRS. PARKER AND
THE VICIOUS CIRCLE, MAX DUGAN RETURNS, PROJECT X, FAMILY
BUSINESS, THE FRESHMAN, THE NIGHT WE NEVER MET, THE LAST SHOT
and THE STEPFORD WIVES.
BRITTANY SNOW (Amanda)
Brittany Snow is one of the brightest and most engaging acting talents to emerge in
recent years. Brittany will next be seen in the Screen Gems psychological thriller, PROM
NIGHT, which releases theatrically on April 11th, 2008. She has also just wrapped
filming the lead role in the independent feature, VICIOUS KIND.
Snow’s most recent film credit is New Line Cinema’s HAIRSPRAY, playing Amber Von
Tussle, the daughter of Michelle Pfeiffer’s character, Velma Von Tussle. Additional
upcoming films include the title role in the independent film FINDING AMANDA
opposite Matthew Broderick which will be premiering this year at the Tribeca Film
Festival and she will also star in the upcoming Tony Kaye film BLACK WATER
TRANSIT.
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Snow was seen in the FOX movie JOHN TUCKER MUST DIE in her first leading film
role. She made her big-screen debut in the box-office hit THE PACIFIER for Disney
starring opposite Vin Diesel. Brittany had a recurring role as Matt’s neo-nazi girlfriend
on FX’s ‘NIP/TUCK’ as well.
A native of Tampa, Florida, Brittany began her acting career appearing in and lending her
voice to numerous national commercials. She also starred in theater performances
including the national tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Snow made the transition to television when she landed a starring role on the longrunning daytime drama “Guiding Light.” Brittany would commute on the weekends from
Florida to New York City where the show was taped. Additional television credits
include: “Safe Harbor,” “Sea Quest DSV” and the pilot “Murphy’s Dozen.” Her next
project was the NBC series “American Dreams”. Snow played Meg Pryor, a teen in the
60’s struggling to find balance between her family’s strict upbringing and her own
desires as a young woman.
MAURA TIERNEY (Lorraine Mendon)
As Lorraine Mendon, the wife of Taylor, Maura Tierney portrays the attractive,
longsuffering woman who has put up with Taylor’s addictions for years and who is
finally hopeful that Taylor is conquering his many demons. Tierney, one of the brightest
acting talents to emerge in recent years, is currently gracing television screens every
week on the top rated NBC series ER for which she received her first Emmy nomination.
Prior to joining the cast of ER, Tierney spent four years on the critically acclaimed NBC
series NEWSRADIO.
Tierney has successfully managed to juggle both television and film careers. After
playing Jim Carrey’s wife in LIAR LIAR. Maura has been very busy with big screen
roles when not shooting ER. She is currently filming Universal’s BABY MAMA with
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. She was recently seen in New Line Cinema’s SEMI-PRO
opposite Will Ferrell and Woody Harrelson. She has starred in another film for Magnolia
Pictures called DIGGERS, where she shared the screen with Paul Rudd, Ken Marino,
Josh Hamilton, Ron Eldard, Laura Ambrose and Sarah Paulson. The film was directed
by Katherine Dieckmann and is about two generations of clam diggers trying to maintain
their way of life in the midst of enormous changes in the Hamptons during the 1970’s.
Tierney can also be seen in the upcoming film THE GO-GETTER, which premiered at
the 2007 Sundance Film Festival.
STEVE COOGAN (Jerry)
Steve Coogan portrays Michael Henry, Taylor’s Las Vegas Casino host who is a
masterful schmoozer willing to do anything to make his clients happy. Coogan, born and
raised in Manchester, first made his reputation on the small screen and appeared in such
projects as FIRST EXPOSURE, THE PRINCE’S GALA TRUST for the Prince and
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Princess of Wales, STAND-UP, UP-FRONT, PARAMOUNT CITY, LONDON
UNDERGROUND and WORD IN YOUR EAR. In 1992 he won the Perrier Award for
his show STEVE COOGAN IN CHARACTER WITH JOHN THOMPSON, at which he
launched his character Paul Calf.
In 1994 at the British Comedy Awards he won Top Male Comedy Performer, Top
Comedy Personality and KNOWING ME, KNOWING YOU won Best New Television
Comedy. Steve appeared in a lead role in the film REVENGERS COMEDIES and in a
Screen 1 film entitled THE FIX. Steve won two BAFTA’S for Best Comedy Series and
Best Comedy Performance for his series I’M ALAN PARTRIDGE.
