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"It had to be someone who had a presence even when they weren't talking," he said.
Between those in the performance, some of whom they knew already, as well as other acquaintances, they located plenty of talent for the film, a western about a children's group home threatened by "greed and prejudice" and the reluctant cowboy who can save them.
Most live in town and will be featured in the film.
Those residents include Tara Abate as Sarah Parker, Andy Wakeman as Josh, Alden Hellmuth as Rebecca, Nathan Hellmuth as Luke, and Victoria DiLoreto as Lizabeth.
"This is a really exciting experience and something I'll remember forever," Abate said.
The Telescas even tapped their local dentist Jeff Cavalieri, who has read many of the elder Telesca's scripts. He also reminded them he had prior acting experience.
"They took me up on it," he said. "I'm glad I'm here."
Coincidentally another actor and Rocky Hill theater veteran Michael Baron, plays the part of Brother Gabriel.
Jim Byrne Jr. may not work on teeth but he plays Doc Parker and is also in many of theater productions in town and elsewhere.
"I get excited about things like this," Byrne said.
Cinematographer David Therault will play Jim McLane and director Rick Telesca will play Jake Waters.
The younger Telesca, a film production student at the University of Hartford, came up with the concept for the film and enlisted the help of friends, many of whom he knew from his days at Middlesex Community College.
He asked his father if he would be willing to write the story and produce the film. The elder Telesca, who has worked on many screenplays and writing projects, agreed.
The two describe the film as a "Hallmark Hall of-Fame story" set in the old west. It also involves a hero - the young cowboy who has to overcome his own fears and prejudice to defend the children.
The two said the project is ambitious for a student filmmaking, mostly due to its being a "period piece," which is hard to make look authentic.
Rick said it will certainly be part of his film "reel" that he would use as a resume but added that the experience of going through the film-making process is perhaps most important.
"Mainly it's to gain experience," he said.
He also does hope it helps the actors and would be thrilled if the film were accepted at a film festival.
Filming will take place over the next two months in Rocky Hill and surrounding towns. The crew may also have to build some of its own sets.
They hope to have the film completed by the end of summer. Rick plans to do the editing.
The elder Telesca said he feels the project is an exciting one for Rick, the other students and the actors.
"It's really getting bigger than a student film," Richard Telesca said.
Rick initially wanted to follow in his dad's footsteps but found his attention span a little short for writing scripts. In the summer of 2006, a film class at Disney got him excited about other aspects of film.
"That basically got me directing," he said.
Rick Telesca has studied at other locations including some training by the Connecticut Film Commission. While Rick has completed projects for those and college courses, "The Children of Angel Creek," at approximately 40 minutes, will be the longest production to date.
Originally Rick Telesca has planned to be director of photography for the film. Through some life circumstances, Dave Therault took that position after he was unable to play a role in the production as he planned.
Therault has worked most extensively in sound production, but said small independent filmmaking demands flexibility.
"Everybody has to know a little bit of everything." he said.
To keep up with its progress, log on to http://www.rsquarefilms.com/Production_Notes.html.
