"I wrote the script around the location," Schaff said.

Filming has been ongoing for the past two weeks in the borough, incorporating local nonprofessional actors to bring Schaff 's characters to life.

The 21-year-old director, who lives in East Brunswick, said she decided to use nonprofessional actors to follow in the tradition of some French filmmakers, like Robert Bresson.

"He would take nonactors and put them in these intense roles to keep it as organic as possible," Schaff said.

In the case of Madeline, the main character of "The Yellow House Mystery," Schaff had the role cast before it was written.

Mara Burack, a 10-year-old East Brunswick girl for whom Schaff has baby-sat for five years, helped provide inspiration for writing the film, and seemed a natural for the lead.

"She's a character," Schaff said. "She is very, very intelligent for a 10-year-old. I tell her parents that I would hang out with her even if I wasn't baby-sitting her."

Mara acted in one of Schaff's shorter films at the age of 8, and though the youngster was nervous about "wasting film" during the shooting of "The Yellow House Mystery," she has a great grasp of the character and nothing to worry about, Schaff said.

Mara's parents, Michael Burack and Elizabeth Laufer, have also been helpful in Schaff's work, as in allowing her to shoot scenes in their home.

"They've been so supportive," Schaff said. "They've been amazing."

Like Mara, Madeline is 10 years old and smart for her age. Like Schaff as a child, Madeline is a voracious reader, particularly a fan of the Boxcar Children Series' "The Yellow House Mystery."

"I've always been a big reader, and I knew I wanted to make a childhood film," Schaff said.

In the film, Madeline gleans the adventures for which she longs by reading books. When Mrs. Hunter, her fifth-grade teacher, presents her with "The Yellow House Mystery" to read, it opens up a whole new world for the adventuresome girl. As the children in the book seek to uncover the truth about a hermit in their town, Madeline decides to do the same, searching for answers about the recluse in her own quiet hometown in the borough.

"I've always been fascinated about the idea of a hermit," Schaff said.

While the story of Sammy Lewis, a small-town hermit, and the secrets that surround him provide for a compelling plot, the film delves into a deeper theme that touches each of its main characters.

"In my films, I define tragedy by the loss of passion," Schaff said. "I'm really interested in that."

Schaff's favorite film "The Red Shoes" explores such a theme, and she calls upon an exchange between two of its main characters to explain her own passion for the art form.

"Why do you want to dance?" Boris Lermontov asks Vicky Page in the movie.

"Why do you want to live?" she asks him, in the form of an answer.

That inherent need to express one's innermost dreams by bringing them to fruition has been a theme in Schaff's life.

"I always wanted to be a storyteller," she said.

As early as second grade, Schaff was writing short stories, which she would then craft into books. By fifth grade, in response to the question of what she wanted to be when she grew up, Schaff wrote "writer/director." Though she wasn't quite sure at the time exactly what a director did, Schaff said, she somehow knew it would be her calling. 

After graduating from NYU, Schaff plans to attend Columbia University's graduate program, for either film theory or English, she said. She also has big plans for the film.

"My highest goal for the film is to get it into festivals [like] Sundance, Cannes — especially Cannes," Schaff said.

According to Schaff, such films can also serve as a "calling card" for fledgling filmmakers, sometimes getting picked up to be made into feature films.

Using various techniques she has picked up during her education, Schaff is working to create her vision in a way that will capture audiences in the way she has been captivated by the work of other filmmakers.

"I love epic films that use experimental technique," Schaff said. "I love watching things that work to expand and improve on the medium."

Schaff's own area of expertise is French New Wave, an experimental movement that bucked established norms in filmmaking. In "The Yellow House Mystery," Schaff uses Technicolor during flashback sequences, and a black-andwhite New Wave Hollywood cinematic style to represent the present time.

Reminiscent of 1950s films by Douglas Sirk, "The Yellow House Mystery" falls into the melodrama category, much in the way American Movie Channel's (AMC) popular series "Mad Men" does, Schaff said.

"Melodrama has become such a negative term of recent date that I try to stay away from using it," Schaff said.

Casting for the film came easy to Schaff for the most part, and the actors are as enthusiastic as she is about the project.

"I'm really into working with actors — that's my thing," Schaff said. "They're really excited to do it, they're willing to take direction, they want to know more about the characters ... they're amazing."

