"Son of the Sunshine" was a feature film I shot in the summer of 2009. It was written and directed by Ryan Ward, produced by Paul Fler and Chayse Irvin was our director of photography. It was Ryan's first feature length film and since it's completion we have been nominated for three awards and won nine, including "Best feature film", "Best ensemble cast" and "The audience choice award" at various film festivals around the world.

   To date, this film was one of the best acting experiences of my life.  The cast and crew did not take on this project for the money because believe me when I say it was very low budget.  We were all commited to telling a great story and because we believed in the project. 

   When I received my audition time for the character of Meryl (Sonny's sister) the script really caught my eye.  The story was unique, gritty, and emotionally raw.  I wanted to challenge myself and have the opportunity to dive into a character with such a complex back story.  I remember the casting director telling me to show up at the callbacks looking more like the character, she even told me to grease up my hair a bit.  So, there I was in a short, frayed jean skirt, ripped tights, a tank top that exposed my stomach, baby oil in my hair and black eye makeup that was running down my face.  I might have looked a little crazy, but it definitely helped me get into character.

   The rehearsal process began with a few of the cast members taking a trip to downtown Toronto to visit a drug rehabilitation center.  They provided drugs to addicts in a safe and oraganized manner to help ween them off of their chosen drug.  We got the chance to talk with a few addicts, some of which had been homeless in the past and hear about how they ended up on the streets and what it was like living there from day to day.  They shared stories of partying and binging and in the same sentence spoke about their family and love for their children.  One woman even taught us how to shoot up step by step, so when we were filming it would look authentic.  They were so quick to help us and let us into their lives, I honestly had a new outlook on things after leaving that building, which proved to me that you really can't judge a book by it's cover.

   The entire film was shot within a two month period.  It was a lot of long days, tedious weather at times and catching naps whenever you could.  There were a couple tribulations along the way, like one of the lead characters being replaced at the last minute, the animal trainer loosing his bird while filming, or having to run on and off the train tracks every time a train came, so we could film a scene there without having a permit.  In the end all the hard work is worth it when you see the final product and have many life long stories and friends to show for it.

A huge thank you to everyone involved for making this experiance so memorable!!!  This film has been dedicated to the casting director, Crystal Kramer who lost her fight to cancer in February 2011.  We thank you for your hard work and the inspiration you have given to all of us.  You will never be forgotten!  You can find more information about the film, cast and crew at www.sonofthesunshine.com

  The film recently premiered on The super channel on rogers cable (336) and will be playing periodically throughout the month of March.  If you did not catch it on TV the Toronto premiere is scheduled for Aril 8th to the 14th, 2011 at the Carlton Cinemas (20 Carlton Street).  Please contact the Theatre for show times and prices.  I can't wait to see everyone at the opening!

Movie Synopsis

From the dirty streets and cool fields of low-income Ontario, Canada, comes the story of Sonny Johnns, a young man with Tourettes Syndrome.

Fed up with his existence in an angry, co-dependent relationship with his maudlin mother and his tough as nails sister, Sonny spends his savings from years of disability payments to undergo an experimental procedure that promises to eradicate his symptoms.

Upon his recovery, Sonny, entirely cured of spontaneous outbursts, garners the courage to live a normal life - but not without a price. His sister, Meryl, moves out and his mother, no longer the center of Sonny's life, takes a turn for the worse, becoming dependent on her despicable boyfriend and dealer. Meanwhile, Sonny discovers that the surgery has somehow smothered an amazing supernatural gift he has had all his life: the uncanny ability to heal the sick and the dying.

He meets Arielle, a lost soul like himself, and experiences love for the first time. Striking out on his own, Sonny feels he is finally leaving his oppressive past behind him. But as his "normal" life begins to unravel, Sonny realizes that perhaps his journey was less about becoming normal than voyaging back to himself, uncovering dark family secrets and discovering who he is and where he came from.

A story of the truly extra-ordinary, littered with the fiery angst of a young man and his quest for the all-healing power of love.

The Cast 

Ryan Ward as Sonny Johnns

Shantelle Canzanese as Meryl Johnns

Rebecca McMahon as Arielle

JoAnn Nordstrom as Liz Johnns

Craig Porritt as John

Robert Skeates as Uncle Jackie

Steven L. Bird as Uncle Leonard

Jordan Duarte as Doug

The Trailer

Behind The Scenes of "Son of the Sunshine"