Worst Enemy
Austin, Texas | Film Short
Drama
WORST ENEMY is written & produced by Kevin Machate - a disabled Veteran who was diagnosed later in life with two serious mental health disorders caused by trauma and abuse at a young age. It focuses on the need to seek help as a younger person instead of ignoring/avoiding it as is too often advised.
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This campaign raised $10,500 for production phase 2. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
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WORST ENEMY is written & produced by Kevin Machate - a disabled Veteran who was diagnosed later in life with two serious mental health disorders caused by trauma and abuse at a young age. It focuses on the need to seek help as a younger person instead of ignoring/avoiding it as is too often advised.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
The Story
Based on the award-winning script by Kevin Machate and Todd Rodgers, this film tells the story of one man’s struggles with personal and mental health issues that he has suffered with his entire life but was not prepared to hear the “truth” when it came to his own diagnosis.
U.S. Air Force Veteran Shane Snyder struggles with life in general. He’s unemployed, and lives solely on his disability payments from the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). He lives a mundane life, just trying to get by, not initially realizing how many of his issues may be causing many of the problems he faces. Although well-educated, challenges along the way have persisted and he struggles to find and maintain full-time employment.
Once he is diagnosed, he goes into an emotional freefall. His cousin Ashley, who is a famous actress living in LA, is the only member of his support team. She wants to help him as much as he can, but Shane feels that he must work through it himself. He grieves for his beloved dog, Wally, who recently passed away which adds to Shane’s struggle.
Shane has a tumultuous relationship with his father, Jim, (Played by three-time Emmy nominee Barry Corbin) who was one of his abusers growing up. Shane only recognized Jim’s behavior as abuse four decades later when it was pointed out to him by his doctor. He agrees to have dinner with Jim and his wife Gloria at their home which ends in an argument and leads to Shane storming out. This tension only adds to Shane’s struggles as he tried to make his problems disappear into the bottom of a beer can.
Ashley comes to visit, and this is the only time Shane is seen in a positive mood. She wants to help, but he is hesitant to accept because he doesn’t want to burden her. They have a great lunch together talking about the old days and how he hopes to approach the future.
A couple of weeks pass, and he receives a phone call from the university rescinding his job offer due to an arrest on his record. He responds by throwing his phone across the room and returns to drinking his problems away; except this time, he has lost the little bit of hope he had. In his final scene, Shane ends his own life literally seconds before a call comes through from Ashley.
At his funeral, Ashley gives a warm, loving speech referencing their relationship and that so many people failed Shane along the way. There is a moment where you see a hint of regret from Jim, but it doesn’t last long.
The film includes music from Robert Leslie and Billboard Award winner for Best Rock Song and ASCAP Award winner for Rock Track of the Year, JR Richards, the original singer of Dishwalla.
How all of this started
This all began in October 2022, two weeks before my 51st birthday. I was shocked to be given the same diagnoses that Shane is in the film. I was completely caught off guard, particularly by the diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). This is a form of catharsis for me, as it is my own attempt to recognize and hopefully heal from my own lifelong issues.
There is an unfortunate generational issue in which males who are roughly 44-59 years old as of 2024, were taught that asking for help was a bad thing. We faced strong negative influences from our parents, superiors, and peers to avoid receiving any form of assistance or guidance. The toxic culture in which we were raised that continued into the workplace and military life has caused millions of men to remain undiagnosed. Most commonly, this has led to substance abuse, emotional disturbances, and all too frequently, suicide.
Nowadays there are mechanisms in place that provide MH assistance, but those of us "of a certain age" and especially Veterans, were denied that support when it was most needed.
On paper, women have a higher diagnosis rate than men, not because there are fewer men with MH disorders, but because men simply avoid or try to ignore the issues and never get diagnosed.
Approximately 1.6% of people suffer with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).
Chapman J, Jamil RT, Fleisher C. Borderline Personality Disorder. [Updated 2022 Oct 25]
People with BPD are 50 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population.
Berk, M. S., Grosjean, B., Warnick, H. D. (2022, December 2). Current psychiatry®. Frontline Medical Communications.
Men are four times more likely to commit suicide than women.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (2023)
Between 40-44 Veterans take their own lives every day.
This film tells the story of one man who was raised in toxic personal, professional, and military environments. He struggled through life without an adequate support system which led to him making the choices he did along the way.
