CREDITS
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CAST
TROY RANDALL-KILPATRICK - JULIAN LONG
Troy Randall-Kilpatrick currently resides in Battle Creek, Michigan. Situated between Detroit and Chicago, Troy has appeared in a number of independent films and stage productions in and around both cities. He made his stage debut in 1992 as J. Pierrepont Finch in How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying.
In addition to performing the lead role as Julian Long in An Apology to the Dead, some of his favorite film roles to date include, Detective Jack Styles in the feature film, 17000 Block, Dr. Noel Ciger in Midnight of The Mind, and Father Thomas in A Lapse of Faith. Some of his favorite stage roles include, Biff in Death of a Salesman, Nick in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, John The Baptist/Judas in Godspell and Harry Roat in Wait Until Dark.
Troy has worked in commercials and previously taught advanced acting at the Barbizon Agency in Detroit. He studied acting and theatre under Dr. Lee Krahenbuhl and Mr. Walter E. “Abe” Ash, an alumnis of the Yale School of Drama. In addition to being a husband and father of three, Troy plans to continue to pursue his film and stage acting career goals.
JENELLE MAZARIS - VANESSA COOLIDGE
Jenelle Mazaris was born and raised in Detroit, MI. Jenelle started acting in high school theater productions and went on to Chicago to study acting at the University of Illinois. Afterward, Jenelle made her way out to Los Angeles to study film acting and explore the west coast.
Jenelle currently lives in Detroit, and is involved in Wayne State University's applied theater program, local independent films, commercials, and theater. An Apology to the Dead is her debut and first leading role in a feature film and she is thrilled to be a part of it!
Lisa Sodman thoroughly enjoyed working on An Apology to the Dead, in the leading role of Caroline Long, Julian's wife. Lisa's first starring role was in Broken Wing. Lisa has also appeared in Chasing Sleep and Super Sucker with Jeff Daniels's Purple Rose Pictures.
Lisa has also worked in television and on stage; her favorite role is Luanne in the world premiere of Book of Days by Lanford Wilson. She feels very fortunate to have worked with such incredible talent in her career and truly takes pleasure in the collaborative atmosphere fostered by independent films.
She would like to thank her family in Perry, Michigan for all of their support because without their faith, she would have never accomplished so much, especially without the support of her husband and children. She would like to dedicate her efforts on this film to her grandparents. Her grandfather told Lisa he looked forward to the day the family could see her name in lights; he now watches from above and smiles.
“This was for you, Grandpa. Thanks to Tim and Jon: I look forward to our further endeavors.”
CHELSEA ELIZABETH GILL- REBECCA LONG
Chelsea Gill hails from Lansing, MI where she is currently attending high school. An Apology to the Dead is her debut in the important supporting role of Rebecca Long, the 14 year old daughter of Julian and Caroline Long. Chelsea has also performed as lead actor in multiple musicals and plays in her community.
Chelsea, from her youth, has always had a passion for acting and has never been bothered with a case of stage fright, and studiously prepared for the role she played in the film. Chelsea has taken modeling classes, and voice lessons to help her fulfill her dreams of becoming a successful actor some day.
In the future, Chelsea plans on attending a Christian college where she can attend theatrical and musical classes. Chelsea has also been involved in some modeling, singing, and acting competitions, which she found to be rewarding. She is currently involved in the Miss Teen America pagent, and looking for more opportunities to further her acting career.
'Jonny' Victor is a multi-faceted performer who is active in theater, film, stand-up comedy, and musical endeavors. He is an accomplished improvisational comic and graduate of the Second City Detroit conservatory program. Jonny performs regularly as part of the cast of the Improv Inferno as well as a few other improv groups.
Jonny is also a pianist/composer/songwriter, and has shared the stage with members of elite West Michigan bands such as the Verve Pipe, Papa Vegas, and Jake Stevens. He was also the Musical Director for the final 8 months of the Second City Detroit Touring Company, and hopes to continue his career with them when they re-open in early 2005.
Jonny currently resides in Novi, MI and always has many irons in the fire. He plans to open his own logo design/sports parody business in the near future. Look for it here after the new year! He also stays active as a voice talent in the Detroit area, and is about to embark on a new musical project with Detroit-area singer Mary Abraham.
