to the Press Kit (PDF – 1.07MB)

Contact:
Robert M.
M Heske
Manager, Blessid LLC
(508) 868-3116
[email protected]
blessidthemovie.com
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
contents
‰ Writer / Producer
Producer’s
s Message
Message……….3
3
‰ Story…………………………………... .5
o Logline
o Short Synopsis
o Medium Synopsis
o Long Synopsis
‰ Stills…………………………………….8
S ill
8
‰ Cast……………………………………11
‰ Crew…………………………………..13
‰ Anecdotes……………………………15
‰ News…………………………………..17
‰ Credits………………………………...18
‰ Director’s Vision……………………..20
2
writer / producer’s
message
Fate can change your life forever.
When I was 28, I was shopping for a birthday present for my mother whom I would later
learn was secretly battling colon cancer. Buying my mom a gift was no easy chore as the
woman never wanted anything. I saw a mall cart that sold a wide gamut of items − coffee
mugs, t-shirts, plates − with personalized photos. I sat down in the booth, took a picture
and had it put inside a plastic clock. Within weeks the cheap plastic hands fell off, leaving
a black hole in the middle of my smiling mug. Nonetheless, the goofy photo clock stayed
hung over my parent's kitchen sink for nearly 20 years until my father had to put my
mother (a survivor of cancer, but now suffering from dementia) into a nursing home.
Soon myy mother was in a deep
p fog,
g, and rarely
y recognized
g
me. There is nothing
g more
de-humanizing than having your biggest fan look at you like an average Joe. I was
resigned to being just “that guy" who showed up every week to visit.
But one day, my father told me on the phone: "Your mother saw your picture today and
said, 'That's Robert!' "
"What picture?" I asked, surprised that my mother would recognize me at all.
"The photo clock from the kitchen," Dad replied. "I brought it to her room to cheer her
up."
At the time Mom looked up at that clock in the nursing home, I was writing a microbudget script about a suicidal pregnant woman searching for the will to live who meets
an immortal. It fascinated me to have two pivotal characters at opposite ends of the
survivor spectrum: one who could barely live day-to-day and the other who had lived
virtually forever. But the story was missing something − a visual metaphor − to represent
the protagonist stuck in the past and also to portray a sense of timelessness to reflect
the neighbor's longevity. The "handless" clock was the perfect device. Not only did it give
me the visual metaphor I sought, it also gave me the perfect ending. (You’ll have to see
the movie to know what I mean!)
3
Now, I'm bringing that silly clock to life in Blessid. I am proud of this movie, and of the
fabulous cast and crew. But I’m most proud of the positive, powerful message it conveys:
We all have choices in life, and we must live with them. But we must also not remain
prisoners to the past. Life is a precious gift and forgiveness lies within oneself.
My mother passed before the film was complete
complete, but she still made a huge contribution
contribution.
Just by pointing at a non-functional clock, and – for a moment − remembering her
favorite* son. This film is dedicated to her loving memory.
− Robert M. Heske, Writer / Producer of Blessid
*Who is the favorite is an unending argument among my siblings. But I know the truth.
4
story
Logline:
A bedridden pregnant woman − entrapped in an empty marriage and haunted by a
childhood tragedy − forms a friendship with an eccentric new neighbor who steals weeds
from her yard and harbors an amazing life secret.
Short Synopsis:
Sarah Duncliffe (played by Rachel Kerbs) battles suicidal thoughts and disturbing
hallucinations of her deceased sister (a victim of a tragic childhood accident), an abusive
ex-boyfriend who continues to stalk her, and the banal existence of an empty marriage.
Weeks away from delivering a child that she feels undeserving to parent, Sarah finds her
life taking a surprising turn when she accidentally meets her new neighbor (Jedediah
Cross, played by Rick Montgomery, Jr.) who harbors an amazing life secret and shares a
personal connection that will change
p
g her forever.
Blessid is a dark preternatural tale about two strangers who come together to find the
beauty and purpose of life, and that forgiveness begins within oneself.
