Wellll....

I'm gonna try and make this as snazzy and dollar grabbing as I possibly can.   What can I say, I LOVE FILM! I LOVE 70'S FILMS!!  I love BEAUTIFUL SUN RISES AND SUNSETS, CUTE BOYS, AND FAST CARS... There's my movie.

For real though, after working in New Orleans on HBO's TREME all last year, then heading up to the SUNDANCE FILM LABS to work on a project, I really really started to feel like I wanted to shoot something and could do it with the talented people I've worked with over the years. I love telling story through acting, and writing and have very strong IMAGES in my head at all times.  STRONG IMAGERY is so important, because it stays in our minds and souls. 

Just a 'Lil Background on the film:

So with this short film, I wanted to primarily use VISUALS; ones that most anyone that's ever seen any media would instantly recognize and connect to. There is next to NO DIALOGUE.  In making this film "my own",  I've chosen to set the story in rural Louisiana, (Which is rich in texture, emotion and beauty), in the late 70's and have a mixed race cast with race NOT being the issue. The journey we go on also includes an element of fantasy. 

The story I am telling is one of self-discovery that my lead character, a young black female, goes through. This film captures the moment in a young girls' life, when she alone, makes the decision that will change her life. ...A single choice can change everything.  I find this important simply because it's almost never seen on screen in current story lines. 

THE CREATIVE TEAM:

• Yolonda Ross (Writer/Director, Actress) is a native of Omaha, Nebraska. Yolonda made her feature film debut in the 2001 HBO feature STRANGER INSIDE, which earned her awards, including an IFP Gotham Award  and an Independent Spirit Award nomination. Her talents as an actor in Film/ Television can be recognized in such projects as TREME, Denzel Washington's, THE ANTWONE FISHER STORY, YELLING TO THE SKY, 24, and David Mamet's THE UNIT. In 2008 she became a member of New York's Labyrinth Theater Co.,after making her stage debut in UNCONDITIONAL at The Public Theater. Yolonda will be filming "GO FOR SISTERS" written and directed by John Sayles Summer 2012. "BREAKING NIGHT" will be her debut as a director.http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0743931/

• Clarke Peters (Actor) is well-known to HBO audiences for his role as Det. Lester Freamon in THE WIRE. Clarke Peters is an accomplished actor, writer, director and singer. Born in New York City and raised in Englewood, NJ, he earned a 1992 Tony Award nomination for, FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE. After appearing on Broadway in 'THE ICEMAN COMETH (1999), he went on to win the Theatre World Award, and recently took home the Outstanding Contribution Award at the 7th Annual SCREEN NATION AWARDS 201. He can currently be seen as Big Chief Albert Lambreaux in HBO's TREME, and this Summer in Spike Lee's, RED HOOK SUMMER. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0676370/

• Levi Fiehler (Actor) was born and raised in Juneau Alaska. It was there that he studied and performed in numerous productions at local playhouse, Perseverance Theater, before moving to Los Angeles in late 2007 to pursue film and television opportunities. While in Los Angeles Levi became a graduate of The Sanford Meisner Studio. He can next be seen in Vuguru's upcoming show, FETCHING and in film, WYATT EARPS REVENGE. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3172981/

• Otto DeJean (Actor) is a native of New Orleans.  Born and raised in the traditions of New Orleans he is now, Big Chief Fiyo of the HARD HEAD HUNTERS TRIBE keeping the Mardi Gras Indian tradition alive in New Orleans. His talents in costuming and leadership are what made him stand out to David Simon, creator of HBO’s, THE WIRE and TREME. David Simon tapped Otto to come on as a consultant and as an actor on TREME.http://www.imdb.com/name/nm381957

• Kesha Bullard (Actress) was first introduced to acting in Decatur, GA, as a child.  After leaving Georgia she went on to earn her MFA at LSU. This led to roles in; THE EXONERATED, MEMPHIS BEAT, TREME, and the life-changing role of Juliette in, I HAVE BEFORE ME A REMARKABLE DOCUMENT GIVEN TO ME BY A YOUNG LADY FROM RWANDA.http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1569488/

