Multi-Talented, Cassie Dean, Earns Lead Role In CDI's WWII Feature

LANSING, Mich. - March 15, 2021 - PRLog -- Cassie Dean is a young woman with a plan. And for the Lowell (Mich.) native and third-year student at Savannah (SC) College of Art & Design, her latest addition to an already impressive resume and skill-set, is 'Lead actress in a feature film.'

Ms. Dean, who carries a 3.73 GPA in her pursuit of a BFA in Fashion Design (with a minor in Acting for the Camera), recently earned a lead role in Collective Development Incorporated's WWII home front drama, 'Silent Night In Algona' (Inspired by Actual Events).

Ms. Dean, during CDI's on-going casting for the period piece, to be shot this fall on location in Kossuth County, Iowa (where the story unfolded 77 years ago), won the role of 'Clara Tietz' over several other actresses under consideration.

CDI's 2020 dramedy, 'Lost Heart,' featured Ms. Dean in her first role, as 'Teenage Hannah' (Sweet) in flashbacks of a country music star in the making, who fled home as a young girl to escape an alcoholic, abusive father.

And perhaps, as destiny would have it, Ms. Dean's co-star in a video promotion for the book release of '100 Ways to Love Your Husband/Wife' - Curran Jacobs - will play opposite her as husband 'Rudy Tietz.'

The chemistry between Ms. Dean and Mr. Jacobs ('Modern Family,' 'Glee,' 'Man's Best Friend') - who recently won the Catch Wrestling World Championship - has been established. And character development will continue to evolve for the next several months prior to filming.

Director Anthony Hornus ('An Ordinary Killer,' 'Man's Best Friend') saw the connection and 'screen presence' between the two actors during casting. And the possibilities to explore the young husband- wife dynamic deeper for the screen - during very trying times – was enticing and is a core storyline in the film.

Explained Mr. Hornus, "This young couple, trying to make a go of it and help the war effort with their small farm, in the midst of so much emotional turmoil, sacrifice, pain and suffering that war brings, nonetheless have to support and care for their two young children."

Added the director, "Rudy (Curran) has a badly injured back (with chronic pain), making labor on the farm at times difficult, while Clara (Cassie), maintaining the home and caring for their sons, starts to question whether or not she's made the right choices in her life."

Mr. Hornus concluded, "When the U.S. Army builds a German POW camp near Algona, it brings with it much more conflict for not only the Tietz family, but the entire town."

'Silent Night In Algona' (Inspired by Actual Events) was written by DJ Perry.

For more information on the company and film see www.cdiproductions.com