Untitled - NewFilmmakers Los Angeles

Logline
On her first day in Afghanistan, an interpreter for the US Army is
forced to deliver the child of an enemy bomb-maker.
Short Synopsis
Inspired by a true story, an Afghan-American woman on the heels of
a divorce joins the US Military as an interpreter. On her first day of
deployment in Afghanistan, her unit searches out the remote house
of a bomb-maker. When the bomb-maker's pregnant wife goes into
labor, the interpreter must go beyond the call of duty to deliver her
breech child.
Long Synopsis
No husband, no job, no future: Feda, a recently divorced
thirty-year-old Afghan-American woman, has been ostracized by her
conservative Muslim community. Intent on reclaiming control of her
life, she makes the bold decision to return to her birthplace as an
interpreter for US forces in Afghanistan.
On Feda’s first day in country, her unit raids the house of an enemy
bomb-maker, his pregnant wife and their little girl. When the pregnant
woman is accidentally knocked over and goes into labor, Feda must
deliver her breech child, as local custom forbids the soldiers from
entering the room. DAY ONE is a story of humanity in the theater of
war -- the miracle of birth bridging the chasm, even if only for a
moment, between two cultures at war.
In 2009, the director served his second tour of duty in Afghanistan as
a Captain in the US Army. This story is inspired by the interpreter with
whom he served.
2/20
Team Bios
Henry Hughes
WRITER/DIRECTOR
Michael Steiner
PRODUCER
Michael Steiner grew up in Boulder, Colorado. He studied
media theory at Brown University before transferring to the
California Institute of Integral Studies, where he earned a
BA in Interdisciplinary Studies. He produced a short dark
comedy that screened at Starz Denver Film Festival and
won the Audience Award at Cinequest International Film
Festival. He co-directed a documentary short in Bolivia
about the coca leaf and the impact of the War on Drugs. He
has worked as a production coordinator and editor on
music videos and studied acting. As part of his studies at
AFI, he worked as a development intern at Groundswell
Productions and assisted the line producers on an
unreleased Electric City Entertainment feature film.
Henry grew up as an army brat who spent his childhood
both in the US and Europe. He studied film at and received
his BS in Communications from Boston University. He
spent the following five years as paratrooper in the 173rd
Airborne, conducting two combat tours in Afghanistan. He
was featured in ABC News’ Standing Up For Heroes where
he was paired with George Lucas as a part of American
Corporate Partner’s National Mentoring Program. Currently,
Henry is completing the second year of his MFA in Directing
at the American Film Institute, where he has received the
Gary Winick Scholarship in recognition of his talent and
academic achievement.
3/20
Kee Kyung
CINEMATOGRAPHER
Benjamin K. Cox
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Benji has been working professionally as a production
designer and art department coordinator on commercials
for the past five years in NYC. He received a BFA in Film and
Television from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, where he
directed and designed many short films, as well as DPing a
number of music videos, including work for some of
Ireland’s top musical acts. Most recently he worked on
EUROPA, designed by Oscar winner Eugenio Caballero as
well as a major motion picture, BLOOD TIES, designed by
Ford Wheeler.
Kee is originally from South Korea. He has lived in London
for the past 14 years, where he earned his BA in Graphic
Design at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design
and his MA in Filmmaking at London Film School. Since
graduating in 2006, Kee has worked as a camera assistant
on a number of commercial feature films in Korea, shot
numerous music videos in London and also shot two
independent feature films as a DP, one in London and one in
Korea. The Korean feature film he shot, JOURNEY OF LIGHT,
currently circulating at film festivals worldwide.
Anisha Acharya
EDITOR
Anisha Acharya is an editor currently completing
her master's course in film editing at the AFI
conservatory. Originally from India, she loves
storytelling for its power to excite, hearten and
uplift the soul. Making stories come to life on the
big screen is her driving passion.
4/20
Actor Bios
Layla Alizada
Bill Zasadil
Layla Alizada was born in Kabul, Afghanistan and raised in
Vancouver, Canada where she attended the prestigious
theater program, Studio 58. Throughout her career she has
portrayed characters as varied as her own ethnic background,
being of Afghani, Egyptian, Spanish and African decent.
