This is not dying a film by Morrison-­Merritt “Sometimes you have to lose your mind to find yourself” A music driven shamanic journey of three friends on a road trip who end up going further than they ever imagined. Following the breadcrumbs of synchronicity, dropped by an intelligent universe;; they embark on a pilgrimage to the dark forest of the psyche in search of transcendent illumination.

This is not dying is as simple as looking in the mirror and as complex as your most twisted nightmare. The ego’s labyrinth is the ultimate prison but truth will set you free.

9 people, 5 days, 10k;; art drenched, anti-­formula experimental;; therapy session + music video + reality show + indie film…Breaking the 4th wall.

Film Specs: Running Time: 1:39

Genre: Experimental

Format: 4K/HD/HDV

Aspect Ratio: 1.85 Stereo

Cameras-­Sony Alpha a7SII;; Sony HD1080i, Canon Vixia mini & HF R400

Cinematography: Alberto De Coste-­Calla

Starring: Gary Austin and Introducing: Danvir Singh

OrangeRay Creative Lab ~ OrangeRay.com ~ nd@orangeray.com

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Therapeutic Nature vs. Ego Prison

There are many reasons why this multi-­medium, art drenched project should not work. On paper, it seems that it could not possibly work. Extremely limited budget;; skeleton cast & crew, nearly everyone met for the first time on day one;; 5-­day shoot schedule to film the foundation of the piece. One cast member intimately struggling with the subject matter in their personal life as he battles cancer. Filming in a glass house;; puppets, rabbit, goats, a horse goes crazy because he thought the DP was a mating threat to his gal;; rain;; water storage going out at the location;; loss of electricity at production house threatening meals…and that is how chaos magic works in an alchemical application: what does not kill you, makes you stronger! Like

weaving a ritual spell…Let the MAGIC begin!

OrangeRay Creative Lab has created a unique opportunity for transcendence on many levels by moving into a new dimension of filmmaking: TIND, is a therapy session, music video, a reality show, an improve workshop;; rolled into an indie film, with a sprinkle of social media sarcasm. In addition, breaking the 4th wall, AND the forced doctrine of age discrimination. Further we have no CG, no explosions, no sex, no nudity, no violence;; only creativity and passion, for art & alchemy…plus a tiny bit of strong language. We simply brought together talented people, created an inclusive environment, and with nature as our palette, we painted a story.

We are storytellers…

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Cast

Starring: Gary Austin

Introducing: Danvir Singh

Wendi Morrison

Keith Merritt

Michael Jost

Michael Lee Springer

Tim Piper as the voice of John Lennon

Monica Hankins as the voice of the Mirror Puppet

Dr. Guy McPherson as the voice of the Alien

Crew

Cinematographer/Stills: Alberto De Coste Calla

Sound Design: Drew O’Donnell

Script Supervisor/AD/Stills/Lighting: Jennie Cruz

Production Design/Art Direction: Morrison-­Merritt

AD/ 2nd Unit Camera/Stills: Keith Merritt

Assistant to DP & Sound: Monica Hankins

Assistant to Producers/Lighting/Stills/Transportation: Patrick Kerwin

Produced by Wendi Morrison & Jennie Cruz for OrangeRay Creative Lab

Written by Morrison-­Merritt

Directed & Edited by Wendi Morrison

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Creators Morrison-­Merritt: Wendi Morrison and husband Keith Merritt, collectively have an extensive art background. As a lyricist, she writes the snappy one liners;; as a student of literature & theater, he writes the beautifully poetic monologues.

Writer/Actor/Puppet Maker/Poet: Keith Merritt graduated from Penn State with a BFA in Theater;; he is a puppet maker (creating a troupe of thespians know as Ugly Little People), and poet known as the Puppet Poet. Growing up in the forest of Lake Ariel, PA, Keith is naturally an environmentalist and animal advocate, whose deep connection to nature is reflected in his writing, which elicits ties to the great poets of our time: John Muir, Walt Whitman;; along with his puppet creations, which evoke a Tim Burtonesque quality to them. Keith also performs Living History in which he writes and performs as historical figures related to the founding of Sequoia National Park. Keith plays Jeff with his natural endearing “clown” humor, which contrasts his deeply moving poetic soul.

Director/Co-­Writer/Actor/Musician: Wendi Morrison who was invited at 12 to join the Lee Strasberg Institute in Hollywood;; came up through the punk/goth/emo rock club scene of Los Angeles;; as a singer/songwriter/performance art rocker. A band of rebels: Wendi’s grandfather Talmadge “Remi” Morrison was an MGM still photographer who was selected by Brando for his directorial debut with “One Eyed Jacks”. Emmy nominated father Robert “Bobby” Lee Morrison, a Cinematographer and Director (Hawaii 5-­0 original) her mentor;; was known to aggravate both studio executives and teamsters. Executives because he was very talented and could not be bought, and teamsters for choosing minorities as his assistants, as he advocated for many so called outsiders. Wendi in turn is an animal and environmental advocate who grew up in Hawaii, and was introduced to Transcendental Meditation at age 9. This is where the shamanism was awakened. Also an advocate for Therapeutic and Medicinal “botanicals”, Wendi’s “day gigs” included a stint at Mark Mothersbaugh’s (DEVO) Mutato Muzika, along with assisting other working artists/ directors/ screenwriters. Wendi plays Bree and it is her experiences that the story is loosely based on.

