Moondance Alexander

Moondance Alexander is a 2007 American comedy-drama film directed by Michael Damian and written by Janeen Damian, Juan Saenz and Martha Lopez. Shot on location in Okotoks, High River and Calgary, Alberta, Canada[1] the film is based on actual events from the life of Janeen Damian. It stars Kay Panabaker and Lori Loughlin, with Don Johnson and Sasha Cohen.

Moondance Alexander
Theatrical poster
Directed byMichael Damian
Written by
  • Janeen Damian
  • Juan Saenz
  • Martha Lopez
Produced byBrad Krevoy
Starring
CinematographyJulien Eudes
Edited by
  • Avril Beukes
  • Bridget Durnford
Music byMark Thomas
Production
company
Distributed byFox Faith
Release date
  • October 19, 2007 (2007-10-19)
Running time
93 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$37,895

Plot

Moondance (Kay Panabaker) is faced with the difficulties of her father's passing and her overprotective mother (Lori Loughlin). When she finds a lost pinto horse and discovers his jumping abilities, she convinces his owner Dante Longpre (Don Johnson) to train them to compete in a mop show. With a lot more to think about, Moondance has to worry about her enemy Fiona Hughes (Sasha Cohen) putting her down constantly with her fancy horse Monte Carlo. When they do a surprisingly good job at the show, Dante isn't questioned anymore about his ability to train riders and horses. Everybody is shocked when Moondance ties Fiona, the reigning Bow River Classic champion.

Cast

Behind the scenes

Moondance Alexander was not well received by HorseChannel.com for storyline believability reasons.[2] However, the story is closely based upon Janeen Damian's childhood experience of befriending a horse that she had found, receiving help from a trainer, and entering the horse in the Memphis Classic.[3]

Moondance Alexander is a true family film, written by Janeen Damian and husband Michael Damian (born Michael Damian Weir), Damian, a Daytime Emmy Award winner, was also the producer of the film.[4] Much of the music was written by Damian's brother, music producer and New Music Weekly editor, Larry Weir.[5] Emmy Award winning Tom Weir was the mixing engineer at Studio City Sound.

Checkers the horse was played by three horses, a horse for tricks, a horse for jumping and a horse for Kay Panabaker to ride. Michael Damian recalled two of the horses names as Picasso and Trigger.[3] The third horse's name is Spook.[6]

Moondance Alexander received a U.S. General Audiences rating and was filmed in Alberta, Canada.[2]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2007 Best Picture Dixie Film Festival [7] Won
2007 Best Actress (Kay Panabaker) Dixie Film Festival [7] Won

Soundtrack

The Moondance Alexander Original Soundtrack was the second soundtrack released under the Caption Records label.

Moondance Alexander Original Soundtrack (by various artists)

  • Released: 09 October 2007
  • Format: LP/CD
  • Label: Caption Records / Studio City Sound / INgrooves
  • Writer: Larry Weir, Bernie Barlow, Dave Darling, Lea Herman, Ian Walsh
  • Producer: Michael Damian, Larry Weir, Tom Weir, Bernie Barlow
  • Singles: "I Choose You"
Track listing: Moondance Alexander (2007)
No.TitleWriter(s)Performer(s)Length
1."I Choose You"Bernie BarlowLaura Wight3:36
2."Call It A Day"Larry WeirMonét Monico4:08
3."If I Could"Michael DamianHeather Youmans4:26
4."It Only Gets Better"Larry WeirMimi Gianopulos3:47
5."Goodbye"Ian WalshIan Walsh3:55
6."Coldest Day Of Summer"Dave DarlingLaura Wight3:35
7."Think For Each Other"Milo Decruz, Lea HermanLea Herman3:50
8."You Don't Know"Larry WeirHeather Youmans4:12
9."It Only Takes One"Larry WeirSara Niemietz3:13
10."What Might Have Been"Larry WeirBuck McCoy3:58
11."Better Kind Of Life"Larry WeirTessa Ludwick / Laura Wight / Heather Youmans3:34
12."If I Could"Larry Weir(Instrumental)4:27

Musicians
  • Bernie Barlow, Vocals
  • Paul Bushnel, Bass
  • Michael Chaves, Guitar
  • Jorge Costa, Vocals (Background)
  • Michael Damian, Percussion, Vocals (Background)
  • Milo Decruz Bass, Guitar, Keyboards, Percussion, Producer
  • Burleigh Drummond, Percussion
  • Blake Ewing, Vocals (Background)
  • Josh Freese, Drums
  • Joshua Grange, Guitar
  • Lea Herman, Keyboards, Vocals (Background)
  • Matt Laug, Drums
  • Lance Morrison, Bass
  • Ginger Murphy, Cello
  • Leah Nelson, Viola
  • Michael Parnell, Keyboards
  • Tim Pierce, Guitar
  • Cam Tyler, Drums
  • Ian Walsh, Bass, Guitar, Piano, Vocals (Background)
  • Kevin Walsh, Guitar
  • Larry Weir, Percussion, Vocals (Background)

Personnel
  • Jorge Costa, Audio Engineer, Engineer
  • James Gaynor, Audio Engineer
  • Josh Mosser, Audio Engineer
  • Luke Tozour, Audio Engineer, Engineer
  • Tom Weir, Audio Engineer, Engineer

References
  1. Don Johnson wraps up 'Moondance'
  2. Hale, Candy. "Moondance Alexander Review A Blue Ribbon-Worthy Horse Flick?". HorseChannel.com. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  3. Carpenter, Edwin L. "Michael Damian, writer and director of "Moondance Alexander", hopes to see more Family Films". Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  4. "Michael Damian: Filmography". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on 30 January 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  5. "Moondance Alexander: Overview". AllMsic.com. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  6. Ending credits of the movie names all three horses.
  7. "The Fourth Annual Dixie Film Festival". Athens, Georgia: Dixie Film Festival LLC. 2007. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
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