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Denise McKenna

@denisebolanowsk

3.9K

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1750

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Mother 👦🏼
Wife 💁🏼‍♀️
Retired Hollywood Hairstylist 🤩
Cavalier owner 🐶🐶
Reno living ❤️

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Workd cup and fourth of july ready! 🇺🇸 Book with me with the link in the Bio!

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🎬 Three years ago today, we wrapped production on SHEEPDOG, marking the end of a hard-fought and deeply meaningful journey that changed my life over the last 15 years.

🇺🇸 From the beginning, this film was never just about making a movie. As the writer, director, producer, and actor, it was a responsibility I carried deeply—to honor the extraordinary commitment to service and sacrifice shown by the men and women who have served this country, and the families who stand beside them every step of the way. I will always be deeply grateful to the veterans who trusted us with their experiences, the Gold Star families who carry unimaginable sacrifice, the first responders who continue to serve their communities every day, the military spouses and families who bear the weight of service, and the mental health professionals who dedicate their lives to helping others heal.

🪖 Preparing to play retired U.S. Army Sergeant Calvin Cole required a physical and mental transformation that challenged me in ways I will carry for the rest of my life. But what has meant the most has been the response since the film’s release. Every day we receive messages from people across the country sharing how the film has helped them process pain, start conversations, and embrace the possibility of post-traumatic growth. Those messages are a powerful reminder of why this story mattered and why we told it.

❤️‍🩹 I also want to thank everyone who was ever kind to us along the way—those who offered words of encouragement, shared their support, and helped us move this story forward. Your belief in this film meant more than you know.
I’m incredibly proud of everyone who poured their hearts into this film and thankful for the community that has formed around it. If SHEEPDOG has helped even one person feel seen, understood, or less alone, then every moment of the journey was worth it.

🍀SHEEPDOG is now available to rent or own on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Fandango, DirecTV, Comcast, Verizon, Google Play, YouTube Movies, Samsung, and more.

Thank you for your continued support. We hope you enjoy our film!

#YouMatter #SheepdogTheMovie #Sheepdog #PTG

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A bestie birthday weekend extravaganza. Thanks to my bestie for coming to Texas and spoiling my babies for their birthdays. Then off to one of our favorite places for a girls getaway. If you haven’t swam with the otters @oakmeadowranch_texas you are missing out! Until next time…

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🎥🎬🍿THANK YOU to everyone who joined us Opening Night at the GI Film Festival for our SOLD OUT San Diego Premiere of @sheepdogthemovie As a civilian filmmaker, it was truly an honor and privilege to be surrounded by talented Veteran filmmakers who have served their country.

🙏🏼♥️ Our entire Team is so grateful for everyone's support and enthusiasm for our film. It was incredibly heartwarming to host our Veterans, 1st Responders, Gold Star Families, Mental Health Workers and all of their families who came out to our premiere. Our deepest gratitude to everyone who stayed afterwards and shared their stories of service and sacrifice. You continue to inspire us! ♥️

WINNER | BEST NEW DIRECTOR | STEVEN GRAYHM | SHEEPDOG |

🏆 SHEEPDOG has been heralded as “a rare perfect film” with 5 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ . Top Film Critic Joe Neumaier says, “SHEEPDOG stands tall in the company of such giants as COMING HOME, AMERICAN SNIPER, and THE MESSENGER.” Shot on location in Western Massachusetts, SHEEPDOG is the first film for this generation that truly explores the physical and psychological repercussions of trauma, with a focus on Post Traumatic Growth (PTG). It is an uplifting original story, inspired by countless first-hand accounts about recovery, redemption, and the journey of healing; themes that now mirror our post-pandemic zeitgeist. Top Film Critic Tony Toscana calls SHEEPDOG, “One of the best films of the year”

WINNER | JURY AWARD | BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE | Naples International Film Festival
WINNER | BEST SCREENPLAY | BEST ACTRESS | BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR | 40th Boston Film Festival
WINNER | BEST ACTOR | BEST SCREENPLAY | 25th Beverly Hills Film Festival
WINNER | BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE FILM | Julien Dubuque International Film Festival
WINNER | BEST NEW DIRECTOR | GI Film Festival San Diego
WINNER | BEST NARRATIVE FILM | BEST OF FEST | MOST INSPIRATIONAL FILM | Sedona International Film Festival

🐺 For more info visit: SheepdogTheMovie.com

#SHEEPDOG #GIFilmFestivalSD #Veterans #FirstResponders #GoldStarFamilies #MentalHealthWorkers #YouMatter #VeteransInFilm #PTG

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WINNER | BEST NEW DIRECTOR | STEVEN GRAYHM | SHEEPDOG | GI FILM FESTIVAL SAN DIEGO 2025

More Photos from the red carpet! Thank you to everyone who joined us on Opening Night at the GI Film Festival for our SOLD OUT San Diego Premiere of SHEEPDOG! We are so grateful for your support and passion for our film. It was an honor to be surrounded by all of our Veterans, 1st Responders, Gold Star Families, Mental Health Workers and all of their families. Thank you for sharing your stories with us. Congratulations to all of the filmmakers this year.

