TOMI
HINKKANEN was born in Turku, Finland. After receiving a much wanted super
8mm camera as a 14th birthday present, he begun making amateur films,
harnessing friends and relatives as (sometimes reluctant) actors. After
graduating from high school, he got accepted at California State University
in Northridge to study film. So he crossed the pig pond to the U.S. for the
first time at the tender age of 19. Tomi studied radio, TV, film, as well as
general subjects at CSUN and then transferred to Columbia
College Hollywood where he earned his B.A. in Film. Upon graduating, Tomi
returned to his native country where he started a successful video
production company and worked as a news reporter in Helsinki for the Finnish
TV network MTV3. In 1994 Tomi returned to his beloved Los Angeles. He has
been working as a freelance journalist ever since, filing TV, radio and
print stories for Finnish news outlets. In 2006 Tomi started studying method
acting under Lorinne Vozoff at the Theatre Group Studio in West Los Angeles.
This sparked the old flame of movie making and as a result, he wrote,
directed and co-produced "Creature of Habit" with Jonny Kahleyn using many
actors from Ms. Vozoff's group. Tomi wants to thank everyone involved with
the project and is looking forward to a continued co-operation with his
actors.
CAST AND FRIENDS GATHER FOR THE SCREENING OF 'CREATURE
OF HABIT'
Sci-fi
horror movie Creature of Habit is screened for Cast and Crew (and
friends) at Studio Stage in Hollywood.
The special by-invitation-only Cast and Crew gathering took place at Bill
Sterritt's Studio Stage Theater in Hollywood on
Easter Sunday.
Many of the cast and their guests joined in the fun. Creature's stars
Nadine Aurel and Shevaun Cavanaugh Kastl posed for pictures in front of the
movie poster. Melissa Anderson, who plays Latisha Washington in the
film, came to see it with her boyfriend Yaze. Geneviere Anderson, who plays
the sassy Dolly Malone, brought her friend Patty. David Fruechting
(Professor Samuel Hill)
was happy to be rejoined with other cast members. Brian Mayfield ( Bruce)
exchanged greetings with Andreas Anderson, who portrays Root in the film.
Evan Olman, who is hilarious as the hangover roommate in the film, was happy
to see his old acting buddies at the screening.
The screening was also attended by friends and supporters without whom
Creature of Habit would not have been made. Taisto Liski not only performed
in some of the the movie's funniest scenes, but also kindly hosted all of us
during a grueling 2 week shoot in Idyllwild., CA. Taisto came to
the screening with his wife, Helka. Lorinne Vozoff, the artistic director of
Theatre Group Studio, attended the screening with her spouse Jerome. Seven of our
actors are from Ms. Vozoff's theater group. Michelle McCarty came with
her daughter Caitlin. The mother-daughter team run the Irish Rose Music
Company, which produced three of the songs heard in the movie. Jouni Passi
came with his beautiful wife Lana. Jouni was our underwater cinematographer. Background actors Taimi and Erkki Mäkikihniä arrived in their Sunday best
and enjoyed the film in the front row. Long-time arts patron Bill Sterritt
was ever so helpful in letting us use his theater. He saw the film with his
wife Mary. Also present were musicians Alain Figueroa from the band Carbol
Fusion who was accompanied by girlfriend Carmen and his parents and Justin Dzuban whose music were highlights of the film.
Producer Jonny Kahleyn made it all happen technically in the solitude of the
projection booth above the stage. Audiences in both shows watched
intensively and a roar of laughter filled the venue from time to time. An
hour and 37 minutes seemed to fly by until the end credits started rolling.
We are very grateful to our cast & crew , supporters and
friends. without whom Creature of Habit could never have been made.. Our
heartfelt thanks to all of you for making it happen!
