By Cyrus Guccione
Mail

Sixteen-year-old actress and Fountain Hills resident Sophia Ferguson had the opportunity to feature one of her hometown restaurants for a scene in a new Hollywood film.

Ferguson casts in her most recent production, “Splinter Cell Conspiracy,” a new short film based on the series of stealth action-adventure video games, “Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell.”

Ferguson plays the role of Sarah Fisher, the daughter of a highly trained, ex-military assassin played by actor Sean Berube, who attempts to rekindle a relationship with his daughter over a meal.

“When the director (Colten Dietz) asked me if we knew of any cool retro-style restaurants in the area, Phil’s was what came to my head,” Ferguson’s mother, Renee, said. “It used to be Sophia’s favorite restaurant because after trick-or-treating on the Avenue of the Fountains, we would go to Phil’s afterward.”

When Renee Ferguson reached out to restaurant to inquire about filming in his diner, owner Phil Rodakis offered up his space at no cost. His only request was for filming to wrap up before the breakfast rush at 7 a.m.

On the morning of the shoot, Rodakis showed up before 5 a.m. to turn on the lights and TVs while Dietz and his team spent the better part of two hours filming in the restaurant’s vintage Coco-Cola memorabilia dining room.

Ferguson said she was happy to feature a part of her hometown.

“I personally love how it looks in there so much,” Ferguson said. “It’s like the ‘Stranger Things’ movies in the diners that they sit at. It gives off that vibe.”

Actor Sean Berube said this was one of his favorite projects.

“I could’ve never imagined how cool (Phil’s Filling Station) would be,” Berube said. “If you are in the area, please go check it out for awesome atmosphere and delicious food.”

Passion for film

Since the age of seven, Ferguson has starred in numerous films including “Interpreters,” “Rescue” and “Fathers.”

For her role in “Interpreters,” Ferguson earned a “Best Supporting Actress” at the Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema.

At the age of three, Ferguson remembers attending a “Winnie the Pooh” production at the Fountain Hills Theater and falling in love with the performance.

She attended the Elena Montessori preschool and began homeschooling once her acting career began to take off.

“When she told us she wanted to act, I thought she was joking because her dad and I are athletes,” Renee said.

Ferguson’s great grandmother was into music and the arts. Her grandfather Ken Sigsworth was a musician but never took it to a professional level like Ferguson. The Sigsworths previously owned the former bowling pro shop in Fountain Hills.

Following her passion since the age of five, Ferguson says she plans to keep pursuing acting and has her eyes set on attending film school in either Flagstaff, Ariz., or in Los Angeles.

Ferguson’s mother Renee, says she and her husband want to support their daughter’s passion.

“We’re putting all of our energy and efforts into letting her and allowing her to pursue her dream of being an actress,” Renee said.

“Splinter Cell Conspiracy” is currently in pre-production and is set to release this summer.

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