FADED GLORY
Synopsis
JOIN THE MADNESS & THE MAGIC!
Every person who ever played “the game” wishes he could play forever. Whether you were a little league slugger, a high-school hero, or the big man on your college campus, those youthful experiences leave a permanent mark. In our twenties, “we don’t know enough to know what we don’t know.” In our forties, however, the switch turns. We’re more honest about the mistakes that we’ve made, less ashamed of our past, and more willing to make changes.
Faded Glory is the true story of a group of aging athletes, friends for over 20 years, who never gave up the dream of playing baseball at a competitive level. Through the lens of their manager, Rick Cohen, we travel cross-country to discover the tribulations of the Network men, a 38 and-over amateur baseball team. It’s an in-depth look at how each player was forced to fight against personal demons. It contains the 7 “I”s: intervention, incarceration, infidelity, incompetence, injuries, illnesses and insanity. Throughout the film, one thing becomes apparent: dreams of our glory days fade faster than we could have ever imagined.
Faded Glory has everything a sports movie needs: lovable but misguided underdogs, a complex father-son relationship, broken dreams with some honest, touching revelations as well as confessions from the “over-the-hill” gang.
The story begins in 1990 when Manager Rick Cohen and two friends, Jim Davidson and Chris Bruno, formed National Network, the first amateur baseball team to play out of Manhattan. Sadly, after a series of internal clashes and cross-country moves, along with winning a league championship, Network fell apart after one season. In 2007, Rick Cohen decided it was time to reunite the team…but where did they all go? Would they really be excited to lace up their cleats again? Would they even want to reunite?
During Rick’s personal journey, he quit his job, divorced his wife, and hit the road to seek out his old teammates. His goal was to inspire his friends to find their higher purpose in life. Seventeen cities and eighteen players later, Network resurfaced in its newest and most dynamic form. This time Network would compete on a much grander scale-- the 2007 National Amateur Baseball Association World Series in Phoenix, Arizona. What happened next was magical…and Rick’s cameras were there to catch it all.
The Network team is an eclectic bunch: three actors, a rap music mogul, two top professional poker players, a tenured university professor, a Coca-Cola executive, a newscaster, a computer technician, financial broker, a screenwriter, e-commerce executive, recycling specialist, an insurance salesman, a mortgage broker, a hard-core drummer, a landscaper, an apparel entrepreneur, and even a Gulf War veteran. The bond that unites this motley crew is their love for baseball and their desire to correct their mistakes from the past…and move forward. In their attempt to win a national championship, these men discover who they once were…and who they are now. The stories are frighteningly real, the messages enlightening, the results uplifting.
Hence, the Network motto:
"Friendship enhances the good in life and diminishes the evil.”
Faded Glory is a film is about friendship, about overcoming hardships, about resisting Father Time and, finally, winning that elusive title.
ABOUT THE FILMMAKER/PRODUCER/WRITER
Richard “Rick” Cohen grew up in the Five Towns area of Long Island. Shortly after his tour of duty on the University of Pennsylvania’s Ivy League championship football teams circa ‘83-‘86, Richard graduated with a B.A. in Communications from the Annenberg School in 1987.
While studying at NYU’s Tisch School of Performing Arts, he wrote and produced at Playwright’s Horizon’s in their young writers’ program. Acting by day and writing by night, Richard appeared in numerous national TV commercials and produced two plays Off-Broadway. Under his stage name, Rick Clements, Richard appeared in several films before 1991.
In 1991, Richard headed west to Los Angeles, where he was immediately cast as the heavy in renowned comedy director Tom Shadyac’s first film, My Friend Frank. Between takes, Richard wrote his first screenplay, Upon Other Fields, the story of two West Point cadets in 1975 who uncover a Vietnam MIA scandal. Richard committed to screenwriting and two years later his script, Two-Man Advantage, sold to 20th-Century Fox. During this time he also got married and started a family.
In 1994, Richard wrote Fields of Fire for Emilio Estevez, and Semi-Pro for producer Marty Katz. Richard soon set his sights on producing and directing. He worked with two directors on their feature film debuts while completing a series of workshops at the Hollywood Film Institute.
From 1994-2000, Richard discovered his producing talents in one of the most unlikely positions. He became one of the Executive Producers and the Producer of the largest teenage pageant in the country, the Miss Junior America pageant.
In 1996, Richard began to teach at the prestigious Writer’s Boot Camp where he soon became West Coast Program Director. From 1996-2000, Richard continued to write screenplays, churning out ten more, four of which were optioned by well-known Hollywood producers.
Today, through his company, Endorphin Entertainment, Richard hopes to make a living as a filmmaker, producer and screenwriter. He also has produced some of the best “do-it-yourself” DVDs in the home improvement business: “The Tile Doctor’s: The Works” series.
