ABC's Secrets & Lies Villain Belle Shouse Plays a Hero in New Family Film

ABC's Secrets & Lies Villain Belle Shouse Plays a Hero in New Family Film

The young actress rescues a dog in real-life inspired "Summer's Shadow"

DALLAS, June 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Belle Shouse, who plays Abby on ABC's Secrets & Lies, stars as the title character in the new release Summer's Shadow - a feature film about a bright and independent 12-year-old girl who saves the life of a stray dog. The dog playing Shadow in the film, which hits stores today, is actually one of the Golden Retrievers from the Adventures of Bailey series of children's movies.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150601/219920

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The husband-and-wife filmmakers, Steve and Liz Franke, were inspired by the stray dog they helped rescue in their Dallas neighborhood, where they shot the film.

"After we found a home for this sweet dog, it turned out she had heartworms, which was devastating," said Liz Franke, who co-wrote and produced the film with her husband and also acts in it. "Treatment requires extra care and attention and is rather expensive. But, still, we knew we had to do it. So then, when we found out she was pregnant, we realized it wasn't just her life that we saved, it was her puppies, too."

The animal-loving filmmaking duo are no strangers to kid-friendly "dog" movies - they are also the creators of the Adventures of Bailey series of films through their film production company, Hungry Bear. And the stars of the "Bailey" films are actually their own two dogs.

They said they enjoy working with kids and animals and believe combining the two can often create movie magic.

"Belle and Bailey had such good chemistry from the beginning," said Steve Franke, who also directed the picture. "It was really touching to see them working together. And their relationship is really the heart of the movie, and it's what makes the suspenseful and emotional moments in the film really resonate."

The couple got a kick out of Shouse's role on the hit TV series and think it's a testament to her talent and range as an actress. And they have no doubt she will have a long career in the business.

Summer's Shadow, which premiered at the 2014 Sidewalk Film Festival and has received a 5-out-of-5 Dove rating, has already been released internationally by Engine 15 Media Group. Mill Creek Entertainment is handling the U.S. home video distribution.

About Hungry Bear

Hungry Bear LLC is an independent film production company located in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Owned and operated by Steve and Liz Franke, they have written, directed and produced six feature films and are in post production on their seventh, Finding Glory - also a family film.

Contact:
Liz Franke, President, Hungry Bear LLC
817.312.3456 (cell)
Email
www.facebook.com/SummersShadow

SOURCE Hungry Bear LLC

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Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150601/219921
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Hungry Bear LLC


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