Film Con Challenge

(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

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) ~ (Producer/Screenwriter/Veteran) www.haboobwind.com, is a PTS survivor and has worked with veterans’ issues including suicide prevention for both veterans and public safety personnel. He is on the board of directors of the US For Warriors Foundation in San Diego and has been recognized by both the Los Angeles County Board and the Riverside County Board for with work with veterans. Tommy’s IMDB;

Susan J. Farese (San Diego, CA) ~ (Producer/Casting/Publicist/Veteran)is the owner of SJF Communications and is a veteran Army and Navy Nurse. Susan’s IMDB;

Shar Yonan (Bakersfield, CA) ~ (Producer/Location Scout) is a strong child advocate for abused children in foster care as well as an advocate for children who have attempted to take their own life. 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.

We have 12 veterans involved in Life After Oblivion, the film, (production team, cast and crew) along with Adam Stone, writer of the story ‘Oblivion’.

Life After Oblivion – Photo by Josh Conner

The Music in Life After Oblivion

The song ‘Life After Oblivion’ sung by Tina Hargett 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

Indiegogo Campaign Link: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/life-after-oblivion/x/23116399#/

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.

More photos from Life After Oblivion

Life After Oblivion – Photo by Susan J. Farese

In summary:

We hope to help bring awareness and remove the stigma around PTS/PTSD and suicide to provide hope and encouragement to those in need with Life After Oblivion