www.thecynicallife.com

The Cynical Life

"The Cynical Life of Harper Hall" is the story of a lovably cynical, failed 20-something children's book author,  who works out of a local coffee shop attempting to pen something more 'Disney' commercially viable than "When Barney's Parents Died in the Lava".

Harper's life is toppled when she finds out her musician boyfriend / love-of-her-cynical-life is cheating on her with the illegitimate daughter of David Hasselhoff... and has stolen her savings.  She moves in with her little sister, "Sparrow", an aspiring 'actress!' who sells her eggs to an Invitro clinic in Beverly Hills for rent money.

Harper is suddenly dragged, unwittingly, into a whole new horror-filled world... being late twenties, NOT an actress, and suddenly single in Los Angeles.

Our Story
Meeting this funding goal = three Cynical episodes!!

The Cynical Life as it stands is a spec pilot we independently shot over fourteen days last month.  When we decided to do it,  everyone in Los Angeles told us we were... well, insane.  We had no money, no cast, no crew... and, well, I was sitting in my living room with a massive glass of wine and a script.  My two co-producers and I said screw it... and less than two weeks later, a pilot was born.

In the past month since we shot Cynical:  we've gotten calls from three major networks, a ton of press including a spread in Bunker Hill Magazine, Lionsgate (freakin' Lionsgate) as a screening venue, and just completed a test shoot for William Rast jeans (see the image below!)



The energy around this project isn't something any of us fully foresaw coming...

SO:  The goal, now, is to re-shoot the pilot + two amazing episodes with a great crew, the right equipment, and a less we're-all-going-to-OD-on-energy-drinks timeframe.  

GOAL:  $9500 through this campaign!

What You Get For Helping (+Hollywood Heart Foundation)

The Cynical Life will donate a portion of the fundraising proceeds to Hollywood Heart Foundation.  You'll be helping great kids go to camp this summer, and some of the Cynical cast & crew will also be volunteering.

The raised money goes into everything we need to shoot a pilot (and even so, we'd still be doing this at 90% on trade):  equipment rentals, lighting, sound, paying editors, getting the cast and crew fed with something other than beer, $1 Store Pringle Knock-Offs and coffee . . . and my god, so much more.  Even $10 bucks helps.  Seriously!

So: help us a little (or, if you're, like, some San Tropez Trotting Prince... a lot, would be... great...), and not only will you be assisting some kids and a wonderful foundation, but you'll help us to properly produce three Cynical episodes, we'll invite you to the red carpet wrap party (and maybe even the premiere at Lionsgate in Los Angeles!), and randomly send you cool stuff like Cynical t-shirts, signed scripts by the cast, and more!

Plus, if you donate enough money, myself and our female cast will personally come wash your car and/or make you ... brownies ... or something, totally domestic.  So!

Our Cast!

Finally - our crew, and cast - are ridiculously phenomenal (wanna know how ridiculously phenomenal?  Scroll down below for cast bios, links, and photos - they're all tragically good looking, and talented too).

The Cynical Life:  Written & Produced by Ashley Avis

Co-Produced by:  Alexander Emmert & Paul Harrison Daggett

Crew of Pilot:  Tony Woo Joun (DP), First Assistant AD (Kevin Huie), Camera Operator (Jay Diaz), Art Director 9Reed Johns), Production Assistant (Oko Carter), Kelly Lee (Still Photography).

The Cast of Cynical:

 
 
Ashley Avis - "Harper"
Ashley Avis is a twenty-four-year-old writer, actor, and fledgling producer. After moving to New York at seventeen for the [shortest and most pointless pop-rock recording deal, ever] at Warner Brothers Music -- Ash got into the fashion due to 'height' and went to college -- graduating in a record two and a half years with a double major in International Business & Marketing... while running a webdesign business and catwalking for Mercedes Fashion Week and working with designers/brands like Calvin Klein, Garnier Fructis, Diesel Lingeire, Walford, and DL1961 jeans.   

At nineteen Ash began writing as a personality for Nielsen Media's Backstage, and at twenty, became one of the youngest editors for a national publication to date. At twenty-two, she moved to Los Angeles - before doubling back for film projects in Manhattan.  She is now twenty four, is the editor-in-chief of Social Hollywood Magazine (socialhollywoodmagazine.com), and founder of Alchemy Pictures. 

The Cynical Life of Harper Hall is her first pilot.


Camille Cregan - "Sparrow"
After graduating from the Immaculate Hearth High School, Camille studied acting under the tutelage of acclaimed coaches Howard Fine, John Kirby and Marilyn McIntyre. She makes her debut as The Understudy in the AMC web series THE TRIVIAL PURSUITS OF ARTHUR BANKS directed by Peter Glanz, starring opposite Adam Goldberg as one of his love interests.

