FROM EXECUTIVE PRODUCER JASON MOMOA
SYNOPSIS: A man desperately searches the dead-ends of Atlantic City for a
sister he's lost to the grips of heroin addiction.
CREATIVE TEAM
MICHAEL RAYMOND-JAMES (CO-WRITER / DIRECTOR), is an award winning actor, and filmmaker and lifetime member of The Actors Studio. Originally from Michigan, Michael began his career on the New York stage after studying at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute, but then relocated to Los Angeles at the urging of a Hollywood casting director who once saw him perform. Since then, Michael has worked consistently in both TV and Film, while also returning to the theatre as often as he can. Michael has worked with some of Hollywood’s elite in both film and television, select credits on the TV side include: Alan Ball’s TRUE BLOOD (series regular) for HBO; NBC’s GAME OF SILENCE (series regular) by creator David Hudgins (for which The New York Times touted his performance as “Scary Good”); and the critically acclaimed TERRIERS (series lead) on FX created by Ted Griffin opposite Donal Logue. He also worked on the popular fantasy adventure drama ONCE UPON A TIME (series regular) for ABC; as well as a leading role as Paul Revere in The History Channel miniseries SONS OF LIBERTY. Michael has also recurred on numerous series such as Showtime’s BILLIONS; FOX’s PRODIGAL SON; and the Netflix series FRONTIER.
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He can currently be seen opposite Jason Momoa in season three of the Apple TV series SEE, and the upcoming third season of GODFATHER OF HARLEM as Joe Colombo opposite Forest Whitaker for MGM+. Select film credits include: Disney’s THE FINEST HOURS with Chris Pine and Casey Affleck directed by Craig Gillespie; Chris McQuarrie’s JACK REACHER for Paramount Pictures starring Tom Cruise and Robert Duvall; Craig Brewer’s BLACK SNAKE MOAN alongside Samuel L. Jackson, Christina Ricci, and Justin Timberlake; and the Netflix film SWEET GIRL also opposite Momoa. Michael resides on the East Coast with his wife and children.
GABRIEL FURMAN (CO-WRITER), born and raised in Far Rockaway, Queens, is an award winning actor, writer, and filmmaker and, lifetime member of The Actor's Studio. His passion started off as a professional B-Boy aka “breakdancer” and DJ in the underground NYC dance scene which took him to the New York stage, starting off his career while studying with Susan Batson at Black Nexxus and performing Improv at UCB and The Pit.
In 2015, he wrote, produced and starred opposite Academy Award Winner Melissa Leo in the award winning short, MOTHER'S DAY. The film catapulted Gabriel’s acting career to include And Just Like That, Law & Order SVU, Orange Is The New Black, CBS’s Blue Bloods, and Netflix’s Daredevil. For his true love, theatre, he starred as Judas in “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” at the famed La Mama, and Pinky in “Our Lady of 121st” at his artistic home, The Actors Studio. Both were directed by Academy Award Winner Estelle Parsons. In 2018 Gabriel wrote, produced and starred in the short film WONDER, about a young boy who dreams of being Wonder Woman for Halloween.
The film went on to win 21 awards, including Urbanworld’s Audience Award for “Best Short Film” and Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival’s Jury Award for “Best Short Film”, which qualified WONDER for Academy Award consideration and having it licensed by HBO and all of HBO’s streaming platforms. WONDER is currently being developed into a series with Academy Award winner Bobby Moresco (CRASH / MILLION DOLLAR BABY), Executive Producing. In the fall of 2019, Gabriel co-wrote and starred in the critically acclaimed play, “Brother’s Keeper” at The Actors Studio. He’s developing a feature film based on the play with Ellen Burstyn attached. Gabriel is also currently developing a ten-part mini series with Michael Raymond James entitled, So Close to Home, based on the book and true story of a family who is separated in the Gulf of Mexico during World War II and find their way back to each other. Gabriel lives in New York City with his girlfriend and their puppy.