Our message
Growing up, many kids don’t realize when they are being abused or neglected; it’s just their normal situation, and they don’t know any better. Sometimes it takes decades for these victims to be diagnosed with mental health disorders and they often go undiagnosed altogether. Growing up in the 1970s & 80s, it was normal, especially for males, to be exposed to toxic masculinity and neglect that can affect child and adolescent development. As adults, these men are told that what they experienced is perfectly normal, that there is nothing wrong, and that they have no need for mental health assistance. Until recently, that culture was also very prevalent in the US military.
In telling Shane's story, we hope to bring awareness to the issues of generational abuse and neglect, men's mental health, and Veteran suicide. Many of the situations in this film are based on actual events or situations. It very explicitly shows what might have happened to me had I made different choices in the past 25 years.
Timing is critical, and what we're doing next
As of this moment, we have shot four of the six days of production for the film. We started filming in April 2024 with the incomparable Barry Corbin joining us, and just a few weeks ago we wrapped on days three and four of production. We are about 75% through the production phase as of right now. With YOUR help, we can film our final two days and wrap production in early December 2024, at which point we will move immediately into post production with anticipated completion by April 2025. Then, we will immediately begin submitting to film festivals in the hopes of a Fall 2025 festival world première.
Getting these funds is critical for us to stay on our projected timeline. If we do not get the green light, production will be delayed until Summer 2025 because all personal funds have been exhausted by the first four production days. That's why we need your help!
Stretch goals! We have them! Additional funding we receive will go 100% toward distribution so that more people can see the film. We are going to get the film "Academy Qualified" via 7-day screening in Los Angeles near the end of the festival run. This means that after the LA screening, the film becomes one of approximately 300 short films that will be eligible to be nominated for an Academy Award in the Short Live Action category for that year. The current rate (Although they tell us it could increase) that we would be responsible to pay for this screening is $2800.
Please FOLLOW THIS CAMPAIGN! S&S gives rewards to us the more followers our campaign has. This includes film festival submission waivers, which is a large part of our distribution strategy. Please follow this campaign now!
Please PLEDGE whatever you can. We have some great things to offer, including items you'll see in the film itself.
Please SHARE this campaign with your own followers and friends! The more eyes we get on this campaign, the better chance we have of getting the green light. We TOTALLY understand that not everyone is in the position (Especially nowadays) to give money, but you may know someone who is touched by this topic and is able to help us out.
You can also see all of our updates on the Facebook page, here.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Equipment rental
Costs $2,500
Although we own some of our own equipment, we are having to rent the majority of the equipment we're using to shoot the film.
Payment for cast and crew
Costs $6,000
I don't think anyone will deny that paying people fairly is a bad thing. Everyone needs to be paid!
Location fees
Costs $1,000
Having the right locations to tell the story is critical. We have two perfect commercial locations, but they require fees.
Feed the cast & crew
Costs $500
Everyone needs to eat! Please help us feed our amazing cast & crew.
Lodging
Costs $1,000
Most of our cast & crew is traveling for the shoot. Please help us cover the costs to give them warm beds to sleep in!
Production insurance
Costs $1,000
Insurance is required in order for us to rent equipment and film in commercial spaces.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Ammie Masterson - Director, Supporting actress (Dr. Tucker)
Ammie Masterson is an accomplished actress, producer, and now director with a growing list of credits and accomplishments. This is Ammie’s directorial debut. Ammie has shined in numerous film roles since Kevin cast her in her debut film performance in the short comedy, #RIP, which earned her two best supporting actress awards. Since then, she has appeared in more than 50 films and major network television shows such as Better Call Saul, Magnum P.I., True Lies, and Quiz Lady. She filmed what will likely be her breakout role concurrently with the filming of this film. She is co-starring in the upcoming major feature film, Trap House alongside Dave Bautista and Bobby Cannavale.
Ammie was selected to direct this film due to her experience of working with actors on film sets. The trust that Kevin has for Ammie was imperative to elevate his performance throughout the film. Ammie is a disabled Veteran of the US Air Force and holds an MBA from Texas State University.
