Rupert Friend starts filming 'Renee' with Kat Dennings and Chad Michael Murray

The Orlando Sentinel reports that Kat Dennings, Chad Michael Murray and Rupert Friend are all cast in and have started filming (Wednesday), “The Renee Project” (working title), in Orlando, Florida. The indie drama is based on the true story of Renee Yohe, whose battle with drugs, depression, addiction and cutting led to the creation of the charity group To Write Love On Her Arms.

The movie is about a troubled young woman whose issues with self-esteem, substance abuse and self-injury (“cutting”) will star the formidable Kat Dennings, with Chad Michael Murray and Rupert Friend (“The Young Victoria”) also int the cast.

Friend has largely made his mark in period pieces in the UK (“Cherie,” “Pride & Prejudice,” “The Last Legion”). Read full article here as well as set visit article here.

Also, Collider.com has more info about the indie film, Renee including a press release below...


The press release for The Renee Project:

“RENEE” Starts Filming In Orlando, Florida

KAT DENNINGS, CHAD MICHAEL MURRAY, & RUPERT FRIEND STAR

Independent Movie Also Features Onscreen Musical Performances By
Travie McCoy and Rachael Yamagata, Among Others


Feb. 24, 2011 (Orlando, FL).

Filming has begun on “RENEE,” the independently produced feature film inspired by the true story of Renee Yohe, a young Florida woman whose commitment to cease her cycle of chaos from drug addiction, alcohol abuse and self-injury motivates many teenagers and young adults today.  Starring Kat Dennings (upcoming “Thor,” “Norah and Nick’s Infinite Playlist”) as ‘Renee,’ Chad Michael Murray (“One Tree Hill”) as ‘Jamie Tworkowski’ and Rupert Friend (“The Young Victoria,” “Pride & Prejudice”) as ‘David McKenna,’ the supporting cast also includes Corbin Bleu (“High School Musical”), Mark Saul (“The Social Network,” “Grey’s Anatomy”), Will Peltz (“Sugar”) and Juliana Harkavy (upcoming “Dolphin Tale”).

Nathan Frankowski (“No Saints For Sinners”) directs the movie from the script he helped write with newcomer Kate King Lynch.  Their script is what attracted the attention of this remarkable cast who are some of the brightest young stars of Hollywood.

The story follows 19-year-old Renee (played by Kat Dennings) who has always loved fairy tales: the idea of a princess, a hero and a happily ever after. But Renee’s life is that of a darker tale:  she’s a young woman battling addiction, depression and self-injury.  In a creative blend of artistic fantasy balanced with harsh reality, the movie follows Renee on her courageous journey towards recovery.

Told in juxtaposition between gritty realities and rich fantasy, the film will also have a strong musical presence featuring performances on camera from Travie McCoy and singer/songwriter Rachael Yamagata, among others.

Two Streets Entertainment is a collaborative production endeavor of investors and producers fused together to ensure this story is told.

“Renee” is produced by Cameron “Kim” Dawson, David Blair McKenna, and David Nixon with Executive Producers Tom Swanson and Jayson Stringfellow rounding out the producing team. Paul Sirmons is the Line Producer.

Notably, Producer David Blair McKenna was the person who offered his home to Renee some years ago so she could become sober for those five days before entering rehab, which cemented their life-long friendship.

Jamie Tworkowski, the founder of To Write Love on Her Arms (www.twloha.com), wrote a true story about meeting Renee during those intense five days.  He posted the story on MySpace, and to his surprise, found that it resonated with many teenagers and young adults to the extent that he created the successful non-profit group, naming it after the title of his story, “To Write Love on Her Arms.”  Since 2006, the TWLOHA team has responded to thousands of emails from over one hundred countries asking for help, as well as donating almost $1,000,000 for treatment and recovery.

Music Supervisor Josh Lujan Loveless of Orlando-based Bonded Records is responsible for signing onscreen musical groups for the film. In addition, he secured the rights for “Lose Your Soul,” an original tune from Anti Records’ indie band, Dead Man’s Bones (Ryan Gosling & Zach Shields)

Shot entirely on location in Orlando, where Renee Yohe is from, the movie will feature as many backgrounds and locations as possible from the actual true story.

Two Streets Entertainment is pleased to include Valencia Community College, The DAVE School, and Full Sail University as participants in production.  Some of their film major students are working on this movie to gain valuable experience.

Filming began on Feb. 23 and will wrap on March 29, 2011.

Related article
‘Renee Project’ draws Dennings and Rupert Friend to an Orlando-made film  

Updated 3/1/11...
Like the facebook page for "Renee" the movie. The website for the movie is also now online! Contents coming soon! Also, check out the and Like the real Renee Yohe's facebook page!


Plus if you live in Orlando, Florida, you can sign up to be one of the extras for the following...
EXTRAS CASTING CALL - "MUSIC FESTIVAL SCENE"