COLUMBUS, OH (NOV. 16, 2018) – Eleven One Productions is pleased to announce that Manchester by the Sea’s Jami Tennille will join the cast of the gritty, feature-length ice hockey drama, The Third Period. The film is currently in development.

Tennille will play the hard-nosed reporter, “Dani Ashton,” who covers the fictional Columbus Thunder and its star Captain Mike Olsky in his fall from grace.

“I do love that my role was written for a man, but here I am,” said Tennille, who plans to shadow a female NHL hockey reporter to prepare for her role. She called the script “compelling.”

“The script pulls at my heartstrings,” said Tennille, who grew up, and still lives on, the East Coast. “The pain of loss, of grief, the struggle with addiction and the toll it takes on everyone’s lives it touches was heartbreaking. Yet, the theme of redemption, the story of people who stick by us at our worst and lift us up to be our best was beautiful.”

Tennille is known for her roles in the Academy Award-winning film Manchester by the Sea (2016) and Spotlight (2015), as well as American Poltergeist (2016). She said the fact a female is directing was part of her decision to join the film.

“This is the first time I will have been directed by a woman in a feature length film and I am ecstatic about it,” said Tennille of Writer-Director Steph (Greegor) West, who will be the first woman in U.S. history to write and direct a feature-length hockey film.

See what Director Steph Greegor West has to say about Tennille HERE.

“In today’s society it is crucial for woman to be empowered and take on roles that were once thought to be only for men,” said Tennille. “I think it is powerful and will only serve to propel more women forward in these types of roles; it’s exhilarating to be a part of.”

West was a former Fox Sports Ohio writer and on-air Blue Jackets Live guest correspondent. Following a lifelong, award-winning journalism career and five seasons covering the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, West began writing and producing films. Her short film Olsky, the short proof-of-concept for The Third Period was Emmy-nominated and festival-accepted.

For more information on the film contact Steph West at stephaniewestinc@gmail.com.

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