Nearly three dozen people from all across the United States converged on the Tampa Bay area last week to let the world know about two evil grandmothers who used diabolical and deadly schemes to profit financially.
But the “threat” wasn’t real. Rather, it was the story of “Killer Grannies,” a film based on real life events.
The husband and wife team of Chuck and Karolina Morrongiello are directing and producing the thriller. The key filming locations throughout Pasco and Hernando counties were chosen because the couple lives in Land O’ Lakes.
Some of those locations included The Golden Egg Café in Carrollwood, the Edgecomb Courthouse in downtown Tampa, Caliente Resort & Spa in Land O’ Lakes, Perry Harvey Sr. Park in Tampa, Perich Eye Center in Trinity and Big League Haircuts in Land O’ Lakes.
Chuck Morrongiello, who has previously worked in the insurance industry, wrote the screenplay for “Killer Grannies.” It’s based on a common scheme in the insurance industry — when people take insurance policies out on others for their own financial gain.
The main characters in the motion picture are Kate Roberts played by Jann VanDyke, and Rosa Peters played by Rena Romano. Peters is reportedly the crazier of the two grandmothers.
Several other professional actors and actresses from across the U.S. are in the motion picture, including Chase DeMoss, who plays the role of Tom Watson, a down-on-his-luck homeless man. A professional makeup artist spared no effort in making DeMoss look homeless and bedraggled for the role.
Granny Roberts makes the acquaintance of Watson, who has been feeding himself by rummaging through other people’s garbage, and she treats him to an all-expenses-paid meal at The Golden Egg Café. During that meal, Roberts pretends to care for Watson and comforts him as he tells her a story about his sad past life, including unfortunate things that happened in his family.
Later on in the film, the two grandmothers offered to help Watson get cleaned up so he can reenter society, and provide him a job at the Ostara Floral Shop that both the women own and operate.
And that’s where the nefarious insurance scheme begins. No spoilers here!
Matt Sabel, a student at the Winter Park campus of Full Sail University, a learning institution specializing in entertainment media and emerging technologies, served as a grip production assistant. He’s now able to add the film to his resume as he pursues his degree in digital cinematography.
Veteran cinematographer Adam Boster did the majority of the filming, a trade he’s worked in nearly 40 years.
In addition to serving as a producer, Karolina Morrongiello acts in the film as well. She’s also involved in editing the film and guiding it through the post-production process, which will take between 12 months and 18 months.
Once finished, “Killer Grannies” will be eligible to be distributed throughout the world. A couple of the films the Morrongiellos have previously produced and directed, through their production company 3 Rats Entertainment LLC, have been seen in as many as 80 different countries, Chuck Morrongiello said.
For additional information about 3 Rats Entertainment LLC, call 813-417-4131, or email .
Published August 21, 2024