 Camille burst onto the scene as a model, and has appeared in campaigns for Adidas, Lees Jeans, Microsoft, Ray-Ban and Verizon amongst others. She has also walked in LA Mercedes Fashion Week. As the daughter of clothing designer Jane Book, Camille grew up in the world of fashion and is currently launching her own lingerie line. She currently lives in Los Angeles.


Chelsea Bernier - "Plum"
Chelsea is a Los Angeles resident living and breathing the fabulous film and television industry. In addition to her acting career, she has a Bachelors Degree in Health Care Administration and she is a professional singer and dancer. She loves hiking, reading, songwriting, and spending time with friends and family.


Janna Van Heertum - "Jessica"
Janna VanHeertum is from a small town in upstate New York. After finishing college in Manhattan for theater she knew she had to step it up to the real deal and move to Los Angeles. Janna has been fortunate to land roles in 'Crank 2', 'Everybody Hates Chris', the new Charlie Sheen/Hilary Duff movie, 'She Wants Me' amongst many others.



Justin Taite - "Blaze"
Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta Canada, left college during his first year and moved to Vancouver to pursue a career in acting. After getting accepted to the Stella Adler conservatory two years later dropped everything in Vancouver and drove to Los Angeles in September 08. By June 09 he was released from the Stella Adler conservatory and took up full time classes with Arthur Mendoza at the Actors Circle Theatre every Monday and Wednesday night at 8:45pm



Alex Ashbaugh - "Pawel"
A Chicago native, Alex's experience spans from the stage to the screen.  Beyond this, he has worked on numerous national commercial and print campaigns with some of the industry's leading creative teams.  Constantly striving to develop himself as an artist, Alex studies with several of Hollywood's most revered teachers and coaches on an ongoing basis.  In his spare time Alex enjoys writing and is a licensed pilot.  He will next be scene in upcoming work on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.  Alex lives in Los Angeles."


Bennett Gillespie - "Eamon"
Bennett is presently editing a bunch of video and busy being AWESOME - so check back for his bio soon.  :)


Danielle Merrill - "Misty"
Beginning her career on the east coast, Danielle performed leading roles in theaters such as The Grove Street Playhouse (NYC) and The Vineyard Playhouse (Martha's Vineyard, Mass). She got her foundation in NY, studying at highly respected schools such as The Atlantic Theater Company, founded David Mamet and William H. Macy, and The Barrow Group. She took what she learned to LA, where she landed a fun role on the iconic soap opera General Hospital and in films such as Walk Hard (John C. Reilly and Jenna Fischer), The Indies and Miles Apart, as well as many commercials. Also, having a love of children, she has been lucky to be a part of the Nick Jr. Show, The Fresh Beat Band and Disney's Good Luck Charlie. She loves to keep learning and getting deeper into her work. She's thrilled to be part of such a fun and amazing project as The Cynical Life of Harper Hall!


 

Augusto Aguilera - "Sunny"
Augusto Aguilera was born in Sun Valley, Ca and was raised for the majority of his formative years, in and out of old holloween costumes and threadcount forts, in Miami, FL. After attending 8 different Highschools and pretending to be 8 different people he hung up his cape and exchanged his parent's bed sheets for a more sophisticated drag act. He began training at the age of 20 with Stella Adler's protg, Arthur Mendoza at the Actors Circle Theatre and has since worked on plays from Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune to Amadeus.

 

Sharon Elliot - "Dani Stone"
Sharon, a Canadian now putting down roots in Los Angeles, can most recently be seen co-starring in the independent feature film Falling by Aion Pictures, as well as in national and regional commercials including McDonalds. Sharon has a graduate degree in psychology from Boston University, undoubtedly contributing to her character analysis. On stage, she has portrayed Martha in Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Mother in " Night Mother and Mary Deitweiler in How the Other Half Loves. Sharons wanderlust has spirited her around the globe, most often to France where she continues to practice her improving French.



Zia Harris - "Alan"
Born and raised in Huntington Beach, California, the youngest of three children from the marriage of White Jermoine Harris (his father an aerospace engineer) and Marylin Louise Moss (his mother a housewife). Zia took an early interest in acting and enrolled in theater in high school and junior college. His first acting job was a lucky break off a self submission through the now defunct acting trade paper Dramalogue. With no agent and no union status Zia submitted himself for the lead role in the made for HBO movie Conflict of Interest. He won the lead and starred opposite Alyssa Milano and Judd Nelson. It was around this time he was also accepted into the Juilliard School of Drama. After Juilliard he moved Los Angeles and got waiting gig at the Old Spaghetti Factory on Sunset Blvd. He then went on a booking spree, booking over 50 national commercials and numerous guest star and co-star roles in comedy and drama TV shows ranging from True Blood to Significant Others. Also booking some large parts in small films and some small parts in large films (Mr. Woodcock, Run Ronnie Run, etc.) He still lives in Los Angeles. He is managed by Eileen O'farrell.


