Kirstianna, playing young Jessica in Muttnik, a recent William Szarka production, sits coloring and eating her cereal in the kitchen when she and her brother are accosted by their mother's low-life boyfriend. Kirstianna had to portray a range of emotions for the film’s flashback scene which required her to really “gear up” and use her acting skills.
"It was great! I had to be sad, very angry, very scared, screaming even pleading", said Kirstianna. The producers and directors were very good at helping her get into character for the scene.
Her pretend step Dad was so nice in real life while the cameras were not rolling, so it was sometimes hard to think of him as being so mean and cruel in the scene. “It was a great experience because it challenged me to act and use the skills of my trade. I loved being able to truly showcase my acting skills”, said Kirstianna.
Started twelve years ago by Filmmaker William Szarka, Underdog Flicks offers a full range of pre and post-production services for its clients. At 16, William won top honors in The Kodak Teenage Movie Awards for his parody of "The Godfather" entitled "The Grandfather". Frank Yablans, then President of Paramount Pictures saw the film, and, impressed with William's talent, helped him land a job with a prestigious New York film editing house. William then went on to produce and direct the feature film "South Bronx Heroes", starring Mario Van Peebles ("New Jack City", "Ali") and Dan Lauria ("The Wonder Years"). The film opened in New York and Los Angeles, and made Variety's 50 Top Grossing Films list its opening week. Now working with domestic and international film distributors, sales agents, and directors, Underdog Flicks has edited feature-length motion pictures, theatrical trailers, promotional and marketing sales reels, music videos, and television spot advertisements.
Underdog Flicks has also produced two feature length documentaries, "Animals" and "The Untold Christmas Story", as well as the award-winning short film, "The Godson", which was screened at the Sundance Film Festival, USA and Cleveland International Film Festivals.