Kevin Machate: Co-Director, Producer, Writer, Lead actor (Shane)
Kevin Machate is an award-winning Writer, Producer, and Director of short films. Having started his film career as an actor, Kevin quickly moved into producing short films, utilizing more than 25 years of management experience as his core skill set. In 2012 he directed his first short film and wrote what would become his most award-winning film to date, Promise Me which won more than 40 awards, screened in 76 film festivals around the world, and made its festival world premiere at the Austin Film Festival in 2015. Since then, he has written more than 30 short screenplays and four feature films. He continues to write, direct, and produce short films.
Kevin graduated with honors from the University of Texas in 2015 and holds an MBA from Tarleton State University. He is a disabled Veteran of the US Air Force where he served in Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield.
Todd Rodgers: Co-Writer, Producer, Editor
Born in Nyack, NY in 1971, Todd was diagnosed at an early age with Muscular Dystrophy and since then, requires a wheelchair to get around. Forced to work harder for even the most basic things gave Todd an increased sense of drive and determination which carries over into his writing. From an early age movies became very important to him; they became a way of escaping the rigors of normal life.
Todd has written and co-written more than a dozen feature films and several shorts. He has directed two feature films and has more than 20 producing credits. He has been editing for more than 30 years, with his latest film Derelict, having made its world premiere at the 2024 London Frightfest Film Festival. Todd holds a BA in Film and MEd in Elementary Education from the University of Nevada Las Vegas.
Kelly Riot - Director of Photography
Kelly Riot, a versatile force in the film industry, wears many hats as a Director, Photographer, and Cinematographer. Based in Austin, Texas, she spends her career traversing the globe, contributing her expertise to diverse projects. Her portfolio ranges from commercial shoots for giants like the Travel Channel, Apple Watch, and BBC, to directing and cinematography for award-winning narrative films. In the realm of narrative cinema, she uses a keen eye for storytelling and continues to weave visual narratives that captivate audiences and incite conversations.
Beth Shea: Lead Actress (Ashley)
Originally from Stamford, CT, Beth Shea graduated from the College of Charleston in Charleston, SC before moving to L.A. to pursue acting. Beth is the co-founder of Hall of Shea Productions with Leigh Hall. Together they have written, produced, and starred in acclaimed films such as Not in My Family, Love Royale, and Chubduction. In 2011, Beth partnered with Leyna Weber and Annie Lukowski of Working Bug Media, and co-wrote and starred in the hit comedy series A Series of Unfortunate People. Beth is a graduate of The Groundlings School and the Dee Wallace Stone Acting Studio in Los Angeles. In LA, Beth enjoyed performing improv and sketch comedy at such venues as the Groundlings, Improv Olympic West and ACME Comedy Theater. A proud member of SAG/AFTRA, Beth works in film, television and commercials, represented by Collier Talent Agency in Austin, TX, where she is now based.
Three-time Emmy Nominee and Texas Film Hall of Fame inductee, Barry Corbin has been acting for more than six decades in a career that has seen him take more than two hundred roles onstage, on TV, and in the movies. They’ve mostly been supporting roles, often authority figures-a natural fit, given Barry’s large frame and confident presence. He’s played fifteen sheriffs, several generals, a few wise uncles, a swaggering astronaut, and a hard-core basketball coach. He’s also played psychotic patriarchs, wealthy Texans, Santa Claus, and Lyndon Johnson. Even when his characters are overbearing or murderous, Barry has always found a way to make them human and likable-so much so that he often steals the show, as he did portraying General Jack Beringer in WarGames and astronaut Maurice Minnifield in Northern Exposure. Known as a character actor, he always seems like he’s genuinely enduring whatever his character is enduring-while also somehow remaining Barry Corbin. Barry is a Veteran of the US Marine Corps having served during the Korean War.
Gayland Williams: Actress (Gloria)
Texas born actress, Gayland Williams, began her film career in Austin playing in the Merchant Ivory film Ballad of the Sad Cafe in 1991. TV credits include Real Stories of the HWY Patrol and Unsolved Mysteries. Recent films include Kings of the Evening playing the peeved wife of Bruce McGill and Natural Selection playing the bossy older sister of Rachael Harris. Justin Meeks, who played her son in "Kings" later cast her in his film Kill or Be Killed. She also starred in the award winning short film Promise Me which garnered more than 40 awards, two best actress nominations and one win..
