Cami Varela is a real Renaissance woman.  She writes, paints, acts, creates music and now adds Producing to her resume.  Cami’s journey to making her starring debut in Steele Wool is a movie in and of itself. Cami tragically lost her hearing and her father at a young age.  She was lost. By chance she discovered acting and it was her healing place. Cami received rave reviews for her wordless performances in many theater productions in Los Angeles. Then on a day she’ll never forget, a cochlear implant embedded in her skull was switched on and Cami could hear again, and soon regained full speech. Now she’s out to prove that a deaf person can not only make movies but headline them as well.

As a writer/director, I’ve never had the urge to be in front of the camera. I started this film with a camera test of my soon-to-be-lead actress and she needed someone to read against so I stood in. Friends saw the test and encouraged me to stay in.  What?  I guess being a natural smartass and lacking a filter on my mouth qualifies me as a Sidekick. It didn’t hurt that I was “budget appropriate” and always available. Trying to make a film without a crew was tough enough but acting just made it crazy. I did learn a lot by the process, what an actor goes through and what they need to feel secure when you ask them to take chances, to just forget the script. But I have to admit, there were times when it was actually fun.

Steele Wool is Nick’s true film debut and yet he comes from a family with deep roots in the “Industry.” His mother was actress Lupe Ontiveros.  She appeared in many major films and was Emmy nominated for her work in Desperate Housewives.  Although the acting bug never bit, Nick did appear in Miracle on 34 Street as a child.  Nick’s more at home DJ-ing events, driving a limo and Bodyguarding celebrities.  So why join Steele Wool?  Nick works for the Air Force in the Department of Defense and Cami Varela works on the base as well.  She eventually talked him into doing something his mother never could:  To give acting a serious shot. FYI – Nick wears two hearing aids to counter his impairment.

Arina is an extraordinary woman at the top of the fitness industry.  She has earned her fair share of awards including Miss Fitness Australia and Miss Figure Australia. She’s been a Spring Board Diver for Romania, an International Top Level Athlete and an International Fitness Model.  Clients who want the best seek out Arina to work with them to reshape their bodies and all around wellness.  Arina had dipped her toe into the acting world before but never committed to a full character.  Director Frank Cappello saw in this tough woman a natural comic ability.  He talked her into joining Steele Wool by telling her she wouldn’t embarrass herself since there would be no crew watching her perform.

As a very early age, Johnny was highly influenced by reruns of Jackie Gleeson in The Honeymooners, The Dean Martin Show, and the sketch comedy of SNL. Watching pushed him to get out and perform. He embraced every opportunity to perform in short films and in plays such as David Mamet’s American Buffalo and Edward Albee’s The Zoo Story.  From stage to screen, Johnny has over 20 years in the industry, and is known for his roles in The Great Wall, Jason Bourne, The Departed, Stuck On You, and Outside Providence.  In 2017 Johnny starred in the critically acclaimed short film, The Boxer.  It was based on a character Johnny created and in a film in which he also Co-Produced.