 |
 |
||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Farewell Darkness Bios: Daniel J. Pico Writer/Director/Producer/Editor Dan was awarded The Albert PWeisman Scholarship for his original screenplay Two Days In Limbo a product of Dan's producing writing and directing Limbo screened at the American Film Market at the Cannes Film Festival. It went on to garner a bevy of festival awards including Grand Jury Prize - Best Short Film - Michigan Independent Film Festival 2003, and The New York International Film and Video Festival 2004. Other films by Chicago-based Pico include Back to Reality, The Wooden Door and First Light. Additional directing credits include the TV pilots Roscoe Village and Casting Shadows. Dan has been making films since the age of 8. He counts on Sam Fuller and John Frankenheimer among his greatest influences. Dan Holds a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Video from Columbia College, Chicago. Matthew M. Jones Producer/Post Supervisor/Webmaster Matthew was born and raised in the southern suburbs of Detroit. Woodhaven, Michigan to be exact. He spent his days drawing comic book characters, creating haunted house tours through his friends basements and acting in the Woodhaven High School’s theater program. Matthew moved to East Lansing and graduated from Michigan State University with a B.A. in Advertising. Where he concentrated on graphic design and marketing. After graduation Matthew moved to Chicago, where he worked as a print and web designer. In 1999, he entered the Film and Video Program at Columbia College, Chicago, where he graduated with honors. Developed and released uPressplay Online Entertainment Network in 2001. Promotiing over a 1,000 filmmakers, artists, musicians and actors; by providing a free online resource to showcase their skills and productions. uPressplay also produced many original titles including, Stay Dead, Two Days in Limbo, Palooka, Roscoe Village, Back to Reality, Soldier, Terrorvision and music videos from Marazene, Lexceone and Court Jester. uPressplay has been awarded 15 Official Film Festival Selections and winning Best Dramatic Short at the Michigan Independent and NY International Film Festivals. David Bianchi Producer/Dougie Originally from Rochester, NY now based in Hollywood, CA he first hit the stage in 3rd grade. He is a classically trained actor with a BFA in Performance Theatre and Film from Arizona State University and graduated top of his class Magna Cum Laude. He has starred in numerous independent films, National commercials, and episodic television and is a member of both SAG and AFTRA. He is writer, producer and Star of the Award winning, critically acclaimed short film "David Bianchi’s Soldier" directed by Daniel J Pico (which marked their first collaboration). Soldier became an official selection of 11 domestic festivals and won best short at Queens, San Tan in Phoenix, and was voted by Film Threat Magazine the N.02 best unseen film of 2006. Currently he is in post-production on a feature length documentary which he produced and directed called "Outspoken– Los Angeles" with a 2008 release and other projects in development. James Azrael Producer “Soldier” embraces James Azrael’s debut efforts as a film composer. Having previously only concentrated on rock music and the structures therein, Daniel J. Pico believed in his talents and imagination. In the end, you will hear the classically structured pieces with traces of rock influenced melodies and instrumentation, but never losing sight of the intended emotion of the piece. James began his musical prowess at the age of six on the piano…which he hated. At the age of nine he ventured toward the school orchestra where he became the sole upright bass-player. He would get his first electric guitar in Junior High and begin what his parents hoped was only a passing fad. James for the last eight years has been the rhythm/lead guitarist and main songwriter of the rock band, Court Jester. Their debut album, “Gina,” was released in 2003 on Cellar Records and saw critical acclaim from their efforts. January 2006 will see the release of their sophomore release, “Strangeland.” James has a BFA in Radio Broadcasting, and a MAT in Education. James worked on-air in Chicagoland radio for nine years and moved into teaching Middle School Computers & Art. James also continues to work as a freelance voiceover artist (most recently doing a line of new pinball machines due out in 2006 for Gamenamics, Inc.) actor – with a featured extra role in the upcoming “The Break Up” starring Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston, and a freelance webdesigner. Jason Deuchler Director of Photography Jason Deuchler was raised on a hearty diet of Hollywood classics and b-movie horror films growing up. This led him to follow his boyhood dream of film at Columbia College, Chicago where he studied cinematography. Jason has worked on several award winning projects including, Root Canal and Back to Reality, which Kevin Smith praised for it's photography. His more recent projects include a music Video for Chicago band Marazene and Soldier. Jason lives and works in Chicago, and is also an accomplished DJ who tours the Midwest. Carl Sondrol Composer Carl's interest in music began early, with piano lessons at age 9 supplemented by trumpet lessons at 11. By high school he was playing in most school ensembles and a rock band. While earning a B.S. in Computer Science and Math at the University of Iowa, he continued his pursuit of music by studying jazz and classical composition. He split his time between jazz bands, chamber ensembles, a salsa combo, an oldies cover band, experimental improvisation groups and rock bands. After graduating in 2004, Carl moved to the infinitely more fertile music scene of Chicago. In 2006, Carl founded Sondrol Music, which provides music and sound design for film and other media projects. His diverse musical background has been a valuable asset to his work on films, animations, commercial projects, a musical, and even sound design for a haunted house. Currently, Carl is gearing up to begin work on David Bianchi's "Outspoken: Los Angeles", as well as independent and commercial projects. He is also producing the debut album of his science-themed band, Nuclear Biologist Rocket Surgeons. He couldn't be happier to be associated with "Farewell Darkness". His original feature length screenplay titled CAR is in development for production (the screenplay “CAR” was nominated for the Golden Palm Award at 2006 Beverly Hills International Film Festival). He is currently writing his second feature length script which is currently titled Love 3. Keith Compton Michael Keith began his acting career at the age of 12 when he endeavored in plays at school and throughout the Chicago land area. During these years, he performed in a variety of classical, contemporary and musical theatre productions. Keith began his professional training at Barat College's Shakespeare on the Green Summer Youth Program during the summer of 1999. In the Fall of 2000, Keith continued his professional training at Roosevelt University's Theatre Conservatory Program. There he performed in such productions as Fires in the Mirror, Romeo and Juliet, The Kyogen Rope and The Skin of our Teeth. After graduating with his B.F.A in Acting, Keith began playing roles in short films and independent features. Farewell Darkness marks his first lead role in a feature length film. BriAnna Weaver Rose BriAnna Weaver ˜is a born and raised Kansas City girl, who recently graduated with honors from the Chicago College of Performing Arts with a B.F.A. in Acting. She was fortunate enough to spend a semester in London studying with the British American Dramatic Academy. BriAnna was honored to play the part of Rose, and would like to send out a prayer to all of our soldiers, both home and away, who are serving our country. FILM CREDITS: Rose- Farewell Darkness, Allison- Square Pegs. THEATRE : Julietˆ Measure For Measure, Violet- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Green Woman- Peer Gynt, Thea- Spring Awakening, Mary- Little House on The Prairie. Circus-Szalewski Roman Circus-Szalewski began the pursuit of a performing arts career immediately after high school and was acting professionally within five years. Overall, C-S has credits on stage spanning 35 years, 25 years in television, nearly a decade in feature cinema, and has recently ventured into the new realm of interactive cinema with David Donihue’s THE WEATHERED UNDERGROUND (via iPod, PlayStation, and computer distribution from ChooseInteractive.com). Circus’ portrayals of deceased great wordsmiths include Tennessee Williams, Hart Crane, and John Lennon while the C-S penchant for character work has resulted in feature film performances as diverse as aging punk cave-diver, militant Christian computer-hacker, corporate villain, backwoods good ol’ boy, marathon runner, small town deputy, surfer turned inventor, and a Gollum-esque persona in the parody DORK OF THE RINGS. Download Presskit: Click Here |