Gayland taught Science and was awarded a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship to do a post-graduate environmental study at Princeton. Her two sons frequently worked with her as extras in films such as Gilbert Grape and Dazed and Confused. Her father, Jerry Turman, also was an actor.
Marilyn Ghigliotti: Actress (Melinda Price)
Marilyn comes from a Puerto Rican family background in New York, born and raised in NY, Long Island, and New Jersey, of course there's a lot of spunk and attitude. Marilyn got started late when it comes to acting. While going through some life challenges, she decided to study acting at the Actors Training Institute in Red Bank New Jersey with John Eyd, a member of the Actors Studio in New York, where he brought those same acting techniques to New Jersey. After studying for about 2 years, Marilyn then felt confident enough to start auditioning in the community theater circuit in Southern New Jersey, appearing in many classic plays. After appearing in her first production, standing on that stage where people were actually listening to her words instead of being ignored as most middle children feel, she was hooked. During one of these many plays, is also where she met Brian O'Halloran before the two auditioned and landed their parts in Kevin Smith's iconic film Clerks. Since moving to LA, Marilyn has worked in salons and as a freelance hair and makeup artist. She also has worked both in front and behind the camera in many aspects of the filmmaking business to learn as much as possible.
J.M. Logan - Assistant Director
J.M. Logan is an award-winning director, writer, and producer who has worked in every position in movies over more than thirty years and more than a hundred feature films. Growing up in Austin, Texas, he started taking the city bus to work backstage in theater at the age of twelve, and transitioned into movies in any way available, learning everything he could about filmmaking.
From building big rubber monsters and animatronics, blowing up helicopters, supervising sound design, composing film scores, producing post production for major studios, writing and re-writing screenplays, shooting documentaries, producing and directing short and long form content – the only thing Josh has ever wanted to do is make movies with his friends.
Some career highlights include ANNABELLE, TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: THE NEXT GENERATION, STOKER, KIDNAP, WISHMASTER 2, THE DENTIST, THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST, APOCALYPTO and VIRUS.
Becky Sullivan: Sound Designer/Mixer
Becky Sullivan has one of the most amazing resume's in post production sound having won a BAFTA award in 1994 for The Fugitive and receiving an Academy Award nomination in 2015 for Angelina Jolie's Unbroken. She has worked on dozens of films that are now considered classics such as Field of Dreams, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, RoboCop, Child's Play, and They Live as well as more recent major hits such as The Big Short, The Avengers, and L.A. Confidential.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
The Story
Based on the award-winning script by Kevin Machate and Todd Rodgers, this film tells the story of one man’s struggles with personal and mental health issues that he has suffered with his entire life but was not prepared to hear the “truth” when it came to his own diagnosis.
U.S. Air Force Veteran Shane Snyder struggles with life in general. He’s unemployed, and lives solely on his disability payments from the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). He lives a mundane life, just trying to get by, not initially realizing how many of his issues may be causing many of the problems he faces. Although well-educated, challenges along the way have persisted and he struggles to find and maintain full-time employment.
Once he is diagnosed, he goes into an emotional freefall. His cousin Ashley, who is a famous actress living in LA, is the only member of his support team. She wants to help him as much as he can, but Shane feels that he must work through it himself. He grieves for his beloved dog, Wally, who recently passed away which adds to Shane’s struggle.
Shane has a tumultuous relationship with his father, Jim, (Played by three-time Emmy nominee Barry Corbin) who was one of his abusers growing up. Shane only recognized Jim’s behavior as abuse four decades later when it was pointed out to him by his doctor. He agrees to have dinner with Jim and his wife Gloria at their home which ends in an argument and leads to Shane storming out. This tension only adds to Shane’s struggles as he tried to make his problems disappear into the bottom of a beer can.
Ashley comes to visit, and this is the only time Shane is seen in a positive mood. She wants to help, but he is hesitant to accept because he doesn’t want to burden her. They have a great lunch together talking about the old days and how he hopes to approach the future.
A couple of weeks pass, and he receives a phone call from the university rescinding his job offer due to an arrest on his record. He responds by throwing his phone across the room and returns to drinking his problems away; except this time, he has lost the little bit of hope he had. In his final scene, Shane ends his own life literally seconds before a call comes through from Ashley.