Layla booked her first lead role in a TV series at the age of 15
and continued to build a diverse and critically acclaimed body
of work in film, television and theater. Since moving to Los
Angeles she has appeared in a wide range of television
shows including The Mentalist, Criminal Minds: Suspect
Behavior, Eureka and the Kroll Show on Comedy Central to
name a few.
Layla received rave reviews for her starring role in the film
Chasing Freedom opposite Juliette Lewis and the short film
Compromise. Her work in Chasing Freedom won her a Gracie
Allen Award and garnered her a nomination for a Gemini
Award (the Canadian equivalent of an Emmy).
Layla is currently filming a recurring role on the Daytime
Emmy award winning drama, Days of Our Lives.
Bill Zasadil was born and raised on the outskirts of Chicago.
After building a strong skill set as a professional actor and
enjoying success in several plays and commercial spots in
Chicago, it was time to move to Los Angeles to pursue a
career in television and film.
Bill has had guest appearances on Desperate Housewives,
Vegas, NCIS: Los Angeles, CSI: New York and continually
works in independent film. He continues to study and hone
his skills in between projects.
5/20
Navid Negahban
Alain Washnevsky
Born in Mashhad, Iran, Negahban caught the acting bug at the
age of eight, when his portrayal of an old man drew laughter
from a large audience at an elementary school play. His
passion for acting led him to Germany where he spent eight
years honing his theatrical skills prior to arriving in the United
States. He is fluent in English, Farsi and German and in his
spare time enjoys traveling, studying anthropology, shooting
pool, driving and playing poker.
Navid’s film credits include a leading role in the critically
acclaimed feature The Stoning of Soraya M. His portrayal of
the character “Ali” was dubbed by the New York Times as,
“satanic as any horror-movie apparition.” He has also had
significant supporting roles in Brothers starring Tobey Maguire
and Jake Gyllenhaal; Powder Blue with Jessica Biel and Forest
Whitaker; Charlie Wilson’s War starring Tom Hanks, Julia
Roberts and Amy Adams and Words and Pictures with Clive
Owens and Juliette Binoche. He’s recently finished filming Clint
Eastwood’s American Sniper with Bradley Cooper and Sienna
Miller.
Navid’s television roles include terrorist Abu Nazir on
Showtime’s Emmy winning drama series Homeland, and IRK
delegate Jamot on the final season of Fox’s hit show, 24. He
has also made appearances on (among others) CSI: NY, CSI:
Miami, NCIS: Los Angeles, Law & Order: SVU, The Closer,
Criminal Minds, Lost, Jag, The West Wing, Without a Trace and
The Shield.
Alain was born in Teheran, Iran and grew up in Vienna,
Austria. Since his early childhood, he dreamed of being an
actor on the big screen.
Alain has acted in many short and independent feature
movies. Recently, he played a prison inmate in the major
motion picture Septembers of Shiraz starring Adrien Brody,
Salma Hayek and Shoohreh Agdashloo where he doubled
as Adrien’s and Salma’s private accent coach. He also
performs in commercials such as the recent American
Greetings in May 2014
.
Outside of acting, Alain is a successful public speaker,
competing in motivational and inspirational speech
contests worldwide. In his public speaking he shares his
experiences of life and tries to give back what he has
learned from the amazing and interesting people he has
met throughout his journey. Recently he competed in the
2014 World Championship of Public Speaking and is one of
the top 9 worldwide.
6/20
Alexia Pearl
Yanellie Ireland
Yanellie's first print job was for Toys R Us when she was only
three years old. Soon thereafter she was bitten by the acting
bug, and made her film debut at age four in a San Diego
State University short titled Mediocre Masterpiece.
Since the young age of nine, she has followed her dream
with enthusiasm and passion, and is acutely dedicated to
her craft. Yanellie's numerous credits include commercials,
voice-overs, independent films, television shows, music
videos, web series, and PSAs.
