Every canvas has its palette!
“The Altruist” is the first docu-drama made by Media At Large. In a post-modern fashion, writer/director Roger Sewhcomar brings humor and nostalgia to quirky artist Laurie Munn’s biography. Laurie’s remarkable life is juxtaposed with major and minor historic events, and is chronicled by an iconic narrator and pompous shrink, who add a rich vein of humor and ironic commentary. Vivid reconstructions of Super 8 and stock footage add color and depth to Munn’s fascinating tale.
Laurie Munn (as herself), a local New York artist, suddenly found herself connecting the human experience through canvas portraits. In the 80s, Laurie stumbled upon a high school yearbook on the streets of Chelsea in NYC. This symbol of childhood left Laurie feeling empty and disconnected from her own experience. As a result, she began to paint portraits of each member of the graduating class of her found yearbook. The project culminated in 2005 when Laurie attended the forty-year class reunion as an honorary member. By that time, Laurie had contacted all living members of the class and painted their portraits. Her show was displayed in Barney’s windows and brought national attention to the ever-evolving story. In the film, her fictional shrink (Stewart Schneck) hints at “red herrings” – significant historic events Laurie may or may have not been responsible for - and satirizes Laurie’s life decisions. Laurie analyzes her youth in Geneva, Switzerland, her rendezvous with the likes of Andy Warhol and Jean-Paul Sartre, and her desire to define the human experience. Ultimately, Laurie realizes the events of her life have led her to become the independent, carefree woman she is. Without them she would not be the artist she is today.
The Company proudly produced the dramatic short, “Promises of Home,” a touching short about childhood and loneliness. The film originated as a collaboration between ABC Film & Video and Our Children’s Homestead (www.ourchildrenshomestead.org), an organization aimed at housing-troubled children. Instead of the originally planned public service announcement, Director Stephen Kelleher brought beauty and vulnerability to the screen with this short film. With an all-star cast and crew, “Promises of Home” rouses genuine emotion in the hearts of audience.
Jem Greene (Natalie Gonzalez) finds herself alone and alienated in her adopted foster home, and her fears and inhibitions create a void as she tries to connect with her foster mother Kit Yardley (Tashya Valdevit). Jem’s reaction to this isolation is to break away from the family on the first night in a vain attempt to find, and reconcile with, her birth mother. Her escape causes panic in her new family, sparking a realization of Jem’s vulnerability to all involved. For one young girl, home is redefined.
Simply Devilish…
Expanding beyond film, Media At Large is reaching out to the web community by producing a new, highly irreverent web series called “Heaven.” Brendan Cochrane and Joseph Assadourain wrote the original script for the stage, winning two PEN Drama Awards. Their vision is brought to the Internet as a web series directed by Media At Large’s Roger Sewhcomar. “Heaven” takes the viewer on a jaunty and hell-bent ride of blasphemy.
If Jesus smoked marijuana, Gandhi and Hitler had a battle royale, and Lucifer yearned for access to heaven, would the world be a better place? In the high courts of Heaven and Hell sinners find their fate, and it’s within these courts that God receives the ultimate proposal from his old friend, Lucifer. While watching suicide bombers make their way to Heaven, Lucifer gets restless prosecuting sinners and unveils his heavenly desires. He proposes a trial to convince God of his place in Heaven. Through key witnesses, such as King Henry VIII, Medusa, and Hitler, Lucifer attempts to prove his eligibility for naturalization in Heaven. God’s word will be final.
(viewer discretion is advised)
Writer Caytha Jentis brings to life the story of a single mother trying to find love. Director Richard Schenkman directs an A-list cast including Vanessa Williams, Eartha Kitt, Ben Vereen, and Michael Boatman. Shashi Balooja, is an influential part of this ensemble cast. “And Then Came Love” leaves the audience with the hope that love is possible to find, if you know where to look.
Successful New York journalist and single mom Julie Davidson’s (Vanessa Williams) six-year old son Jake (Jeremy Gumbs) is acting up, so she seeks out donor father Paul Cooper (Kevin Daniels), a struggling actor and law school drop-out. As Paul and Jake’s relationship grows, Julie questions her relationship with boyfriend, Ted. To compound things, Julie’s meddling mom, Mona (Eartha Kitt), can’t contain herself when it comes to her daughter’s love life. A chance meeting with Paul turns both of their lives upside down forcing them to realize love can be found in the strangest circumstances.
