fiscal sponsorship
Western Conviction
TYPE: Narrative Feature
GENRE: Drama
STATUS: Development
LOGLINE
1879 Prescott AZ, four local friends aim to get rich and find love influenced by notable characters: Billy the Kid, Doc Holliday, Geronimo, Wyatt Earp and Celia Ann Blaylock, all of the Arizona territory, despite the dangers of the West.
SYNOPSIS
Western Conviction A CLASSIC WESTERN, ROMANCE, ACTION, ADVENTURE, WITH A HERD OF DRAMA AND A SHOT OF HUMOR TOLD FROM MAGGIE’S P.O.V. 1879 Prescott AZ, four local friends aim to get rich and find love influenced by notable characters: Billy the Kid, Doc Holliday, Geronimo, Wyatt Earp and Celia Ann Blaylock, all of the Arizona territory, despite the dangers of the West.
ARTISTIC STATEMENT
fROM THE FILM MAKERWESTERN CONVICTION WILL BE A UNIQUE, Traditional WESTERN told from a female point of view WITH MANY a Reveal. The western will be a highly commercial movie. If I had to give comparisons, it would be a mix of many westerns such as Dances with Wolves/Tombstone/Young Guns/Silverado/Geronimo.We expect to attract audiences of all ages Domestically and internationally.Since the western gene is unique, and we historically wove into our story five characters from our history books that lived in the Arizona territory in 1879, we know the story will be one hell of a ride.Western conviction has beautiful locations to shoot at. This will produce a classic texture to allow us to reflect the old west in cinematography, production design and music.
KEY CREW
Mary Jo Slater - Casting Director
Mary Jo Slater (née Lawton;[1][2] born April 19, 1946) is an American casting director and producer for film, television and theatre. She has over 100 movie credits to her name. Slater was born in Trenton, New Jersey, the daughter of Anna Mae (Sweeny) and Leonard Joseph Lawton.[2] She was a production assistant for Mark Twain Tonight! and had her first casting role for the 1977 Broadway revival of Hair. She went on to cast five more theatre productions before moving into film and television. As a casting director, Slater has been nominated six times for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series, including three nominations for The Tudors.[3] She was married to actor Michael Hawkins (né Thomas Knight Slater) and with him had one son, actor Christian Slater. She is also the mother of actor Ryan Slater by her second husband, builder Jeffrey Wilson.[
Kimber Eastwood - Makeup Department Head
Film Producer and Make-Up Artist Kimber Eastwood is a seasoned professional who grew up in the entertainment industry. She is the daughter of legendary actor Clint Eastwood and (actress/dancer) Roxanne Tunis. Having the Eastwood name comes with opportunities and challenges but Kimber realized that having a famous father will open doors, but not necessarily guarantee success. Her training and entrepreneurial skills as a make-up artist allowed her the opportunity to take her talent in a different direction.
Since 2008, Kimber added a new chapter to her career as a film producer. She has produced several films with many more projects in different genres coming in the near future.
Jennifer Marshall - Actress
Jennifer Marshall is a proud Navy veteran and vocal advocate for the military veteran community. You may know her as the host of Mysteries Decoded on the CW (yes, she really is a licensed Private Investigator), or as Max's mom on Netflix's hit, Stranger Things. Other shows she's appeared on include NCIS, Hawaii Five-0, and Nickelodeon's Game Shakers, to name a few.
Jennifer's entrance into the entertainment business was unconventional. At 17, she joined the United States Navy and was shipped off to boot camp in Great Lakes, Illinois. She spent nearly five years in the Navy and was stationed on San Nicolas Island and later, on the USS Theodore Roosevelt, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. While in the military, she worked as an aircraft handler, in aviation logistics, was a member of the Ship's Security Defense Force Team as well as the Repair Locker Fire Team. She also worked as a representative for the ship's Sexual Assault Victim Intervention program, advocating for sailors who had experienced trauma resulting from rape or sexual assault. During her tour on the Roosevelt, she deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and also earned her Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist designation. Jennifer separated honorably from the service as a Second Class Petty Officer after serving five years and earning the following awards: Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Sea Service Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, National Defense Medal and Meritorious Unit Commendation (among others).