Jonny would like to thank Jon and Tim for letting him set his demons free with this fantastic role, as well as the rest of the cast and crew for making it an amazing and memorable creative process! Jonny will be a performer until the day he dies, and hopes to work with Vernacular Films at least once again before that happens (provided they manage to get a video tape to break on cue). Cheers!
Curtis Hall is an accomplished and award winning producer. Having started his career seven years ago as an actor, Mr. Hall has also put together an extensive producing resume. His most recent outing, An Apology to the Dead, is currently in post-production with an eye toward the festival circuit in the fall of 2004. Mr. Hall serves as Producer for Apology and also has a supporting role as the prison convict, David.
With his production company, LionHeart FilmWorks, Mr. Hall produced the award winning Civil War drama Wicked Spring. This film has gone on to distribution thru Ardustry Entertainment, becoming its highest selling title in 2003.
The future looks very busy for Mr. Hall. He is producing and starring in the horror film Dead End Road with Indie Horror and auteur director, Jeff Burton, in July; line-producing the period drama A Love of Time for the Mackinac Island Film Company; and acting in and producing the comedy Tangy Guacamole: The Mexican Jailbreak for Personality Productions. Look for several titles to be in distribution in 2004 including, the award winning drama An Ordinary Killer.
Mark A. France began his professional film career in 1993 after he fatefully answered a want ad in a local newspaper to become an extra in an upcoming horror film called Blood Fever. Initially a two-day stint, Mark met several native Michigan Special FX Artists who allowed him to assist with special fx on the set. Blood Fever went on to be known as Mosquito (the first film directed by Gary Jones ), which can be seen quite frequently on the USA and Sci-Fi channels.
Mark met up with independant filmmakers Jon Worful and Timothy Gunn, and was hired to work on their first feature film, An Apology to the Dead as the makeup artist for the production and in the supporting role of Julian's academic colleague, Larry. Beginning with pre-production planning, this was the first time Mark had the opportunity to work on a dramatic independant feature from start to finish.
Encouraged and inspired by the collaborative spirit of the many talented people within the Michigan film industry, Mark has chosen to pursue a project he has long sought to complete. Midnight of the Mind, Mark's directorial debut, is currently in post-production as the first feature film of Mark's production company, SandStorm FX & Productions.
Tonya Chapman’s love for performing travels back to the Detroit Fox Theatre where she witnessed a breathtaking performance by Stephanie Mills in the classic musical, The Wiz, as she sang Home. At that moment, Tonya knew her destiny. Tonya was invited to join the high school forensic team and audition for the lead in Bye, Bye Birdie. Tonya went on to study Communications and Theatre Arts at Eastern Michigan University. In college she performed in Are you Ready by Freda Rogers and starred as Bessie Delany in Having Our Say—The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years. Since then, Tonya has found work in her passions of music and acting.
Tonya has performed with popular artists such as Luther Vandross, Ronald Isley, and Angela Bofill. Tonya’s theatrical background includes Perilous Times by TJ Hemphill, and Arthur Miller's The Crucible under the direction of William Boswell. Tonya will always remember An Apology to the Dead as being her “first movie.” Since playing the role of Harriet, she has worked with her Apology costars Rockey Black and Cedric Demps in the independent film, In Love with Lust, written and directed by Darren Brown.
She would like to thank her family and friends for being her biggest cheerleaders and inspiring her to never cease in pursuing her dreams. She would also like to thank the cast and crew of Apology for making her first feature experience an educational one. Lastly, she would like thank Timothy Gunn and Jonathan Worful for allowing her be a part of their beautiful work of art.
M. QUINTON McMURREN - LT. DET. WILLIAM KARDIG
A veteran stage actor, “M” (Mitch) is making his film debut in An Apology to the Dead in the supporting role of Lt. William Kardig. Mitch's training as a military police officer came in handy for this role.
Mitch’s graduated with a double major of Theater and Social Science from Michigan State University (“Go Green!). A few of Mitch’s off…off Broadway roles include Macduff, in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Daddy Warbucks in Annie, and Magaldi in Evita.