At his funeral, Ashley gives a warm, loving speech referencing their relationship and that so many people failed Shane along the way. There is a moment where you see a hint of regret from Jim, but it doesn’t last long.
The film includes music from Robert Leslie and Billboard Award winner for Best Rock Song and ASCAP Award winner for Rock Track of the Year, JR Richards, the original singer of Dishwalla.
How all of this started
This all began in October 2022, two weeks before my 51st birthday. I was shocked to be given the same diagnoses that Shane is in the film. I was completely caught off guard, particularly by the diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). This is a form of catharsis for me, as it is my own attempt to recognize and hopefully heal from my own lifelong issues.
There is an unfortunate generational issue in which males who are roughly 44-59 years old as of 2024, were taught that asking for help was a bad thing. We faced strong negative influences from our parents, superiors, and peers to avoid receiving any form of assistance or guidance. The toxic culture in which we were raised that continued into the workplace and military life has caused millions of men to remain undiagnosed. Most commonly, this has led to substance abuse, emotional disturbances, and all too frequently, suicide.
Nowadays there are mechanisms in place that provide MH assistance, but those of us "of a certain age" and especially Veterans, were denied that support when it was most needed.
On paper, women have a higher diagnosis rate than men, not because there are fewer men with MH disorders, but because men simply avoid or try to ignore the issues and never get diagnosed.
Approximately 1.6% of people suffer with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).
Chapman J, Jamil RT, Fleisher C. Borderline Personality Disorder. [Updated 2022 Oct 25]
People with BPD are 50 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population.
Berk, M. S., Grosjean, B., Warnick, H. D. (2022, December 2). Current psychiatry®. Frontline Medical Communications.
Men are four times more likely to commit suicide than women.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (2023)
Between 40-44 Veterans take their own lives every day.
This film tells the story of one man who was raised in toxic personal, professional, and military environments. He struggled through life without an adequate support system which led to him making the choices he did along the way.
Our message
Growing up, many kids don’t realize when they are being abused or neglected; it’s just their normal situation, and they don’t know any better. Sometimes it takes decades for these victims to be diagnosed with mental health disorders and they often go undiagnosed altogether. Growing up in the 1970s & 80s, it was normal, especially for males, to be exposed to toxic masculinity and neglect that can affect child and adolescent development. As adults, these men are told that what they experienced is perfectly normal, that there is nothing wrong, and that they have no need for mental health assistance. Until recently, that culture was also very prevalent in the US military.
In telling Shane's story, we hope to bring awareness to the issues of generational abuse and neglect, men's mental health, and Veteran suicide. Many of the situations in this film are based on actual events or situations. It very explicitly shows what might have happened to me had I made different choices in the past 25 years.
Timing is critical, and what we're doing next
As of this moment, we have shot four of the six days of production for the film. We started filming in April 2024 with the incomparable Barry Corbin joining us, and just a few weeks ago we wrapped on days three and four of production. We are about 75% through the production phase as of right now. With YOUR help, we can film our final two days and wrap production in early December 2024, at which point we will move immediately into post production with anticipated completion by April 2025. Then, we will immediately begin submitting to film festivals in the hopes of a Fall 2025 festival world première.
Getting these funds is critical for us to stay on our projected timeline. If we do not get the green light, production will be delayed until Summer 2025 because all personal funds have been exhausted by the first four production days. That's why we need your help!
Stretch goals! We have them! Additional funding we receive will go 100% toward distribution so that more people can see the film. We are going to get the film "Academy Qualified" via 7-day screening in Los Angeles near the end of the festival run. This means that after the LA screening, the film becomes one of approximately 300 short films that will be eligible to be nominated for an Academy Award in the Short Live Action category for that year. The current rate (Although they tell us it could increase) that we would be responsible to pay for this screening is $2800.
Please FOLLOW THIS CAMPAIGN! S&S gives rewards to us the more followers our campaign has. This includes film festival submission waivers, which is a large part of our distribution strategy. Please follow this campaign now!
Please PLEDGE whatever you can. We have some great things to offer, including items you'll see in the film itself.
Please SHARE this campaign with your own followers and friends! The more eyes we get on this campaign, the better chance we have of getting the green light. We TOTALLY understand that not everyone is in the position (Especially nowadays) to give money, but you may know someone who is touched by this topic and is able to help us out.
