The 17th Annual Garden State Film Festival is scheduled for March 27-31, 2019, in Asbury Park and WE CAN'T WAIT!! For more information and to purchase TICKETS, visit GSFF at: www.gsff.org
 The 17th Annual Garden State Film Festival (GSFF) will kick off this year’s screenings of over 245 independent films from around the globe with THE BIRD CATCHER on Friday evening, March 29th at 8:30p.m. at the iconic Paramount Theater in Asbury Park. Inspired by true events and filmed on location against the backdrop of Norway's spectacular scenery, this feature film is a stunning and captivating story about survival of the spirit in the face of adversity. Set in Trondheim, Norway in 1942, THE BIRD CATCHER follows a 15-year-old Jewish girl named Esther (played with breathtaking brilliance by Sarah-Sofie Boussnina), who finds herself trapped and alone on a Nazi-occupied farm after attempting to flee the round-up of Jews. She is forced to conceal her identity, which in turn leads to a series of choices and consequences that shift the paths of those around her. The film uncovers a hidden slice of history that grips the heart and inspires us all at the deepest level. THE BIRD CATCHER reminds us that even in the darkest of circumstances, kindness still exists, and that good often can, and does, triumph over evil. Edison, New Jersey native Lisa G. Black, is one of the film's Producers and is thrilled to be traveling to Asbury to open the Festival, “On behalf of everyone, we are truly honored to be selected as the opening night film. These kinds of stories, perseverance in face of adversity coupled with tolerance and understanding, now and forever need to be told. NJ born and raised, I’m thrilled to be able to screen our film at a festival which truly supports independent filmmakers/ producers like Garden State FF.“ The film was developed under Ms. Black’s shingle Garnet Girl, a company known for award-wining international co-productions and artist management. In addition to Ms. Black, much of the film's international cast and crew will be in attendance at the Gala and available for a Q&A following the screening. Prior to the first screening, GSFF will launch its FIVE-DAY festivities with an elegant star-studded Red-Carpet Gala Networking Event and Cocktail Party, to be held Friday evening, March 29th, 7:00-8:15 p.m. at Asbury’s majestic Convention Hall. Attendees will have an opportunity to mingle with organizers, filmmakers and celebrities, while celebrating the Festival’s 17th year. Written by Trond M. Kristensen, THE BIRD CATCHER was produced by Lisa G. Black, Leon Clarance and Ross Clarke, with Direction by Ross Clarke. Executive Producers are Laure Vaysse, Laura Brook and Brandi Savitt. Director of Photography is John C. Rosenlund. The cast includes Sarah Sofie Boussnina, AugustDiehl, Jakob Cedergren, Arthur Hakalahti, Johannes Kuhnke, Laura Birn and Anders Baasmo Christiansen. To learn more about THE BIRD CATCHER, see below: IMDB Page: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3160336/ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheBirdCatcher/ The Garden State Film Festival's world-renowned celebration of independent film is scheduled for March27-31,2019 in Asbury Park. Now in its 17th year, the Garden State Film Festival, is New Jersey's premier independent film festival® and was founded to promote the art of filmmaking on all levels by showcasing a wide variety of film, video and animated works, as well as provide educational programs in the creative arts to the public by industry leaders. The Festival’s events are listed along with the complete film-screening schedule on the GSFF’s website at: https://2019.gsff.org GSFF anticipates over 20,000 attendees this year and promises its most exciting event yet! For more information, please visit www.gsff.org TICKETS: https://www.gsff.org/tickets/   December 2018 - GREETINGS & WELCOME to our annual year-end holiday newsletter. Thank you so much for your support! We are thrilled to share that our talented artists have had another phenomenal year and continue to receive notoriety/awards for high-profile roles in television, film, video and web-series in critically-acclaimed productions on major networks, cable channels and streaming services, as well as theatre, dance and musical performances. The talent we represent have won multiple Joey Awards, Hollywood Young Entertainer Awards, CCMA's, MIC's and more, for their work. Congratulations to all!  