Mitch resides in suburban Detroit with his wife and 10 year-old daughter. His day job is in the health care industry, but hopes to land more film, commercial or voice-over work in the near future.
“Although this was my first film (but hopefully not my last), I can’t imagine that any production crew, or cast could have more enjoyable to work with. Thanks Tim and Jon for trusting me with the role.”
Coming Soon
David Prouty was an incredibly versatile addition to the production of An Apology to the Dead. A native of Chicago, David Prouty travelled the farthest of any member of the Apology team, and yet was always the most punctual, energetic, and excited person on set.
In addition to portraying the role of Richie, a brash student in Julian's ethics class, David also has received credit as the Key Grip, but additionally helped with lighting, stunt coordination, driving, and anything else the directors randomly needed.
Chris is a twenty-two year old student at Michigan State University where he is currently studying advertising. He is from East Lansing, Michigan and eventually wants to move out to California some day. Acting and movies have always been a part of his life and something he wants to continue to pursue.
Chris learned of An Apology to the Dead through an acting class and it was the first film Chris has appeared in. During the same summer that he worked on An Apology to the Dead he also took part of another independent film, Destiny’s Intuition, for which he performed the lead role of Petey. Chris is currently trying to perfect his acting skills and his goal is to be famous one day…so watch out!
Emily is a third year student studying Public Relations at Western Michigan University. She is also working on getting minor degrees in Political Science and Substance Abuse Services. Some of her favorite hobbies include traveling, documentary films, reading, water skiing and spending as much time possible with her family and friends.
Emily also has a talent for broadcasting, which she put to use on WDIV Detroit Local 4 News as a top eight finalist for the competition of The Reporter. With a natural love for the stage, Emily enjoyed years of theater throughout her youth. She hopes to continue her passion for performing throughout her life.
Emily is very honored to be a part of An Apology to the Dead, her first film, and grateful to those who gave her that opportunity. She has since starred as Eleanor in The Thesis Reloaded, an educational film for Michigan State University. Emily has also competed in pageants and presently holds the title of Miss Southeast Michigan USA 2005. Currently, Emily will be traveling with the North American International Auto Show as a Product Presenter for Dodge vehicles.You can learn more about Miss Richett at her official website.
Coming Soon
Rachel Wisley Macca has appeared in several plays/musicals in various venues including Village Players, Grand Valley State University Theatre, and the Troy Theatre Ensemble. Rachel has also appeared in several independent productions of plays and films for Princess Productions, and has appeared in various public service announcements and commercials.
Rachel is an experienced Shakespearian actress who also speaks French fluently and plays classical piano.
Gunhild is from Norway, but has been residing in Michigan for the last four years. She started acting at age ten in an outdoor musical in her native country. Gunhild took a big break from acting until she ended up on stage again in Spain in 1996. But it has been during the last few years that acting has really caught her attention.
Prior to filming An Apology to the Dead, Gunhild was featured in the documentary Bikini Model - The Movie shot in Cancun in 2002 by Around Town Productions. 2004 has kept Gunhild busy with the films 17000 Block, Love & Rust and her latest project, Jeff Burton's Dead End Road, starring Jason Carter from the sci-fi show Babylon 5. You can also catch Gunhild on VH1 in Uncle Kracker's Drift Away video.
Gunhild has studied journalism in Europe, and graduated from Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts in 2000. For the past two years she has been traveling the US and Canada working as a narrator/product specialist for automotive companies, and she will represent Saab USA Cars during the upcoming auto show season.
Jennifer Lantz grew up in Grand Blanc, Michigan and attended Michigan State University receiving a degree in International Studies. She has been acting for the last 2 years, and can be seen in several television commercials, as well as local independent films. Jennifer recently completed work on Jeff Burton's Dead End Road. Jennifer has appeared in the dramas Approaching Midnight, An Apology to the Dead, and A Father's Worth, in which she debuts in her first leading role in a feature film.
