Once Upon a Time in New York
Presented by
EAST BRILLIANCE FILM INC.
In the New York of the 80s and 90s, getting rich wasn't an unattainable dream.
The scent of cologne was somewhat pungent, and the dollars exuded a sour and astringent aroma.
The restless desires of flesh and wealth intertwined, making the body acutely aware of the harsh and cold reality of the world.
A tribute to that damned era…
Gamblers chose their chips, and fallen women wagered their bodies and souls.
In the darkness, they stared wide-eyed,
To win, one must be willing to give up half their life!
In truth, we are all gamblers, betting on the choices we make!
Once desire is placed on the table,
Everything Falls into the hands of fate’s trickster...
--- J. Chang
Synopsis
A young man from Qinghua (Tsinghua), Dragon Wei, got into a fight during a gambling dispute and was later framed, becoming a target of the 1983 "Strike Hard" anti crime campaign, forcing him to flee abroad. In the early 1980s, when Dragon Wei first arrived in the United States, he quickly sensed the opportunities for wealth. Despite his father’s repeated warnings, he resolutely abandoned his studies and ventured into business. Dragon Wei expanded his ventures into mahjong parlors and casinos, gradually amassing wealth, and eventually establishing himself in New York.
This film, by recreating real events of the time, reveals how social morals and justice were gradually destroyed under the drive of profit and greed.
The film is filled with scenes of deceit, treachery, and rampant scams.
Although Dragon Wei still retained a trace of conscience, he struggled to resist the intertwining forces of human greed, evil, and complexity. To uphold the justice of the underworld, Dragon Wei ultimately decided to wage war against the forces of darkness.
Through the trials of life, Dragon Wei’s mindset began to change He decided to abandon the casino business and start anew.
However, despite having been the nemesis of swindlers, he ultimately fell victim to a con himself, finding himself trapped in an inescapable predicament ...
Dates & Locations
Rehearsals begin on October 1, 2024; Previews begin on Oct. 25th, 2024; Runs during Oct. 30 - Nov. 25,2024 in New York
Creatives and Crew
1st Assistant Director
Plays a key role in film production, responsible for assisting the director in organizing and coordinating all aspects of the shooting schedule. They manage the set, ensure that filming runs smoothly and efficiently, and coordinate with various departments to keep the production on track. The 1st AD also handles logistical details such as scheduling, call sheets, and coordinating the cast and crew during filming.
Required Roles:
1st Assistant Director: proficient.
Production Assistant (PA)
Assists in organizing and managing the day-to-day operations of film production, ensuring smooth coordination and support across various departments.
Required Roles:
Production Assistant (PA): proficient
Screenwriter
Tasked with crafting scripts for films. This encompasses creating engaging dialogue, intricate plotlines, and compelling characters that animate the story on screen; will collaborate with other screenwriters to brainstorm ideas, outline the narrative, and collectively write the screenplay or script for the film, ensuring it resonates with the intended audience and fulfills the creative vision of the project.
Required Software & Program Skills: proficient
Producer
Assists in overseeing and facilitating the production of the film, involved in managing various aspects of the project to ensure its successful completion.
Required Roles:
Producer: proficient
Executive Producer
Provides financial resources and oversees the funding of the project, playing a crucial role in securing the necessary financial support for the film's production. They may also be involved in strategic decision-making and ensuring the project stays within budget and on schedule.
Required Roles:
Executive producer: proficient
Photographer
A photographer in film production captures still images related to the film. This role can include several responsibilities: Still Photography, Production Stills, Set Photography. While the primary role of a film photographer is not to work with moving images, their work is crucial in shaping the film’s public image and preserving its history through compelling visuals.
Sound Engineer
A sound engineer in film (film sound engineer or audio engineer) is responsible for managing and creating the auditory elements of a film. This role encompasses a variety of tasks, including: Recording, Mixing, Editing, Designing Sound Effects, Post-Production. Sound engineers collaborate closely with directors, producers, and other members of the production team to ensure that the film’s audio complements its visual and narrative aspects.
Roles in This Project
ACTORS & PERFORMERS
Required Media: Headshot/Photo, Video Reel, Cover Letter
Male lead: Dragon Wei
(Wei Long)
Age: 25-35
Height: 180cm-190cm
Description: Tall, strong, and vibrant; sincere at heart, quick-witted, ambitious, and willing to take risks.
Male lead: Fei Zhou
Age: 25-35
Height: 175cm-185cm
Description: Wei Long's confidant and catalyst for his early business ventures; loyal yet driven by his own ambitions.
Male: Wei Long's Father (Supporting)
Age:45-55
Height: 175cm-180cm
Description: Professor, wise; teaches Wei Long sincerity.
Male: Jimmy (Supporting)
Age: 30-45
Height: 170cm-180cm
Description: The first person to introduce Wei Long to the corrupt gambling world; experienced, honest, and loyal.
Main Actress: Carry
Age: 20-35
Height: 160cm-172cm
Description: Wei Long's wife and life compass; beautiful, aspiring to a wealthy life; cunning yet selfish.
Main Actress: Kate
Age: 20-35
Height: 160cm-172cm
Description: Wei Long's lover, a singer; charming, elegant, and romantic; wise, with sharp insight and keen awareness.
Female: Sherry (Supporting)
Age: 20-35
Height: 160cm-172cm
Description: Wei Long's lover; graceful and dignified, passionate about art; appears cold on the outside but is warm-hearted inside.
Female: Joey (Supporting)
Age: 30-45
Height: 160cm-172cm
Description: Wei Long's friend, a university vice president; dignified and elegant, yet struggling with a gambling addiction.
Male: Dafu Wu (Supporting)
Age: 30-45
Height: 170cm-180cm
Description: Wei Long's partner, a prominent figure in the gambling world; adept at calculations, a shrewd businessman with a knack for speculation and commerce.
Male: A Tang (Supporting)
Age: 25-35
Height: 170cm-185cm
Description: Wei Long's rival, a mafia-like figure; ruthless and arrogantly confident.
Male: Johnny (Supporting)
Age:25-35
Height: 170cm-180cm
Description: Wei Long’s friend, the leader of the NNG gangs; embodies righteousness, bravery, and honesty.
Questions?
Contact info@eastbrilliancefilm.com to get more information on the project