You can also see all of our updates on the Facebook page, here.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Equipment rental
Costs $2,500
Although we own some of our own equipment, we are having to rent the majority of the equipment we're using to shoot the film.
Payment for cast and crew
Costs $6,000
I don't think anyone will deny that paying people fairly is a bad thing. Everyone needs to be paid!
Location fees
Costs $1,000
Having the right locations to tell the story is critical. We have two perfect commercial locations, but they require fees.
Feed the cast & crew
Costs $500
Everyone needs to eat! Please help us feed our amazing cast & crew.
Lodging
Costs $1,000
Most of our cast & crew is traveling for the shoot. Please help us cover the costs to give them warm beds to sleep in!
Production insurance
Costs $1,000
Insurance is required in order for us to rent equipment and film in commercial spaces.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Ammie Masterson - Director, Supporting actress (Dr. Tucker)
Ammie Masterson is an accomplished actress, producer, and now director with a growing list of credits and accomplishments. This is Ammie’s directorial debut. Ammie has shined in numerous film roles since Kevin cast her in her debut film performance in the short comedy, #RIP, which earned her two best supporting actress awards. Since then, she has appeared in more than 50 films and major network television shows such as Better Call Saul, Magnum P.I., True Lies, and Quiz Lady. She filmed what will likely be her breakout role concurrently with the filming of this film. She is co-starring in the upcoming major feature film, Trap House alongside Dave Bautista and Bobby Cannavale.
Ammie was selected to direct this film due to her experience of working with actors on film sets. The trust that Kevin has for Ammie was imperative to elevate his performance throughout the film. Ammie is a disabled Veteran of the US Air Force and holds an MBA from Texas State University.
Kevin Machate: Co-Director, Producer, Writer, Lead actor (Shane)
Kevin Machate is an award-winning Writer, Producer, and Director of short films. Having started his film career as an actor, Kevin quickly moved into producing short films, utilizing more than 25 years of management experience as his core skill set. In 2012 he directed his first short film and wrote what would become his most award-winning film to date, Promise Me which won more than 40 awards, screened in 76 film festivals around the world, and made its festival world premiere at the Austin Film Festival in 2015. Since then, he has written more than 30 short screenplays and four feature films. He continues to write, direct, and produce short films.
Kevin graduated with honors from the University of Texas in 2015 and holds an MBA from Tarleton State University. He is a disabled Veteran of the US Air Force where he served in Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield.
Todd Rodgers: Co-Writer, Producer, Editor
Born in Nyack, NY in 1971, Todd was diagnosed at an early age with Muscular Dystrophy and since then, requires a wheelchair to get around. Forced to work harder for even the most basic things gave Todd an increased sense of drive and determination which carries over into his writing. From an early age movies became very important to him; they became a way of escaping the rigors of normal life.
Todd has written and co-written more than a dozen feature films and several shorts. He has directed two feature films and has more than 20 producing credits. He has been editing for more than 30 years, with his latest film Derelict, having made its world premiere at the 2024 London Frightfest Film Festival. Todd holds a BA in Film and MEd in Elementary Education from the University of Nevada Las Vegas.
Kelly Riot - Director of Photography
Kelly Riot, a versatile force in the film industry, wears many hats as a Director, Photographer, and Cinematographer. Based in Austin, Texas, she spends her career traversing the globe, contributing her expertise to diverse projects. Her portfolio ranges from commercial shoots for giants like the Travel Channel, Apple Watch, and BBC, to directing and cinematography for award-winning narrative films. In the realm of narrative cinema, she uses a keen eye for storytelling and continues to weave visual narratives that captivate audiences and incite conversations.
Beth Shea: Lead Actress (Ashley)
Originally from Stamford, CT, Beth Shea graduated from the College of Charleston in Charleston, SC before moving to L.A. to pursue acting. Beth is the co-founder of Hall of Shea Productions with Leigh Hall. Together they have written, produced, and starred in acclaimed films such as Not in My Family, Love Royale, and Chubduction. In 2011, Beth partnered with Leyna Weber and Annie Lukowski of Working Bug Media, and co-wrote and starred in the hit comedy series A Series of Unfortunate People. Beth is a graduate of The Groundlings School and the Dee Wallace Stone Acting Studio in Los Angeles. In LA, Beth enjoyed performing improv and sketch comedy at such venues as the Groundlings, Improv Olympic West and ACME Comedy Theater. A proud member of SAG/AFTRA, Beth works in film, television and commercials, represented by Collier Talent Agency in Austin, TX, where she is now based.