Shane Hagedorn currently lives in Lansing, MI with his beautiful wife, Stacy. Shane's role as the Senator in Apology marks his fourth in a feature film. Other roles include Kingston in Money, Guns and Coffee, Angus in Unruly Nights, and as Phil in The Model Father. Shane has a diverse range of stage acting credits and has appeared as Picasso in Steve Martin's Picasso at the Lapin Agile, as Marvin Hudgens in Dark of the Moon, and as Porthos in The Three Musketeers.
Shane's stage experience transcended to the screen through several short films. Many of these short films were written, directed, and produced by Shane through his production company, New House Entertainment. Cold Reading premiered at the East Lansing Film Festival in 2004. Tonic Absence, Under the Covers, and Having Second Thoughts premiered at Ann Arbor's Cinema Slam during the summer of 2004. Shane's first feature film, The Model Father, a drama set in the 1960s and filmed in black and white, is currently in post-production and will screen in 2005.
Shannon Gunn makes her movie debut in An Apology to the Dead as a bus passenger who is concerned about Vanessa.
Shannon is the wife of co-director, Timothy Gunn. The happy couple currently live in Cleveland, OH where Shannon is a band instructor for the Beechwood school district.
Shannon has long had a love for the outdoors, and enjoys hiking, skiing, and camping.
Sam can be seen on film next in his self-written, produced and directed comedy APPROACHING MIDNIGHT co-starring Jana Kramer (Return of the Living Dead: Necropolis; TV‘s All My Children) and features his An Apology to the Dead costars Jenelle Mazaris and Rockey Black.
Sam can also be seen in the upcoming action short The Agent from Mendicant Pictures, the horror feature Blood Games from Horn of Tuck Films and was featured in Envy from M&L Entertainment which premiered at the Motor City Film Festival. Other credits include TV commercial / industry projects for D.O.C Eyewear and Toyota.
As a producer, Sam has also worked with Director Darren Brown on the urban love drama In Love With Lust also starring Rockey Black and Jennifer Kitchen (8 Mile). Behind the scenes, Sam has also worked on Buoy 22 Films The Ugly One and Reel Magic Films Panic in Detroit.
Rockey Black- is a Michigan native, who was born second to last in a line of four siblings. Growing up in the projects on the east side of Ypsilanti gave Rockey the vision and drive to overcome his circumstances. He learned at a young age that life can be hard, hard work is required to get anywhere, and that no one owes you anything in this world.
After working on a short film project and a few plays in high school, he knew that acting was the road he wanted to pursue. He got his first acting experience in a United Way commercial while in high school, and then a cameo as a fan in a Red Wings commercial. A few years later he scored a featured role in the movie 8 Mile starring Eminem. From there Rockey has had a recurring role on That’s Hott, a local Detroit sitcom.
Rockey has studied The Method under Richard Goteri at Second City and Acting For the Camera under Ron Trice at Wayne Community College and received accolades from both instructors. Rockey’s latest projects include a supporting role in An Apology To the Dead, as well as starring in and co-producing the feature film, In Love With Lust.
Rockey currently resides in Detroit, MI with his wife and two kids. In his spare time he enjoys promoting music, traveling, and coaching youth basketball. He hopes to do as much work as possible in the local area, while trying to secure steady work in New York or L.A.
DETECTIVE RANDALL JOHNSON - CEDRIC E. DEMPS
Cedric E. Demps first began acting in high school, and continued his education at Lansing Community College. Furthering in his endeavors was extra work in the Detroit area on Universal Pictures Out of Sight and Buoy 22 Films The Ugly One until much larger roles in In The Net from director Jim Freeman where he plays the jealous best friend Junior, and R.I.C.C.O (now available on Video and DVD from York Entertainment), where he portrays the lone-shark J.T.
Cedric continued on working with Director Darren Brown on Detroit’s own That’s Hot TV. Cedric can be seen next starring in Dirty Mitten Films' In Love With Lust from Director Darren Brown and Producers Sam Khaleghi, Rockey Black and Dikea Taylor, alongside his Apology costars Rockey Black and Tonya Chapman, as well as Jennifer Kitchen (8 Mile)
On the side Mr. Demps also enjoys perfecting his motorcycling and martial arts skills.Go to Top
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