It is an honor and a privilege to continue our media partnership with the talk and variety show eveRIAthing in Vancouver, BC, Canada which will now be streaming everywhere. Their support of young talent and their charity work, especially in the area of Mental Health, is exceptional and inspiring. We also congratulate them on their new studio location (thank you Meishan Cheung). Everlasting love and gratitude to the eveRIAthing team: Jackie, Raffy, Ria, Deanne!!  Actor Steven Lance (Star Trek), has been named Creative Director & Lead Voice Artist at Jam Room Communications. He is also providing the voice of a very cool character in an exciting new children's television series. Arthur Futuro is a wonderful new 1/2 hour kids' comedy series about Arthur Futuro, whose future self told him to change the present because his three best friends are not in his future. The show is the brainchild of David Schoner, who is the Creator/Executive Producer. The pilot is now in post-production and we can't wait to see more!!! If you'd like to help, please head on over to GoFundMe and we and the producers thank you in advance: https://www.gofundme.com/arthur-futuro-tv-pilot Congratulations to our friends, writers John McCaffrey and Jack Gwaltney, who recently debuted their play Scrooge...The Relapse: A Christmas Carol, Pt. 2 with a very timely reading at Guild Hall in East Hampton, NY, followed by a Q&A. In addition to actor Jack Gwaltney, the cast included actors Gerard Doyle, Tina Jones and Brian Keane. The reading was very well-received and the cast was exceptional. Bravo! We are thrilled to welcome twin actors Glen Mauro and Gary Mauro to our roster!! They are best known for their roles as the seductive twin vampires in the cult-classic feature film Once Bitten, as The Boys of Summer in the Don Henley music video of the same name and 'The Terrible Twins: Sam and Dave' in the longest and most famous episode of Steven Spielberg's Amazing Stories, The Mission. Actor Peter Bundic has a recurring role on the "wicked" new Netflix series Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, plays Adam in The Hollow, which also streams on Netflix and has appeared on Disney XD's Mech-X4. His film Spontaneous is in post-production, release date TBA. Peter won a Joey Award this year for his Hot Pockets commercial in the category of 'Best Actor in a Commercial 12-19 Years!' He continues to host Vancouver's television variety and talk show eveRIAthing along with his sister, actress and artist Janette Bundic. Actor and Hockey star Dylan Kingwell (aka "Hollywood" on the Ice Rink) keeps rocking it on Netflix's A Series of Unfortunate Events and The Good Doctor on CBS. He played the lead character in The Returned, and then became a member of television's Supernatural family and charmed fans with his portrayal of 'Young Sam' on the long-running sci-fi hit series. Dylan has appeared in SEVEN television movies in the past couple of years!! Watch for Dylan to be interviewed on the new season of eveRIAthing! Actress and Dancer Kaitlin Cheung has been awarded numerous accolades this year for her achievement in Ballet and Modern Dance, including winning BC Provincials Modern II and Teen Award 1st & 3rd Top Soloist from View Dance Challenge. She was accepted into the Alonzo King Lines ballet summer intensive this past summer and has been receiving multiple scholarships from various festivals including the Surrey Festival of Dance Future Achievement Award. Kaitlin was recently invited to the Talia Favia's Chapters Experience. She has been recurring on Disney XD's Mech-X4 and was the lead in the feature film Where Love Found Me. Watch for Kaitlin to be interviewed on the new season of eveRIAthing! CCMA-Award-winning Canadian roots/rock singer, songwriter and guitarist Sean Hogan has just wrapped yet another successful Canadian Country Christmas Tour. He has an amazing body of work behind him, including 17 music videos on CMT. Sean inspires people worldwide with his tunes and gives Cancer patients hope with his own story of survival. Musician Ranj Singh continues to brighten people's lives with his beautiful music. You can still see the video for his touching and inspiring song I'm Still Me, which he wrote for folks with brain injuries at Semiahoo House. He was joined by many of these wonderful people on the video. Actor David Raynolds has been knocking it out of the park as