WRITER/DIRECTOR'S BIO 

My name's Rob Levinson and I'm an award-winning independent filmmaker from Rhode Island. I'm reaching out to everyone who values the storytellers of the world, we are the ones who feel compelled to tell you the most interesting story you've ever heard. I know it sounds a bit ostentatious to make such a statement but as a writer/filmmaker, I want you to feel a sense of connection to the pilgrimage of each character.

Telling poignant stories about topics that are relatable is what inspires me as a writer. For two decades I've written stories about the human spirit with themes pertaining to  9/11, the loss of a child and surviving the horrors of a concentration camp.

Director - Rob Levinson

THE PLOT

"Fade In, Fade Out" - A middle-aged writer at the crossroads moment of his career must face the looming reality of his estranged and bigoted father's pending demise. Mitchell Engels has it all, a house on the beach in Southern California, a thriving screenwriting career and the woman who completes him. When Mitchell is guilted into returning to his native South Carolina home, his father's racist past reveals a much darker secret.  

THE JOURNEY

"Fade In, Fade Out" will be by far my most ambitious production to date. After six years of writing, directing and producing three shorts and two proofs-of-concept, I'm embarking on my first feature film. When developing the script, I knew that I wanted this story to go beyond a modern day plot about racism. Rather I wanted to embrace the idea of having the antagonist be connected to a very real horrific moment in our nation's history. Our protagonist comes to learn that his father, may have played an intricate role in the '79 massacre in Greensboro, NC.  What better way to expose the seeds of hate by incorporating an actual event that occurred less than fifty years ago. 

"Fade In, Fade Out "is at times visceral and uncomfortable but not exploitive. Rather it deals with authentic human reactions to racism, and how actions of the past left lasting scars on a son, daughter and innocent strangers. If you appreciated the dramatic style of the academy award-winning film "Manchester by the Sea," then this production is one for you to support. Like Manchester, "Fade In, Fade Out"  takes us on a  turbulent journey into the life of the Engels. All the pain and anguish that Mitchell buried deep inside decades ago, rises to the surface and the ghosts of the past come calling.

OUR GOALS

We watch movies because they're entertaining and sometimes films can can inspire a change of heart or spark a conversation. Even though "Fade In, Fade Out" will entertain audiences, we equally care about educating the audience about critical social issues. Films can make us sit up and take notice, learn about a new culture, experience a different perspective, and open our eyes to a world we know nothing about.

WHAT WE NEED

As you can imagine, making films isn't cheap, especially for independent filmmakers. We don't have the luxury of being financially backed by a studio, rather we depend upon people like yourself who want to help struggling artists realize their work. Your generous donation will assist us in paying our hard-working, star-studded cast and crew, renting equipment, and securing insurance.  With your generous help, this will unlock additional days on set with our full crew, more rehearsal time with our cast, and the ability to make sure everyone has quality nourishment while working long days on set. We need an additional $6,000 to reach our first three of days of production. We have a stretch goal of $15,000.

OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP

Other than financial contributions, sharing the campaign, especially sharing it directly with others whom you think may connect with the story, is extremely helpful.

Moral support always helps, too. :)

WHAT YOU GET IN RETURN!

WE HAVE AMAZING PERKS! You can be a Producer, Executive Producer, Associate Producer, Co-Producer, Visit the Set, A Walk-On in the Film, Product Placement in the Film, and a Special Thank You in the credits! With each of the producing categories perks, you will receive IMDB credit and will get a FB shoutout for the film!

THE IMPACT

It’s crucial for young people to learn about equity and social justice so they can thrive in our increasingly global, multilingual and multicultural society. When young people become aware of the structural origins of inequality, they better understand the foundations of American society. They are also better equipped to comprehend, interpret and integrate into their worldviews the lessons learned not only in their classrooms but from the medium of film. 