🏆 SHEEPDOG has been heralded as “a rare perfect film” with 5 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ . Top Film Critic Joe Neumaier says, “SHEEPDOG stands tall in the company of such giants as COMING HOME, AMERICAN SNIPER, and THE MESSENGER.” Shot on location in Western Massachusetts, SHEEPDOG is the first film for this generation that truly explores the physical and psychological repercussions of trauma, with a focus on Post Traumatic Growth (PTG). It is an uplifting original story, inspired by countless first-hand accounts about recovery, redemption, and the journey of healing; themes that now mirror our post-pandemic zeitgeist. Top Film Critic Tony Toscana calls SHEEPDOG, “One of the best films of the year”

WINNER | JURY AWARD | BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE | Naples International Film Festival
WINNER | BEST SCREENPLAY | BEST ACTRESS | BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR | 40th Boston Film Festival
WINNER | BEST ACTOR | BEST SCREENPLAY | 25th Beverly Hills Film Festival
WINNER | BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE FILM | Julien Dubuque International Film Festival
WINNER | BEST NEW DIRECTOR | GI Film Festival San Diego
WINNER | BEST NARRATIVE FILM | BEST OF FEST | MOST INSPIRATIONAL FILM | Sedona International Film Festival

🐺 For more info visit: SheepdogTheMovie.com

#SHEEPDOG #GIFilmFestivalSD #Veterans #FirstResponders #GoldStarFamilies #MentalHealthWorkers #YouMatter #VeteransInFilm #PTG

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WINNER | BEST NEW DIRECTOR | STEVEN GRAYHM | SHEEPDOG | GI FILM FESTIVAL SAN DIEGO 2025

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Opening Night at the GI Film Festival for our SOLD OUT San Diego Premiere of SHEEPDOG! We are so grateful for your support and passion for our film. It was an honor to be surrounded by all of our Veterans, 1st Responders, Gold Star Families, Mental Health Workers and all of their families. Thank you for sharing your stories with us. Congratulations to all of the filmmakers this year.

🏆 SHEEPDOG has been heralded as “a rare perfect film” with 5 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ . Top Film Critic Joe Neumaier says, “SHEEPDOG stands tall in the company of such giants as COMING HOME, AMERICAN SNIPER, and THE MESSENGER.” Shot on location in Western Massachusetts, SHEEPDOG is the first film for this generation that truly explores the physical and psychological repercussions of trauma, with a focus on Post Traumatic Growth (PTG). It is an uplifting original story, inspired by countless first-hand accounts about recovery, redemption, and the journey of healing; themes that now mirror our post-pandemic zeitgeist. Top Film Critic Tony Toscana calls SHEEPDOG, “One of the best films of the year”

WINNER | JURY AWARD | BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE | Naples International Film Festival
WINNER | BEST SCREENPLAY | BEST ACTRESS | BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR | 40th Boston Film Festival
WINNER | BEST ACTOR | BEST SCREENPLAY | 25th Beverly Hills Film Festival
WINNER | BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE FILM | Julien Dubuque International Film Festival
WINNER | BEST NEW DIRECTOR | GI Film Festival San Diego
WINNER | BEST NARRATIVE FILM | BEST OF FEST | MOST INSPIRATIONAL FILM | Sedona International Film Festival

🐺 For more info visit: SheepdogTheMovie.com

#SHEEPDOG #GIFilmFestivalSD #Veterans #FirstResponders #GoldStarFamilies #MentalHealthWorkers #YouMatter #VeteransInFilm #PTG

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Best time celebrating @morganparks_ & @ehampton645 🤍 Such a magical wedding in wine country. @stanlyranchauberge You did not disappoint! Be back soon!

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When you have 24 hours in Vegas with your bestie you make the most of it. 🥰

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What a beautiful weekend celebrating love and life @morganparks_ & @ehampton645 👰🏼‍♀️🤵🏼‍♂️

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Spain, you did not disappoint ❤️
Marbella ✨Mallorca ✨Madrid
Some much needed R&R and got to celebrate @taunidawson & @e_d_gr wedding! 👰🏼‍♀️ Shout out to the aunt & uncle of the year @kellystevenblatz & @eeebstd for taking care of our kiddos for 10 days! We love you!

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What a beautiful weekend celebrating @taunidawson @e_d_gr 👰🏼‍♀️💍🤵🏻‍♂️

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Happy anniversary to you both! I loved capturing every second of your wedding. ♥️

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#sandiegowedding #sandiegoweddingphotographer #aviaraparkhyatt #carlsbadwedding #carlsbadweddingvenue #carlsbadweddingphotographer #luxurywedding #aviaraparkhyattweddings #socalweddingphotographer #weddingphotos #southerncaliforniabride #californiaweddings

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