SHORT FILM “LIFE AFTER OBLIVION” (ARMED FORCES FILM CHALLENGE) WILL PREMIERE ONLINE FEBRUARY 25, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Susan J. Farese
SJF Communications
408-398-5940
sjfcommunications@gmail.com

SAG SHORT FILM “LIFE AFTER OBLIVION” FILM WILL PREMIERE VIRTUALLY ON FEBUARY 25, 2021 VIA THE “ARMED FORCES FILM CHALLENGE” SPONSORED BY THE FILM CONSORTIUM SAN DIEGO

(San Diego, February 15, 2021) – Team VetPics Productions has produced a SAG short film project (15 min), Life After Oblivion for the Armed Forces Film Challenge through the Film Consortium San Diego, collaborating with So Say We All.

The premiere is set for Thursday, February 25 at 7 pm PST and is part of the Armed Forces Film Challenge Virtual Screening in collaboration with So Say We All. Life After Oblivion is one of three films written and directed by military veterans. Mature content. Price: $6.00.

Link to purchase and view: (Click photo below) https://filmconsortiumsd.com/special_events/armed-forces-film-challenge-virtual-screening/

Link for Premiere of “Life After Oblivion”

Featuring readings and Q&A’s from local creators.

The Armed Forces Film Challenge tells stories written and directed by military veterans and active-duty service members.

Life After Oblivion was filmed at the Meadows Field Airport and the Wind Wolves Preserve in Bakersfield, California. There are 12 veterans associated with Life After Oblivion.

Due to the topics realistically portrayed, this film is intended for mature audiences.

The Armed Forces Film Challenge was a 60 Day challenge, (extended due to the coronavirus pandemic) during which Team VetPics selected one of several stories offered by the Challenge management, wrote a screenplay (by Tommy Anderson, Veteran), filmed (with 2 assigned elements and one optional element), directed and edited (by Floyd Strayer, Veteran) and submitted to the Challenge management.

**Based on the Story Oblivion by Adam Stone**

Susan Farese and Ryan Gangl - "Life After Oblivion" Production Still by Tommy Anderson — Susan Farese and Ryan Gangl – “Life After Oblivion” Production Still by Tommy Anderson.

The story chosen was Oblivion by Veteran Adam Stone through So Say We All. It is about a Marine Sniper returning from Afghanistan and the ghosts that come with him. It focuses on a singular event that tends to stick out amongst the many he has experienced. It stands out with Team VetPics as a phenomenal opportunity to show the world a snippet of what veterans struggle with when they return home.

About the Producing Team

The VetPics Productions team includes:

Floyd Strayer (Chula Vista, CA) ~ (Team Leader/ Producer/ Director/Veteran) works with Survivors of Suicide Loss in San Diego, supporting those that have loss to suicide. He acts as the military and Veteran Chair to reach out to our veteran community offering our support. Daily, 22 veterans have struggled with PTSD, mental illness, depression or ghosts of some sort that drove them to take their own life. Twenty-two a day! Floyd’s IMDB;

Tommy Anderson (Norco, CA) ~ Best-selling author and award-winning photographer/artist Tommy Anderson enjoys his role as a motivational speaker and Co-Host of “The Take it Back Show” with Tommy and Tina (Hargett) on the IQ Podcast Network in San Diego. An accomplished screenwriter and Producer on “Life After Oblivion”; a film based on his adapted screenplay from the short story by Adam Stone, Tommy is routinely cast as an actor in commercials, television, and film. Tommy is a founding member of Team VetPics which produced ‘Life after Oblivion”, a short film for the Armed Forces Film Challenge. Tommy”s IMDB.

Susan J. Farese (San Diego, CA) ~ (Producer/Casting/Publicist/Veteran) is the owner of SJF Communications PR and is a veteran Army and Navy Nurse; Susan is a filmmaker: (Producer, Casting Director and Publicist) as well as a SAG-AFTRA actor , writer/poet and photographer. Susan’s IMDB.

