Learn more about the feature length film, The Attic Door.

THE FILM

Two abandoned pioneer siblings must confront their greatest fear in a haunting and romantic story about growing up.

The Attic Door the breakthrough feature length film by writer-director, Danny Daneau, from a script he co-wrote with Eric Ernst, produced by Erica Harrell.

A young brother and sister (Madison Davenport, Kit Kittredge: An American Girl) are abandoned in the vast and lonely landscape of the 19th century American West. Each day, they struggle to keep up the family farm, anxiously waiting for their parents to return. With nowhere to escape, the two siblings are about to discover that they are not entirely alone. As much as they try to deny the truth, something behind the attic door has awakened and they must now face their greatest fear. THE ATTIC DOOR is the story of love, loss, loneliness, and the truth behind childhood fears.

THE CAST

Meet the cast in this episode of Behind the Attic Door.

Madison Davenport – Caroline
At only eleven years of age, the talented Madison Davenport already has an impressively extensive body of work. In July of 2008, Davenport starred in a leading role for the Picturehouse/HBO film Kit Kittredge: An American Girl with Abigail Breslin, Joan Cusack, and Stanley Tucci. Also in 2008, Madison starred co-star in the Magnolia Pictures film Humboldt County against Frances Conroy (Six Feet Under).

When Davenport was five, her amazing singing skills and love for performing arts, prompted her family’s move from San Antonio, Texas to Hollywood. It did not take long for industry professionals to recognize this young talent. Madison soon landed title roles on hit TV shows like, FOX’s “Bones,” CBS’ “Numb3rs,” CSI: NY,” and “Close to Home.” In the Spring of 2007, Madison was cast over hundreds of young actors for the leading role of Caroline in the feature length film, THE ATTIC DOOR. Madison says, “The first time I read Attic I could not stop crying. I’ve never had a reaction to script like that before. I saw so much of myself in the character and wanted nothing more than to bring her to life.”

Jake Johnson – Darrell
Jake Johnson was born May 20th, 1997 in Valencia, CA. After standing out in several school productions, his parents began allowing him to audition for commercials roles. Soon after, he landed his first national commercial for Hallmark. Since then he has appeared in many national commercials, a guest-starring role on the CBS show “Cold Case”, and two feature films, including Fox Searchlight’s new independent drama, “Ball Don’t Lie.”

The casting process to find the leading role of Darrell spanned over six months and hundreds of talented young actors. After making it through three call back sessions there was no doubt that he was the perfect young actor for the part.

THE PRODUCTION TEAM
Writer/Director Danny Daneau – At only 26 years of age, Danny Daneau is an independent filmmaker who has worked extensively in many areas of film and multimedia production. Daneau graduated with a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Central Florida School of Film where he directed numerous award winning short films, music videos, and mixed media projects that have played in over forty film festivals around the world. In the August of 2008, Daneau completed production on his first feature length film, THE ATTIC DOOR.

As a child Daneau was gripped with extreme versions of the common childhood fears. When he was eight years old Daneau was diagnosed with a life threatening connective tissue disease. As a young child, this meant there would be a good chance the disease would increase as his body grew. Doctors told his parents they were unsure how long he had to live if the disease did get worse. Now eighteen years later, THE ATTIC DOOR is his attempt to understand, capture, and accept the truth behind those childhood fears.

Daneau and producer Erica Harrell partnered with Kane County, Utah and the Utah Film Commission to be the first recipients of a unique incentive grant program which enabled them to set THE ATTIC DOOR within the majestic, isolated, and sometimes fearful American West. After wrapping production, they were invited back to Utah for the Sundance Film Festival in 2008 to speak on a panel and share clips from the film. Currently awaiting it’s festival premiere, the completion of THE ATTIC DOOR is a dream come true for Daneau who hopes to continue a career in film and television. Currently Daneau is serving as the “filmmaker-in-residence” at the prestigious Interlochen School of the Arts.

Producer Erica Harrell is an independent feature film and shorts producer, currently resides in Los Angeles. After the success of her first short film, Cat’s Bad Hair Day (award winner at Hamptons International Film Festival 2005, and Official Selection of the 2005 Tribecca Film Festivcal), Harrell began developing her first two features. In just two years these films, The Attic Door and Acts of Mercy are both wrapped with post production and awaiting their premieres. In addition to her independent film work, Harrell is the Assistant Coordinator on the HBO hit television series Entourage as well as a development assistant for producer Kristin Hahn.

Writer Eric Ernst is a feature film screenwriter currently residing in Los Angeles. After graduating with a BFA in Film from the University of Central Florida, Ernst pursued multiple industry jobs such as working as a Script Coordinator for CBS/Paramount Television. Ernst, a former classmate and colleague of director Danny Daneau, came on to The Attic Door early in the development process as a co-writer and even assisted the film as a coproducer throughout production.