RAW DEAL FOR CARLO
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My name is Carlo Bellario I am a professional stand up comedian/actor.. I am here on Go Fund Me today for assistance with a incident that occurred to me on November 16th of 2015.
In between comedy gigs I sometimes take on acting roles. I joined a group on Facebook that posts casting calls. So I saw a post for a movie called Vendetta Games looking for henchman type bodyguards for a drug dealer. So I submitted for the role and got casted. I was to report to the set in Woodbridge N.J it was a small independant film produced by a college student. There was no pay but I was to receive a copy of the film & credit on IMDB... So the scene called for me and another guy to be in a simulated car chase scene and I was to be shooting at the car in front of me. So we filmed the scene in a residential area of Woodbridge, and as soon as we returned from the shooting the scene , the set was surrrounded by police cars. Apparently residents in the neighborhood phoned the police and told them that there was a two guys driving around waving a gun out of the window. Now I understand that residents did not realize we were shooting a movie and understand why the police were called, and I cannot fault the cops either due to the fact that they are getting a call and have no idea what the situaution is.
When the police arrived we attempted to explain to them that this is a movie shoot, and that the gun was a prop. After several minutes of questioning everyone the police had determined that the producer & director neither had a film permit nor did they have a permit for the prop gun which turned out to be an air soft pellet pistol. I was the only one arrested that day for possesion of a handgun, and now face up to 5 years of prison,. I spent 4 days in jail at Middlesex County Jail until my family was able to post bond for me. The producer of the movie told my family that he would indeed bail me out but when he found out the bail was 10,000 he declined to help and left me there and left my family frantic as to how to arrange bail and get me released. He ignored my family's phone calls & subsequently my family had to lay out over 4,500 thus far for the bail bondsman and other expenses.
So I am humbly asking that anyone who is in the entertainment industry, to please contribute as little as $1... I understand that this time is tough for everyone financially. But if you are unable to donate, please consider sharing it with others who you may feel can help, so i can accquire the necessary money to retain an attorney and to recoup what members of my family have given thus far, and the expenses incurred by the bailbondsman that have left me and my family financially distraught
As actors we all want to work and get ourselves exposure but we also need to hold the industry to higher standard as well and serve as a valuable to not let what happened to me happen to other actors.
I have several attorneys who want to help and see me through this situation but it will involve a lengthy legal process which will incure a huge amount of fees which I completely understand,.
I am highly embarrassed that I am here asking for help like this but I am out of options and my friends, family, and peers are my last hope.
If anyone knows of an attorney who is willing to take the case PRO BONO please contact me.
Due to the nature of this charge I cannot leave the state or travel as I often do for my comedy gigs.
Thank You for taking the time to read my story.
THANKS & GOD BLESS
Carlo Bellario
In between comedy gigs I sometimes take on acting roles. I joined a group on Facebook that posts casting calls. So I saw a post for a movie called Vendetta Games looking for henchman type bodyguards for a drug dealer. So I submitted for the role and got casted. I was to report to the set in Woodbridge N.J it was a small independant film produced by a college student. There was no pay but I was to receive a copy of the film & credit on IMDB... So the scene called for me and another guy to be in a simulated car chase scene and I was to be shooting at the car in front of me. So we filmed the scene in a residential area of Woodbridge, and as soon as we returned from the shooting the scene , the set was surrrounded by police cars. Apparently residents in the neighborhood phoned the police and told them that there was a two guys driving around waving a gun out of the window. Now I understand that residents did not realize we were shooting a movie and understand why the police were called, and I cannot fault the cops either due to the fact that they are getting a call and have no idea what the situaution is.
When the police arrived we attempted to explain to them that this is a movie shoot, and that the gun was a prop. After several minutes of questioning everyone the police had determined that the producer & director neither had a film permit nor did they have a permit for the prop gun which turned out to be an air soft pellet pistol. I was the only one arrested that day for possesion of a handgun, and now face up to 5 years of prison,. I spent 4 days in jail at Middlesex County Jail until my family was able to post bond for me. The producer of the movie told my family that he would indeed bail me out but when he found out the bail was 10,000 he declined to help and left me there and left my family frantic as to how to arrange bail and get me released. He ignored my family's phone calls & subsequently my family had to lay out over 4,500 thus far for the bail bondsman and other expenses.
So I am humbly asking that anyone who is in the entertainment industry, to please contribute as little as $1... I understand that this time is tough for everyone financially. But if you are unable to donate, please consider sharing it with others who you may feel can help, so i can accquire the necessary money to retain an attorney and to recoup what members of my family have given thus far, and the expenses incurred by the bailbondsman that have left me and my family financially distraught
As actors we all want to work and get ourselves exposure but we also need to hold the industry to higher standard as well and serve as a valuable to not let what happened to me happen to other actors.
I have several attorneys who want to help and see me through this situation but it will involve a lengthy legal process which will incure a huge amount of fees which I completely understand,.
I am highly embarrassed that I am here asking for help like this but I am out of options and my friends, family, and peers are my last hope.
If anyone knows of an attorney who is willing to take the case PRO BONO please contact me.
Due to the nature of this charge I cannot leave the state or travel as I often do for my comedy gigs.
Thank You for taking the time to read my story.
THANKS & GOD BLESS
Carlo Bellario
Organizer
Carlo Bellario
Organizer
Toms River, NJ