Steve then co-starred in Frank Coraci’s AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS’,
as Phileas Fogg, with Jackie Chan as Passepartout. He was also was featured in a
segment of Jim Jarmusch’s film COFFEE & CIGARETTES which debuted at the 2004
Venice film festival. Steve was seen in the blockbuster NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM
along side Ben Stiller and is currently shooting TROPIC THUNDER directed by Stiller
starring Jack Black and Matthew McConaughey.
PETER FACINELLI (Greg)
Peter Facinelli is Greg, Amanda’s sleazy, live in boyfriend. He’s a man of limited
means, mentality and morals, and frequently sneaks other girls in while Amanda is
working. Peter Facinelli’s eclectic and impressive performances have established him as
one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actors. Facinelli most recently wrapped a recurring
role on DAMAGES, a legal thriller for FX starring Glenn Close. Facinelli’s recent roles
include starring opposite Eric Stoltz and Tate Donovan in the independent film THE
LATHER EFFECT, which debuted at the 2006 LA Film Festival, and alongside Christian
Slater in Columbia Pictures’ HOLLOW MAN 2 as a detective working to protect a
biologist from a volunteer soldier/assassin (Slater) gone mad. He also starred in A&E
Network’s action packed and inspiring true story TOUCH THE TOP OF THE WORLD,
which centered on Facinelli’s character Erik Weihenmayer, the first blind man to climb
Mt. Everest.
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About the Filmmakers
PETER TOLAN (Writer, Director)
Emmy® Award-winning writer/producer Peter Tolan serves as executive producer on
RESCUE ME, the critically acclaimed, one-hour drama from Sony Pictures Television
for FX. For RESCUE ME’s first season, Tolan, and his writing partner Denis Leary,
garnered an Emmy® nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series, and Tolan
was also recognized with an Emmy® nomination for his directing work on the show’s
pilot.
Additionally, Tolan and fellow producers Denis Leary, Jim Serpico and Kerry Orent,
were recognized by the Producer’s Guild of America when RESCUE ME was honored
with the 2005 Visionary Award, which acknowledges producers whose work
demonstrates a unique or uplifting quality. Since the show’s premiere, critics have lauded
Tolan and Leary’s work on the series. The San Francisco Chronicle’s Tim Goodman
wrote, “Now, we’re getting weekly doses of some of TV’s best writing, most authentic
character representations and quirky comedy. … All of a sudden two of the funniest guys
in all of television are helming one of the medium’s most unflinching dramas.”
A Massachusetts native, Tolan’s passion for writing and acting led him to study theater at
the University of Massachusetts – Amherst. He joined the writing staff of the Carol
Burnett sketch show “Carol & Company” in 1990, and then landed writing and producing
gigs on three of the most popular and revered comedies of the 1990’s: “Home
Improvement,” “Murphy Brown” and “The Larry Sanders Show.” For his work on
“Murphy Brown,” Tolan was nominated twice for Emmy® Awards, with one win; and for
“The Larry Sanders Show,” he took home one Emmy® for his six nominations.
Tolan and Leary first paired up when they created, produced and wrote the short-lived
but critically acclaimed series “The Job” for ABC. The duo recently re-teamed to
produce a drama pilot for NBC called “Fort Pit,” which follows a group of flawed NYC
cops that are sent to the only precinct that will take them. “Fort Pit’s” ensemble cast
includes, James Badge Dale, Michael Rispoli, David Call, Dania Ramirez, Elias Koteas,
Cornell Womack and Viola Davis. Tolan also directed the pilot.
In addition to his impressive television work, Tolan boasts an extensive film resume. He
co-wrote and produced the feature film AMERICA’S SWEETHEARTS and wrote the
films JUST LIKE HEAVEN, GUESS WHO, ANALYZE THIS as well as the film’s
sequel, ANALYZE THAT and BEDAZZLED. Tolan also wrote and directed the film,
FINDING AMANDA, soon to be released by Magnolia Pictures, which stars Matthew
Broderick as a television producer with a penchant for drinking and gambling, who is
sent to Las Vegas to convince his troubled niece (Brittany Snow) to enter rehab. His next
film project, which he wrote, is called “The Smoker.” Tolan resides in Montecito, CA.
with his wife Leslie, a supervising producer on RESCUE ME, and their three children.
