Harrisburg’s newest web series features strong women in prominent roles

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Feb. 25, 2014 - PRLog -- Harrisburg’s newest web series aims to set precedence as it features several Central PA women in key roles, a change in trend which usually follows male characters more fully. Shine will star Susquehanna Township graduate Kiana Jenkins as the main character Shine Remington-Reed, a 20-something ‘has been’ who returns to the outskirts of Hollywood in an effort to rebuild her life. The project is Jenkins’ first acting gig.

        “Our goal is to change the way the industry views women in prominent roles,” says Ran Wise, associate producer. “Clearly, in Shine, it’s the women who drive this vehicle.”

        In the storyline, Shine is supported by her older half-sister Starr Brown, Shine’s strongest supporter and business partner. Starr will be portrayed by area resident Jasmin Hines, a self-taught health guru who was seeking a new challenge after losing over 100 lbs naturally. This will be the first lead role for Hines.

        Award-winning actress Nicole Renee, also from Harrisburg, will portray Mona Brown, the mother of Starr, and confidant to Shine. Renee, who won “Best Actress Honorable Mention” at the 2013 UnFringed Festival (NY) for her outstanding performance in JADED THE MUSICAL opposite Nickelodeon's Hillary Hawkins, is no stranger to the industry. She has appeared on stage and TV, and in the near future will be featured in a fact-based storyline on the ID Network.

         Chantel Motes is a Harrisburg native whose story has been featured in journals as far away as Australia. The 40-something grandmother has appeared in films and on stage; however, her role as Shine’s conniving mother Chantel is sure to be a star turn for the actress and model.

         Rory Ogden is the youngest member of the cast and is among one of the busiest actors in the area. At just 12 years old, the Hershey actress/singer has appeared in several films and other projects both in the Central PA area and as far away as NJ and New York. Ogden will portray "Rory, Extraordinary," a whimsical 12-yr-old who becomes an adopted child, of sorts, to the agency.

         Philadelphia actress Lauren DeLeon will appear as Valerie Pierson, a woman of many secrets that prove detrimental to Shine’s goals.

         Actress Jasmine Forney hails from Chambersburg, PA. She will portray Uniqua “Nika” Duncan, a transplant from Atlanta, GA, with loose connections to Shine and with interests of her own.

The men of the cast who complement the storyline are: Harrisburg actors Gabriel Bellotti (Chance Edwards), Michael Giovanni (Roberto Santiago), Jeffrey Rensch (Zeke Solomon), and Barry Tangert (“Manny” Ross). Actors Raj Belani (Dr. Patel) of New York, and Sean James (Luke Miles) of Baltimore, round out the featured roles.

Shine is scheduled to film primarily in uptown Harrisburg, as well as other noted sites around the city, such as RiverfrontPark, and Souled Out Café, one of Harrisburg’s newest and most popular restaurants. The series is hoping to obtain SAG-AFTRA credit under the new media agreement.

         To follow the progression of the series, see its Facebook page here: http://tinyurl.com/maqyz5q.