5
Medium Synopsis:
Sarah Duncliffe (played by Rachel Kerbs) battles suicidal thoughts and disturbing
hallucinations of her deceased sister (a victim of a tragic childhood accident), an abusive
ex-boyfriend (Evan) who continues to stalk her, and the banal existence of an empty
marriage to her wayward husband, Edward. Weeks away from delivering a child that she
feels undeserving to parent, Sarah finds her life taking a surprising turn when she
accidentally meets her new neighbor, Jedediah Cross – a mystical man with black teeth
and ageless eyes.
One night after a sleepwalking episode Sarah ends up in Jedediah’s house. When
Jedediah takes his cat outside, Sarah discovers a scrapbook which contains pictures
that go back decades – and in which Jedediah never ages. She confronts him and
eventually learns he is over 2,000 years old. Skeptical at first, Sarah begins to wonder if
there is truth to what he says and their friendship deepens.
When Sarah’s husband has to leave on unexpected business, Sarah’s ex boyfriend
intrudes on her – demanding that he is the father of the her unborn baby. When Sarah
coldly rejects him, Evan becomes enraged. Later that night, Evan spies Sarah sneak
over to Jedediah’s house and leave the next morning.
g Events escalate to a violent
confrontation that mortally injures Jedediah and puts Sarah and her unborn child in peril.
Sarah Duncliffe − once a young woman who welcomed death − must now choose to fight
to survive.
Blessid is a dark preternatural tale about two strangers who come together to find the
beauty and purpose of life, and that forgiveness begins within oneself.
6
Long Synopsis:
“LOST IN TRANSLATION” meets
t “ORDINARY PEOPLE” meett “DISTURBIA
“DISTURBIA.””
Sarah Duncliffe is pregnant and suicidal. She is married to a man she does not love,
stalked by an abusive ex-boyfriend (Evan), and haunted by a dead girl from her past.
After a mishap, Sarah is instructed by her doctor to stay in bed. Begrudgingly she does.
That is, until a strange older man moves in next door. A man with black teeth and an odd
habit of sneaking into Sarah's yard to steal weeds. Emboldened by curiosity, Sarah
sneaks into her neighbor's yard − only to be locked inside a greenhouse. After she
breaks a glass pane to escape, she cuts herself and faints.
Sarah wakes and learns the neighbor had treated her wound with a strange herbal
ointment and brought
g her to the hospital.
p
Eventually
y Sarah g
gets up
p the nerve to introduce
herself to her next door neighbor – a man named Jedediah Cross. They form a fast
friendship until Sarah finds an ancient scrapbook and discovers Jedediah is a drifter who
is over two thousand years old.
But what is the secret behind his longevity, and why did he enter Sarah’s life at her
lowest
o es po
point?
When Sarah's husband goes away on an unexpected business trip, Evan shows up at
her door. They had a one-night stand and Evan believes he is the father of Sarah's
unborn child. When Sarah denies this and coldly rejects him, Evan becomes enraged
and storms out.
Later that night, when Evan watches Sarah go to Jedediah’s house and return early the
next morning, his anger and jealously is uncontrollable. Events escalate to a violent
confrontation that mortally injures Jedediah and puts Sarah and her unborn child in peril.
Sarah Duncliffe − once a young woman who welcomed death − must now choose to fight
to survive.
Blessid is a dark preternatural tale about two strangers who come together to find the
beauty and purpose of life, and that forgiveness begins within oneself. Director Rob Fitz,
also a veteran feature film horror effects artist, originally planned to reveal the horrific
face of Sarah’s dead young sister – but then opted to cut the scene when the tone of the
film shifted from psychological horror to suspense drama. Upon viewing the final cut, Fitz
t rned to Writer/Prod
turned
Writer/Producer
cer Robert Heske (also a horror writer)
riter) with
ith ssurprise,
rprise "I can’t
believe I made this movie. It’s like Horror is my mistress but I ended up marrying Drama,
my best friend."
7
stills
Sarah Duncliffe (played by Rachel Kerbs) battles depression and suicidal thoughts in Blessid.
Sarah (Rachel Kerbs) has a flashback to a traumatic childhood event in the shower.