Be careful what you wish for…
“Exposed” is ABC Film & Video, LLC – Media At Large’s first feature film. The multi-talented cast, including the Company President, Shashi Balooja, creates a visually stunning, emotional roller coaster of a movie. Director Burke Heffner and Cinematographer Rafael de la Uz bring their experience and expertise to the screen in this riveting drama.
The timely and scandalous suspense/thriller takes place in New York’s political underbelly. Andy Hernandes (Shashi Balooja) is an ambitious Assistant District Attorney with political aspirations who recently became engaged to Ann Kim (Michelle Glick), the latest partner in a profitable risk management firm. As a favor to wealthy Senator Barksdale (Tom Wiggin), Andy hires the Senator’s son, Michael (Josh Heine), as an intern. Michael is a brilliant-but-troubled law student who takes advantage of his privileged life to help his new mentor. As Andy is drawn into an elite circle of people willing to help fulfill his dreams, Ann finds herself confronted with scandalous circumstances beyond her control. Suddenly both are ensnared in a whirlwind of vulnerable situations involving a photographer (Gregory Wooddell) from Ann’s past, a mobster (Will Janowitz of HBO’s “The Sopranos”), and an array of earthy characters that result in indiscretion, blackmail, and murder.
How does a hard-driving man admit the fact that life can’t always be controlled?
“Ariana” is an award-winning short produced by ABC Film & Video, LLC – Media At Large. This touching drama won “Best Story & Screenplay” at the Arrivano I Corti Italian Short Film Festival as well as the “Audience Choice Award” at the San Luis Obispo Film Festival. Director Michael Sandoval creates a vision of the American dream seen through atypical relationships. Co-directed and starring Media At Large President, Shashi Balooja, the multi-talented actor also delivers a riveting performance in the “Ariana,” making it a proud addition to Media At Large’s established repertoire.
“Ariana” depicts Dr. Abbas Imad (Shashi Balooja), a successful doctor, loving grandson and committed partner as he completes his medical residency and joins a hectic group practice. With a dream of paying off his debts and making his live-in grandmother comfortable, Dr. Abbas’s well-planned future begins to crumble when his lover, Karl (Tate Ellington), moves in and they have to deal with Grandma Ariana’s (Anahid) difficult behavior. Hoping her behavior will subside, Abbas throws himself into his work, believing that things will soon work themselves out. Ultimately, Ariana’s dementia proves to be the real issue at hand, and Karl becomes her caregiver. Abbas must come to terms with his stressful practice, his troubled relationship, and his grandmother’s illness.
Awards:
“Best Story & Screenplay”
-Arrivano I Corti Italian Short Film Festival
“Audience Choice”
-San Luis Obisto Film Festival
“Most Heart wrenching”
The Desert Sun Awards
“Magnificent – a well done and truly moving commentary on a family, relationships and responsibilities from Michael Sandoval and Shashi Balooja.”
-TheDesertSun.com Short Awards 2004
Enter the darkness…
Media At Large will begin production on its newest feature this fall. “And Behind Door Number 2” is a dark and twisting thriller that dares to look behind the masks worn by regular people in their everyday lives, exposing the true nature of manipulation, betrayal and perversity that exists all around us. Writer, Director and Senior Producer, Roger Sewhcomar, captivates the audience with the film’s bone-chilling intensity.
Mikey, a young man who has recently inherited a great amount of wealth, is soon to be married to his fiancée, Claire. His life, however, takes an unexpected turn when Mikey’s best friend, Alex, reveals that he has something hidden away in his bedroom that will change Mikey’s life. Before Alex can show his friend what is behind the door, Mikey must complete a set of limit-testing tasks. Mikey is pulled further into Alex’s mysterious game, causing Claire to begin to investigate the reason behind her fiancée’s increasing aloofness. Not even Mikey knows where Alex is leading him, but when the door is opened Alex reveals a dangerous new world of forbidden pleasures. Mikey and Alex must take drastic action to protect these dark secrets, descending deeper into a labyrinth of lies. The drama races inexorably to a startling end as the characters navigate many sinister twists and turns while their wicked exteriors begin to crumble…
Parker Posey, Ethan Hawke and Shashi Balooja have been approached for this project.
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