a voice actor as the voice of 'Mitchell' on the PBS Kids animated series Ready Jet Go! and Lego's 'Purple Ninja' in Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu. He will be returning as 'Aleksander' in season 3 of the Netflix sci-fi series Travelers! David has also appeared on television's Legends of Tomorrow and Wayward Pines. Actor Karim Fahmy, who has won multiple awards for his role in the Fox hit television series Prison Break, can be heard as the voice of 'Hameed' on Nina's World, an animated prequel to the Sprout TV network block The Good Night Show. Actress Allison James of TV's Ghost Wars fame on the SyFy Channel, took home a Joey Award this year for her monologue work. Her newest short, Spilt Milk, is currently in post-production. Actress Sarah Giles, also of TV's Ghost Wars on the SyFy Channel, can be seen as 'Grace' in The Actress Diaries. Watch for Sarah to be interviewed on the new season of eveRIAthing! Actor Aiden Cumming-Teicher earned a Joey Award as a member of the acting ensemble in the feature film Beyond The Sun. Aiden's other appearances include roles in the feature film The Chorus and the short film The Game. His upcoming film, The Glove, is in post-production. Actress Maia Costea can be seen most recently in the Actress Diaries, the short It All Happened Before and on television's Hit The Road. Her sister, Actress Carla Costea's most recent work included the short film Birds. Their brother, Actor Joshua Costea, appeared in several recent short films including Blue Rose and The Malt Shoppe. Actress Evryle Ebora played ‘Marilou’ in the comedic short film Good Girls Don’t (2016 MPPIA winner), which premiered at the Whistler Film Festival. Her newest short, Spilt Milk, is currently in post-production. Actor Connor Levins can be seen in the television movie Blurt and the series Haters Back Off! Actor Benjamin Arce stars as Cesar in television's highly-anticipated new horror series La Quinceañera and can also be seen on Ice and iZombie. Actress Nicole LaPlaca appeared in the feature film A Dog's Purpose. She has also had roles in numerous television movies, including Marry Me At Christmas and Royal New Year's Eve and the television series, iZombie. Actor Jack Christofferson's recent film work includes roles in Psychonaut and the short film Forgotten Man. Writers Jax & Meesh's (Jax Smith and Meeshelle Neal) film Mental, and William Minsky’s film Resonance, starring Briana Rayner, have been screening at Film Festivals around the world and have earned widespread recognition and multiple awards for the filmmakers, cast and crew. More to come from our Dynamic Duo!! Our long-time partner and fellow 70's chick, artist (and recording engineer whiz) Jenn Ashton continues to take the art world by storm! Her designs are uniquely Jenn and are waiting to happily adorn your home on canvas or cushions and much more! JennAshtonArt.com DBK Design's fabulous wearable art by Debrah Block Krol has shown all over New York City, including The Hamptons and New Jersey. Her original one-of-a-kind hand-painted silk and felted accessories and garments make perfect holiday gifts and are available online. dbkdesignarts.com We are SO proud of our friends Jody Tennant (Paul), Kevin Davey (John), Charles Boname (George) & Paul Kaszonyi (Ringo) who are The Fab Fourever, the world's BEST Beatles Tribute Band! We've watched them journey from humble beginnings playing local downtown Vancouver taverns over a decade ago to headlining Liverpool's International Beatleweek at THE Cavern Club several times! Their adventure continues as they are scheduled to perform on Norwegian Cruise Ship Lines' - NCL Bliss (how we wish we could join the) and return to Asia for a second time!!  Jam Room Communications (JRC) is New Jersey's HOT new go-to audio and voice production studio. JRC boasts a team with more than 75 years of combined experience in the entertainment business, along with the very best microphones, recording and studio equipment, and software, including Source Connect Pro! Although they are based in New Jersey, JRC has the capability to connect with other studios worldwide, as well as talent and clients in real time, no matter where they are located. JRCalso offers studio and location photography, music video and commercial production, a royalty-free music library, graphic design and animation, marketing, publicity and social media services. JRC is excited to be working