Shar Yonan (Bakersfield, CA) ~ (Producer/Location Scout) Shar is a film producer, originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and later raised in Chicago. She studied Improv at Columbia College and has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s in Counseling and Therapy. After taking acting classes at Act I Studios in Chicago, she relocated to California. Shar was the Festival Director for the Beverly Hills Film Festival for five years and then she was involved in the Bakersfield Out of the Box Film Festival where Veteran and disability feature films were showcased, notably Inclusion Films, founded by Joey Travolta. Shar is a strong supporter of Veterans and their stories. In 2016, Shar joined Global Edge Pictures as a producer, showcasing diversity and inspirational stories. Shar is a strong child advocate, empowering foster youth to excel so that they can reach their fullest potential. Shar is currently in the development stage of a number of feature films and continues to be a liaison for independent filmmakers, screenwriters and producers. Shar’s IMDB.

Sue Vicory (Mound City, KS) (Producer) is a three-time Telly Award winning filmmaker. Sue has been making films since 2003. Heartland Films, Inc., her non-profit production company was established to create films that inspire and educate. Sue has spoken on and moderated panels around the world including Sundance and Cannes Film Festivals. She is a member of the Alliance of Women Directors and has served as an Emmy judge both regionally and nationally. Sue’s IMDB.

Twelve veterans were involved in Life After Oblivion: production team, cast and crew, along with Adam Stone, writer of the story ‘Oblivion’.

Ryan Gangl and Elliott McKenzie – “Life After Oblivion” Production Still by Josh Conner

Elliott McKenzie, Ryan Gangl with Will McBride on boom.
“Life After Oblivion” Production Still by Josh Conner

Josh Conner, Will Dittrich, Will Hill and Keith Fingers Jr. with DP Joey Garza
“Life After Oblivion” Production Still by Tommy Anderson

Will Hill and Emmy Farese, Floyd Strayer in Background. –
“Life After Oblivion” Production Still by Josh Conner

The Music in Life After Oblivion

The song ‘Life After Oblivion’ sung by Tina Hargett and co-written and accompanied by Mark Ontiveros and Nick Tersio Ontiveros is featured on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/4c4EHoYtcPvlBPEGbNCGmy?si=EXG3J3fQRsGk5wql06yTRA

The background music is by Dead as Dillinger featuring Roman Terenzini, Adrian Byers, Mike Garritson and Matt Novack.

Social Media for Life After Oblivion

Life After Oblivion Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LifeAfterOblivionVetPics

Life After Oblivion IMDB page: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11722940/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Montage Video – Day 1- Life After Oblivion

This video is a photo montage from day one of our film shoot. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxY2DYhvkxw&t=2s

The Cast of Life After Oblivion

The cast of Life After Oblivion includes: Ryan Gangl: Phil (Sniper); Elliott McKenzie: Jeff (Spotter); Kyle Brody: Afghan Boy/Sniper’s Son; Susan Farese: Dr. Silvia Ricci; Emmy Farese: Libby; Chase Dittrich: Marine #1; Keith Fingers, Jr.: Marine #2; Will Hill: Marine #3; Josh Conner: Marine #4: Janey Hann: Phil’s (Sniper’s) wife; Tom Anderson: Phil’s Father; La Contessa Miller: Libby’s Mother; Joseph Lloyd: Libby’s Father; Miguel Montoya: Libby’s Boyfriend/Utility Stand-In; Johnitta Clemons: Jeff’s (Spotter’s) Mother; Shar Yonan: Marine #1’s Wife; Tina Hargett: Mother of Marine #3; Robert Hargett: Father of Marine #3; Sheila Mauck: Wife of Marine #4.

The Crew of Life After Oblivion

The Life After Oblivion local Bakersfield crew is led by Joey Garza and includes Patrick Haynes, Keith Fingers, Jr., Will McBride and Miguel Montoya and Tiffany Wennihan.

Recent Awards/Nominations (as of 1/25/2021)

Winner: Niagara Falls Indie Film Fest (Poster), Indie Short Fest November, 2020 (Short Script), Big Sur (Screenplay)

Certificate of Achievement (Screenplay): IndieX Film Fest (Short Script), Independent Shorts Awards (Screenplay and Film, November 2020), Indie Short Fest (Short Script), Indie Short Fest (Original Song)

Honorable Mention: Phoenix Short Film Festival (Short Script)

Semi-Finalist: Los Angeles International Film Festival Indie Short Fest (Screenplay December 2020)

Nominee: IndieX Film Festival (Short Screenplay), Independent Shorts (Script), Indie Short Fest December (Short), Venice Short Film Awards (Script)