To download production stills, visit www.blessidthemovie.com
8
Jedediah Cross (Rick Montgomery Jr.), Sarah’s eccentric new neighbor, harbors an amazing life secret.
Edward (Gene Silvers), Sarah’s estranged husband, wants to know the secret of her dark, troubled past.
Evan (Chris DiVecchio), Sarah’s abusive ex‐boyfriend, returns to stalk her.
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Sarah’s mother (Kate Jurdi) questions a police officer (Jeremie Buck) about her daughter’s disappearance.
A haunting image from the past of young Sarah (Gina Pardi) and her sister Tracy (Madeline O’Brien).
Sarah (Rachel Kerbs) contemplates her own mortality in a pivotal scene from Blessid. 10
cast
Rachel Kerbs – Sarah Duncliffe
Blessid stars Rachel Kerbs as “Sarah Duncliffe”, a suicidal pregnant
woman trapped in an empty marriage and haunted by a horrific past.
Originally from Katy, TX, Rachel graduated from the University of
Oklahoma. Before moving to Los Angeles, she thrived in NYC,
working in theater and voice over. She is most known for her starring
role in the critically-acclaimed indie horror, Splinter in 2009 opposite
actors Shea Whigham (Boardwalk Empire, Silver Linings Playbook),
Jill Wagner (Wipeout, Teen Wolf) and Paulo Costanzo (Royal Pains,
Road Trip). Rachel has appeared in television commercials, feature
films, indie shorts and, most recently, the award-winning web series
The Vault produced by Mark Cuban. She is currently developing her
own dark comedy web series Tequila Mockingbird.
Mockingbird
Rick Montgomery Jr. – Jedediah Cross
Rick plays “Jedediah Cross” (the enigmatic immortal who moves in
next-door to the Duncliffes). In 2001, Rick retired from a business
career to pursue one in acting. Rick has appeared in 80 feature films
and shorts, including Last Kind Words, Fury: The Tales of Ronan
Pierce, The Wind is Watching, Squid Man, Dying 2 Meet U, and Aimy
in a Cage.
Cage Rick has worked with notable actors including Brad Dourif
Dourif,
Crispin Glover, Kane Hodder, Wilfred Brimley, Terry Moore, Terry
Kiser and Allisyn Ashley Arm.
Gene Silvers – Edward Duncliffe
Gene Silvers, veteran of many primetime TV shows, as well
as the Broadway stage, is playing "Edward Duncliffe" (Sarah's
husband). Gene's credits include Law & Order SVU, Nickelodeon's
Sam & Cat, and Third Watch. Gene's most notable performance was
a guest lead on an Emmy Nominated episode of Law & Order. Gene
was also a lead in the critically lauded, holocaust drama Irena's Vow
with Tony nominated Tovah Feldshuh on Broadway. He is also a
professional photographer and Magician, living in LA and NY.
11
Chris DiVecchio – Evan
Chris plays “Evan” (Sarah’s abusive ex-boyfriend who re-enters her life
at the worst time)
time). Chris starred in Wolf Moon (formerly titled Dark
Moon Rising) with Max Ryan, Maria Conchita Alonso, Chris Mulkey
and Sid Haig. On television, Chris co-starred on many hit shows such
as Alias, Law and Order, Girls Behaving Badly, and was featured as a
guest star in the 100th episode of The Ghost Whisper, directed by
Jennifer Love Hewitt. A former collegiate hockey player and
competitive body builder, Chris has been anointed one of Hollywood’s
“Hunks of Horrors” to watch. In addition to acting, Chris is also a life
coach, personal trainer and owner of Premier Mind & Body.
Kate Jurdi – Sarah's Mother
Actress/Model Kate Jurdi plays the role of “Sarah's Mother” (shown in
flashback scenes). Kate has also appeared in numerous other feature
films and shorts,
shorts including the award winning indie-short
indie-short, Crooked
Lane, the indie feature Tangled 8, and the feature films Pink Panther 2,
Surrogates, and Sex Tape. Kate's training in the Dramatic Arts
includes The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard
University and the Carter Thor Acting Studio. She is also a trained
professional dancer and singer.