Three-time Emmy Nominee and Texas Film Hall of Fame inductee, Barry Corbin has been acting for more than six decades in a career that has seen him take more than two hundred roles onstage, on TV, and in the movies. They’ve mostly been supporting roles, often authority figures-a natural fit, given Barry’s large frame and confident presence. He’s played fifteen sheriffs, several generals, a few wise uncles, a swaggering astronaut, and a hard-core basketball coach. He’s also played psychotic patriarchs, wealthy Texans, Santa Claus, and Lyndon Johnson. Even when his characters are overbearing or murderous, Barry has always found a way to make them human and likable-so much so that he often steals the show, as he did portraying General Jack Beringer in WarGames and astronaut Maurice Minnifield in Northern Exposure. Known as a character actor, he always seems like he’s genuinely enduring whatever his character is enduring-while also somehow remaining Barry Corbin. Barry is a Veteran of the US Marine Corps having served during the Korean War.
Gayland Williams: Actress (Gloria)
Texas born actress, Gayland Williams, began her film career in Austin playing in the Merchant Ivory film Ballad of the Sad Cafe in 1991. TV credits include Real Stories of the HWY Patrol and Unsolved Mysteries. Recent films include Kings of the Evening playing the peeved wife of Bruce McGill and Natural Selection playing the bossy older sister of Rachael Harris. Justin Meeks, who played her son in "Kings" later cast her in his film Kill or Be Killed. She also starred in the award winning short film Promise Me which garnered more than 40 awards, two best actress nominations and one win..
Gayland taught Science and was awarded a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship to do a post-graduate environmental study at Princeton. Her two sons frequently worked with her as extras in films such as Gilbert Grape and Dazed and Confused. Her father, Jerry Turman, also was an actor.
Marilyn Ghigliotti: Actress (Melinda Price)
Marilyn comes from a Puerto Rican family background in New York, born and raised in NY, Long Island, and New Jersey, of course there's a lot of spunk and attitude. Marilyn got started late when it comes to acting. While going through some life challenges, she decided to study acting at the Actors Training Institute in Red Bank New Jersey with John Eyd, a member of the Actors Studio in New York, where he brought those same acting techniques to New Jersey. After studying for about 2 years, Marilyn then felt confident enough to start auditioning in the community theater circuit in Southern New Jersey, appearing in many classic plays. After appearing in her first production, standing on that stage where people were actually listening to her words instead of being ignored as most middle children feel, she was hooked. During one of these many plays, is also where she met Brian O'Halloran before the two auditioned and landed their parts in Kevin Smith's iconic film Clerks. Since moving to LA, Marilyn has worked in salons and as a freelance hair and makeup artist. She also has worked both in front and behind the camera in many aspects of the filmmaking business to learn as much as possible.
J.M. Logan - Assistant Director
J.M. Logan is an award-winning director, writer, and producer who has worked in every position in movies over more than thirty years and more than a hundred feature films. Growing up in Austin, Texas, he started taking the city bus to work backstage in theater at the age of twelve, and transitioned into movies in any way available, learning everything he could about filmmaking.
From building big rubber monsters and animatronics, blowing up helicopters, supervising sound design, composing film scores, producing post production for major studios, writing and re-writing screenplays, shooting documentaries, producing and directing short and long form content – the only thing Josh has ever wanted to do is make movies with his friends.
Some career highlights include ANNABELLE, TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: THE NEXT GENERATION, STOKER, KIDNAP, WISHMASTER 2, THE DENTIST, THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST, APOCALYPTO and VIRUS.
Becky Sullivan: Sound Designer/Mixer
Becky Sullivan has one of the most amazing resume's in post production sound having won a BAFTA award in 1994 for The Fugitive and receiving an Academy Award nomination in 2015 for Angelina Jolie's Unbroken. She has worked on dozens of films that are now considered classics such as Field of Dreams, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, RoboCop, Child's Play, and They Live as well as more recent major hits such as The Big Short, The Avengers, and L.A. Confidential.