Official selection: Armed Forces Film Challenge (2020), Indie Short Fest (Screenplay 2020, Film, January 2021), Phoenix Monthly Short Film (Screenplay), Big Sur Film Festival (2021), Vegas Shorts (Screenplay, January 2021), Venice Shorts Film Awards (Screenplay), Paris International Short Festival (Best Music in Short)

More photos from Life After Oblivion

Ryan Gangl, Elliott McKenzie, Josh Conner , Emmy Farese, Chase Dittrich and Will Hill
“Life After Oblivion” – Photo by Susan J. Farese

Joey Garza, Floyd Strayer, Elliott McKenzie, Ryan Gangl
“Life After Oblivion” Photo by Susan J. Farese

Josh Conner, Sheila Mauck, Shar Yonan and Chase Dittrick
“Life After Oblivion” Photo by Susan J. Farese

Joseph Lloyd, La Contessa Miller, Emmy Farese & Miguel Montoya
“Life After Oblivion” Photo by Susan J. Farese

Tina Hargett, Will Hill & Robert Hargett
“Life After Oblivion” Photo by Susan J. Farese

Keith Fingers, Jr. and Patrick Haynes
“Life After Oblivion” Photo by Susan J. Farese

Patrick Haynes, Keith Fingers, Jr. and Joey Garza
“Life After Oblivion” Photo by Susan J. Farese

Cast of “Life After Oblivion” Photo by Susan J. Farese

Joseph Lloyd, Emmy Farese & La Contessa Miller
“Life After Oblivion” Photo by Susan J. Farese

Joseph Lloyd, La Contessa Miller & Emmy Farese
“Life After Oblivion” Photo by Tommy Anderson

Janey Hann, Kyle Brody & Miguel Montoya
“Life After Oblivion” Photo by Susan J. Farese

In summary:

Team VetPics hopes to help bring awareness and remove the stigma around PTSD and suicide to provide hope and encouragement to those in need with Life After Oblivion.

“The ghosts of the battlefield last longer than the war itself”

– Tommy Anderson

Ticket link for the February 25th Screening Premiere through Film Consortium San Diego and So Say We All:: https://filmconsortiumsd.com/schedule/?show=2021-02-25

Media Inquiries – please contact:

Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications PR: sjfcommunications@gmail.com.

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Sue Vicory/Heartland Films, Inc. Executive Produces “Panic at Parq” Parody Film

Tribute to Jodi Cilley, Founder, Film Consortium San Diego – Premiering October 21, 2020 on KOCT TV

San Diego film community sets out to pay tribute and leave some good in the community- Courtesy photo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
408-398-5940
sjfcommunications@gmail.com

(San Diego, CA October 7, 2020) – It all began as a ‘Lemon Bar Meetup” social event in January, 2020 over lemon bars at Milton’s Deli in Del Mar, California which led to a “Lemon Bar Mystery Film” casting call with over 50 people – actors (or would be actors) and crew attending.

The “Lemon Bar Mystery Film” ultimately transformed into a new parody short film Panic at Parq, Executive Produced by Sue Vicory and Heartland Films, Inc.

“Panic at Parq” Poster designed by Stephanie Tillman

Jodi Cilley, Founder, Film Consortium San Diego

Panic at Parq is a tribute to Jodi Cilley, Founder of the Film Consortium San Diego. The seventeen-minute parody will have a world premiere on KOCT TV on October 21, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. Pacific Time and will be aired on KOCT Channel 18 at 6:30pm on weekdays and Saturdays and at 7:30pm on Sundays between Wednesday, October 21st and Sunday November 1st. It be available to watch at these times on both Cox Cable Channel 18 & on Channel 18’s Live Stream via KOCT.org for those without Cox. https://www.koct.org/channel-18.

Left to right: Kymberrly Scott, Shannon Taylor, Joe Castanho, Jordan Jacobo,
Sue Vicory, David S. Dawson, Oscar Perez, Keith Russell
“Panic at Parq” production still photo credit: Luly’s Enchanted Pixels

The parody was directed by Sue Vicory and David S. Dawson of Intellexual Entertainment, and produced by Susan J. Farese of SJF Communications and Lori Morkunas Jones. Advising Producer was Francine Filsinger and Assistant Producer was Marci Krown.

Ron Christopher Jones
“Panic at Parq” production still photo credit: Luly’s Enchanted Pixels

The writing team included Jordan Jacobo as Head Writer/Screenplay, and Assistant Writers Lisa Bruhn, David S. Dawson, Doug Lito, Marie Malham, Michelle Malham and Shannon Taylor.