Gina Pardi – Young Sarah
Gina is playing “Young Sarah.” Gina is a fresh-face when it comes to
professional work, but already has multiple theater, film, and national
work credits under her belt. At age 10, she was featured on the
national television show, Kid Fitness, and starred in two national
projects: the short film Influenced and the educational film Nan’s
Corner Since then,
Corner.
then she has appeared in numerous local commercials
and spreads. She was also featured in two short indie films: Crooked
Lane and Jubilee Jones. Gina has a strong tap, ballet, jazz and singing
background.
Madeline O’Brien – Tracy”
Madeline is playing “Tracy” (Sarah’s dead sister). Madeline got her
start in acting at age 3 when she was cast as Anna Cooley in The
Legend of Lucy Keyes. The following year, she starred opposite
Morgan Freeman as Amanda McCready in Ben Affleck’s directorial
debut, Gone Baby Gone. Since then, she has appeared in several
commercials and videos. Most recently she had lead roles in the short
films Alone in the Dark and Season of Hope.
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crew
Rob Fitz – Director
Makeup and special effects savant Rob Fitz has a long and
impressive resume on IMDB with credits on such films as Black Mass,
American Hustle, Ted, The Perfect Storm, The Fighter, Surrogates,
The Grown Ups, Fever Pitch, Meet Joe Black and Jumanji. Rob took
the director’s helm for the critically acclaimed Chinese vampire
horror/action film God of Vampires which he made for $26,000
$
(and
which he also wrote). HorrorNews.net raved “God of Vampires is
exactly the kick in the ass the vampire genre does need” and Dread
Central gushed “A fun, bloody action/horror hybrid that actually
presented us with a different kind of bloodsucker for once (always a
good thing) and knew exactly what it was doing.” God of Vampires
has secured domestic and foreign distribution.
Robert Heske – Producer / Writer
Robert Heske is a screenwriter, graphic novelist and award-winning
indie comic creator. Robert is writer and co-creator of the vampire
epic The Night Projectionist, a graphic novel published by boutique
comic publisher Studio 407. The graphic novel has been optioned for
film by Myriad Pictures. Robert also co-wrote the festival awardwinning shorts Waiting (starring Richard Schiff, Izabella Miko and Earl
Brown) and No Middle Ground.
Ground Robert
Robert’s
s producer credits include
Tangled 8, The Book of Habbalah, and the sci-fi indie
drama Vessel from Melbourne, Australia.
Silas Tyler – Co-Producer / Director of Photography / Editor
One of the backbones behind Blessid, Silas Tyler is a Gaffer /
Cinematographer based in Chicago, IL. He was Director of
Photography on God of Vampires. His diverse experience comprises
documentaries lensed abroad, the last of which was an official
selection at the Dubai International Film Festival, as well as domestic
commercial and feature film work as chief lighting technician. His
passion for storytelling has taken him around the world, and many
projects he has been involved in have won awards. Silas has also
worked on numerous TV movies, features, and short films. He has
nearly 40 IMDB credits for camera and electrical, cinematography,
editor and producer
producer. He shot Blessid on the Red Epic camera.
camera
13
John E. Seymore – Producer
John is an award-winning screenwriter and producer, as well as an
accomplished actor, Emmy nominee, casting director, UPM and
Director. His written and produced short film, She Feast, won the Killer
Film Challenge and best production at the Phoenix Short Film Festival.
His Producer credits include the short films: Come to Know, A Very
Careful Man, She Feast and Speak To Me. His feature films
include: You Can’t Kill Stephen King, The Final Shift, Thinking with
Richard, Blessid and Tangled 8. John is currently shopping the festival
favorite feature version of She Feast and just finished Directing his first
feature, Tangled 8. Other current projects include The Lonely Trilogy
(shorts), Alibi Boys (comedy pilot) and The Book of Habbalah, Book 1.
Federico Chávez-Blanco – Composer
Federico Chávez-Blanco is an award-winning composer of music for
film, TV, Telenovelas and the Concert Stage. With over two decades of
p
, his musical work can be heard in renowned film festivals
experience,
worldwide and on TV networks such as Telemundo, PBS, Univision,
BBC, Televisa, Galavision, and Azteca Network. Federico ChavezBlanco is a proud BMI and a Grammy member, a NALIP mentor and a
NALAC follower.
