SONG SILENCED
by Ryan Bruce Levey/RBL Films
Synopsis
With devoted followers globally, faith-based music artists have amassed a unique fan base in the millions, becoming household names who provide joy and praise through their music. But what happens when those once beloved artists decide to live their truth and come out of the closet?
SONG SILENCED shares the stories of those million record-selling and multi-award-winning musicians who saw their careers truncated or ended as they decided to be who they are and live a life of faith and queer freedom, navigating their sudden professional changes for better and worse, and how they paved the way for out, faith-based performers of today who are reclaiming their place in Christian music.
Director Statement
The idea for SONG SILENCED: COMING OUT IN CHRISTIAN MUSIC was influenced by reading the story of Christian music superstar Jennifer Knapp and how she was essentially exiled from the commercial Christian music industry, which led me to explore the stories of other musicians of faith and the challenges they faced coming out in Christian music. As always, I'm incredibly saddened whenever someone is punished or discriminated against for living their truth, but losing the life you know and worked so hard for, plus your community, would be unfathomably painful.
So I wanted to explore these courageous artists' mostly unknown stories, struggles, triumphs, and hopes for the future. But also is the rise of contemporary Christian artists, who are setting out to end the silence of LGBTQ+ artists of faith and amplify their voices loudly and proudly.
I genuinely believe that by exploring and highlighting hidden histories, communities, and lives, we are encouraging LGBTQ+ voices to stand prouder and allow others to see themselves in all aspects of life and the world and endeavor to protect and elevate our legacies and stories.
Our Mission
After the success of OUT IN THE RING on the festival circuit, Cheryl Staurulakis, Brad Webb, and Ry Levey set out to create a line of documentary films that focus on uncovering hidden histories and exploring cultures at the intersection of art and social justice, but at a price point between 100K and 200K USD. Having delivered OUT IN THE RING to the World with top-tier sound, editing, and color, we wanted to build a pipeline to provide quality doc content that could eliminate the need to wait for government financing and could go into production with the guaranteed support of Ms. Staurulakis's production company ORAMA FILMWORKS.
A dedicated team, with award-winning Ry Levey at the directing/producing helm, alongside award-winning editor Brad Webb, known for his work on doc projects and campaigns for THE HOBBIT TRILOGY, GET OUT, NBC/UNIVERSAL, and our super- talented skeleton crew of sound, camera, composers, and mixers. We create a budget and set about to deliver it under that, never skimping on quality and completing projects in a 12-18 month period, but on par with the best docs in the World. Our team is currently seeking private equity investment (Cash or relevant services) and World sales, distribution, and broadcast partners.
Key Bios
Ry Levey is a 20+ year film industry professional who has publicized and or distributed over 100 Feature films, including award winning documentaries like Emmy Award winner MATT SHEPARD IS A FRIEND OF MINE, Oscar nominated THE INVISIBLE WAR, and films by documentary legends Frederick Wiseman and Steve James, Tony winning and Oscar nominated filmmaker/Theatre icon Julie Taymor and 2 time Oscar winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.
His documentary feature directorial debut, OUT IN THE RING was the recipient of 4 Intl. film festival awards.
Cheryl Dillard Staurulakis is co-founder of the indie film production company Orama Filmworks. Cheryl has produced many award-winning films and continues to bring the works of talented writers and directors to audiences worldwide. Realizing the power of film Cheryl has sought out documentary projects that educate and inspire.
Her films include Emmy Award nominated documentary TOXIC BEAUTY, CATEGORY: WOMAN, SOMEONE YOU LOVE: THE HPV EPIDEMIC (Narrated by Vanessa Williams) , LADY GANGA: NILZA’S STORY (Which was screened before the United Nations on World Cancer Day 2016) and OUT IN THE RING. She has fun producing horror flicks too, which include THE NIGHT, STARLIGHT and THE NIGHT WATCHMEN.
Contact Page
Orama Filmworks
Cheryl Staurulakis- Executive Producer
Phone: 410-703-8269
Email: [email protected]
*ALL U.S. BASED DONATIONS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR TAX DEDUCTION:
To Whom It May Concern:
From The Heart Productions, Inc. is honored to provide fiscal sponsorship for the following documentary. We carefully select the films we sponsor, and believe that this project will make a positive contribution to society and to the field of filmmaking.
We have been successfully funding films since our inception in 1993 under the 501(c )(3) Internal Revenue Code of 1954. We are also classified as a public charity under section 509(a )(2) of the Code. As such, any monetary donations to our Fiscal Sponsorship Program qualify as charitable contributions under the U.S. Tax Code.
Our IRS number is 95 444 5418 and, as a donor, you may use this number on your taxes with the donated amount for a tax deduction.
From The Heart Productions will administer any funds received in support of this project. As fiscal sponsor for this film, we will be closely monitoring its progress. We will contribute advice and feedback where needed on fundraising initiatives, trailers, rough cuts, festival submissions, distribution, and outreach strategies.
Please make check donations payable to From the Heart Productions, and indicate the name of the film on the memo line. Mail your check to:
From The Heart Productions
1013 Harbor Ave. #53
Oxnard, CA 93035