Jessica Boss - Actress
Jessica Boss is an American actress of Nigerian descent. In high school, Jessica was on track to become a medical doctor. That all changed when she had to choose between taking art or theater as an elective class. Since she could only draw stick figures, she decided to take theater, and to her surprise, fell in love with it!
After graduating from film school at the University of Texas at Austin, Jessica moved to Los Angeles and began her professional career as an actress. She won a "Best Actress" award in the feature film, "Anonymous 616," which she also produced and won a "Best Film" award.
Alongside her husband, Mike Boss, they founded the production company Boss Pictures, which has over 20 feature film scripts. Jessica just finished the third feature film that she wrote, produced, starred in and made her directorial debut with called "Unnamed." Inspired by true events, "Unnamed" is a thriller about a young and beautiful Nigerian woman working as a hairstylist who meets a successful female producer on location in her country and convinces her to come to Hollywood. But her dreams of stardom turn into a living nightmare when the producer forces her into sex trafficking. The film is set to be released late Fall 2024.
Susan M. Elmore - Assistant Director
Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
First Assistant Director (marketing unit), Second Assistant Director (second unit)
2048: Nowhere to Run (2017)
(Short) - Second Assistant Director
2036: Nexus Dawn (2017)
(Short) - First Assistant Director
Terminator Genisys (2015)
Second Assistant Director (Los Angeles) (as Susan E. Elmore)
Furious 7 (2015)
First Assistant Director (Action Unit), Second Assistant Director (Action Unit), Stunt Rigger (uncredited), Stunts (as Susan Elmore)
The Conjuring (2013)
Utility Stunts (uncredited)
John Duffy - Producer / Line Producer
John Duffy is a veteran Producer / Line Producer of 55 plus feature films, television programming and commercials John recently Co- Produced "A Blind Bargain" and previously Produced Kevin Sorbo's latest film "Left Behind" in Calgary, Canada. He also Line Produced Kevin Sorbo's previous film Miracle in East Texas in Alberta, Canada. He previously Line Produced "Paradise Cove" with Director Martin Guigui starring Mean Suvari. John also Line Produced "Merry Kiss Cam" airing on Hulu John also directed and line produced two short films "The Flag" and "The Flag Documentary". The narrative short screened at the GI Film Festival in Wash. DC and at the Smithsonian Theater.
Joel Kramer - Stunt Coordinator
Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Second Unit Director, Stunt Coordinator (uncredited), Supervising Stunt Coordinator
Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
Associate Producer
Central Intelligence (2016)
Second Unit Director
The Conjuring 2 (2016)
Second Unit Director (uncredited), Stunt Coordinator, Utility Stunts (uncredited)
Terminator Genisys (2015)
Second Unit Director (Los Angeles), Stunt Coordinator, Utility Stunts
Furious 7 (2015)
Second Unit Director, Stunt Player, Supervising Stunt Coordinator
RoboCop (2014)
Second Unit Director (Vancouver), Supervising Stunt Coordinator
Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013)
Stunt Coordinator
Tree O'Toole - Stunt Coordinator
Tree O'Toole lives in Los Angeles and calls North Carolina home. She has two older brothers and a younger sister. Her nieces and nephews are her pride and joy! Tree was born in St. Louis, Missouri and the majority of her relatives live in MO and Illinois. She graduated from West Carteret High School in Morehead City, North Carolina. Her father retired from the USMC a few years back, as a full bird Col. (Mustang). She has been blessed with down to earth and loving family and friends.
