This is an update to a story we ran a few weeks about a young NYC Filmmaker and his unique script he hopes to bring to the big screens shortly. He has signed some additional “talent” and we are pleased to announce this to our readers.
The talent's names are Omarya Mota. She was recently featured in Brett Ratner's X-Men 3. Daniel Lue is the second talent, he is known for his work on Survivor and starred in his OWN MTV True Life recently. The third talent is Steve Corino, Former Professional Wrestling Heavyweight champion.
Below you will find our original story:
Q. You have written an interesting screenplay, can you give us a brief synopsis
The following is a brief synopsis for "AFTER THE LIFE".
"AFTER THE LIFE" is a full-feature screenplay by I(Avraham) Avi Klein.
This story depicts two tales situated in the dark confine that is purgatory. The first is of a young man who is facing the world with two different elements that are eerily similar pulling him from each side towards their haven...The unknown yet alluring forces known as Life and Death. In a realm where youth and vigor is met with strife and bitter angst of the unknown elements of Purgatory an OLD MAN once alive, but now not quite, is given a chance to watch his life anew in flashback sequences not in life but here in his...death thus breaking the cycle of emptiness in the land of the empty (Purgatory). He is greeted by an entity known as "THE VOICE". This "VOICE" is not only a tour guide in the netherworld but is there for the sole purpose of evaluating and then TESTING his deceased "clients" former lives(Thus is the case with the Elderly Man). In what seems to be a lifeless abyss known as purgatory what force has enabled this empty land to be swimming with living, breathing, emotion thus ending the empty cycle of a once empty terrain? This old man's past will be revisited through his eyes with chilling results and promises of what might have been. But who or what caused this continuum to occur? What is the reasoning for this? Will it affect those lives in which he touched on earth and if so then how? Are there "others" who await their judgment here in purgatory? If so, might they be recognizable faces of this elderly man's past? Whom is he communicating with and can he bring himself to muster a human emotion in death that eluded him in life? If so, what is this emotion and can it be tapped into to unlock his troubled soul thus allowing him access to the other side? The balance of purgatory lay in his internal quest.
The second portion of the film chronicles the study of opposing viewpoints certain individuals in society have faced. While in purgatory, 6 different "class groups" remain clueless as to there whereabouts and CONTINUE to label each other as they did in life. A Muslim battles a Jew. An aristocrat quarrels with an economically challenged sort. An uncivilized wrestler feuds with a promoter. An attorney and psychiatrist come to blows. By giving in to these stereotypical "class-type" tendencies they disallow their own progression THUS enabling their own confinement to the dark land we call purgatory. Will their hesitancy to "think outside the box" lead to eternal suffering by attacking one another as their class groups did in life?
Q. How did you conceive of the idea for this screenplay? What inspired you?
"AFTER THE LIFE" is a project that originally was swimming in the seas of loneliness for quite some time. Its funny how one word can lead into two, two can then lead to a sentence, a sentence can morph into a paragraph, and a paragraph can eventually fully blossom into a page. Thus was the case for this project and it's creator, yours truly. As a young NYC film student who wasn't blessed with the power of connections, in the traditional sense, I transformed many of my sonnets or "written words" as I called them into the project that is now fully submerged before you. For two years (2002-2004) it was fine tuned and polished carefully yet never intending to see sunlight, if you will. While I, the writer/director, initially had never favored chasing any type of notoriety for this written screenplay I was coaxed into doing so for a very simple reason that doesn't make me special by any means...to share with fellow artists something that stemmed from within...my vision. The person that coaxed me into unleashing doses of innovation (In the form of my screenplay) was...me. Ironic that purgatory (Subject matter of my piece) was the one source of inspiration that elevated my pursuit of telling this story. My purgatory. Purgatory of the mind leads to reaction of the soul. My soul reacted with hunger and strives. Tired of keeping my work a hidden secret I set off on a journey. A one man mission became a small gathering of dedicated artists facing the demon of this industry head-on. My inspiration came not from fruition but rather from DECAY. The decay I knew would be present in my heart had I not stood up and spoke my mind through a "Written Word"(Otherwise known as my screenplay).
Q. Why do you feel you have a unique and possible hit movie?
Internal discovery. A topic matter that has rarely been touched upon is tackled with limitless facets of ideologies implanted by yours truly. It isn't just I. This past November I began Casting for my film. While there are still numerous "vacancies" open for some of the most interesting principle characters of "After The Life" there were 867 artists brought together last fall. They all shared a dream...a PURPOSE. Blessed with an incomparable talent(Rising star Adam Lawrence) as the lead in my film(A character known as...No Name) I entered my Casting Call with a small but fearless team SURROUNDED by a stream of relentless will, determination, and hunger. The "After The Life" Casting Call began. Round after invigorating round the field was narrowed. January, February, March, and April came and left. Each month offered a callback round more and more innovative than the previous. Incorporating different mechanisms of study(Pertaining to character, piece, etc.) I allowed ALL participants to walk away with a fountain of knowledge. All the while, actors were walking into this call month after month coming together and uniting STRONGER than ever. The seasons changed while their goal stayed identical.
Q. When do you plan to begin production?
When I realize that funds we attain allow us to film this piece to its best potential. An ideal time would be late fall of this year.
Q. Who is your target audience?
If the word "who" were to comprise "all" then a compromise will have been met. I wrote all seven parts of "After The Life" with the mindset of tapping into NUMEROUS flavors of appeal(Demographically speaking). The "earthly portions" of my piece allow modern, domestic, and relatable subject matter to shine through. I also tap into the waters of mental and spiritual structure as barriers are broken and the lines of convention are crossed. There is a tale of love as much as there is of hate. A balance of multidimensional facets targets many in our society. After all, what message would I be conveying if it were not intended for all?
Q. What is your background in the film industry? Is this your first project?
With "After The Life" I will be making my directorial debut in the full-feature realm. You always remember your first on your quest towards your...last.
