Alia hangs out between takes.

Alia was 15-yrs old when QUEEN OF CACTUS COVE began filming, which presented the production with the challenge of the strict guidelines for working with a minor: her hours in front of the camera would be limited as would the times of day she could work; a studio teacher would have to be hired.  AFI strongly encouraged the team to avoid working with an actor under 18 and warned the production that they could encounter insurmountable problems that would place the picture in jeopardy.  However, the team chose to listen to their instincts and be as true to the character as possible.  They strongly felt that having Alia play Billie was worth it, and so they committed to doing the additional prep work necessary to handle the restrictions.

Alia concentrates on the scene.

Brenda, the Producer, stressed the importance of being meticulously prepared… so they did their homework.  They researched the detailed guidelines of working with a 15-yr-old minor and ensured they understood the nuances of each rule; they brought in a photo-double to stand in for Alia for over-the-shoulder shots and shots from behind; and Anna rewrote portions of the script to change most of the nighttime scenes to daytime.  Anna and Dominique prepped like never before, keeping their shot list to a minimum, coming up with a wish-list of shots in case time allowed, devising back-up plans in the event that things didn’t go smoothly, and continuously reviewing and revising each day’s schedule and its feasibility. They were ready.

Alia preps for final scene.

The preparation work was grueling, but the result was rewarding: principal photography went more smoothly than anyone expected.  Working with Alia was the best thing they could have done.  Her performance was sophisticated, insightful, funny, honest and spot-on, and Anna and the whole crew loved working with her.  Alia’s professionalism and talent allowed the team not only to shoot their entire shot list AND wish list but additional shots crafted on the spot each day.

Director, Anna Christopher, relaxes with Alia.

The experience of working under tight restrictions BUT with Alia showed the team that the challenge would have been working with an inexperienced minor.  Most minors are inexperienced ... but Alia is far from it.  It also reminded the team to trust their instincts. They understood the intricacies of their film and their strengths and weakness as a team better than anyone else.  Other people’s fears could dissuade some filmmakers, but for the QUEEN OF CACTUS COVE team, making movies is about taking risks and being true to their unique vision.