on the post-production of the audio and sound mix for the TV pilot Arthur Futuro!! Give them a shout today at 732-308-3099! JRC is always seeking new voice talent to add to their Voice Troupe: [email protected]  The 17th Annual Garden State Film Festival is scheduled for March 28-31, 2019, in Asbury Park and WE CAN'T WAIT!! For more information and to purchase TICKETS, visit GSFF at: www.gsff.org  REMINDER: Are you an actor, actress, filmmaker, writer, producer, director who finds navigating and submitting credits and titles to IMDb confusing, challenging, frustrating and time-consuming? Do you need an official polished Bio written and submitted to IMDb? We've been working with IMDb and IMDb Pro for 17+ years and can help. Give us a shout at 732-887.4931. We would like to extend our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones for a peaceful and prosperous holiday and we look forward to working with you in 2019. Happy New Year! With Much Gratitude, Lisa Wartur NoodleHead Productions  Rave On Studio's VeryVancouverChristmas.com Original Christmas Music Order Volumes I-IV Now All Proceeds Go To The BC-SPCA That's a wrap....  "Scrooge The Relapse...A Christmas Carol Pt. 2" Play Reading in East Hampton, NY December 16th11/28/2018
  There's never been an audio production studio quite like this. Jam Room Communications boasts a team with more than 75 years of combined experience in the entertainment business, along with the very best microphones, recording and studio equipment, and software, including Source Connect Pro, the industry standard ISDN replacement for remote audio recording and monitoring. JRC has the capability to connect with other studios, talent and clients in real time, whether around the block or around the world. JRC’s talented voice actors are available to voice productions worldwide via other studios that also have Source Connect. In addition to its own exceptional and eclectic voice actor troupe, JRC is a full-service Communications Agency that offers studio and location photography, music video and commercial production, a royalty-free music library, graphic design and animation, marketing, publicity and social media services. Under the guidance of award-winning voice actor and director, Steven Lance, Jam Room Communications offers producers an experienced, polished, and extremely versatile Voice Troupe who are able to provide more than 100 different voices—from straight delivery rich baritones, mezzo sopranos, and deep basses, to dozens of unique character voices all the way up to falsetto. Our actors, who can create original cartoon and video game voices, can also pull off spot-on celebrity and cartoon impersonations . . . not to mention a barnyard full of barks, meows, baa’s, bleats, whinnies, neighs and clucks, that would make even Don Messick and Frank Welker proud. Throw in Jam Room Communications’ royalty-free music and sound effects libraries of more than 35,000 tracks, and you’ve got yourself the most Hollywood audio production studio east of the Mississippi—and all at comfortable rates that will satisfy Production Accountants with even the sharpest of pencils. We also have two award-winning animators for music video, television and film production. Jam Room Communications offers producers and directors a comfortable State-of-the-Art Recording and Production environment that bridges the gap between new school with the best of old school—offering the very latest in cutting-edge audio production software and technology, while still maintaining the best-loved legacy equipment and technologies allowing the flexibility to record and mix voice, and audio tracks that will not only meet—but exceed your exacting standards. Open up a dialogue—get a tour of their facility—discuss your production needs—get price quotes, and start building your long-term relationship with Jam Room Communications today. 732-308-3099.   Pictured Left to Right: Award-Winning Filmmakers Jax Smith & Meeshelle Neal (Jax & Meesh), eveRIAthing Host Ria Jade
 Congratulations to our shining star/rising star Kaitlin Cheung!! I have had the honor and privilege of watching you blossom from a little girl into a beautiful young woman, fabulously talented actress and absolutely amazing dancer!! This is only the beginning - keep shooting for the stars!! Kaitlin has been accepted into both of these summer programs!! She will be attending Lines Ballet in July for 4 weeks!!
