Film Festival Winner Fade to Black Film Explores Causes and Solutions of Violence
Inspired by a front-page news story of violence, filmmakers Bill Singleton and Trevor Bailey have put together Fade to Black. The evolution of a passion project, the film seeks to help resolve the random acts of violence that plague modern life. Bill and Trevor took time to talk with JustLuxe about the film's history and what they have planned in the future.
Is Fade to Black the first film you two have done together?
Bill: Yes. There is another film that Trevor and I are working on which is in post-production called “Rave.” This is my second film.
How did the project come about?
Trevor: I read an article about a woman, Lisa Costa and her grandson. A man named George Powers and two of his friends were passing through a park. George Powers said, "Now I'm gonna shoot at someone in the park,” and his friends dared him to do it. He shot and killed Ms. Lisa Costa. Earlier that day, they had broken into someone's house and stole a gun. Later that day they got drunk and went to the park with the gun. This story along with another account of a shooting inspired me to write the first thirty pages of a script. I showed that draft to Bill.
Bill: The draft was riveting. I remember reading them, asking myself what's going to happen next. I wanted to know more about this world.
Trevor: Together we came up with several new characters and scenes that added structure to the story as well as the plot as well. We discovered that we were a good team and decided to finish the film.
Bill: We finished our first draft just to end it with the description “Various chase scenes ensued," so that we could start rewriting. After several drafts we started breaking the script down for shooting. When we completed this process, Khari Nelson accompanied us in scouting locations to shoot the film.
Trevor: We had no budget at first, so we decided that we were going to have to "liberate" many of the scenes so that they could get into the film.
How would you describe the film?
Trevor: The film explores the lives of Jamal, Gage, Pepe and JJ. When Pepe gets a gun from a local gangster, Mr. M, the trajectory of their lives take a dramatic turn. Gage and his cohorts get drunk and decide to go to a party. On their way, going through a local park, they notice Jamal and family celebrating his brother’s birthday.
Bill: Pepe, showing off his gun, decides to shoot at Jamal's family as a prank to scare them, and he inadvertently kills Jamal’s mother, father and brother, injuring Jamal and his wife Dana. Gage, horrified at the instant tragedy, begins the journey of self- examination that leads to opposing violence and Jamal, seeking revenge for the murder of his family, begins his journey that leads him to discovering the power of forgiveness.
Where was the film shot?
Trevor: Boston MA
Tell me a bit about the cast.
Bill: We had a great cast and there probably isn’t time to name all of them. Jahmal Williams is a professional skateboarder. He's been touring and competing nationally and internationally on the pro-circuit for several years. Jay Doyle is an accomplished musician and composer as well as a superb actor. His yet untitled unreleased album consists of several alternative style of music, which many appear, in the film.
Trevor: Then there is Shaun Rogers hails from Roxbury, MA. In Boston, She performs as a street poet and as an actress. Her audition proved she was perfect for the role. And Tom Mcneil who reminds one of a young Jack Nicholson. He has range and depth and he invests completely in the task at hand. In Fade To Black, Tom was presented with the opportunity to confront many critical issues he faced growing up. Race, anger and family. Tom grew up in the projects of South Boston during one of the most turbulent times in Boston's history.
What challenges did you run into while making the film?
Bill: We had to work out where we were going to actually shoot the film. We lost the original location for Jamal and Gage's apartments, Cathedral housing and had to relocate their scenes at the Hammond street location.
Trevor: A local lighting technician as well as a sound technician both failed to show up and consequently dropped out of the project. So we had to educate ourselves on how to use available lighting, i.e. don’t shoot the subject with a lot of light in the back ground when filming, unless that was what you were going for.
Bill: Perhaps the biggest scare was the fire. A group of us decided to take a break from editing and go to a local soul food place around the corner. When we got back, fire trucks and smoke were coming from the building. I was so shocked I couldn’t even speak. I thought my camera, the computer and the tapes where all in my apartment and that we lost the entire film. I remember wondering if my cats made it out alive. I found my cats, which was a great relief. Smoke filled the entire apartment. Firemen stomped through everything to ensure that the fire was entirely out. They smashed the wall TV but the camera, the computer and tapes were not damaged. We still had our film.
What would you want viewers to come away with after seeing the film?
Trevor: I want them to have this inter-glowing feeling that they have the power to make better life choices. That the act of treating other people like you would want to be treated, effectively gives you the power to successfully deal with others.
How do you feel Fade to Black differs from other films in the genre?
Bill: The majority of films are in your face and simple to understand. You know what's going on. This film you have to pay attention, you have to focus throughout the movie, to truly understand what's going on. It's a suspense movie, but the suspense is focused on discovering what the causes and solutions to violence are.
Where can people see the film?
Trevor: We are currently in talks with different distributors and considering traditional as well as online distribution options.
Are you working on other film projects?
Bill: We are developing an Internet TV series shot for broadcast that will deal with artists of different venues coming to the forefront.
For more information visit: http://www.fadethemovie.com/