John Gage – Sound Editor / Boom and Sound Mixer
John Gage (“Gage”)
( Gage ) has over 30 IMDB credits doing sound work in
features and shorts. Proficient both on set and in post, his features
slate includes Aimy in a Cage, Fury: The Tales of Ronan Pierce,
Celeste and Jessie Forever, My Hometown and Conned. He is also a
writer, actor, musician and avid collector of vinyl. He had his daughter,
Harriet, 9 months after Blessid wrapped.
Alex Ferrari – Colorist, On-Line Editor, Post Supervision
Alex began
Al
b
his
hi career as an editor
dit and
d quickly
i kl moved
d up th
the ranks
k as
a colorist, post production and visual effects supervisor. Coming from a
visual effects/post production background, this versatile director
combines his passion for storytelling and visual effects experience with
a unique visual style. He established an award winning visual
effects/post production boutique called Numb Robot, which specializes
in editorial, color grading, visual effects, RED Camera Workflow, title
sequences, commercials and independent films.
Paul Battista, Esq. – Entertainment Attorney
Paul Battista is an attorney in Los Angeles where he represents low
budget independent filmmakers. Paul earned a J.D. from Seton Hall
Law School, and LL.M. from Georgetown Law Center and an M.F.A. in
Film Studies from the University of Utah. He wrote, directed and
produced the low budget indie Crooks (released by Warner Home
Vid ) and
Video)
d iis author
th off th
the b
book,
k Independent
I d
d t Film
Fil P
Producing:
d i
A
An
Outsider’s Guide to Producing a First Low Budget Feature Film.
14
anecdotes…
Drinking on the Set?
From lead actress Rachel Kerbs (Sarah Duncliffe)
"Working
g on Blessid was such an amazing
g experience!
p
Since I was on set almost every
y
day, I got very close with the crew. They were there for me in every way. They supported
me and encouraged my work and made the long shoot days bearable.
On the first day of principle photography I had probably the toughest scene in the script.
It was a very long take of an extremely emotional scene and it was just me and the crew.
Everyone was very respectful...however, there was a moment when my character takes
a swig out of a vodka bottle, which of course was just water...or was it?!
Our lovely production designer, Kurt Bergeron, thought we were finished with the vodka
prop and replaced the water with the real deal. While Kurt was in the other room
prepping for the next scene, we brought the vodka back in to do a pick-up shot. So, I got
a surprise swig of real vodka during a very real shot of the movie. And it was about 9 am!
Yummy! Thanks Kurt."
Kurt " :)
15
more anecdotes…
Fooling Around on the Set of Blessid
From actor Gene Silvers (Edward Duncliffe)
“Making the film was a joy, a real family
experience, including practical jokes on
set. The Blessid crew was top notch,
amazing for a film of this budget − and
they also had a great sense of humor.
It was kind of a ritual to do some type of gag for the lead actors' final scene before
sending them home. My final scene was with a young prostitute at a motel. In the scene
I'm leaving a message for my wife when I'm interrupted by a knock at the door. I hang up
and g
go to answer and there's a yyoung
g hooker (p
(played
y vapidly
p y by
y Amanda Reevenge)
g )
waiting to come in. The prostitute says, “Hi, my name is Candy" and I magically take a
piece of candy from behind her ear and reply, "I'll bet you are." It was director Rob Fitz's
homage to Highlander which was another film about an immortal, albeit a much more
violent one.
Anyway, as the scene plays out the camera is on me inside the motel room. We did this
several times and the director says to me, "I want you to be really serious and worked up
about seeing her this final take”. I prep, camera rolling, and hear the knock. I go to the
peephole and see the young prostitute. I open the door and all of a sudden the prostitute
disappears …
And into the room steps one of the crew dressed in drag (Kurt Bergeron, our Production
Manager). I mean, he looked ridiculous dressed in woman's clothing, a garish wig and
the worst makeup job ever (caked on blush and lipstick).