 "A dark concept brought to life in a short film through magical visuals," ~ Nick Wangersky, Hollywood North Magazine  “This film has so much production value. When I watched it, the images and visual effects were unbelievable.” ~ Darren Wiesner, Hollywood North Magazine M&J's (Meeshelle Neal & Jax Smith) film MENTAL and William Minsky’s film RESONANCE, starring Briana Rayner, have both been chosen as Official Selections by the 2018 Philip K. Dick Film Festival and will screen at the event in New York City later this month at the Village East Cinema, 189 2nd Avenue in Manhattan. The Festival showcases “off-the-beaten-path independent visionary sci-fi that provokes and engages a sense of awe and curiosity." Oat Studio's Neil Blomkamp (Director of District 9, Elysium, Chappie) will be unveiling five new sci-fi shorts at the Festival. MENTAL has not only dramatically brought the subject of mental health to the screen, but has been a catalyst for candid discussion among audiences. It is is scheduled to screen on February 23rd from 11:00pm-12:00am. RESONANCE is a dark story that lives in a fantastic alternate world while focusing on one person’s experience within it, and will screen on February 24th from 11:00am-1:00pm. MENTAL Tickets: https://www.eventbee.com/v/dan999/event?eid=142960551#/tickets RESONANCE Tickets: https://www.eventbee.com/v/dan999/event?eid=102360952#/tickets MENTAL tells the story of Alicia, who sees reality through a dreamlike lens of externalized psychotic episodes. Caught in a loop of depression and anxiety she uses prescription drugs to numb herself. Unable to discern what is real and what is imaginary, she finally gives into her inner voice’s advice and embraces her biggest fear. Sometimes the only way out is through. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6723160/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_1 (IMDB) RESONANCE follows Aleena Ambrose (played by actress Briana Rayner) as she discovers a darker motivation behind the world of “Luxury Artificial Sleep Centres” and becomes the focus of her own nightmare. The filmmakers' cinematic artistry skillfully immerses the audience in the characters' reality. Imagine a future society in which technology prevents everyone from sleeping. How would you know you were dreaming? No one sleeps. No one dreams. For the past 40 years this has been the norm and no one has really questioned it. https://vimeo.com/149543740 (Trailer) http://resonance-movie.com (Official Site) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6936572/ (IMDB) http://hnmag.ca/interview/exclusive-r-e-s-o-n-a-n-c-e/ (Hollywood North Mag) MENTAL premiered at the 2017 International Covellite Film Festival last September, where it won the award for 'Achievement in Filmmaking, Best Short Form.' Directed by Jax Smith, MENTAL was written and produced by Meeshelle Neal, who also stars in the film. The duo received a BravoFact Award for the film as well. Since its premiere, the film has gone on to earn industry accolades and multiple awards at the following Festivals: Official Selection of the Danforth Short Film Festival 2017 *Winner of 'Award of Excellence' One-Reeler Short Film Competition 2017 Official Selection of the Vancouver Short Film Festival 2018 *Winner of Raindance Vancouver's 'Underdog Award' 2018 Official Selection of the Philip K. Dick Film Festival 2018 Official Selection of the International Women in Film Festival 2018 All of MENTAL's interiors were shot at Beatty Street Studios in Vancouver, after the filmmakers lost their original location just two weeks before filming.   About Jax Smith Jax Smith is the creator of the TV series, DEFECT (*Screencraft Fund’s Fall 2017 quarter finalist). In 2016, she directed two short films, MENTAL (*BravoFACT recipient, winner of Covellite International Film Festival’s ‘Achievement in Filmmaking Short Form’ 2017, One-Reeler Short Film Competition’s ‘Award of Excellence’ & Raindance Vancouver’s ‘Underdog Award’ 2018) and THE STAKEOUT (*Nominated for ‘Best Female Directed Short’ at Whistler Film Festival 2017 & winner of One-Reeler Short Film Competition’s ‘Award of Merit’). Previously she directed projects for First Star, World Wildlife Fund and The Projecting Change Film Festival. Her work has been showcased on CBS, The Knowledge Network, Urban Rush and featured in The Vancouver Sun and The Province. Jax is half of the writing duo, M&J with Meeshelle Neal. (*see M&J's bio below) About Meeshelle Neal Meeshelle Neal is an award-winning filmmaker. She wrote, starred in, and produced the award-winning short films THERAPY (2011) (*Winner of Audience Choice) & MENTAL (2017) (*BravoFACT recipient *Winner Achievement in Filmmaking *Winner Award of Excellence *Winner Underdog Award). As well, she is the director of the short film CHECK (2018) (currently in post). Leo nominated, Meeshelle enjoys being a highly proactive member