She takes easily to memorizing lines in foreign languages
including Dari, Farsi, and Spanish, is able to cry on cue, as
well as convincingly convey a wide range of complex
emotions.
Alexia Pearl was born and raised in Colorado. Her passion for
acting began at a young age through movies and school
plays. Wasting no time, Alexia persuaded her parents to
enroll her in acting classes. She loved the entertainment
business and had various acting, modeling, and hosting jobs
throughout high school and college. After finishing her
studies, Alexia moved to Los Angeles to further pursue her
career in film and television.
Shari Vasseghi
Shari Vasseghi is an international actress who has appeared
on numerous independent films as well as TV shows such as
Pretty Little Liars and The Whole Truth And has had the
honor of performing stand-up comedy for the US troops in
Japan. Shari is honored to be part of this powerful story and
the opportunity to work with such talented cast and crew.
7/20
Set Stills
1
Director Henry Hughes (top) discusses
a scene with actors Bill Zasadil (left)
and Layla Alizada (right)
2
3
Director Henry Hughes
(right) frames a shot
with Camera operator
Bennett Cerf and 1st AC
Seongbin Baek while
actors (right to left)
Alain Washnevsky,
Alexia Pearl and Layla
Alizada rehearse the
scene.
8/20
Actresses Layla Alizada (left) and
Yanellie Ireland (right) prepare for a
take.
4
Cinematographer
Kee Kyung sets up a
dolly shot with his team.
5
Director Henry Hughes
(left) discusses a scene
with actress Alexia Pearl
(right).
6
Cast and crew
rehearse a stunt.
9/20
7
(Left to right)
Cinematographer
Kee Kyung, Director
Henry Hughes,
Producer Michael
Steiner, Production
Designer Benjamin
Cox, and Script
Supervisor Asia
LeMasters watch a
take.
8
Actor Navid
Negahban
performs on
camera.
10/20
9
Actress Alexia Pearl.
10
Actress Yanellie
Ireland.
11/20
Screen Credits
MAIN TITLES
AMERCIAN FILM INSTITUTE presents
END TITLES
Written & Directed
Story
Produced
Cinematography
Production Design
Edited
by
by
by
by
by
by
HENRY HUGHES
HENRY HUGHES AND DAWN DEVOE
MICHAEL STEINER
KEE KYUNG
BENJAMIN K. COX
ANISHA ACHARYA
In 2009, the director served with US forces fighting in Afghanistan.
This story was inspired by his interpreter.
12/20
CAST
Feda
Lieutenant Adams
Dr. Nasir
Jalal
Naheed
Mina
Nazaneen
Gulab
Omar
Sergeant McCloud
Private Hughes
Baby
Stunt Coordinators
Stunt Performer
Music by
Casting by
Costume Design by
Line Producer
PAT STATHAM
JAMES HUTCHISON
JEF GROFF
OMAR FADEL
BECKY SILVERMAN, CSA
AMBRE WRIGLEY
JO HENRIQUEZ
Unit Production Manager
First Assistant Director
Second Assistant Director
LAURA NOXON
KELLY STEVENS
CANDACE BALIDO
Art Director
Set Decorator
SEAN GRAHAM
ELIZABETH BOYLE
