(LEFT)
(RIGHT) Actor DeShawn White is a Maryland Native and Brooklyn transplant on a mission to conquer her dreams. She can be seen in guest-starring roles on shows such as; Law & Order SVU, Marvel’s Jessica Jones, HBO’s Random Acts of Flyness, and The Deuce just to name a few.
My name is Rory Clarke, and I am the director of “Blood Tax”; an independent short film shooting this fall in Schenectady, New York. I am a Caribbean American storyteller and native New Yorker. Having this uniquely American tale developed and shared with the broader world is one of the many benefits and reasons this film should garner your support.
For 3 years I’ve extensively researched the life of Henry Johnson. I’ve invested countless hours reviewing historical documents, articles and working with local historians in Albany to assist me with creating a fully developed character in the world of this short film. The work has become my passion.
Support for the project has come from several organizations, including Armory Studios NY & Film Schenectady, who served as mentors for the production with a first look.
KIYO was born and raised in Japan. After graduating from Nihon University with a degree in Cinematography, he began building his career as a camera assistant in Vancouver, Canada. For the past fourteen years he has worked as a freelance cinematographer for major commercials TOYOTA, LEXUS, HONDA, NISSAN, SUBARU, Panasonic, SONY, Canon, Adidas Reebok, NIKE, P&G PANTENE, Maxfactor SK-2, Coca-Cola, music videos and documentaries in Tokyo, Japan. He has established himself in the industry by shooting over 600 commercials and music videos. He relocated to NYC in 2013. His recent works include feature films " The Garden Left Behind" (won Audience award at SXSW in 2019, IFP in 2017), “Fair market Value” and a Netflix original series "Erased" 12 episodes (Available on Netflix Worldwide).
Chris is a Northern Californian native. Chris has assisted director Jim Jarmusch and producer Joshua Astrachan on Paterson. The majority of his time is spent as a Creative Producer at Bowen Street Productions. He has had experience producing many different types of content, ranging from winter sport to medical to music videos. Each bring their own unique challenge of story telling, which Chris finds both refreshing and rewarding.
Shortly after graduating Magna Cum Laude from Brown University, Amy Gossels began working as a producer and casting director in New York and launched her company, Amy Gossels Casting, which has maintained its reputation as one NYC’s most highly respected casting offices for more than two decades. During Amy’s 20+ years in the industry, she has cast more than 1500 commercials (including many CLIO winners) and has been the casting director, and in many cases a producer, for 100 film and television productions. Feature film credits include "Something's Gotta Give "and Godfrey Reggio’s “Visitors", short films she cast and produced include Academy Award Winner "Zen and the Art of Landscaping". Television casting credits include Comedy Central’s "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart and Trevor Noah, "Night of Too Many Stars", VH1’s "Big Music You Oughta Know” hosted by Mel B and HBO’ s "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver”. To learn more about Amy and her company, Amy Gossels Casting, and get a comprehensive overview her work, please visit: https://amygosselscasting.com
Haijin Gyeltsen
Associate Producer/1st AC
David Rodriguez
SPX Supervisor/Key Grip
Sierra Lettuca
Location Sound Mixer
Nelson Smith
Key Gaffer
Christian Ochoa-Diaz
DIT/2nd AC
Nicole Dagastino
Hair & Makeup Supervisor
Ricarlo Luis Grevely
Key Production Assistant
Nick Batch
Production Assistant
Film Schenectady and Armory Studios NY are dedicated to streamlining the filmmaking process for content
creators, from big budget productions to smaller independents, their team is ready to assist, providing resources and support from start to finish. Schenectady County is a film-friendly community offering many diverse locations attracting a wide variety of film, television, and commercial projects. Filmmakers can take advantage of a 35% NYS film tax credit, thousands of square feet of approved sound stages, and modest cost of below the line support services.
Board members of Film Schenectady include Commissioner Donna Pennell, with many years of production experience at all levels and Richard Lovrich, a creative director for Armory Studios, newspapers, theater and multiple organizations. Both Donna and Richard are also on the board of the Northeast Film Lab, a group dedicated to empowering independent filmmakers. Film Commission board member Ray Legere is co- owner of Armory Studios NY, the Capital Region’s largest dedicated and qualified sound stage.
It was Ray Legere’s initial meeting with Rory Clarke that brought BLOOD TAX to Schenectady, and we are grateful to him for doing so.
The 369th Infantry Regiment, originally formed as the 15th New York National Guard Regiment before being re-organized as the 369th upon federalization and commonly referred to as the Harlem Hellfighters, was an infantry regiment of the New York Army National Guard during World War I and World War II. The regiment consisted mainly of African-Americans, though it also included men from Puerto Rico, Cuba, Guyana, Liberia, Portugal, Canada, the West Indies, as well as American white officers.
Active chapters are located in Manhattan NY; Bronx NY; Westchester County NY; Richmond County NY; Queens NY; North Carolina; and Albany NY.