of the Vancouver Film and TV Community. THERAPY (http://www.nsi-canada.ca/2012/06/therapy/) tackled mental health so well that it is now being taught in a curriculum in France. NSI wrote [about Therapy], “It’s a pretty intense short film and not for the faint of heart." Meesh is one-half of the writing duo, M&J (*see M&J's bio below). About M&J M&J are experienced on both sides of the lens and, together, created the award-winning short film, MENTAL. They have been hired to write features, shorts, and treatments and have several TV series, short films and feature film concepts at various stages of development (including shopping agreements). Their series, HEARTMATTER is presently in development with Random Bench Productions. Their feature film script LIVING WILLS was a Fall 2017 ScreenCraft Film Fund quarter finalist as well as their short film OUT with Danielle Braund. Both served on the board and are active members of Women In Film & TV Vancouver. M&J run 'Creative Services' for Jeb Beach & Associates. They are thrilled to support and nurture the creative endeavours of their students and consults.  M&J: “Two wildly talented young filmmakers,” Liz Levine, Random Bench Prod.  MENTAL Length: 11:07 Credits: Directed by: Jax Smith Executive Produced by: Liz Levine & Jax Smith Produced by: Victoria Angell & Meeshelle Neal Story by: Meeshelle Neal Written by: Meeshelle Neal and Jax Smith Cast: Meeshelle Neal Briana Rayner Stephanie Halber Posters: Devin Karringten  RESONANCE was a true labor of love and was shot in just three days, with the help of a skeleton crew. Director and Cinematographer William Minsky went to painstaking lengths to find locations that supported his idea of the character’s world; choices that came from a place of both story and photography. While shooting RESONANCE, the filmmakers were faced with the usual hurdles involved in filmmaking, with the additional challenge of building a world on a “pack of gum budget.” Their goal was to build a visual universe not based on technology, but one of tone and feeling. Finding ways to evoke a "visceral reaction from a story foundation." Due to a schedule push, the film was shot when Rayner was eight-months pregnant. Rather than change the script, Minsky took this as an opportunity to show a pregnant woman going through her daily life without making the focus of the story about her pregnancy. Local composers and creators KIKLO built and original score for RESONANCE based on sound and tone more than music and added an incredible layer to the film. About William Minsky - Writer/Director/Director of Photography William Minsky was raised on the Canadian prairies and now calls Vancouver home. A camera assistant, writer, editor, and cinematographer and father, he has found a great love in telling stories with the camera. An early appreciation for grit and simplicity merged with a passion for genre gives his work a varied spectrum. Having worked with incredible DOP’s and directors in his daily work as an assistant has only fuelled a need to tell stories and explore styles and work both familiar and strange. Along the way such projects as “The Movers Show” and “The Tallest Detective” show a great variation in look and feel. Minsky has been fortunate enough to find some kindred spirits that made it possible for him to again delve into a rolodex of ideas he brought to projects like Crazy 8’s Success story “Kindergarten Da Bin Ich Wieder” and “Conversations With My 2yr Old” and then completely shift gears and style for work like RESONANCE. Described as “perfectly tolerable,” Minsky is looking forward to many future upcoming projects to add his unique style to. About Blair Dykes – Producer For over a decade, Blair Dykes has been directing and producing independent films in Vancouver, BC. Despite this, he is still No One Famous. About Briana Rayner – Lead Briana Rayner is an improviser, actor, voice artist, and classic typewriter enthusiast. She’s the Co-Artistic Director at The Instant Theatre Co, the taller half of the improv duo Virginia Jack, and a regular at Vancouver’s Queerprov show. Recent credits include "The Flash," "The Girl’s Guide," and the short films STAKEOUT, MENTAL and RESONANCE. She won 'Best Actress in a Short Film' (Macabre Film Festival) and a Leo Award nomination for her work in “Bruised." Briana spent five years as a dedicated clown-doctor in a long-term care facility telling purposefully bad jokes, singing songs, and tripping over her feet. In her spare time, she likes to bake and watch shark attack videos.   RESONANCE Length: 21 Minutes Credits: Directed by: William Minsky Written by: William Minsky Produced by: Blair Dykes & William Minsky Cinematographer: William Minsky Cast: Briana Rayner Jennifer Kaleta Tatyana Forrest Josh Blacker Bob Rathie Allyson Grant Requell Jodeah Posters: William Minsky   |
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