Like her casting of Mara in the role of Madeline, Schaff knew exactly whom she would use for the role of Mrs. Hunter. Mary Ann Cochran, an Advanced Placement English and drama teacher at Spotswood High School, taught Schaff during her high school years. Schaff told Cochran at the time that she would one day write a role for her, and made good on her promise, revamping a character she had created in high school, she said.

Finding someone to play Sammy Lewis was not quite as simple. At first, Schaff searched for a violinist for the role, as the character plays the violin extensively in the film. When that did not pan out, Schaff used her resources to search elsewhere.

Her father, Michael Schaff, is an attorney with Woodbridge based Wilentz, Goldman and Spitzer. Schaff trolled the firm's Web site for possible candidates for the part, and came upon Richard Lert, who was happy to take on the role, she said.

"He's really great," Schaff said, adding, "I think he was kind of confused about why I wanted a lawyer [for the part]."

Along with the glowing appraisals of her cast, Schaff could not say enough about the help she is receiving from a number of other sources.

"Film is such a collaborative process," Schaff said. "I wouldn't be able to do this on my own."

She lauded Milltown Superintendent of Schools Linda Madison, with whom she said was close while growing up, and Mayor Gloria Bradford for their support and help with the project. She was also grateful to Michael Taubenslag, who runs a theater camp each summer at Middlesex County College, and helped her to find extras for various scenes throughout the film, she said.

Schaff's boyfriend, Noah Fessler, portrays a groomsman in the film's wedding scene, and is providing a wealth of help with production work. A number of her friends have also volunteered their time to participate in the project, she said.

Shooting began at the home of her friend Jody Carr's parents on Riva Avenue. Schaff expressed thanks to the Carr family, as well as to the Methodist Church, where the wedding scene was shot last week. Other filming was taking place elsewhere in Milltown, as well as in Metuchen and Princeton.

Schaff's parents are doing their part by housing and feeding those involved in the project, which is a great help, she said. Maria's Pizza and Subs on North Main Street, along with other area restaurants, donated food for the cast and crew, and Schaff is seeking donations of any kind from those willing to help with the project, she said.

For more information on the film or to donate, visit yellowhousefilm. com.

Jessica Smith - Staff Reporter
The Sentinel

Despite the heat, humidity and threats of thunderstorms, the community came together on a recent Sunday to honor a man not just for what he did for the town, but for the spirit and values that defined his life.

 
The two seem to be having fun, working together and supervising the youngsters in the camp.

 
"She is an only child so we're close, like best friends," Molnar said of her daughter. "We like sharing ideas together."

 
Together, they help supervise the nearly 60 children involved in the program, which is run by the Milltown Recreation Department. Under their tutelage, 8-year-olds Christopher Smith and Don Hermann, wearing the Froot Loop necklaces they made earlier in the day, were putting on skits and deciding which songs they would sing in the talent show with their rock band, Zero Gravity.

 
"We think drama is fun," Smith said.

 
Lea Pappalardo, 8, is attending the Summer SACC program for the second year.

 
"When I first came here, I was shy," she said. "But I actually have a best friend that I met here in first grade. The camp is lots and lots of fun. I love the crafts and the counselors are very nice and kind to you."

 
Pappalardo showed off a felt door hanger with chimes and flowers that she created one morning at the camp. In addition to crafts and drama, the children are involved in music activities, reading, writing and field trips, as well as swimming and swim lessons at the borough pool.

 
"I like going to the pool every day, especially when it's hot," said 8-year-old Gabrielle Pietanza.
Ruby Franco, 24, of South River, is manager of the program that serves kindergarten through third grade. Children through grade eight may participate in the camp, which runs from June 21 through August 24.

 
"I just have a passion for it," said Franco, a recent English and elementary education graduate from Rutgers University. "I love working with children."

 
Franco started a learning center this year, in which the campers are exposed to not only arts and crafts and sports, but reading, writing and music.

 
"I thought it wouldn't fly, but they seem to like it," she said. "It gets their brains moving."

 
The after-school program was started a decade ago, and borough recreation director Julie Petry started the summer program eight years ago, renting space at Our Lady of Lourdes School to hold the indoor activities which include such fun activities as the limbo, musical chairs and freeze dancing.

