FILM

About The Film

After his latest stay in a psychiatric facility, Jacob (Michael Ealy) struggles to prevent his mental health from spiraling out of control. Returning home, he finds himself isolated by his mother’s refusal to acknowledge his illness and his brother’s warning that a relapse will not be tolerated.

Jacob soon meets and begins a relationship with a young single mother named Cindy (Opal Alladin) and decides not to tell her he’s been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. When Cindy comments that he seems sluggish, Jacob stops taking his prescribed anti- depressants and his condition gradually worsens, as his manic episodes become increasingly psychotic.

About The Filmmakers

MARK BANNING (Writer, Director, Producer)

Mark Banning received a BFA in film production from SUNY Purchase and has directed several music video and commercial projects. Jellysmoke is his first feature length film.

CLIFF CHARLES (Director of Photography, Producer)

Cliff Charles’ feature credits includes his Emmy nominated work for Spike Lee’s When the Levees Broke and If God Is Willing And Da Creek Don’t Rise, Shottas and Planet Brooklyn. He has lensed numerous music video and commercial projects for artists including, Britney Spears, P.Diddy, Busta Rhymes and Michael Jordan. While building his reel, Cliff Charles would serve as both DP and Producer on several indie projects including Jellysmoke which earned both him and Mark Spirit Award Nominations in 2006. The two also served as Producers along side Mad Matthewz on his film, Planet Brooklyn. www.cliffcharles.com

MAD MATTHEWZ (Producer)

Mad Matthewz received a BFA in film production from SUNY Purchase and
has directed several award winning short films including Groupie, The Lush Life, and Big Bank Take Little Bank. Mad’s first feature length film, Planet Brooklyn was released on DVD by Screen Media Films. www.mad24fps.com.

NICOLE GILLIAM (Producer)

Nicole Gilliam received her BFA in FILM from SUNY Purchase. She has produced several film and television projects.

CRAIG B. WEISEMAN (Editor)

In addition to his numerous commercial credits, Craig has served as an editor on the television series Without A Trace as well as several narrative and documenatry projects. www.weiseman.com

PETER CALANDRA (Composer)

Peter Calandra is a New York City based composer and keyboard player. He has scored 8 movies including Jellysmoke, Unknown Soldier (Winner 2004 Los Angeles and Philadelphia Film Festivals, Nominee 2005 Independent Spirit Award), Union, Down At The Track, 13th Child and Between 2 Worlds. He has also written over 800 compositions for television shows including Hope And Faith, Good Morning America, All My Children, The Today Show, Access Hollywood, The Bachelor and America’s Most Wanted and numerous programs for ABC, NBC, FOX, Showtime, MTV and CNN. Peter has also scored over 20 industrial videos for corporations including Pfizer, Pepsi, NYNEX and Kodak. www.pecamusic.com