Camera Operator
First Assistant Camera
Second Assistant Cameras
Still Photographer
Camera PAs
Script Supervisor
Production Coordinators
Production Office PA
Production Accountant
Gaffers
Best Boy Electrics
13/20
LAYLA ALIZADA
BILL ZASADIL
NAVID NEGAHBAN
ALAIN WASHNEVSKY
ALEXIA PEARL
YANELLIE IRELAND
SHARI VASSEGHI
MUSTAFA HAIDARI
ALI OLOMI
JESSE LUKEN
DAVE RACKI
MADISON AND MARIAH ROBERTS
BENNETT CERF
SEONGBIN BAEK
ERIC AGUILAR
JESSICA LEE
REID CHAVIS
WILL ANDERSON
BRODERICK ENGELHARD
ALEJANDRO ECHEVARRIA
ASIA LEMASTERS
RUTH DU
GURJEET BASSI
SARAH MCCLURE
HYOJONG CELINA KIM
NICH MUSCO
VADIM AYNBINDER
GUY POOLES
SARAH FOX
K AY HUNG
Key Grip
Best Boy Grips
Dolly Grip
Grips
Production Sound Mixer
Boom Operator
Costumers
Military Costumes provided by
Key Hair and Make-up
Make-up Assistants
Property Masters
Weapons Wrangler
Weapons provided by
Animal Wrangler
Key Set Dresser
Set Dressers
Construction Coordinator
Construction Foreman
Carpenters
Charge Scenic
Painters
14/20
MOIRA MOREL
CORY WARNER
STEPHEN ST. PETER
MIKE SWIATEK
DANIEL CROSS
YAN RAMOS
DEAN HUGHES
MYKEE DELMUNDO
JIM THORNTON
BRIAN MCKINNEY
COURTNEY JONES
KIMBERLY ALDINGER
YOKO OKOMURA
GURJEET BASSI
BRIAN THOMPSON, TIER 1 TACTICAL
LAUREN BENCOMO
TERESA AGUILERA
CALI MAZARIEGO
TONY WILEY
KELLY K ALAC
ALEX VAN PUTTEN
MIKE TRISTANO
ERIC SERRANO
WHITNEY GRIES
CINDY LI
HAISU WANG
AASHRITA K AMATH
ASHLEY MONTI
SANDRA CARMOLA
JAMES FUENTEZ
JAMES FUENTEZ, JR.
GEORGE CARNERO
ADAM DALE
HEIDI GRAY
STEVEN KELLER
ANTHONY RUSSO
MANDEEP SINGH
DAVID VALDEZ
THOMAS WHITE
TAYLOR L. SHAW
ALISON KORTH
SAVANNAH STEINER
JAKE SCHOMERS
JESSE SCHOMERS
Art Department Assistants
ALEX CUMMINGS
OWEN SCHWARTZBARD
SAMARA PALS
Special Effects Supervisor
Special Effects Technician
JOSH HAKIAN
KYLE JOHNSON
Location Manager
Transportation Coordinator
Drivers
Key Set PA
Production Assistants
Studio Teacher Coordinator
Studio Teachers
Studio Nurse
Dula
Dialect Coach
TREVOR WORLEY
MICHAEL LANGER
JAY MCCLAIN
ART PONZIO
ROBERT "BIRDMAN" KOLENBERG
MIKE HELLERSTEIN
SONYA NOVAK
MILTON CHENG
ZACH HEINTZ
JENNY LICHT
DANIEL NIX
PRISCILLA SANTOLI
STELLA PACIFIC
MARK ALKOFER
GUY FLINT
EDIE WEEKS
ROBIN MICHELS
K ATIE HAMILTON
MUSTAFA HAIDARI
Background Performers
FRANCO AKERLUND
AHMED ALBARRAWI
LACEY ALESSANDRO
MAAZ ALI
NICK APOSTOLIDES
K AMERON BASSERI
MICHAEL BECKSTROM
VINCENT BISCIONE
LEONEL CLAUDE
JONATHAN COUSEUS
ANDERSON CUFFEE
RICK Y DELGADO
ALON DINA
JOHN HENDEL
HEATHER HULT
CHRIS JUPITZ
BARRETT KIICK
MORGAN LEEB
CINDY LI
Catering
Craft Service
Craft Service Assistant
First Aid
Security
MIKE MCCARTHY
BRIAN PACHINGER
JAMES POIRIER
JON RAY
UDI SABAR
ERIC SERRANO
COREY WEISSMAN
EVAN WEISSMAN
DEREK WOLFGANG HUFF
ANDREW WOODS
IMPECCABLE TASTE
BJ BURRIS
DARION WELLS