 
"We went from a handful of kids to 60," she said. "It's great for working parents, it's very reasonably priced and the summer program is opened to nonresidents," Petry said.

 
The summer camp has three-day and five-day a week options and runs from 7:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. The program is licensed by the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services. Staff members go through a training program and are CPR and first-aid certified. Many are college students who plan careers in education, Petry said.

 
"I stress involvement with the kids," she said. "I don't want them just sitting at a table coloring all day."
One of the counselors is Petry's son, 18-year-old Frank Petry.

 
"I started working here when I was 14," said Frank Petry, a freshman at Middlesex County College in Edison. "I like playing basketball and sports with the older kids and going to the pool. I like seeing the kids happy."
Jake Bacchetti, 10, of Milltown, said the kids jokingly refer to Frank Petry as Frankie Doodles.
"When we go to the pool, he always throws everybody in," Bacchetti said.

 
His brother Brad Bacchetti and friends Raymond Reichardt and Danny Newton, all 9 years old and sporting identical Mohawk haircuts, also have a blast at summer camp.

 
"It's cool because we get to play card games and stuff with our friends," said Newton.

Mary Ann Bourbeau - Staff Reporter
The Home News Tribune

"What am I supposed to do when I marry my wife — cut it off?" Marnell says in a gruff New York accent. "Nah, never happen. I tell people, "It's not on her arm, it's on my arm, and I'm not taking it off.' "

Marnell tucks a white handkerchief into the back of his shorts and usually covers his hands with fluorescent-orange gloves. Don't get the wrong idea: Marnell does not wave the white handkerchief in surrender. And he does not handle anyone with kid gloves — least of all a 35-year-old reporter who asks to walk with him on a recent Friday morning.

Marnell's not sure she can keep up, and he says it right off. On the phone a few days before their scheduled walk, Marnell fires off a few questions about her exercise habits. At first, it's cute. Then she just gets mad.

"I could be asking the same thing of you, Daniel," she snaps. They agree to meet — 9:05 a.m. Friday, March 23, the corner of Pardun and North Main.

"You're late," Marnell says. His hands rest on his hips.

"You said 9:05. It's 9:05," the reporter lies. (Note: reporters aren't supposed to lie.)

"It's almost 9:15," Marnell corrects her. Actually, it's only 9:08, but who's quibbling?

Marnell appears doubtful. He wonders aloud why she's not wearing shorts on such a warm day. He always wears shorts, no matter what the weather. Is there something wrong with her legs?

"Does it look as if there's something wrong with my legs?" she counters, then immediately regrets the question. She tells him to stop looking at her legs.

"I used to walk 8 miles in 80 minutes, a 10-minute mile," Marnell says as they head toward the center of town at a brisk pace. "Over the years, between the three operations I've had, they each cut me down, so I'm walking a 12-minute mile. It takes me 96 minutes." A herniated disc in his back, prostate cancer and a hernia have stolen two minutes from him.

"It's not gonna get any better, probably," he says later.

But after 25 years, Marnell's still walking. And he's walking in the street. Marnell always walks in the street. He says the asphalt is more forgiving than the cement sidewalks. Drivers tend to be less forgiving: Marnell says he's gotten into it with them from time to time. He's not above going up against an SUV or a minivan.

"I had a guy say something before. So I gave him a few words," he tells the reporter as a vehicle roars by. "How much room do I take up?"

But he appears concerned that the reporter might get creamed. She's been hustling alongside him with a tape recorder and a back pack, leaping over discarded pizza boxes to keep up with him. He suggests they walk single file. She'll walk in front.

"If I keep in front of you, I'm eventually going to be way ahead of you," he says, then adds: "Geez, I didn't mean anything about your legs. You took that very personal. "Don't look at your legs.' Don't look at your legs? What do you think men have been doing for the last 200 years? Especially the last 100, with high heels and nylons. I didn't mean anything . . . A back pack, where the hell are you going?"

Strictly speaking, they're going to Marnell's place, where he will pretend to spike her water with Metamucil. He will also literally show her his etchings — well, his paintings, which he says he has displayed at the Milltown Public Library and at the Municipal Building. He paints vivid Impressionist landscapes filled with flowers copied from Claude Monet and others. He signs them "Dan Gogh."