JASON ROMAN (CINEMATOGRAPHER), a native New Yorker, a portrait and street photographer is riveted by the ordinary moment, where most pedestrians would walk by, he stops, he stares, then clicks in his unassuming way and creates images of beauty. He is not afraid to get close to his subject, not afraid of strolling the streets with a camera but lives for it. Jason is zealous in his quest to improve, to grow and transfer what he sees into an intelligent and provoking image. He respects his subjects, is unassuming when shooting, understands the intricacies of light, the grace and beauty in a simple gesture and the heart of what is before him. Jason is not just about style, composition and technique but strives to be much more.
He currently works closely with the Leica Camera brand as an ambassador and cinematographer. He can also be found on the road documenting Jason Momoa’s passion projects and creating an archive of his adventures on and off set.
FUNDING GOALS
NOV 2022 - DEC 2022
- Finalize Producing Team
- Finalize Director of Photography
- Location Scout
- Sizzle Reel
- Website Design
- Cast Talent
PRE PRODUCTION - Funded
With Executive Producer Jason Momoa on-board, and Co-Producer Leo Jacob, we have completed our core team. Our director, Michael Raymond-James and cinematographer, Jason Roman, shot the cinematic sizzle reel, which solidified the look and feel of the film. Ben and Oliver Samuels, our award winning producing team, edited the sizzle reel and locked in the locations. Currently, our team's top priority is to partner with various community driven organizations who support individuals and families struggling with addiction.
Through these partnerships, we intend to spread mutual awareness and to create an avenue for new audiences to find hope and help in dealing with addiction. During production, we plan to shoot while simultaneously doing outreach within the community. After post production, we will utilize QR codes on our website to direct visitors to helpful portals as well as speak to the good that these organizations do throughout our festival run and in behind the scenes featurettes. The final step is to procure funding for Production, Post Production and Marketing.
PRODUCTION - $33,000
JAN 2023 - 6 Days of shooting
- Cast & Crew
- Locations
- Travel & Accommodations
- Principal Photography
- Production Costs
- Payroll & SAG Signatory
POST PRODUCTION - $9,500
- Editor
- Color Correction
- Sound Designer
- Composer
- VFX
- Prep Deliverables
FEB 2023
MARKETING - $7,500
- Film Festival Submissions
- Social Media Marketing
- PR
- Promotional Materials
- Create DCP & Deliverables
FEB 2023 - APR 2023
PRODUCTION TEAM
BEN SAMUELS (PRODUCER), is a film and theatre maker who attended Tufts University and the British American Drama Academy. Most recently, he wrote, directed, and co-starred in the psychological thriller HIDE (2022). Also this year, he co-directed the dramatic short TYPE 1 with Anthony Rapp and is a current Austin Semifinalist, Nicholl Quarterfinalist, and Coverfly Top 1% Discoverable Writer.
He directed three music videos for Mashville, produced by Dreambear, while Arlie Day and Mike Page cast his next feature. Ben's writing previously won the Austin Film Festival and Launchpad Screenwriting Competitions, and advanced to the Top 50 Nicholl Semifinalists.
OLIVER SAMUELS (PRODUCER), Oliver Samuels is a history and English major who attended The University of Vermont. He is from Bucks County, Pennsylvania and now lives in the Lehigh Valley, enjoying all that the region has to offer. His career in the business has spanned over a decade and has included numerous award winning feature films, shorts, and scripts. Having spent time as a director, assistant director, and producer, as well as numerous roles in front of the camera, he now focuses more on writing, and the supporting of projects with a story to tell.
LEO JACOB (CO-PRODUCER), is a New York City based photographer known for his published book “New York is Dead? Long Live New York!”. When not working on his next book, Leo has been known to photograph the occasional celebrity portraits of actors from both the silver screen and television. As a Leica supported photographer, Leo uses his M10R, SL2, Q2 & M7 (film). When not photographing, Leo will spend as much time as possible riding his motorcycle or working on something creative.
Leo lives in Williamsburg, Brooklyn with his wife and daughter.