Rachel Parker - "L.A. Mom"
Rachel Parker moved to the West Coast from New York City at the end of 2010. Film/Television Credits:The Rebound, Reign Over Me, The Nanny Diaries, As The World Turns. As an improviser in New York she performed with Washington Sidepost and the all-female sketch/improv group The Leave It To Beavers. She is represented by CESD and has done numerous commercials. Training: Deborah Aquila, Ron Van Lieu, Gene Frankel, The Shakespeare Theatre, AADA, and The Peoples Improv Theater. www.rachelparker.net


Trevor Sunday - "Screaming Kid" 
Trevor Sunday recently moved from Colorado Springs, CO to Burbank, CA to pursue tennis. However, with encouragement from his older brother and agent he decided to give acting a chance..and he found out he actually enjoys it. Trevor is 11 years old and enjoys snowboarding, swimming, tennis and acting. The Cynical Life of Harper Hall was Trevor's third production in 2011.

   

Stephanie Keefer - "Singing Woman"
Stephanie T. Keefer graduated with a B.A. in Theatre from UC, Irvine, where she studied with legendary theatre director Jerzy Grotowski. Some favorite roles have been Rose in The Woolgatherer, Hannah in Tennessee Williams The Night of the Iguana, and Maria in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. She has also been seen in commercials, television and film. Recently, her short film ONE DANCE was broadcast nationally on the CBS and FOX networks, and shes looking forward to the premiere of the indy feature A Girl, A Guy, A Space Helmet, in which she plays the evil corporate bad guy. Go, ZSpace!



Jimmy Q. Dihn - "Jimmy the Bartender"
My name is Jimmy Dean, but I dont sell sausage Jimmy Dinh (pronounced Jimmy Dean) has a ton of energy and a special ability to always make people laugh with his unique jokes, personality, gestures, and accent. On Americas Got Talent in 2010, Howie Mandel told Jimmy, I think that youre a really funny man I really think that you have a future and I think that you should be a comedian. Jimmy Dinhs life is a story of rags to riches. He grew up in a family with nine children in Vietnam and Now USA he is the eyelash guru to Hollywood stars like Hale Berry, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Katy Perry at his Beverly Hills lash salon. NBC, Americas Got Talent (2010) ; E!, Chelsea Lately Show (2008); CBS News, Eyelash extensions for the Oscars (2007); Eryka Badu Music Video Honey (2008) John Kerwin Show (2008)



Michael J. Sielaff - "Dan the Scientologist"
Michael J. Sielaff...Originally from Fridley, Minnesota, Michael has had the privilege of co-starring on Chuck (NBC) and NTSF:SD:SUV (Cartoon Network), guest modeling on The Price Is Right and appearing in numerous short films and commercials- playing characters ranging from Tooth Fairy to Drunk Carney. Michael has been fortunate to have the opportunity to study with the likes of Lesly Kahn, Paul Parker, iO West, Comedy Sportz and Monkey Butler Comedy. (michaeljsielaff.com)



Max Aria - "Uber Hot Guy"
Max Aria - actor and model from Mississippi with a theatre degree from Mississippi State Univ.  The man was an All-State and Collegiate athlete until an injury forced him to become an internationally published fitness model. Now he's based in Los Angeles, CA, pursuing acting (successfully).  www.modelmayhem.com/maxaria

 

David Ballam - "Benny Stone"
Kayley Larae Gable - "David Hasslehoff's Illegitimate Daughter"

David Ballam was born and raised in Columbus, OH. The son of Lawyers turned teachers, David didn't begin acting until college at Ohio State, when he shot his first feature film. David moved to Los Angeles in 2007, and has been pursuing the business ever since. Currently he is working with Wize Guys Productions, writing and acting in sketch comedy skits.

 Kayley's bio coming soon.



Toni Perkins - "Little Old Woman"
In her 20- year acting career, Toni's passion for acting has led her into countless indie feature films, shorts, commercials and industrial videos.  From her many theater roles, some of her favorites include: Marina in "Uncle Vanya", New Village Arts: Marcia in "End Of The World Cafe, Actor's Alliance Festival; Helena in "Checkmate Charlie", The Playwrights Project; and Lucy on "The Women", Avo Playhouse.



John Alton - "Asshole in Truck"
John was born in St. Louis, Missouri and grew up in Minnesota in the Twin cities and on the Iron Range.  He graduated from Arizona State with a degree in Industrial Design and intended to pursue a career in special effects model making.  His soul had other plans.  He began doing community theater and then studied with Kathy Laughlin at the Performers Studio Workshop for five years and fell in love with the craft of acting. After booking two national commercials, joining SAG and playing lead roles in various independent films in Florida he moved to Los Angeles to continue his career in film and television.

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