& Noble. She organized several events to
promote the book, including one at the
Barnes & Noble in South Hills Village.
A young girl attended the question-and-
answer session at the store and asked
Romanias to sign her copy afterward. The
girl’s father told Romanias she never puts
down her copy of the graphic novel.
“She was my first little fan-girl,”
“Never in a million years did I
think I would create something
that really affected other people.
Everybody deserves to feel that.”
Romanias says. “It was a surreal
moment. Never in a million years did
I think I would create something that
really affected other people. Everybody
deserves to feel that.”
Last year, Romanias rewrote the film
script, and started casting actors and
searching for locations. She decided
to film “Greek Goddess” in Pittsburgh
because she had a lot of connections
in the local entertainment industry.
Romanias funded the project herself,
along with some support from her
family, instead of waiting for a production
company to support the project. This
was her first attempt at producing and
directing a film.
“It was a whole new world to me,”
Romanias says. “I was learning everything
I had to do as I went.”
She recruited the Peters Township
Marching Band to perform, and filmed
some scenes at CCAC. Filming began
earlier this year and wrapped up in May.
“It didn’t really sink in,” Romanias says.
“I still can’t believe we did
that. It was the ending of
one section but there was
a whole lot more to do. It’s
my baby. Seeing it come to
life is a pretty incredible
feeling.”
She plans to complete
post-production soon,
which includes editing the
film and completing the
musical score, and hopes
the film will be accepted
into the Sundance festival
in January while exploring opportunities
for distribution. She moved back to
Pittsburgh to finish editing the film.
“The Sundance festival could open up
a lot of doors,” Romanias notes.
Completing the film has taught her
a lot about the logistics and business of
making a movie, such as buying liability
insurance and finding a distributor.
“As an actor, you don’t see how much
goes on behind the scenes,” Romanias
explains. “There are so many different
pieces involved.”
After “Greek Goddess” is released, she
plans to move back to Los Angeles and
already has several ideas for new scripts.
Romanias urges other aspiring actors,
writers and directors to collaborate
instead of competing with other artists.
“There are so many people in the same
boat as you,” she says.
She also advises young artists to do
what feels true to them. “You have to
work for it, and it’s not easy,” Romanias
declares. “But if it’s what you want to do,
it’s possible. There’s nothing you can’t
do.”
She also tells artists not to feel
discouraged if they don’t fit the
stereotypical beauty standards of
Hollywood.
“Rejection is inevitable,” she adds. “If
there’s a role you want to play, don’t be
afraid to try doing it yourself. I never
thought I would be a writer, producer or
director in a million years. If it doesn’t
work, at least you tried. Everything
happens for a reason, so don’t be afraid
to take risks.”
For more infor mat ion, v i sit
greekgoddessmovie.com. ■
Upper St. Clair | Fall 2017 | icmags.com 17