FEATURE FILM
Where THE POWER OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT CONFRONTS ARTIFICIAL Intelligence
Why this film:
Recent breakthroughs in science and technology have brought us to a pivotal moment in human history. Humans - all of us - possess astonishing powers of healing, regeneration and life-giving rejuvenation. We need only awaken our innate abilities of intuition through self-awareness and heart-brain harmony to take the next step in human evolution. These God-given talents, however, must be nurtured. Science and technology have also made it possible to usurp our natural abilities with artificial means, shortcuts that will inevitably result in losing our intuitive powers. In the coming battle of man vs machine, our choices will ultimately determine our destiny. AWAKƎN takes on this question in a new action adventure where our heroes fight back using the very same powers that are being taken away. For them, the question is simple: Transcend or Die.
Production Team
Audra Kelly
Creator-Producer - AWAKƎN
Audra Kelly has been a long standing creative force in the entertainment industry, spanning an eclectic array of projects in television, film, theaters, radio and fashion. She began her film career working with Catherine Lanigan (author of the novelizations, Romancing the Stone and Jewel of the Nile). Prior to exclusively working on her own passion projects, Audra assisted with the production efforts of movies such as The Pelican Brief, Candy Man II, Occhio Pinocchio, The Chase, and Heaven’s Prisoners.
Audra’s endeavor for expansive inspirational storytelling lies at the center of AWAKƎN, which portrays a gritty high-tech dystopia vanquished by the paradigm-shattering power of the human heart.
Audra’s steadfastness and perseverance is bringing this tale to light, having endured her own dystrophic struggles, that have graced her with the grit, soul, and resolve to carry the film, AWAKƎN, through to worldwide distribution.
JOHN M. TRIMBACH
Writer, Co-Producer - AWAKƎN
John M. Trimbach received engineering degrees from the U of Notre Dame and the U of Tennessee before discovering a love for writing. His first foray involved recounting his father’s FBI experiences from the 1970s. What began as a tribute to FBI agents evolved into an expansive historical expose, American Indian Mafia. John’s other interest, flying for the USAF and globetrotting as an airline Captain, led him to the world of screenplays, where extensive travels fueled his writer’s journey and his passion for AWAKEN’s underlying themes. After receiving accreditation from the Georgia Film Academy, John wrote Squaw Peak, The Six Billion Dollar Boy and his latest crime thriller, Mountain Justice.
VINCENT GONZALES Co-Producer - AWAKƎN
As a Directors Guild of America (DGA) member since 1996, Vincent Gonzales has over 20 years of experience in the film industry. From the television realm of The Walking Dead and Mind Games to the film world of Indies to the multi-million-dollar franchise of Transformers, Vincent has worked on 40 films and 29 television sets around the world over the last two decades. He is involved in the DGA 2nd AD, DGA Latino Committees, the Annual Producer’s Academy, and as an industry mentor and speaker. He thrives on passing along his knowledge and strives to be a mentor to those pursuing similar careers in the industry.
Vince’s work ethic is best left to his own words... “When you work on such intense sets for such long hours, week after week, you become part of a family...and I am very proud of my on-set families and what we have accomplished together.”
KENNY DEZENDORF
Cinematography Consultant, SOC - AWAKƎN
As a 30-year media production, cinematography, and specialty-gear veteran, Kenny Dezendorf has traversed the gamut of feature films and network television. His talents have been granted an Emmy for Chris Rock, Bring the Pain, and 5 Telly Awards at the NY Film Festival. He has received global recognition for filming/documenting some of the greatest musical talents on Earth, including Genesis, Rolling Stones, Toby Keith, and Tim McGraw. Kenny’s expertise has embarked worldwide journeys with National Geographic, BBC, NHK Japan, Discovery, and the History Channel
ED KRAMER
Visual Effects Supervisor - AWAKƎN
Ed Kramer spent more than a decade as a Senior Lighting Artist and Sequence Supervisor for the premiere visual effects facility in the world, Industrial Light and Magic. While there he supervised the Scarab Beetle shots from THE MUMMY (1998), the Rock Monster shots from GALAXY QUEST (2000), and the Droid Factory sequence from STAR WARS, Episode II: Attack of the Clones. His computer graphic works are featured in five movies, nominated for visual effects OSCARS, including the 2006 winner PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN II: Deadman’s Chest. He was also a part of the animation team who created the iconic Columbia Pictures “Lady With the Torch” opening logo. From the pinnacle of the visual industry, Ed brings his distinguished experience of working with George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Michael Bay, and many of the worlds greatest directors, insuring innovative visual effects for AWAKƎN.
Sanjay N. Patel
Photographer - AWAKƎN
Photographer Photo & visual artist Sanjay N. Patel made his artistic mark in the film world. His forte in stylized imagery earned him recognition for his unique vision, artistic insight, and aesthetic ingenuity, which produced a reputable clientele, including FOX SEARCHLIGHT, MGM, LIONS GATE, TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX, and over 20 feature films. Sanjay’s down-to-earth reputation balances his high ideal of the arts.
JUSTINE BOYER
Key-Artist - AWAKƎN
Justine Boyer has the creative ability to change the mundane into spectacular visuals that knock your socks off. Her friendly nature, careful planning and attention to detail have allowed her to lend her creative expertise to a number of films and documentaries, as well as designing a map and app to follow the life of Solomon Northrup and based off the biographical drama film, 12 Years A Slave.
MICHAEL MARRONE
Graphic Artist - AWAKƎN
Renowned for his eye-catching patriotic art, Michael Marrone is the commissioned artist for Lt. General Michael Flynn, hence the title "The Commander's Artist." Michael’s talents will be put to good use creating AWAKƎN’S visuals and poster art.
