Batman a Hit in Franklin
By Cindy Merckx

Residents packed the community center on Tuesday night, May 24 to a standing room only crowd in order to view another fine production done by local film producer Tommy Rosa.

"Beyond Dare" was created by Rosa and featured DARE police officers, Mike Marsh as Batman, Vince DiPietro as Robin and Frank Gaetano as Spiderman.

The Franklin Township Community Center had standing room only left as parents and students attended a showing of "Beyond Dare," which starred local police officers and students.

Students from Caroline Reutter and Main Road School's 5th grade classes were a big part of the audience and were featured in the first video that was shown.

Putting on their funny faces and antics in front of the camera were a hit as students cheered when they saw them-selves in class. The DARE program has been well received in the township school district with continued support from the parents and residents.

The audience laughed at the funny scenes of Batman driving in his batmobile around town and how the local superheroes hung out at Nick's Pizzeria in Franklinville.

Batman does silly things that get a laugh when you see him pushing Robin on a swing. Batman, however, speaks like "Rain Man" throughout the video and repeats himself saying over again words like; "I'm Batman" or "I'm an excellent driver."

This local Batman unfortunately is not an excellent driver, and the dynamic duo gets pulled over and find themselves handcuffed after driving in circles on Route 55.

Township police officers Gonzalez and Piper chase Batman as he tries to fly away from the scene flapping his winged cape and are successful at apprehending the caped crusader.

Rosa's production studio deserves high marks for putting in a lot of hours and using the latest Hollywood movie techniques in the video to include realistic scenes of Spiderman climbing the steeple of the Franklinville Methodist Church and spanning the buildings of the firehouse, shopping center and other local businesses.

"The DARE video was well done and attended," commented deputy mayor Pete Scapellato at the township committee meeting that was held the same night.

"The faces of the kids in their classrooms with the officers is wonderful and the support from the local businesses, parents and everyone involved is something the township can be proud of."

Local Police & Kids Star
in Franklin Township DARE Video
Free Showing: 7 p.m. Tues., May 24, 2005

(See poster)

Tommy Productions will present its annual DARE video, “Beyond DARE,” a spoof on Batman and Spider-Man, at the Franklin Township Community Center. There will be door prizes and snacks at this free event starting 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 24.

Tom Rosa, owner of Tommy Productions.com, created the video with Franklin Township Police officers Frank Gaetano, Mike Marsh and Vince DiPietro. Children from Main Road and Reutter elementary schools appear in the film, as well as police officers cast as Mary Jayne, Commissioner Gordon and — policemen!

Tommy Productions used the latest Hollywood moviemaking techniques to show the essence of the DARE program and to make parents and students aware of the drug abuse problem. The Franklinville-based production company has worked with the Franklin Township Police for the last five years to reach children in a unique way.

The video aims to establish trust in the community’s policemen while showing viewers the evils of neglect and misguidance that lead to drug usage. Once again, this year’s production will extend beyond DARE classes to show the police as friends and mentors.

Big-budget movie techniques used by Tommy Productions include a 16-by-16-foot green screen, special effects, fog machines, sound effects and music. Employing local police as actors is a special benefit to an organization with a limited budget.

Tommy Productions works with government offices, schools and church groups to bring advanced movie concepts and editing to those who have smaller budgets yet still want big-movie quality.

With the growing problem of children abusing prescription and over-the-counter drugs, Tommy Productions and DARE’s message is that parents must be constantly vigilant.

For additional information, please contact Tom Rosa at Tommy Productions.
E-mail tommy@tommyproductions.com or phone (856) 694-4000.

Tommy Rosa has earned The Communicator Award of Distinction in International Competitions for his production and editing of Rowan University's “Seabrook Farms Remembered” documentary. This award goes to communicators judged to be the best in their field. Winning projects must exceed industry standards in quality and excellence.

During the 1940s and ‘50s, Seabrook Farms, in the southeast corner of New Jersey, brought together families of many different cultures, nationalities and languages. These people lived and worked side-by-side in what many believe to be the first and only global village of its size in the country.

Seabrook was one of this nation's major frozen food-processing plants, which packaging its products under the Seabrook and BirdsEye brands.

Rosa’s documentary presents the history of this extraordinary experiment in multiculturalism through recollections, home movies and snapshots of the men and women who were part of that village 50 years ago.

By William Guhl, Staff Writer

FRANKLIN TWP. - The 21st century is now for students at Delsea Regional High School. ...

... The school also has a television studio, which is used for broadcasting classes. The studio has state-of-the-art equipment and allows students to work on various projects such as editing film and producing a newscast and commercials.

Mike Nicholson, who teaches the broadcast classes, says that it takes a couple of weeks for the students to get familiar with the equipment, but after they do they usually can work on projects on their own.

Borelli said that the lab gives students who are interested in going into communications in college the technical background to do the work, and it also gives them a portfolio of work they have done in the broadcast field. ...