But for now, they're walking. She keeps up. He says all the walking and talking is slowing him down. He offers her a piece of sugarless gum, asks her how much she weighs. He tells her about Rita, their breakup (he was inconsolable), his time in the Marine Corps.

"We're marching, "Hup, two, three, hup!' " Marnell says. "All of a sudden, I remember, there's 75 Marines marching. (The drill instructor) yells, "Marnell, get in step!' I yelled back: "I'm not out of step, Sir. Everybody else is.' "

Marnell says he served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1951 to 1954. He never saw combat.

"When they heard that I was coming, they signed a peace treaty," Marnell quips. That's not entirely false: On Marnell's way over to Japan, Japan signed a Treaty of Peace with the Allied Powers.

Marnell began exercising regularly in his late 40s.

"I say, "Geez, I gotta do some exercise.' I go to the library, get a book by Jack La Lanne. He has you doing dynamic tension," Marnell says, grabbing his wrist and slowly pulling it toward him. "I did that for two weeks, brought it back to the library. I said, "I like to walk.' "

Marnell worked for 40 years as an assistant trader on Wall Street. He and Vivian moved to Milltown from New York's Staten Island 8 1/2 years ago. He umpires baseball and softball games, takes a screen-writing class at Rutgers University and keeps a collection of vinyl records spanning the late 1930s to the 1960s. He's a grandfather.

And he walks. And walks — so much so that he suggests photo captions for this article: "Who is this man? It's The Milltown Walker." Or: "Who is this man who walks in the dead of winter in his shorts? It's The Milltown Walker." The reporter doesn't promise him anything, but it's true: if there were such a title, Marnell would easily be called The Milltown Walker.

"You realize you're the only woman I've ever walked with," he says toward the end of the walk. ". . . You're lucky I'm not walking fast. You'd be walking by yourself." The reporter sees a car. She slows down.

"Come on, come on, don't stop," he admonishes her. "I don't stop. They have to stop for me."

As far as we can tell, the first successful '80s night was started by DJ Jim Dunlap at the former Melody Bar in New Brunswick in 1993. From '93 until the Melody closed in 2001, Tuesday nights were the biggest in town.

Milltown's Jim passed way Monday in New Brunswick. He was 42.

"It became the signature night at the bar," said Mark Knoth, AKA DJ Markus, of Jim's "Save the Wave" Melody night. "It was the place to go for '80s music."

Jim embraced all kinds of music during his '80s reign, from the Smiths to "The Safety Dance."

"A lot of the groups that are out there right now you can hear references in the songs to the '80s," said Jim to the Home News, a predecessor to this newspaper, in 1995. "Everyone is making a big deal of the punk sound, but that's been around since the late 1970s."

Jim was the first, perhaps in the country, to connect the appeal of the '80s to the generation who grew up weaned on the era's music. The kids who absorbed MTV in diapers and watched John Hughes movies as tweens grew very attached to '80s music and its performers.

"He really knew a lot of that music and he knew we all grew up on it," Markus said. "He was there at the right time for the whole retro thing."

While Jim was king of the retro '80s movement, he wasn't a retro kind of guy. He had varying interests and could discuss a range of topics with insight. He also was a teacher in Carteret, Keansburg and Trenton, and did stand-up comedy on the side.

To get a better idea how Jim's mind worked, consider this: A few years back, when he was a regular at Asbury Lanes' punk-rock karaoke night, he would sing "Anarchy in the UK" by The Sex Pistols each week. In a different language. French, Latin, Japanese and Old English.

Jim was a big personality who seemed to want to take in as much of life as possible, and there may have been a reason for that. He previously had been in ill health — Jim had a heart attack outside the Melody late in his run there.

"Jim was sicker than he led on," said Paul DeFillipo of Woodbridge. DeFillipo is a DJ and worked with Jim at Energy Photovoltaics Inc. in Lawrenceville. "The thing is he did so much in the time since his first heart attack, and he did everything he wanted to do. He did stand-up comedy and he regularly blogged on LiveJournal on everything from political discussions to societal issues. He had a real following there."

Markus will play a Morrissey song in honor of Jim this Saturday at Doll's Place in New Brunswick. He liked to sing like, or make fun of, Morrissey from time to time. DeFillipo will pay tribute to Jim on his Transitional Soundscapes show at 12 a.m. Thursday on WPRB, 103.3 FM. He'll play '80s music.

Thank you, Jim.