Ken Gora
“Panic at Parq” production still photo credit: Luly’s Enchanted Pixels

Filming locations for Panic at Parq included KOCT Studios in Oceanside, California, the Parq Nightclub in Downtown, San Diego, California and third shooting location at the home of Merrick McCartha and Peggy Warny in the Los Angeles area.

Joe Castanho
“Panic at Parq” production still photo credit: Luly’s Enchanted Pixels

During Production the cast and crew completed a community based act of kindness, giving blood at the annual Kyle Kraska Celebration of Heroes blood drive, led by Lori Morkunas Jones.

“Making a film in San Diego is both a pleasure and an honor working with so many talented cast and crew. Although a parody, this film is also a love letter to Jodi Cilley, President and founder of the San Diego Film Consortium.”

– Sue Vicory, Executive producer/Co-Director/Actor

“San Diego has a talented and diverse group of filmmakers who relentlessly pursue their passion for the art form. Just before the pandemic shut down nearly the entire industry, a large sample of this creative body came together to create a loving tribute to Jodi Cilley, the founder of Film Consortium San Diego and unintentionally to themselves. This fun little film is a delightful piece of comedy that highlights the strange beauty of artists battling deadlines, creative differences and the mind-boggling diversity of talents that creative people bring to the table.”

–David S. Dawson, Co-Director/Editor/Actor

“The challenge was to write a short film that included the majority of the San Diego film community, which is extensive. I think my writing team and I found a very clever way in which to do that.

–Jordan Jacobo, Lead Writer

“It was an honor organizing our film community to help with Kyle Kraska’s annual blood drive. To know that our efforts and blood donations went to save lives is a wonderful feeling.”

–Lori Morkunas Jones, Producer/ Blood Drive Organizer

Panic at Parq Synopsis:

When all the acts for the San Diego Film Awards suddenly become unavailable, the production team is tasked with finding replacements at the very last minute. Fearing the wrath of the show’s head honcho, the squabbling band of producers is forced to put aside their differences long enough to secretly audition replacement acts; but when nearly every performer in San Diego responds to their casting-call, they quickly realize just how in-over-their-heads they truly are.

Panic at Parq Logline:

A squabbling band of producers is forced to book last-minute talent for an awards show, all under their boss’s nose.

Left to right: John Aviles, Teresa Suarez Grosso, Lizet Benrey, & Randy Davison
“Panic at Parq” production still photo credit: Luly’s Enchanted Pixels

Additional Production Team and Crew: Cinematographers: Aram Khachaturyan & Oscar Perez; Editor: David S. Dawson; Assistant Editor: Whitney Wegman-Wood; Casting Director/Publicist: Susan J. Farese; Makeup: John Aviles; Assistant Director: Kymberrly Scott; Second Assistant Director: Heidi Bridges; Sound: Frank Forth; Boom Operator: Bryan Keith Davis; Still Photographer: Lourdes Araiza Beltran; Composer: Alejandro Castro; Performer: Doug Lito; Talent Wrangler: Emmy Farese.

Lexsy McCowen & Frank Forth
“Panic at Parq” production still photo credit: Luly’s Enchanted Pixels

Cast: Shannon Taylor; Jordan Jacobo; David S. Dawson; Sue Vicory; Joe Castanho; Peggy Warny; Merrick McCartha; Carly Starr Brullo-Niles; Keith Russell; Ken Gora; Cristyn Chandler; Frank Forth; Mark Atkinson; Whitney Wegman-Wood; Larry Poole; Bryon Harrington; Lee DiBernardo; Ruben Chato Hinojosa, Jr.; Mark Allyn; Julie Clemmons; Doug Lito; Martin Gomez; Jen Allen; Lori Jones; Caroline Amiguet; John Aviles; Lizet Benrey; Connie Chiarelli; Albert Sylvero; Jack Emmel; Anthony Maze; Randy Davison; Em Ozaki; Lexsy McCowen; Brooke McCormick; Mickey Faerch; Ron Christopher Jones; Isabel Canzoneri; Teresa Suarez Grosso; Teri Wilder; Luke DePron; Jamie Henkin; Allie Lennox; Dimitri Greene.