“As an artist and shaman, my job is to inspire self expression, and ignite the seeker’s fire;; activating the 3rd eye, and dousing the wounds in peroxide. This is the alchemical fire;; this is when transformation begins”. shaman Wendi

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Actor/Songwriter/Director/Animal Advocate: Gary Austin founded The Groundlings improve group, whose infamous Theater on Melrose has spawned such talent as Melissa McCarthy, Helen Hunt, SNL’s Laraine Newman, Phil Hartman, and Pee Wee Herman’s Paul Ruebens to name a very few. Austin’s improvisational style is both supported by the fluidity of “This is not dying” while benefitting of his experience. For the past thirty years, Austin has also performed his songs and stories across the U.S. to critical acclaim. His character and words, both captivating and hilarious. The Gary Austin Workshop in the NoHo Arts District, provides an enigmatic muse in Gary, as he is a National Treasure! New and developing talent, or seasoned performers who wish to stay prescient, flock to him to be guided by his gentle genius. Breaking the 4th wall: "YOU TALKIN' TO ME?" Austin’s use of a theater technique known in Shakespearean plays as ‘asides’, where characters address the audience during improvised scenes between characters. When a character addresses the audience the other characters in the scene, traditionally, don’t hear what is being said to the audience. At 23, Jennie Cruz, our Co-­Producer/Script Supervisor/Make-­Up/AD, is already a veteran with 10 years of filmmaking under her belt! Starting with film courses at 13, Jennie starred in her first indie feature at 16, and directed her first feature at 19, and has worked on one film per year since the age of 14. Jennie started the Bakersfield 18 Hour Film Project at 17, and ran it until she was 21. Just transferred to SFSU, Jennie already has a degree in film production, art literature, business, and business management. She is an animal lover, with rabbits and doves who travel with her. Deemed “St. Patrick”, her partner Patrick Kerwin, provided production assistance, filling in any gap we threw him into.

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Danvir Singh is a seasoned theater actor with an M.F.A. in Acting, from UCSD/La Jolla Playhouse, and a B.A. in Theater, Cal State University, Bakersfield. He is also a DJ, who can be heard on KCHUNG radio in Los Angeles;; a legitimate Baritone, and spent time acting in Moscow doing Russian Art Theater. He has appeared in productions of Grapes of Wrath, Ex Machina, Hamlet, Blood & Gifts, which was nominated for the San Diego Theater Critics Circle for the Craig Noel Awards, and Evita, which was nominated for the ACTF Irene Ryan Award. Danvir as “Wyatt” represents all that is wrong with our self centered society. His indulgences drive his inner need for love and acceptance. Danvir captures both the comedy and tragedy of the character flawlessly. Cinematographer Alberto De Coste Calla was born in La Paz, Bolivia;; he has a BA in Actuarial Mathematics, and is a MFA candidate in Film Production at Chapman College where he’ll graduate in May 2016. He just premiered his thesis film: “Silent Light”, which showcased his immense talent for light and composition. Also, a short film he shot called Orbiting by Nancy Liu was recently accepted both at Cannes Short Film Corner, and the Laguna Film Festival. Alberto is nearly super human, earning him Jedi status. The fact that he was able to pull off shooting at night in a glass house, is “reflective” of his talent!

As the voice of white rabbit “John Lennon”, Tim Piper has been portraying John Lennon for most of his life. He has appeared along with brother Greg in Just Imagine, a rock ‘n’ roll celebration of the life and music of John Lennon;; directed by Greg Piper, received Critic’s Choice by both L.A. Weekly and the L.A. Times. A musician, actor and songwriter, Tim Piper has traveled the world performing as the preeminent John Lennon with roles in the CBS production The Linda McCartney Story, E! Channel’s John Lennon Story, Beatle Wives and as the singing voice of Lennon for the NBC TV movie of the week, In His Life -­The John Lennon Story. With their tribute band: Working Class Hero, the Piper’s are the only tribute act to perform at the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, a pre-­

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screening performance for the re-­release debut of Yellow Submarine, and the John Lennon 20th anniversary memorial gathering in Central Park.

