MY CITY: HIGH TIDE - A Short Film

“If you want the power, you have to take it.” -Anonymous

Logline

In the late ’90s, a young gang threatens the underworld in and around Newark, New Jersey. After running it for decades, the people who own the city have their first big test.

Chapter 1- Hanging On

About The Film

My City, High Tide is the second chapter in a 3 part mini-series. In Chapter 1- Hanging On, we left with Joe rushing out of the scene to confront his wife, leaving Carl alone with Alonzo(the man in the chair). In Chapter 2, we find Joe facing his wife and discover what happens when you leave a man like Alonzo alone for too long.

WHERE IS MY MONEY GOING?

Transportation- $600

Crafty- $1,750

Props and Set- $2,100

Cast- $1,750

Crew- $1,600

Locations- $300

The Impact/Vision

My City High Tide is an extension of the previous film My City Chapter 1- Hanging On. Our goal is to create a film that can bring awareness and turn this idea into a feature film, along with creating local film opportunities within the state of New Jersey and the Tri-State area.

To gain more awareness, we will submit to film festivals in hopes of getting the attention of producers and fans of the film.

The Back Story

My City is a fictional film based in Northern New Jersey.

North Jersey, specifically Newark and the cities and townships around it, have been an area of immigrants since they became official cities and townships. Being very close to the city, and right near one of the biggest ports in the United States, you have a constant flow of different cultures coming in, settling, and calling it home.

The neighborhoods in and around Newark had a specific identity for decades, starting in the 20th century. Despite the many different cultures, it maintained its identity.

That’s until the early ’50s; it began to change a little. Then, in the ’60s, a dramatic change began and continued through the following decades. And when the neighborhoods change, so does the underworld.

So, that’s where this film comes in. It's a story about what may have happened in the battle of Who Would Control The Underworld in and around this Old American City.

This film is about a fight over The City, a battle for Power.

Meet The Main Cast

Roberto Ragone

@robertoragone5

A Bronx native, Roberto shifted from a career in government, policy and politics to his passion for the arts as an actor, scriptwriter/doctor, producer, and advocate.

Roberto has played lead and supporting roles on stage and screen in serious dramas along with improvisational, sketch, satirical, musical, rant, and mockumentary comedies. Roberto has been cast in various roles in productions airing on the Investigation and Discovery Channel, available on Amazon Prime, or accepted into film festivals. He wrote and performed to a sold-out audience and received a standing ovation for the one-man show entitled The Purgatory Trial of Vito Marcantonio. Roberto’s one-act comedy, Bromance-A-Roni, won the "Best Production" award at the Midtown International Theatre Festival, selling out all performances. It is currently being produced into a film.

Carrie Charlesworth

@carrie.charlesworth

Carrie Elizabeth Charlesworth was born in Stamford and grew up in Westport, Connecticut. In the summer of 1984, she attended the renowned Stagedoor Manor in Loch Sheldrake, New York. After graduating from the University of Connecticut Storrs campus with a B.S. in Marketing, Carrie relocated to South Florida for a few years before returning to the Northeast to live in NYC and finally settle in Central New Jersey. It wasn't until her mid-40s that Carrie finally returned to her lifelong passion and now has several projects in the works.

Phil Husbands

@chillkage7

Phil Husbands started pursuing acting at the age of 23. He attended Raritan Valley Community College and graduated with an A.A. in Theater. In 2020, Husbands studied under Mike Pointer at “Hey, I Saw Your Commercial” Television Commercial Institute. Since then, he has been involved in projects such as “4:04” and “Ghosts of Somerville.”

Don’nah Rae

Don'nah is an American actress best known for her dramatic and comedic roles. She has been acting off and on since she was 25 years old. She took some time off in 2021 and is now ready to jump back into the film industry.

Steven Ikegwu

@zoloftzombie

Steven Ikegwu is an actor and musician with eight years of experience specializing in singing and improvisation. He’s starred in Guys and Dolls, Anything Goes and most notably, The Little Shop of horrors as the Dentist. He participated in improv clubs in both Highschool and at Rutgers University. He’s both participated in and coached the slam team at Rutgers University. Currently, Steven is pursuing solo music and spoken word career and DJ’ing for events at Rutgers University while also holding a full-time job. Steven is looking forward to entering the world of independent film with this project by Tom Kubrak. He hopes to bring improvisation skills and infectious energy to the production.

Alex Brett

@alex_brett99

Alex Brett Weiner, a professional known as Alex Brett, is an actor from New Jersey. He started acting in 2017 while studying at Michigan State University. Brett has recently featured in Fox Nation’s The Great American Heist as Tommy DeSimone. Ironically, Brett’s favorite movie is Goodfellas, in which Joe Pesci portrayed the same character. Brett is currently taking classes at HB Studio.

Meet The Core-Crew

Director of Photography- William O’Keefe- @okeefescoffeetimecinema21

Editor- Joshua “YoAspire” @yoaspire

Tom Coraggio- Assistant Director @onedayfilmmaker

Ron Wilson- Assistant Cinematographer @ronwils

Gary Brown- Key Grip @gary_brown654

Graphics Coordinator- Wesley St. Claire @wesstclaire

Makeup Artist- Casey Wehr @caseywehr

Meet the Creator and Director

@tomkubrak

Tom Kubrak is a Filmmaker out of New Jersey who’s been making films and writing for the stage and screen for the last five years. His works, Hunters, The Game, The Encounter, and The First Move, can all be found on Youtube. He has a military background that he’s used to push through his no-budget films. Most of his films are about Human-Endurance or being pushed to the breaking point.

Director’s Statement

This is my first budgeted film project, and I couldn’t be more excited. I’m fortunate to have a strong team of passionate filmmakers who will help me drive this project forward.

I got the idea for this film shortly after moving back home to The Oranges a few years ago. When I met my friend William O’Keefe here, the wheels for this project began to turn. We just wanted to make a film. Any film, but it started to turn into something a little bigger to match our goals in the industry.

So what do we make? My father, who grew up in Orange, always told me stories about the area. Later on, though, I was curious about the stories he didn’t know or didn’t tell me about it.

The creation and filming of part 1 wasn't easy. Not only being a no-budget film but being in the middle of Covid. We pushed through and made it happen.

As a filmmaker, I believe you have to know what you’re good at and what you’re not. That’s why I’ve brought in some super talented crew members to help me in the areas I lack.

So, first off, thank you to the people that have been following my work for a long time and have enjoyed my work, given me feedback, or have been a part of my journey. Without you, I wouldn’t have the confidence to launch this.

To The Potential Investor

Thank you for being interested. If you donate, thank you. It truly means everything. You’re helping make a film if you're able to contribute.

You’re helping pay a crew member. You’re helping buy a piece of the set. You’re helping buy the cast and crew dinner. You’re helping buy some of the make-up. You’re helping make a film that I hope you can relate to. A film that I hope ultimately, you enjoy and would share with others.

Other Ways You Can Help

If you are unable to donate to the film, don't worry. If you like the concept and believe in our vision, please take the time to spread the word about this fundraiser. That could be by posting or sharing our GoFundMe link on your social media or simply by telling your friends and family. We appreciate every share.

You can also email me at [email redacted] with any questions, comments or ideas. I love talking to people and hearing what they have to say. So that's a huge way to help me move forward.

Extra Money Raised- Where will it go?

Any additional funds raised above our goal will go towards future production costs for this series's final part and submission to film festivals.