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WAYNE RICE (Producer)
Wayne Rice brings his extensive experience in film writing and producing to the
FINDING AMANDA production team. His writing and producing credits include
CHASING LIBERTY starring Mandy Moore, the David Spade comedy, LOST AND
FOUND and CLASS ACT starring Kid N’ Play, all for Warner Brothers. He also
produced the hit comedy DUDE, WHERE’S MY CAR for Twentieth Century Fox which
launched the film careers of Ashton Kutcher and Shawn William Scott. In the
independent world he co-wrote and produced the critically acclaimed and financially
successful cult film SUICIDE KINGS starring Christopher Walken and Dennis Leary and
produced THE RUNNER starring John Goodman and Courtney Cox. He recently
launched with his partner Rich Heller CAPACITY PICTURES set up to finance and
produce 3 to 5 films a year. The company just wrapped its second film, NO PLACE
LIKE HOME a comedy starring Danny Devito, which was directed by Sam Harper
(CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN).
Says Rice: “The focus of the company is to find ‘A’ writers who want to direct and give
them a leg-up into the director’s chair
RICHARD HELLER (Producer)
Beginning in 1981, until its sale in 1995, Richard held the position of Vice President of
tradeshow operations for the Interface Group, Massachusetts, the producers of the
COMDEX tradeshows worldwide. While still maintaining his position with The Interface
Group, in 1990, he also assumed the position of Vice-President and General Manager,
where he oversaw the design and development of the Sands Expo and Convention Center
in Las Vegas, the largest privately owned convention center in the country in excess of
one million square feet. Beginning in 1995, he was also involved in portions of the design
and development of The Venetian Resort and Casino in Las Vegas and contributed in the
design and development of the one million square foot exhibition center in Macau, China,
attached to the recently opened Venetian Resort Casino, Macau. In June 2006, he retired
from his then position as the President and General Manager of The Sands Expo and
concurrent position as the Executive Vice President of The Venetian Resort and Casino.
He has since partnered with his long time friend of 20 years Wayne Rice, a respected
industry writer and producer, to form CAPACITY PICTURES.
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CAST
Taylor Mendon MATTHEW BRODERICK
Amanda BRITTANY SNOW
Lorraine Mendon MAURA TIERNEY
Greg PETER FACINELLI
Michael Henry STEVE COOGAN
Ed Begley, Jr. HIMSELF
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CREDITS
Written and Directed by
PETER TOLAN
Produced by WAYNE RICE
RICHARD HELLER
Executive Producer LESLIE TOLAN
Co-Producer
MARK BENTON JOHNSON
Director of Photography TOM HOUGHTON
Production Designer
ERICH SCHULTZ
Film Editor PAUL ANDERSON
Music by
Costume Designer
CHRISTOPHER TYNG
ALEXIS SCOTT
Stunt Coordinator
BOBBY C. KING
‘Amanda’ Stunt Double ALLISON CAETANO
Stand In Taylor RUFINO OCAMICA
Stand In Amanda ASHENPUTTEL ABRAMS
Unit Production Manager
JULES KOVISARS
First Assistant Director ERIC A. POT
Second Assistant Director ERIC GLASSER
Production Coordinator TINA THOLKE
A.P.O.C. DAVID C. BERNAT
Office Production Assistants JOHN LONG
JADE MILLER
ALEXANDER SOTO
JAMIE KATZ
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Second Second Assistant Directors DENISE ANDERSON POORE
CHAD SAXTON
TAYLOR PHILLIPS
Key Set Production Assistant MICHAEL BREINES
Set Production Assistant STEPHANIE JAMES
ANDREW YEAGER
DYLAN STERN
CHIHIRO NAGURA
MATT PRISK
Assistant to Producers JOY SANIEL WALLER
Assistant to Mr. Broderick MEL HANSEN
Location Manager ALASDAIR BOYD
Key Assistant Location Manager DIANA LARA
Art Director ALEXANDER PANOV
Set Designer CAMILLE BRATKOWSKI
Set Decorator MARSHA DANIELS
Lead man PAUL PASTORELLI
On Set Dresser MELISSA MERRITT
Swing Gang JESSE LEE VINT
JOSH WEBB
STEVE SMALLY