Michael’s work explores a new form of graphic art - meme art with a splash of patriotic appeal. His eclectic style of time-traveling modern-day figures into early American Revolutionary garb results in an attention-demanding visual, a kind of Norman Rockwell-meets-Francis O'Toole realism. Michael also puts his principles where his paint is by auctioning his creations for various charities.
www.thecommandersartist.com
LOUISE LEVISON
Finance Consultant - AWAKƎN
For over 30 years, Louise Levison, President of Business Strategies, has specialized in the creation of film business plans as a highly respected independent financial consultant in the entertainment industry. Louise’s clients have raised money for several films such as The Blair Witch Project, the most profitable independent film in history. Her book, Filmmakers & Financing: Business Plans for Independents (Ninth Edition, 2022, A Routledge/Taylor & Francis book) is the inspiration behind the feature documentary, MOVIE MONEY CONFIDENTIAL (currently streaming.) She is the publisher and editor of The Film Entrepreneur: A Newsletter for the Independent Filmmakers and Investors, free download at moviemoney.com. Louise and her many talents will be a welcome addition to Team AWAKƎN.
TODD J. HEIN
Entertainment CPA - AWAKƎN
Todd is an Independent CPA with 30 years of experience in entertainment, real estate, and business taxation matters. His Master of Science (MS) degree from Golden Gate University focused on taxation policy central to the entertainment industry. His expertise in film and television tax and accounting has led to speaking engagements at the Sundance, Cannes, and Toronto film festivals. Todd will be working as AWAKƎN’s budgetary manager.
STORY CONSULTANTS
GREGG BRADEN - AWAKƎN
A Visionary for Our Times
Gregg is a five-time New York Times best-selling author, scientist, International educator and pioneer in the emerging paradigm bridging science, social policy and human potential.
His research resulted in the 2003 discovery of intelligent information encoded into the human genome, and the 2010 application of fractal time to predict future occurrences of past events. With 15 film credits, 12 award-winning books and numerous awards to his credit, Gregg is a gifted futurist crucial to the next phase of human evolution. Gregg’s insights form the backbone of AWAKƎN.
MICHAEL K. JACO - AWAKƎN
Story and Weapon Consultant
Michael is a former Navy Seal Team Six operator and CIA security operative with over 35 years of combat experience and over 20 years as a practiced Intuitive Remote Viewer and Influencer in diverse environments. His book, Intuitive Warrior, details his years as a master training specialist who has instructed thousands of students in extremely high levels of personal development and high consciousness. Michael’s expertise is key to AWAKƎN’s unique fight scenes employing advanced weapons and tactics.
CHRISTIANE NORTHRUP,MD - AWAKƎN
Christiane Northrup, MD, a visionary pioneer in women’s health, and three-time New York Times bestselling author, has devoted her life to promoting the joy, freedom and balance of women’s holistic medicine. With over thirty years of clinical experience, Dr. Northrup is internationally recognized for her empowering approach to natural healing, often opposed by the medical establishment. Named as one of the “100 Most Trusted People in America,” and with the fighting spirit of AWAKƎN’s hero, Dr. Teal Cassava, Dr Northrup leads from the front lines exposing corruption in the medical industrial complex while restoring faith in natural medicine and our ability to be healthy.
PENELOPE SMITH - AWAKƎN
Animal Communicator
Since the 1970s, Penelope Smith has been a founding pioneer in the field whose name she originated, Interspecies Telepathic Communication. Penelope doesn’t just relate to animals – she communicates directly with them. Using her methods, anyone can learn the skills detailed in her numerous books such as Animal Talk and When Animals Speak, and publications such as Species Link Magazine. AWAKƎN honors animal communication as a necessary skill humans need in the unification of all beings on planet earth.
RANDY & PATTI MANDRELL - AWAKƎN
Equine Therapists
As professional counselors and horse specialists, Randy and Patti Mandrell were among the first to pioneer animal-assisted therapy in the field of Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP). In partnership with professional counselors in the state of Texas, their facility, Refuge Services, offers support and treatment for veterans suffering from PTSD and anxiety disorders by employing animal interaction to improve diagnosed deficits and facilitate positive change for clients with emotional, relational and psychological disorders. An important storyline of AWAKƎN explores how veterans with PTSD can find relief with EAP therapy.
VICTOR POULIN - AWAKƎN
Boomerang Specialist
Indiana Jones has his whip. Hawkeye uses his bow and arrow. AWAKƎN’s Teal Cassava unleashes her boomerang. Since 2008, Victor Poulin has created exceptional boomerangs for customers all over the world. With intense attention to detail – each one tested for optimal flight, precision and strength - Vic personally designs and builds his specialty boomerangs to fit anyone’s needs. For AWAKƎN, Vic’s designs combined function and creativity into a realistic portrayal of this ancient weapon.
WILDEFELL WOLVES - AWAKƎN
The ambassador program known as Wildefell Wolves strives to educate the public about the habits and environment of wolves. The program focuses on animal training for events and media appearances in order to promote a positive image of wolves and their need in our ecosystem. Wildefell Wolves have appeared at interpersonal meet and greets, magazine spreads, commercials and music videos. Their rockstar, Stark, a grey wolf, played Ralph the wolf in the summer blockbuster, Rampage, where he worked side by side with ‘The Rock’ Dwayne Johnson.
Stark’s understudies include Spock, who has a calm loving demeanor and is great with children, and Ender, full of energy and very curious. Octavia is a lovable princess while Andy is shy but eager to please. Wildefull Wolves will play a key role in AWAKƎN.