Follow Panic at Parq on IMDB

Contact:

Sue Vicory: Email: susanvicory@gmail.com Phone: 913-449-5861

Media Contact:

Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Email: sjfcommunications@gmail.com Phone: 408-398-5940

About Heartland Films Inc.: Heartland Films, Inc., a 501(c)3, was established in 2003 by Director/Producer Sue Vicory to create content that inspires, educates, and empowers its audience. Over the past 18 years Heartland Films has released a vast array of content that has screened in festivals worldwide and won many awards.

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Patricia Geist-Martin, Ph.D. & Sarah Parsloe, Ph.D. & Susan J. Farese & Emmy Farese – Interactive Expo Vendors at Steinbeck Country United Virtual Festival – August 1-2, 2020

SJF Communications clients Patricia Geist-Martin, Ph.D. and Sarah Parsloe, Ph.D., authors of Falling in Love with The Process: Cultivating Resilience in Health Crisis – A Stroke Survivor’s Story as well as Susan J. Farese of SJF Communications PR, and SJF Communications Representative Emmy Farese will be Expo Vendors in the National Steinbeck Center’s “Steinbeck Country United” Virtual Global Festival. Their ‘booths’ will be a part of the interactive expo virtual marketplace, in which local and international vendors will showcase their products and services on August 1-2, 2020.

Left to right: Author Patricia Geist Martin, Ph.D., Author Sarah Parsloe, Ph.D., Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications and Emmy Farese

Info: https://www.steinbeck.org/event/virtualfestival/

Ticket Link: https://www.accelevents.com/e/SCUFestival?fbclid=IwAR22oobGy-cdwsXe_mgvvz7wKtbKe1SoPdfe7u-WV2zZfEjcDFgsm2FioOY

INFO from The National Steinbeck Center and “Steinbeck Country United”:

The National Steinbeck Center is proud to present “Steinbeck Country United”, a virtual and interactive global festival, August 1st and 2nd. “Steinbeck Country United” will feature an exciting array of musical acts, including Matt Costa, Zakiya Hooker (John Lee Hooker’s daughter), Atta Boy (featuring Eden Brolin, Josh Brolin’s daughter, on vocals and Lewis Pullman, Bill Pullman’s son, on drums), J.D. King and a local Monterey Peninsula artist showcase.

Additionally, “Steinbeck Country United” will feature engaging panels with some of the top Steinbeck scholars around the world, including Pulitzer prize nominated authors, as well as photographers and videographers from National Geographic, international panelists from Mexico, and fantastic cultural performances from “Festival Internacional Cervantino”, one of Mexico’s most celebrated international artistic festivals. And it wouldn’t be a full festival experience without an interactive vendor area filled with incredible virtual booths! The fun continues with engaging cocktail hours, amazing silent auctions and electrifying interactive games, so get your tickets today!

Expo Attendees can visit the vendor booths and request a meeting (via Zoom), view vendor/company details, obtain offers/discounts, view/purchase products and visit vendors social media platforms.

For more information, email events@steinbeck.org; https://www.steinbeck.org/event/virtualfestival/

Ticket Link: https://www.accelevents.com/e/SCUFestival?fbclid=IwAR22oobGy-cdwsXe_mgvvz7wKtbKe1SoPdfe7u-WV2zZfEjcDFgsm2FioOY

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VetPics Productions Film Entry – ‘Life After Oblivion’ Spreads Awareness of PTSD/Suicide Prevention for ‘Armed Forces Film Con Challenge’ in San Diego

(San Diego, April 2, 2020) – VetPics Productions is producing and submitting a SAG short film project (15 min), Life After Oblivion for the Armed Forces Film Con Challenge through the San Diego Film Consortium. Life After Oblivion was recently filmed at the Meadows Field Airport and the Wind Wolves Preserve in Bakersfield, California.

The Armed Forces Film Challenge is a 60 Day challenge, (extended a bit due to the coronavirus pandemic and Covid-19) during which VetPics Productions selected one of several stories offered by the Challenge management, wrote a screenplay (by Tommy Anderson), filmed (with 2 assigned elements), edited (by Floyd Strayer) and submitted to the Challenge management.

Based on the Story Oblivion by Adam Stone

The story we chose is Oblivion by Veteran Adam Stone. It is about a Marine Sniper returning from Afghanistan and the ghosts that come with him. It focuses on a singular event that tends to stick out amongst the many he has experienced. It stands out with our team as a phenomenal opportunity to show the world a snippet of what our veterans struggle with when they come home.

Life After Oblivion – Photo by Tommy Anderson