The IN STEREO Movie Premiere was held at the Tribeca Grand Hotel in downtown NYC. For those of you who haven’t heard of this movie, well you will definitely want to see it when it comes out July 3 in select cities: New York, Beverly Hills, Pasadena, Las Vegas, Austin, Dallas, Atlanta, New Orleans, San Francisco and Miami.
IN STEREO centers around David (Micah Hauptman) and Brenda (Beau Garrett), who are perfect for each other and everyone knows it, except, of course, David and Brenda themselves. After they break-up, their lives spiral out of control. David self-destructs as an artist while dating an immature woman who has an affair with his best friend. Brenda endures a failing acting career, an eviction notice, and a boyfriend who just does not do it for her. Then, chance brings Brenda and David back together on the streets of New York.
This is a sharply observed, raw, un-romantic comedy by writer/director Mel Rodriguez III. The movie could be described as a stylish but oh so realistic imagery of the downtown streets of Manhattan. With an innovative structure and dramatic performances, it offers an attention grabbing realism of modern relationships today.
Music plays a huge part in the film, with songs by Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, Charles Bradley, Menahan Street Band and Budos Band, helped to give the movie its unique personality.
IN STEREO stars Beau Garrett (“Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce”), Micah Hauptman (EVEREST), Aimee Mullins (YOUNG ONES), Mario Cantone (“Sex and the City”), and newcomers Maggie Geha (WINTER’S TALE) and Melissa Bolona. Written and directed by Mel Rodriguez III. Producers are Danny Roth and Damiano Tucci. Cinematography by Bryan Koss and Costume Design by Melissa Vargas with Dan Wilcox serving as Music Supervisor.
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Downtown spoke with a few of the cast members, starting with leading lady Beau Garrett. She exclaimed what she hopes for all of her fans and the rest of the audience to take from this movie overall. “You have to take the message you interpret form the story, its about love and modern love and relationships being a little bit different than normal, what is normal? People transitioning and going through bad places in their life and coming out of it, having success and what does that mean, there are a lot of things and I think you interpret whatever you interpret from it and I hope you come out of it feeling like you understood it and related,” Garrett stated.
She also spoke fondly of downtown NYC, “I love working in New York, a lot of creative freedom and collaboration. I live downtown, know downtown pretty well, I usually don’t go above 14th to be honest!”
While the cast looked incredible floating down the red carpet, one person in particular stood out to us. As Mario Cantone walked down the red carpet in his Christian Dior suit, Dolce and Gabbana tie and Kenneth cole shoes, he was nothing short of chic and with a booming presence at that, always gets him noticed even in a crowded room.
Director/writer, Mel Rodriguez III stated, “Watch out for guys! Relationships are difficult [and] are tricky, they are a mess, and that is just the message of the movie, we make decisions we make choices the way we value relationships. The end of the movie, that might be something that people a surprised about.” It certainly was.
Mellissa Bolona who plays Jennifer, David’s crazy ex-girlfriend in the film stated how her experience was during the making of this film, “I end up doing something naughty! Im young and immature in the film and I think my character is a bit lost and almost attention seeking, obviously goes through moments of vulnerability, she was a really great character to play, she had a lot of depth. I definitely had to channel past relationships, things she loved about them things she hated about them and kind of get in that mindset.”
After enjoying the movie there were horderves and wine past around to the guests. While everyone mingled and congratulated the cast and crew, the main character gave a short and simple statement.
-by Albany Reed and Haylie Born
Photography courtesy of Albany Reed