Angela Padian - Second Unit Director, Producer (as Angela Wilkins)
Hammer of Fate (2019)
(Short) - Director, Producer, Writer (co-writer)
Hammer of Fate (2019)
(Short) - Director, Producer, Writer (co-writer)
The Attic (2018)
(Short) - Patricia Farraday (as Angela Wilkins), Director (as Angela Wilkins), Producer (as Angela Wilkins), Writer (screenplay) (as Angela Wilkins)
My Melinda (2017)
(Short) - Director (as Angela Wilkins), Producer (as Angela Wilkins), Writer (as Angela Wilkins)
The Song of the Lake (2016)
(Short) - Siren (as Angela Wilkins), Director (as Angela Wilkins), Producer (as Angela Wilkins), Writer (as Angela Wilkins)
Sum Enchanted Evening (2015)
(Short) - Katie (as Angela Wilkins), Second Assistant Camera (as Angela Wilkins), Director (as Angela Wilkins), Producer (as Angela Wilkins), Script Supervisor (as Angela Wilkins), Writer (as Angela Wilkins)
Matt Hutchinson - Composer
The Family Plan (2023)
Composer (additional music), Musician (guitar)
It's a Wonderful Knife (2023)
Performer ("Shellac"), Producer ("Shellac"), Writer ("Shellac")
Your Lucky Day (2023)
Composer
Our Father (2022)
Additional Music
Graveyard Spiral (2021)
(Short) - Composer
The War with Grandpa (2020)
Composer (additional music)
Julia Scotti: Funny That Way (2020)
Composer
I Am Fear (2020)
Composer (additional music)
Colleen Ann Brah - Director / Writer / Producer
Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
Background Vocalist
A Different Direction (2016)
(Short) - Sea, Camera Operator, Director, Producer, Writer
Waiting for Dawn (2012)
(Short) - Sara
Pulp Video (2011)
(Short) - Mia, Video Camera Operator
Adventure Scouts (2010)
Production Assistant
Misconceptions (2008)
Kathy
Paso doble (2007)
(Short) - Hatuchama Woman
Fools Rush In (1997)
Precision Driver
Vegas Vacation (1997)
Wayne Newton Show Fan
Wedding Bell Blues (1996)
Stand-in For Paulina Porizkova
Treasure Island: The Adventure Begins (1994)
(TV Movie) - Animal Care Specialist - Dolphin Trainer
Bon Atello (2018)
(Music Video) - Cinematographer, Director, Producer
Mark August - Cinematographer / Producer
Devil's Whisper (2019)
Camera Operator
Killing Floor (2019)
(Short) - Underwater Cinematographer
Visage (2017)
Director Of Underwater Photography
A Different Direction (2016)
(Short) - Cinematographer, Associate Producer
Crazy Ei8hth (2015)
(Short) - Director, Executive Producer
The Flag: Documentary (2015)
(Video) - Co-Producer
The Flag (2015)
(Short) - Co-Producer
Help Wanted (2014)
(Short) - Cinematographer
Mission 26: The Big Endeavour (2012)
(Video) - Camera Operator, Cinematographer
The Neighborhood Nightmare (2018)
(TV Movie) - Underwater Cinematographer
Richie Rich (2015)
(TV Series) - Digital Imaging Technician (2 episodes, 2015)
Shannon L. Hartman - Editor
Waking Up in Idaho
Colorist, Finishing Editor, Motion Graphic Artist
Resolution! (2021)
(Short) - Producer
Brand: A Second Coming (2015)
Assistant Editor
Delicious Peace Grows in a Ugandan Coffee Bean (2010)
(Short) - Colorist, On-line Editor, Post-production Coordinator
Emiliano Torres - Actor
Born and raised in Oakland, California, Emi always found himself using any excuse to get on stage and entertain. He began his acting career by receiving a bachelor of arts degree in theatre from California State University, Long Beach. He has worked on such films as Foster Boy, Street Kings, The Revenant, and the family comedy, Christmas in Compton. Recently Emi portrayed the role of Otto Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank and was nominated for best actor by "BROADWAY WORLD". After being received so well by critics like the L.A. Times and CNN, the play is on it's way to Canada in late 2019. Recent television credits include a recurring guest star role on SHOOTER, he is also recurring on the latest season of Bosch, as well as appearances on 2 Broke Girls, NCIS: Los Angeles, Justified, Raising Hope, Weeds and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Pursuing his career in Los Angeles means being apart from his family in his native Oakland. Distance aside, Emi remains very close to his mom, "Muneca", who has fueled his dreams with love and support. He loves giving back and recently went to Rwanda, Africa with B.R.I.D.G.E(non-profit org that gives under served youth resources to tell their stories and connect with other kids throughout the world through theatre) and his wife Cassie to work with the kids in Kigali. The youths wrote and performed their stories at an international theatre festival called UBUMUNTU under the organization's guidance and direction to critical acclaim.