LINDIE KUZMICH
REEL SECURITY
ADDITIONAL PHOTOGR APHY
First Assistant Directors
Second Assistant Directors
Art Directors
Set Decorator
First Assistant Cameras
15/20
ADAM MARTIN
ALLISON ECKERT
BRANDON RILEY
LAURIK A HARRIS-K AYE
HAISU WANG
EVAN MRVA
JULIE CHEN
LOIE RUSSELL-TEMPLETON
TIM K ANG
Second Assistant Cameras
Camera PA
Script Supervisor
Production Coordinator
Gaffers
Best Boy Electrics
Key Grips
Best Boy Grip
Swings
Naheed Body Double
Dr. Nasir Body Double
Production Sound Mixers
Boom Operator
Key Costumers
Key Make-up
Key Hair
Hair Assistant
Property Master
Key Construction
Carpenter
Painters
Art Department Assistants
Production Assistants
Drivers
Studio Teacher
Studio Nurse
16/20
ROLAND LAZARTE
BRODERICK ENGELHARD
LIZ EHLER
MICHAEL RICHMAN
SARAH ROBERTSON
LILA AHRONOWITZ
BENNETT CERF
SEONGBIN BAEK
RENE YESCAS
ED WU
DANIEL CROSS
CHARLES TAE
ANDRESSA CORDEIRO
SETH STOLTENOW
TABEA SORIANO HUGHES
KONSTANTIN LAV YSH
ARMANDO MACIAS
SIMON ROEL
DAVID SPENCER
YESENIA CORREA
K ATHERINE HEGARTY
K AREN MCDONALD
LORENA ZAMORA
VANESSA ZAMORA
COLBY GIOVACCHINI
BRIAN KEEPERS
COSIJOEZA MARTCHESS
SHAMIM SEIFZADEH
KEENA BROWN
SAMANTHA DAVIS
BEATRICE NICOLETTI
MICHAEL BECKSTROM
JUSTIN HONG
SEAN GARCIA
DIANA COTERO
ALON DINA
JON CLEMMONS
MIKE HELLERSTEIN
MICHAEL LUTZ
PETER PETROSYAN
SEAN CYPHERS
WALTER SPOHN
JON FULLER
LINDA STONE
THELMA BRONET
Catering
Craft Service
Assistant Editor
JOHN LAFLEUR, THE CRAFTY CATERER
JOHN WOODARD
MARGO KING
JOHN STEINER
JOSEPH PAT CONNOR
Post-Production Sound Services by
SK YWALKER SOUND
A LUCASFILM LTD. COMPANY
MARIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Supervising Sound Editor
Sound Designer / Re-Recording Mixer
Co-Supervising Sound Editor / Sound Effects Editor
Sound Effects Editor
Foley Editor
Dialogue Editors
ADR Recordist
MATTHEW WOOD
DAVID ACORD
DMITRI MAK AROV
JONATHAN GREBER
LUCAS MILLER
BRAD SEMENOFF
JAMES SPENCER
ANDREW K ANTOS
Visual Effects and Animation by
INDUSTRIAL LIGHT & MAGIC
A LUCASFILM LTD. COMPANY
ILM Visual Effects Supervisor
ILM Visual Effects Producer
Digital Supervisors
AMBER WONG
JUSTIN KOSNIKOWSKI
SCOTT PRITCHARD
DOUG SUTTON
Digital Artists
BEN AICKIN
MICHELE BENIGNA
RAYMOND CHOU
JORGE HEREDIA
JANICE TAN
MICHELLE K ATER
MARLA NEWALL
Visual Effects Editor
Visual Effects Production Managers
NIC ANASTASSIOU
CLAUDIA LECAROS
COURTNEY MILLER
Production and Technical Support
ILM Executive Staff
17/20
LINDY DE QUATTRO
KELSEY CHARLTON
NINA FALLON
BHAKTI PATWARDHAN
LYNWEN BRENNAN
JOHN KNOLL
GRETCHEN LIBBY
Digital Intermediate provided by
SIXTEEN19
DI Senior Colorist
DI Colorist
DI Assist
DI Producer
Subtitle Translations
Subtitling Services
ANDREW FRANCIS
PATRICK DEVINE
CHARLES LEIGHTON
BRIAN REALI
NUSHIN ARBABZADAH
POINT.360
