File - independent projects

Night Of The Fireflies 
Synopsis
Night of the Fireflies is set in the not-too-distant future,
where a tyrannical government has taken control of a
major city. All forms of communication have been
suppressed, throwing the community into a state of
unwarranted surveillance and oppression.
In the midst of this injustice, an ex-newspaperman is
hired by the leader of a resistance movement to transport
secret messages to important contacts outside of the
city. Soon, the newspaperman discovers a dark message
that threatens the survival of the resistance leader.
A Film By Matthew Vasiliauskas and Del Harvey

http://www.delharveyfilms.com
Matthew Vasiliauskas,
Writer and Director
Matt is graduate of Columbia College Chicago’s film
program, where he focused primarily on screenwriting
and directing. Matt is currently the producer of a popular
entertainment program for Chicago's WGN Radio. For
the past four years he has been a critic and interviewer
for Film Monthly, interviewing celebrities and filmmakers
David Lynch, Rachel Weisz, and Elijah Wood, among
others.
Now he must choose to stay in the shadows, or to risk
his life for his city’s freedom.
This is Matt's third short film in three years and his most
ambitious to date. He expects Fireflies to be well
accepted on the festival circuit.
Director’s Statement
Del Harvey, Producer
About The Film
The filming of Night Of The Fireflies began August of
2007 in Chicago. During the two weeks of production, a
crew of about 50 took on the task of creating a world in
the not too distant future, while still featuring many of the
city’s historic neighborhoods, businesses and lakefront.
The goal was to create a film that blurred the lines
between old and new, allowing in many ways a
timelessness to exist in both the locations and the story.
Del spent over 15 years in Hollywood, working for
several studios (Disney, Lucasfilm) and on a number of
independent shorts and features, TV shows, and a major
feature or two.
Running time approximately 20 minutes.
He began by doing story development for TV series like
Starsky & Hutch, Rockford Files, and Too Close For
Comfort. He has done scripts on spec with Walter Hill
and for several actors who were making their first forays
into directing or producing. Extensive production
experience includes camera, sound, SFX, editing, and all
aspects of producing.
Copies provided on DVD-R.
The idea of overcoming oppression is a familiar theme,
but more than suggesting the need for physical freedom,
Night Of The Fireflies delves into the struggles of one
man’s mind and heart. By focusing on the character’s
need for internal closure, a better understanding of the
flawed world around him can be gathered.
The goal was to present a film that touched on many
levels both technically and thematically. Through the
efforts of every cast and crewmember that expectation
was fulfilled, and a vision of perseverance in the face of
tyranny was created.
Filmed in High Definition Digital Video.
Content acceptable to all ages.
Del is currently working on several scripts and teaching
film at Columbia College Chicago. His entertainment
webzine, Film Monthly, averages over 1 million hits a
month, is read worldwide, and is currently in its 10th
year.
Contact: Matthew Vasiliauskas, [email protected], Cell: 402.658.8428  Del Harvey, [email protected], Cell: 773.550.0340
Night Of The Fireflies  A Film By Matthew Vasiliauskas and Del Harvey  http://www.delharveyfilms.com
About The Cast
Jason Ahlstrom is a Chicago actor actively working in
stage and screen. He was recently seen as Lineman #1
and the Commander, as well as the voice of the Radio
Announcer, in The Petrified Forest. Jason has been
acting and training at The Artistic Home since 2000 and
became an ensemble member in 2004. His recent credits
include the Button Molder in Peer Gynt, Mr. Buchanan in
Street Scene, and Jimmy Riordan in the one-act 'Night
Lo. Jason was last seen as Jerry in the highly acclaimed
Clash by Night and the recent hit Unchanging Love.
Melanie Esplin is well known to the local theatre crowd.
She also works as Coordinating Representative for the
Chicago theatrical organization, "365 Days/365 Plays."
Melanie proudly hails from Dunedin, New Zealand.
Melanie has appeared in many productions, among them
CityLit's interpretation of P. G. Wodehouse’s Pigs Have
Wings and Oliver Goldsmith’s She Stoops to Conquer.
She has worked with the companies of Provision,
Lifeline, Noble Fool, European Repertory, A Crew of
Patches, Striding Lion and HealthWorks Theatre.
Dana DeLorenzo is thrilled to be a part of Night of the
Fireflies. She has been acting in Chicago for 5 years in
both theatre and independent films. Favorite
theatre roles include Rosalia in West Side Story and Tina
in Tony n' Tina's Wedding. Recent leading film roles
include Alice in Music Box and Arianna in Rain. When
she's not in front of the camera, she's behind a
microphone playing Marissa Sanchez, the female
sidekick on the nationally syndicated radio
show, Mancow's Morning Madhouse.
Eddie Huchro, from Northern California, began studying
theater under Keld Lyth in Humboldt County while a
student at College of The Redwoods. He later ventured
to Chicago where he attended Act One Studios, Piven
Theater Workshop in Evanston, IL and the Actors' Center
of Chicago, training extensively with Eileen Vorbach and
Ted Hoerl. He also studied in Santa Monica with Michael
Butler and privately in Los Angeles with Victor D'Altorio.
Eddie loves acting on film: "I've never been more relaxed
in my life then when I am in front of a camera… When
that lens finds you and you've developed a precise
relationship with it you know that if you do your job right
you will move people, and when that happens, though it's
often intangible, it's very powerful and fulfilling."
Jason Ahlstrom as Robert
Robert delivering messages
Jason Ahlstrom and Melanie Espln
Meeting the Resistance Leader for the first time
On the run from government agents
Dana DeLorenzo as Carmen Valdez, 40’s film star
Contact: Matthew Vasiliauskas, [email protected], Cell: 402.658.8428  Del Harvey, [email protected], Cell: 773.550.0340