Art Department PA ALEKSANDRA LANDSBERG
A Camera Operator DAN TURRETT
Steadicam MARK MEYERS
HENRY TIRL
First Assistant Camera ROD CALARCO
Second Assistant Camera KAT FARRY
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Loader HERA GUILLERMO
Additional First Assistant Camera ANDREW DUMAS
Still Photographer TRACY BENNETT
Production Accountant GARY CLARK
First Assistant Accountant DENISE KNUDSON
Sound Mixer HARRISON “DUKE” MARSH
Boom Operator TOM FOX
Cable/Utility Sound KEVIN PATTERSON
Cable Man KYLE FOX
Video Assist KARL VINDLER
Computer / Video Playback Supervisor TODD A. MARKS
Computer / Video Playback Technicians JEB JOHENNING
JARED ROSEN
LAPD Coordinator MIKE MIKELSON
Property Master GUILLAUME DELOUCHE
Assistant Property Master MICHAEL VINES
Additional Assistant Property Master TAYLOR VAUGHAN
Script Supervisor TRACEY MERKLE
Chief Lighting Technician MAX POMERLEAU
Best Boy Electric MICHAEL “COWBOY” WITCZAK
Lamp Operators CASEY COLES
KURTIS POMERLEAU
NICK POMERLEAU
Key Grip MARK DAVIS
Best Boy Grip SEAN FICKERT
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Dolly Grip DAVID TERRY
Company Grips DALE “SARGE” ROBERTS
MIKE MITCHELL
ANTHONY TELLEZ
Key Costumer SUMMER PETERSEN
Set Costumer SHELLEY CARTER
Additional Set Costumer TAMI SCHWERDTFEGER
Makeup Department Head ROSE LIBRIZZI-DAVIS
Key Makeup KAREN FAYE
Additional Makeup MIKE MEKASH
Hair Department Head KARYN HUSTON
Craft Services TONY ATHERTON
Assistant Craft Services ELLEN YAMAUCHI
OZZY SANTIAGO
Catering By BOBBY WEISMAN
Chef MIGUEL PIMENTEL
Assistant Chef LUIS MEZA
Chef’s Helper JUAN ECHEVERRIA
Construction Foreman JESSE BRINGAS
General Foreman JOE ANDERSON, JR
Prop makers KEITH LUDWIG
JEFF SMITH
Sculptor CLAYTON GRANGER
Laborer ARIES LEPE
KEVIN VALENTINE
Set Painter MICHELLE JOYCE
DIANA SLOWSKI
Set Medic LARRY BALLARD
Casting Assistant GENE VASSILAROS
Extras Casting RICH KING CASTING
RICH KING / DAWN DEIBERT
Animal Coordinator STEVE BERENS
Research Provided By ACT 1/RAFFI PALOULIAN
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Clearances Provided By ASHLEY KRAVITZ
Transportation Coordinator TED MOSER
Transportation Captain DOUG MILLER
Drivers JARED ABBATOYE
TIMOTHY ABBATOYE
MICHAEL BIRNKRANT
JOSE CISNEROS
DIANE GLAVIN
MARK HENDRIX
TONY MERCIER
KEN MERITT
FRANK ROUGHAN
LEN SCALETTA
Post Production Supervisor DAN VOLTZ
Assistant Editor THOMAS BOLGER
Supervising Sound Editor EILEEN HORTA
Music Editor SCOTT SCHIRLE
Dialogue Editor T. ASHLEY HARVEY
Foley Recordists BRETT VOSS
Sound Effects Editors
KEVIN McCULLOUGH
HUGH MURPHY
Re-Recording Mixers JOE BARNETT
MATT WATERS
ADR Mixer
WELDON BROWN
DEAN ST. JOHN
Re-Recording Facility TODD AO STUDIOS
Negative Cutting MAGIC FILM WORKS
Titles and Opticals MECHNOLOGY
Legal Services MARK HALLORAN
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Set SecurityCALIFORNIA UNIQUE SECURITY
THE PRODUCERS WISH TO THANK THE FOLLOWING FOR THEIR
ASSISTANCE:
CHRISTINE CHAPMAN
TRICIA BOUZIGARD
SANTA ANITA RACE TRACK
PETE SIBERELL
GEORGE HAINES
STEVEN BERNSTEIN, A.S.C.
MOBILE BEAUTY
JOHN BARRETT @ TODD AO
Camera Dollies by
CHAPMAN/LEONARD STUDIO EQUIPMENT, INC.
Cameras provided by
THE CAMERA HOUSE
Copyright © 2007 by Finding, LLC All Rights Reserved
Finding, LLC is the author of this motion picture for purposes
of copyright and other laws.
The Copyright notice customarily appears in the end titles in a relatively prominent place
(e.g., before the music credits) and must never be the final credit on screen.
The events, characters and firms depicted in this photoplay are fictitious.
Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events or firms
is purely coincidental.
No animals were harmed during the production of this motion picture.
Ownership of this motion picture is protected by copyright and other applicable laws, and
any unauthorized duplication, distribution or exhibition of this motion picture could result
in criminal prosecution as well as civil liability.
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