Click here to subscribe today or Login.
WILKES-BARRE — Jon YonKondy brought his baby home Friday night — that is “Baby Frankenstein” the movie that played at R/C Wilkes-Barre Movies 14 to the delight of 300 family, friends and guests.
YonKondy, born and raised in West Pittston, is the director/co-writer/co-producer of the comedy-drama. He partnered with Plains Township native Mike Rutkoski, who now resides in New York City, to give birth to what YonKondy hopes becomes a cult classic.
The film’s debut came with a red carpet event from 6 to 7:30 p.m. before patrons were ushered inside for the 83-minute flick. A question-and-answer session took place in the theater following the movie.
YonKondy, a Wyoming Area graduate, got the bug for the movie industry when he took a film class in his freshman year at Penn State. “I was never a movie guy as a kid, but I loved drawing, I loved writing, I loved taking photos as a kid too,” YonKondy recalled. “It was something that combined all these things and after taking an Intro to Film class in college, it blew me away.”
What interested YonKondy the most was the behind-the-scenes work that brought a film together. “It was like the ‘Wizard of Oz’ when you finally got to see behind the curtain. I got to see how movies really are. They are creations. They are not just a slice of time and space and somebody is the master of these worlds.”
Started as sketch
YonKondy says “Baby Frankenstein” is throwback to the 1980s — a wholesome, family-friendly monster flick that takes place in a small town with a lot of soul and heart. The entire movie was filmed at local spots such as Chacko’s Family Bowling Center and Boscov’s in Wilkes-Barre and Pizza L’Oven in Exeter.
YonKondy’s partner, Rutkoski, has worked as an actor and comedian in New York City and created an off-Broadway play called “Baby Frankenstein.” Eventually, he turned the play into a screenplay and sent it to YonKondy three years ago. The duo then worked on the script to convert the storyline to film.
“The movie appeals to a very broad audience,” YonKondy said. “It’s a cult movie, as well as a kid’s film. It has horror elements in it, it has action elements and fantasy and sci-fi.”
Rutkoski said “Baby Frankenstein” actually started as a sketch.
Over time, he thought he could make it into a screenplay but it needed to be re-written. “After the 12th draft, I finally said, ‘I’m ready to make this into a film.’” He began to interview directors and eventually found YonKondy.
“Jon and I totally re-wrote the screenplay,” Rutkoski said. “It’s so different from the original. He (YonKondy) made it more dramatic and it flowed even better.”
In addition to co-writing/co-producing the film, Rutkoski is one of the lead actors.
Local actress
Eileen Rosen, of West Pittston, also plays a lead role. She is no stranger to film work. She’s appeared in movies such as “Blue Valentine” with Ryan Gosling and “Captives” which was also filmed locally.
“I did not know Eileen before the film,” said YonKondy. “She came in and read for the film and she blew us away. I could not believe she lived in the same town as me. I remember her in a particular scene in ‘Blue Valentine’ where she played a nurse. She’s very good.”
“I was in New Hampshire when he (YonKondy) emailed me and asked me if I wanted to do it,” Rosen said. “I got home from New Hampshire and began to film two days later. It was fast.”
Rosen said her film experience was great and everyone on set was like family by the end of the project.
“It was really, really fun and I’ve seen the movie twice and I love it,” Rosen said. “It’s fun to see all the local spots in the movie.”
An after-party was held at Rodano’s in Wilkes-Barre where the band Family Animals, whose music was featured in the film, provided entertainment.
The “Baby Frankenstein” premiere was in partnership with the Times Leader Media Group and The Weekender.