• Alexander Payne (Executive Producer) is a screenwriter, director and producer from Omaha, Nebraska. After graduating from Creighton Prep, Payne enrolled at UCLA Film School earning his MFA.  During this time he teamed up with writing partner, Jim Taylor.  He went on to direct and produce with Jim Taylor such notable and Oscar winning films as: ELECTION, ABOUT SCHMIDT, SIDEWAYS, and 2011's THE DESCENDANTS, in which he won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. Alexander is also on the Board of directors of Omaha non- profit film theater, Film Streams.   http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0668247/

• Leah Meyerhoff (Producer) is currently pursuing a Masters in film at New York University. Her short film TWITCH screened in over 200 film festivals, including Cannes, Palm Springs, Chicago International, and won numerous awards including; Grand Jury Prize at Slamdance, and Best Female Director at the West Chester Film Festival. Leah has since directed commercials for CONVERSE, and music videos including, TEAM QUEEN for Triple Creme,and ETERNAL FLAME for Joan as Police Woman. TEAM QUEEN won Best Music Video at the Fort Worth LGBT Film Festival and is now airing on LOGO, while ETERNAL FLAME is on MTV Europe. Leah is also currently a programmer for Rooftop Films and recently finished shooting her first feature film, UNICORNS, produced by Heater Rae. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1573783/

• Timothy M. Mather (Producer) brings over 18 years of production and creative experience to the BREAKING NIGHT team.  He developed his skills as a Producer at Dalzell Productions in New York City beginning with the 1st Tribeca Film Festival for Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal. He quickly went on to produce and oversee high profile entertainment industry events including, the 4th Annual DIRECTORS GUILD OF AMERICA HONORS, IFP/NY GOTHAM AWARDS and the FIFI Awards. In 2004, Mather produced FLOWERS, a feature film, launching OneLight Productions, going on to produce numerous critically acclaimed short films such as; BLUE HOLE,and MALADY, music videos for; Jennifer Vazquez, and Sia, and commercial spots for: The Elizabeth Glazer Pediatric AIDS Foundation; WORLD IS WAITING series, and TIGERS IN AMERICA. He continues to produce content and gala shows for Palm OS, Persol, Google, Tribeca Film Festival, and other major international brands, through Good Sense & Company, while furthering his passion for storytelling  through his ongoing work with the Sundance Directors Lab. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1780187/

• Justin Zweifach (Director of Photography) http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4495896/

•  Dodd Loomis (Assistant Director) graduated from NYU and went through Playwrights Horizons' Directing Program.  He has written and directed many international theater hits such as: THE ALUMINUM SHOW , and the award winning LUCK. Dodd was the AD on the Broadway rock musical, SPIDERMAN: TURN OFF THE DARK, and the 2nd AD on the horror film, AUTOPSY. He recently wrapped on BROKEN CITY and his script LUCK is currently in development to become a feature.   http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2858946/

• Ann Walters (Costume Designer) is a native to New Orleans graduating from LSU. Ann’s drive, skill, and eye for creating character through wardrobe have kept her in demand as filming in New Orleans has become a regular. Her credits include the films: SKELETON KEY, VENOM, FACTORY GIRL, AMERICAN VIOLET, BAD LIEUTENANT: PORT OF CALL-NEW ORLEANS.  She has settled in as Co-Designer on the hit HBO show TREME, where her costume designs have been featured in the Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design Exhibitions at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) Museum.http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1836273/

• Sasha Solodukhina (Production Coordinator) http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3651828/   

• Additional team members include:

• Derrick Freeman (Actor/Musician) http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2543098/                                    
• Lyle Friedman (Actress) http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4207525/           
• Heather Charleston (Actress) 
• Jessica Daniels (Casting)
• Rebecca Herbert (Production Design)
• Mike Brown ( KODAK Film )
• Richard Brown (Picture Car Coordinator) http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1569488/
• James Cullinane, Dane Rhodes, Deadria Paellman, Pamela Davis-Noland, Frederick Johnson, Craig Mulcahy, Martha Wollner, Marlene Charleston, and all of you who previously contributed on the film's website!