Scott Garig - Assistant Producer
As a Veteran, my passion is to create: I want to constructively add to this planet whether as Media or Brick & Mortar..
I am 2nd generation Film industry biz brat;. My experiences have been on both sides of the camera and constant
movement on;the production ladder;, currently providing Executive Producer services for several indie film projects.
FMASU - Film; Media Alliance of Southern Utah
LAPPG - LA Post Production Group
LDSPMA - In Publishing, Media the Arts
NFA - Nevada Film Alliance
Reel Cowboys - Veterans of Film TV Westerns
SDSA - Set Decorators Society of America
SMPTE - Society of Motion Picture Technicians & Engineers
Veterans in Film & TV / / Vets in Media & Entertainment - Hollywood, CA
Scott Huneryager - Producer
Pug
Executive Producer
Filming
Past Film & Video (5 titles)BudgetOpening WeekendGross
(US & Canada)Gross
(Worldwide)
Dying for Living (2024)
Executive Producer
Bandit (2022)
Special Thanks
12 Mighty Orphans (2021)
Special Thanks
On Thin Ice (2021)
Special Thanks
Reboot Camp (2020)
Special Thanks
Producer, Writer, Director
Actress, Producer, Writer
Actor, Producer, Writer
Producer, Writer, Director
Actor, Producer, Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Known for Power Book IV: Force, The Chi
Actor, Director, Producer
Known for Epic Movie, Myspace: The Movie
Actor, Producer, Director
Known for Hellbent, Floored and Lifted
Suzanne Grzanna - Actress / Singer
Suzanne Grzanna is an award winning songwriter, saxophonist, vocalist, arranger, producer, music publisher, and sync music library who composes music and lyrics. Suzanne is also a member of the Recording Academy, SAG-AFTRA, Society of Composers & Lyricists, and Guild of Music Supervisors (Friend). She has nine albums released on her label Diva Records®, and has recorded over ninety songs. Her music has been featured in many films and played across the globe on radio. She has performed for many music festivals and private events. Suzanne loves to connect with the audience and share her love for music with them. She is very passionate in creating and loves being a part of the amazing musical community. Suzanne just released a jazz vocal song titled "Little Valentine XO" (2023) in Dolby Atmos by Jeff Silverman and "Running Past the Line" (Top Dance charts) with Kim Cameron & Sax Diva on the new Influencers Album.
Suzanne has won many awards including Hollywood Music and Media Awards, Indie Music Channel Awards, UK Songwriting Awards, Hollywood Songwriting Awards, Academia Music Awards, Clouzine Music Awards, and Josie Music Awards to name a few.
Barry Comeaux - Actor / Keyboards
Sin City Players (2013)
(TV Short) - Shaun (as Barry Allen Comeaux)
Bon Atello (2018)
(Music Video) - Barry Allen
Connect With The Filmmakers:
ACCOLADES
Help promote my fundraising campaign
Put our donation widget on your website
The Gotham Film & Media Institute is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to finding, developing and celebrating the people and projects that shape the future of story.