Ryan Ochoa Stars In The Indie Drama Feature Film “The Samuel Project”

Ryan Ochoa, star of the hit Disney XD comedy series Pair of Kings, and Emmy winner and Golden Globe nominee Hal Linden, star of the long running classic American sitcom Barney Miller have joined the cast of the indie film The Samuel Project that begin principal photography in San Diego on March 2017.

The indie drama feature film, directed by Marc Fusco, the former Steven Spielberg assistant who helmed the comedy My Uncle Rafael and the tense heist film Stealing Time, tells the story of a teen, played by Ryan Ochoa, who gets to know his grandfather Samuel, played by Hal Linden, when he makes him the subject of an animated film project for school. The young teen discovers that his grandpa, a Jewish dry cleaner, was saved from Nazi capture in Germany by a young woman during World War II.

Penned by Fusco and co-writer Chris Neighbors, the indie film was shot entirely in San Diego County.  Scenes were filmed on the streets of Hillcrest, Balboa Park, a pawn shop on University Avenue, the Chuck Jones Gallery in the Gaslamp, a La Jolla estate staged as a Newport Beach mansion, a farm in Ramona, and Shelter Island Cleaners.

 

Rounding out the cast is Ken Davitian, Mateo Arias, Michael B. Silver, Liza Lapira, Malina Moye, Catherine Siggins, and Philippe Bowgen.

The Samuel Project is being produced by Steve Weinberger, Rebecca Reyes, co-producer Gary Cohen of Garmar Ventures and executive producer Jeff Deverett of Deverett Media.

Ryan Ochoa with his dad, Robert Ochoa, reviewing new footage shot for the Samuel Project while getting photobombed by Casey Nicholas-Price, the 1st AD (First Assistant Director)!

Though there’s a good little bit of wit that comes fundamentally with all the generation gap between grandsons and grandfathers. I believe telling the story of someone, who hardly escaped Nazi Germany as a lad, through the lens of his grandson’s art project will give a distinctive glimpse of exactly what the legacy of a lot of survivors might look like now, with all the nice and also the bad.

– Marc Fusco, Director

The Samuel Project (2017)

About the Author: Jim Stroesser

Jim Stroesser has amassed 38 years of experience in global consumer branding across the sports, fashion, and entertainment industries. Starting his career as a tech rep, he ascended to CEO roles with some of the world's leading brands. As the Co-Founder and CEO of CALI Strong Inc., a direct-to-consumer sports brand based in San Diego, CA, Jim has led the company in producing premium apparel, footwear, equipment, and accessories.

His tenure as Owner/Partner at Converse is particularly noteworthy. Jim was pivotal in reviving the brand from bankruptcy in 2001, elevating its value from $120 million to $285 million, and playing a crucial role in its $305 million sale to Nike in 2003, marking one of the century's significant mergers and acquisitions.

Beyond Converse, Jim has held senior management positions at renowned companies such as Nike, Quiksilver, Oakley, LA Gear, Pony, and Adio. He is also actively involved in several boards of directors positions, including SDSI, led by Chairman Bill Walton, which focuses on mentoring companies and assisting in capital raising efforts.