I tried to keep a straight face, but I couldn't. Kurt pushes through the door, and drags me
to the bed for God knows what. This was all captured on film and I'm told will be in the
extras gag reel. I'm both frightened and looking forward to seeing it.
What a great crew!"
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news
Newspapers & Entertainment Magazines
• Boston Globe
• The Hippo
• Pulse Magazine
• Shrewsbury Community Advocate
Web / Podcasts
• Comic Book and Movie Reviews
• Dread Central
• Horror Bug
• The Entertainment Corner
• WOWIO
Radio
• “Middayy Café with Jack Baldwin” (WCAP
(
980 AM))
• “A Local Anesthetic” with host Joe Graham (WMBR 88.1 FM)
Events
• 2014 New England Music Awards (presenter)
Social Media / Web
• Website – www.blessidthemovie.com
• Facebook – www.facebook.com/BlessidTheMovie
• Google + – https://plus.google.com/+Blessidthemovie#+Blessidthemovie/posts
• Pinterest – www.pinterest.com/blessidthemovie
• Twitter
T itt – www.twitter.com/blessidthemovie
t itt
/bl
idth
i
17
credits
18
19
director’s vision
When I was approached about the film Blessid, initially it was to do the makeup effects
as I have been doing this role for big budget films shot in Massachusetts for over a
decade. But when Bob Heske, the writer/producer, had seen that I already written,
directed and produced a micro-budget feature film (underground horror/slasher cult
favorite God of Vampires) he asked if I would be interested in taking the helm.
When I was reading the script for the first time I was not
sure I wanted
t d to
t direct
di t a drama.
d
B
Butt as I wentt on I saw
that the themes in the film really connected the story
very well and I related to them as far as my own life
experiences. Everyone goes through a period of darkness
and hopefully they discover, as I did, that the power of
forgiveness will be your salvation, particularly forgiveness
of one self
self. That is the main message of Blessid.
Blessid
Bob also liked the fact that I know how to make a film for almost nothing and that is a
good skill to have. God of Vampires cost $26,000 and even though Blessid had more
money than that, it was still in the ultra low budget (i.e., “impossible to make and you are
insane to try”) category. Now I’m a horror movie guy and always will be. Although
Blessid has some of those dark elements
elements, the
they are understated
nderstated and the film as a whole
hole
is not about traditional horror themes and blood and gore.
Blessid is about a suicidal young woman (Sarah Duncliffe played by Splinter’s Rachel
Kerbs) – who also happens to be pregnant – whose life changes when she discovers
that her new neighbor is immortal. Here is woman who has difficulty getting through a
single
i l d
day that
h meets a man who
h h
has lilived
d practically
i ll fforever. Th
The audience
di
wants to
know about the immortal’s guy’s past and life experiences, but the core of Blessid’s story
is what happened in Sarah’s past.
20
Visually the film takes on the look of Sarah’s journey and is gloomy, but not without a
glimmer of hope. As her character changes, the tone shifts to a more hopeful one – but
not after a very dark journey. It was the challenge of exploring these subtleties that
attracted me to the project
project. I wanted to see if I could have the sensibility to capture that
emotional depth … or was I only good enough to splatter blood everywhere and gross
out people? I discovered that, with the help of an amazing crew and some unbelievably
talented actors, I could pull it off. In the end, the spooky elements in the film really took a
back seat to the incredible performances and beautiful cinematography by our DP and
Editor Silas Tyler. I came out of this experience feeling “blessid” myself.
With Blessid, I really found my footing as a director.
What I mean is, as an artist and as a leader, I connected
with my cast and crew. As a result, we pulled off the near
impossible feat of shooting a terrific film in a back-breaking
schedule. As hard as it was, and it was extremely difficult,
the crew was always upbeat and enthusiastic about what
we were doing next. I have worked on a lot of films and
I have never had crew members ask at the end of the day,
with excitement in their voice, what we were doing tomorrow.
The cast was no less driven as well; they put aside any and
all ego, gave their best and rolled with the challenges that
p
films like ours.
face all independent
We all could tell something special was happening here. I can’t wait for you to see it!
− Rob Fitz, Director
21