Guitarist/Producer Michael Jost is originally from Dreieich, Germany, with much time spent in Amsterdam. He is a brilliant Flamenco player and a 22-­year veteran of the Venice Beach music scene whose Breakwater Studio is the backdrop for his internet show: Radio Venice. He has played with a diverse lineage of players: Suzy Williams, Andy Kravitz, Joey Maramba to name a few;; and the bands DEAN and Golden Buddah;; including producing tracks for the psychedelic bands: Send Medicine and Mindflowers. Michael’s flamenco work can be seen and heard in a music video called “Nuclear Spinach” which made the festival circuit a few years back. He is endorsed by Candelas Guitars.

Environmental and Animal advocate;; artist Denise Monaghan paints breathtaking portraits of animals and nature, to convey the message of conservancy. Originally from the Minneapolis Art Scene, Denise created “Shamanic Rising” for TIND. The painting provides an eerie 5th person personification as it looms over the group throughout the evening.

Michael Lee Springer is a John Muir Living history interpreter, due to his extreme likeness to the poet/environmentalist, but also as a natural expression for his love of nature. Michael is a fabulous musician whose Black Kaweah project, provides TIND with haunting music as a gentle contrast from the Neptune’s daughter tracks.

Drew O’Donnell is a Computer Science major/Film Geek, turned Audio Engineer;; who started in a music studio in Los Angeles, and transitioned to freelance Sound Mixer and Sound Editor. He loves to be on set and help bring a vision to life! Aspiring Sound Designer and team player, whose bright spirit is an asset on any production. His partner and assistant Monica Hankins, who also

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served as assistant to our DP;; is actually an incredible Costume Designer for her company Boxcar Boutique. Monica also provided a delightful performance as the voice of the mirror puppet.

The end music track “Nature Bats Last” feat. the iconic Dr. Guy McPherson, who also provides the voice of the alien;; is courtesy of South African artist AfriZen. Professor Emeritus at University of Arizona;; Guy is considered by many to be a doctor doom in his clarion call to wake people up to dwindling resources, habitat destruction, loss of species, and future sustainability. Music: Neptune’s daughter;; All songs written by Wendi Morrison with: Michael Jost, Gary Baxter, Rennie Lawrence Young, J.P.Daoust, Joe Laswell, Steve Gerritsen, Felix Andrew, John Lim, and Joel Mark. (Except Black Kaweah and AfriZen)

Production and Engineering: Steve Caton and Dan Nebenzal (Tori Amos, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Human Drama, and TSOL), Ed Donnelly, Wendi Morrison, and Jeff Menke. Additional Musicians: Dave Lindgren, Greg Carson, Chris Kirshbaum, Matt Bystrap, Paul Brantley, Alan Judd, and Tom Morgan.

Animation: Italian artist Michele Botticelli’s “Lovecraft’s Dream”;; “Trip” by vjsuave;; Ygor Marotta & Ceci Soloaga are audio visual projection artists from Sao Paulo, Brazil. Animation: Juli Perez, Dante Zaballa, vjsuave;; Character Design: Ygor Marotta;; Photography: vjsuave

OrangeRay Creative Lab

40836 Cherokee Oaks Dr.

Three Rivers, CA 93271

OrangeRay.com/nd@orangeray.com/ 559) 561-­3370

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As a filmmaker, my cinematic palate is as complex as I am. As a child, I was drawn to Science Fiction (Outer Limits & The Twilight Zone) and vampires: Dark Shadows;; in my teens it was movies that were visually evocative, and made me think.

My favorite storytellers are not literal. Filmmakers such as David Lynch and Terry Gilliam were huge inspirations. Lynch offers multi-­dimensionalism, while the films of Jean-­Pierre Jeunet, Lars Von Trier, and Guillermo Del Toro, play with light and dark landscapes. I deeply appreciate the way Cameron Crowe and Martin Scorsese are able to bring such compassion and nostalgia to their work;; plus, the way they dip into the eccentric well. The Merchant-­Ivory films are all incredible ensembles, set in romantic and organic beauty! Tarantino brings that glimpse of raw synergy with dark humor, and Baz Luhrmann always delivers the magic of musical theater pieces, rich in poetic textures.

Old School: With MTV’s 120 min show, inconveniently on from midnight to two am;; I was invited into a world where music and art were infused into alter-­worlds of beauty;; where visual artists such as Matt Mahurn and Anton Corbijn transcended ether. This could not be found anywhere else in mainstream.

Quirky characters are essential to me;; Wes Andersen and the Cohen Brothers are magicians at creating interestingly weird characters that tend to mirror reality more than we realize. With art, we are able to align to a higher essence within. The Wacowski’s offer the gift of transmutation, a phoenix, rising from the ashes. Their films are what the 5th dimensional reality, and a shamanic awakening, are all about.Coming up through punk rock, I discovered rules were meant to be broken. As an Indigo starseed, I know inherently, my purpose is to push through duality, to anchor multi-­dimensionality. I hope that in some small way, I have been able to share some of that vision, most important, I hope that the viewer is able to laugh, think, and find some inspiration.

Wendi Morrison-­Merritt, director