Author: Joey Ciaramitaro

Hello Joe,

Devils Island is Gloucester High School history teacher Shaun Goulart’s second film he has written which is the sophomore film to his 2009 effort, romantic comedy "In a Weeks Time". Devils Island began being written in February of 2009 and was ready to begin shooting in July 2010. This is Goulart’s second film but his directorial debut as the director of the first film could not direct due to a scheduling conflict. The shooting was on and off for a year and a half until the final scenes were shot at Cape Ann TV studios in January 2012. The film was shot all around Cape Ann most notably on Thachers Island which is the main setting for the film and fictitious "Devils Island".
Goulart’s film resume includes acting in many independent films as well as being an extra in such films as "Mall Cop", "Grown Ups", and "The Proposal" to name a few.
Devils Island was inspired by such films as Heat and Public Enemies which has the direct good vs. evil premise. The plot of Devils Island is based on a character named Jeffrey Taylor (played by Danvers native Nick Decoulos) an unemployed writer who is trying to save his relationship with Brianna (Caralyne Fondulis). Taylor takes a job on Devils Island as an assistant caretaker working alongside Trent (Shaun Goulart). All is fine until a life threatening discovery leaves Jeff in danger and fearing for his life stranded on the island.
The film has a laundry list of characters many played by local actors. Notable people include YMCA’s Rick Doucette, Gloucester High School teachers Rich Francis and Ed Reid, a handful of high school students and the late Mitch Cohen.
Cohen who passed away in October 2010 (2 months after shooting his footage) was an integral part of the film, playing a substantial character as well as lending his personal office for a scene. Mitch was very sick during the shooting of the film (unknowingly to himself or anyone else) and truly put a lot of effort into his role. He traveled out to the island in rainy rocky seas, spent the day in the raw weather and never once complained even while being asked to climb ladders and lay on the rocks.
After a three year journey, the film was finished with special thanks to many but most notably Andrew Love, Lisa Smith and all of the great folks at Cape Ann TV. They supplied all of the equipment, editing space and training. This film truly could not be completed without the tireless efforts of Love and Smith; they were a true joy to work with. The Thachers Island Association also was very accommodating while we were shooting on the island. It’s a beautiful place and really a hidden gem. This film really highlights how picturesque the island really is. Essex native and musician Jeff Fraser lent music to the film, and Ralph Oliver Jr was the necessary transportation of the cast and crew to get back and forth to the Rockport island everyday of shooting.

The film opened at the Gloucester Cinema to a packed house on Wednesday May 9th  warranting a second showing of the film. The second showing is on Wednesday June 6, 2012 at 7:30pm at the Cape Community Cinema on 21 Main Street in Gloucester above the Mystery Train. Half the door will go to the upstart Gloucester High School filmmakers club that GHS history teachers Shaun Goulart and Rich Francis are establishing.

For tickets go to http://capeanncinema.wordpress.com/