"FADE IN, FADE OUT" isn’t just a story about racism, rather it's an exploration into how a family was damaged due to the patriarchs direct ties to white supremacy.  Our story delves deeper into the souls of these people who desperately try to heal while coming to grips with not only their father's dangerous ideology but something far worse. When digging into the past, revelations unravel that speaks to the ugliness from years gone by that may or may not involve murder.  It’s a race against mortality, as a son attempts to elicit a father’s confession. 

MEET THE CAST

Brian McDonald as Mitchell Engels

Brian J. McDonald is an actor and producer. He has starred or had supporting roles in numerous independent films, major studio films, and commercials.

In 2022, McDonald was cast in a supporting role in the upcoming Paramount+ feature, "Finestkind," written and directed by Oscar-winning screenwriter, Brian Helgeland. He kicked off 2023 playing a friendly, but loud-mouthed Boston fan in the Sam Adams Super Bowl Ad.

His previous work also includes a supporting role in Christopher Rucinski's award-winning indie feature "Northern Shade."

Julia Bechler as Riley Engels

Julia Bechler is a SAG-AFTRA actress (NYC & Boston) most recently known for her supporting role as Audrey in "Finestkind", written and directed by Oscar-winning screenwriter, Brian Helgeland. She also has been cast in lead and supporting roles in several independent films, including Taking Back August, Scarred for Life, and Shooting Jeremy. Julia continues to train with various acting coaches (NYC, Boston, ATL, LA) while pursuing work.

Paul Kandarian as Avery Engels

Paul is an actor living/working in the Boston area and commutes to NY when the work takes him there. He has done a wide variety of work, including dozens of plays, and TV shows (The History Channel, Hulu), independent movies, shorts and features, international films (German Network TV), national and regional commercials, as well as corporate, industrial and educational videos for hospitals, Internet business sites and workplace compliance programs. He has played everything from serial killers to grandfathers to millionaires and enjoys every single opportunity.

Iris Ribeiro as Grace Reyes

When casting the role of "Grace" I knew that I needed to find an actress that wore her heart on her sleeve, and that's what I found in Iris Ribeiro.

Her warmth and genuine grasp of this character made casting Iris in her first feature film one of the best casting decisions I've made.

Iris is well-known to the theatre community in Rhode Island and recently starred in the play, Boeing! Boeing!

David Pridemore as Avery Engels

David Pridemore is known for The Killers Next Door (2021), How to Rob (2022) and Signs of Love (2022).

Jay Street as Alexander Davis

Jay Street is known for The Finest Hours (2016), Crisp (2019) and East of Hollywood (2015).

Brandon Melo as Clint 

Brandon Melo has auditioned for some big productions such as Spider-Man in "Captain America: Civil War." Brandon will be leading an upcoming film franchise: "Take Me To Banaue."

Chris Gagne as Rawley Edgars

Chris Gagne is known for Indescribable Urgencies, (2021) and Like. Share. Subscribe. (2022)

Kevin O. Peterson as Dr. Wallace

Kevin O. Peterson is a highly sought-after actor from New England. He started his acting career on the set of "The Game Plan" as an extra. Kevin has found success in landing lead roles and strong supporting roles.

Bruce Soscia as Rick Barone

Bruce Soscia has been working steady as an actor in some big films. Bruce has worked  with some huge names, like Adrien Brody in the film CLEAN and Rob Lowe in the NETFLIX smash hit DOG GONE. 

Recently Soscia lit up the screen at the AFM (American Film Market) as Carlo Sasso, the son of reputed Mob Boss Dom Sasso, played by actor James Russo (known for Vegas, and Chicago Fire).

MEET THE CREW

Michael Paul - Cinematographer: Cinematography Reel: https://youtu.be/u9f7i-lqjlU

Ben Heald - Gaffer: Cinematography/Gaffer Reel: https://vimeo.com/user21903396

Charlie Norton - Assistant Director: Director's Reel: https://youtu.be/J4kPgX8E-T4