Music composed, recorded and mixed by
OMAR FADEL
Music Editor
Vocals
Woodwinds
Programming
JESSICA ROSE WEISS
ALEX NESTER
JOHN YOAKUM
OMAR FADEL
Executive Producer
MITCHELL SANDLER
Partners
BROOKE JORDAN
MARGO KING
ELIZABETH KING
MICHAEL BUDD
VIRGINIA JORDAN
JESSE ESTRIN
JOHN STEINER
DAVID FRIEDMAN
Supporters
MELISSA MICHAELS
ARCHANA MURTHY
AASTHA GAUR
KENT GOODROAD
ANGELA CURRY
PAUL MICKEY
VIKRAM RAO
SRIKUMAR JAYARAM
BHAVANA KESHAVAMURTHY
CINDY LI
The filmmakers wish to thank
18/20
VINOD A. ABHICHANDANI
JAGABANDHU ACHARYA
SHAMBHAVI ACHARYA
AVINASH ACHARYA
DANIELA ACHARYA
PEGGY ARNT
DEEPAK BHOJWANI
MIKE CARTER
JEFF & CHRISTI COX
MIKE DALLATORRE
K AY ERLAND
K YUHWAN KYUNG
DR. STUART FISCHBEIN
PADDY FERRITER
LYNNE HALE
CHRIS HOBBS
MILES HUBLEY
TYSON HUBLEY
ZOE INMAN
JOE & PAULA HUGHES
TABEA SORIANO HUGHES
JOSEPH KIRKLAND
RYAN KROELLS
PIN-CHUN LIU
GEORGE LUCAS
TRAVIS MACRITCHIE
CRYSTAL MARSHALL
ARCHANA MURTHY
TOM PAE
USHA RAO
SRIK ARA RAO
SADIQU TAWFIK
ERIC SERRANO
EUN YOUNG SUNG
THOMAS WHITE
CASTEX RENTALS
CINELEASE
CINEREP AMPS
CREATURE FX
ENTERPRISE TRUCK RENTALS
VISION COMMUNICATIONS
OPFOR SOLUTIONS
RECYCLED MOVIE
RUNA CLEAN ENERGY
EDITED ON AVID SYMPHONY
CAMERA EQUIPMENT COURTESY OF PANAVISION AND BRAINBOX CAMERAS
HD EQUIPMENT COURTESY OF SONY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
THE CHARACTERS AND EVENTS DEPICTED IN THIS MOTION PICTURE ARE FICTITIOUS.
ANY SIMILARITY TO ACTUAL PERSONS, LIVING OR DEAD, IS PURELY COINCIDENTAL.
THIS MOTION PICTURE IS THE PROPERTY OF THE AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE AND IS PROTECTED
UNDER THE COPYRIGHT LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER COUNTRIES. UNAUTHORIZED
DUPLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR EXHIBITION MAY RESULT IN CIVIL LIABILITY AND CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.
PRODUCED AT THE AFI CONSERVATORY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
MASTER OF FINE ARTS DEGREE OR CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION.
ANISHA ACHARYA, AFI EDITING FELLOW
BENJAMIN K. COX, AFI PRODUCTION DESIGN FELLOW
HENRY HUGHES, AFI DIRECTING FELLOW
KEE KYUNG, AFI CINEMATOGRAPHY FELLOW
MICHAEL STEINER, AFI PRODUCING FELLOW
© COPYRIGHT 2014
AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE
19/20
AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE PRESENTS
“DAY ONE”
LAYLA ALIZADA BILL ZASADIL NAVID NEGAHBAN ALAIN WASHNEVSKY ALEXIA PEARL
YANELLIE IRELAND SHARI VASSEGHI MUSTAFA HAIDARI ALI OLOMI DAVE RACKI JESSE LUKEN
b BECKY SILVERMAN, CSA c OMAR FADEL
CINEMATOGRAPHY
e ANISHA ACHARYA PRODUCTION
DESIGN BY BENJAMIN K. COX
BY KEE KYUNG
j MICHAEL STEINER m HENRY HUGHES AND DAWN DEVOE ( HENRY HUGHES
WWW.DAYONEFILM.COM
20/20