It's really about realizing we can own a piece of each other's successes, and in so doing, learn to become successful ourselves. Lois Shelton, Foxglove Films         Tootie Pie Conducts Principal Shooting Principal shooting of the independent short film, Tootie Pie, was held in Tacoma, Puyallup, and Auburn, Wash. from May 20-26. Directed by award-winning Seattle filmmaker Virginia Bogert of Laughing Dog Pictures and produced by Susan LaSalle, the project has garnered the endorsement of actor/producer Danny Glover and his production company, Carrie Productions. Adapted from a short story by Tacoma writer Rosalind Norflin Bell, Tootie Pie is set in the segregated America of the 1960s, where Tootie Pie and Claressa are best friends. Middle-class Claressa is well-schooled and protected. Disadvantaged Tootie is the soldier, the risk-taker, the one who stands up defending her place in the world. Claressa looks up to the brave and feisty Audrey "Tootie Pie" Moore, while Tootie longs for Claressa's traditional family and perfect world. At a tender age, they must both face life's hard realities, and Tootie Pie must face her own disreputable mother. Tootie Pie illuminates the powerful bonds of both kinship and friendship seen through the prism of childhood. Tootie Pie's predominantly African-American cast hails from Seattle and Los Angeles. Said Bogert of the shoot,"The production was a great success and overcame squalls and the freight trains' mournful wailings. Support and goodwill was handed out by The City of Tacoma, The Town of Ruston, The Washington State Film Office, The Screen Actors Guild, Don and Beth of Don's Ruston Market, The Town of Puyallup, The Erik Sanders Mansion, Tacoma Railway, The Grand Theater, and The Blue Mouse Theater. The production also supplied internships and job-shadowing of the professional crew and producers by students. To all who took part in the making of Tootie Pie, a heartfelt thank you from our soul." To support the final costs of this unique film, tax deductible donations can be made to Tootie Pie through the Independent Film Project/Seattle; or individuals may also invest in the film. Please contact Susan LaSalle at 206.612-0078 for details. Checks may be mailed to: Tootie Pie Productions, LLC 1506 35th Avenue Seattle, WA 98122 www.tootiepie.com susanlasalle@hotmail.com