Recently, Richard also launched Endorphin Athletes, a high school recruiting business that produces highlight DVDs for potential collegiate athletes in order to obtain college scholarships.
In 2009, Richard was appointed by the Cambridge Who’s Who Registry among the Executives and Professionals as a person to watch out for in Atlanta, Georgia.
As a filmmaker, Richard is represented by Stephen Gates at Evolution Management in Los Angeles.
Richard is currently single and a devoted father to his two children, Jacob 13 and Lexie 11.
ABOUT THE PRODUCER
Chris Pullaro is Founder and Director of Investment and Tax Management for Lighthouse Capital Management, an Atlanta based financial services firm that works primarily with CEO’s, Business Owners and HNW individuals. Mr. Pullaro has qualifications in the areas of Portfolio Management, Insurance, Taxation and Real Estate. Mr. Pullaro is also President and CEO of Axiom Holdings, an Atlanta based Real-Estate Investment and Property Management organization, which has managed, purchased and/or owns 15 million dollars of residential and commercial real estate in 3 states.
Mr. Pullaro began his career with Ernst and Young, LLP where he worked for 6 years consulting small business and wealthy individuals on investment and tax saving strategies. He is a registered investment advisor representative and holds licenses certified by the NASD. He is a Certified Public Account (CPA) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and holds memberships in the Georgia Society of CPA’s, the American Institute of CPA’s (AICPA), Financial Planning Association (FPA) and National Assoc. of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA). He is also a licensed Real-Estate producer in Ga.
Mr. Pullaro lives in Cumming, GA with his wife Jane and their two children, Ryan, 7, and Aidan, 4.
ABOUT THE PRODUCER/ACTOR
Christopher Bruno was born in the small town of Milford, Connecticut. Chris attended college in Vermont, where he was a member of the school's ski team while studying Psychology. During his sophomore year, he was temporarily sidelined with an injury, so he auditioned for and was cast as the lead in his first play, Machiavelli's The Mandrake.
Having discovered a new passion, Bruno transferred to the State University of New York at Stonybrook, where he was a walk-on starting pitcher for the school's baseball team (his fastball was clocked at 90 mph) and had a 6-0 record his senior year.
Upon graduation, Chris moved to New York, where one year and several bartending jobs later, he was offered a two-year contract on NBC's Another World. During his first year on the show, Chris was nominated for a Soap Opera Award as "Outstanding Newcomer." A few years later, he was cast in the role of Michael Delaney on ABC's All My Children, which won an Emmy the year he joined the cast.
Chris eventually moved to Los Angeles, where he began performing stand-up comedy at The Improv. This led him guest-starring roles on the sitcoms - Suddenly Susan, The Nanny, Jesse, and a recurring role on Alan Ball's Oh, Grow Up.
In 1998, Bruno and his brother Dylan were cast in Lorenzo Carcaterra's New York cop show The Force. Summer of 2004, Chris produced and starred in the feature film Last of the Romantics and appeared in an episode of the Lifetime Television series 1-800-Missing. Before filming began on the The Dead Zone Season 4, Chris completed work on the feature film The World's Fastest Indian opposite Sir Anthony Hopkins
Chris was able to exercise his directing skills as he guided an episode of The Dead Zone Season 5, entitled "Independence Day.” Chris has recently had guest star roles on such series as ER, Prison Break and Numbers, in which he appears alongside his brother Dylan Bruno. They dedicated this episode to the memory of their mom who had just passed away from Cancer.
Chris is engaged to actress Paulina Regagnon.
NATIONAL NETWORK TEAM ROSTER & STORYLINES
(covered in the film)
Rick Cohen, 43, Atlanta, Georgia – Manager - SS, 2B
After reaching early success as a screenwriter in Los Angeles, Rick went through a series of life-altering events that would later catapult him into this film’s journey. Twice divorced, Rick tries not only to reconcile with his second wife but also come to terms with his traditional, obstinate father’s model for success.
Jimmy Davidson – 45, Marina Del Rey, CA. – Asst. Mgr. - LF
Jimmy was the former star of USA Network’s Pacific Blue and CBS’s Guiding Light. In the film, Jimmy is in NYC getting his character killed off the show “Guiding Light” while his teammates are in Phoenix being reborn again. The end of Jimmy’s acting career is juxtaposed against the Network team’s reunion.
Chris Bruno – 42, Studio City, CA. – Asst. Mgr. – 3B
Chris is an actor and former star on the TV show The Dead Zone. Raised by a single mother who taught him how to play baseball, Chris shares the story of his mother’s personal battle with cancer. In a shocking revelation, he talks honestly about her last days and how it changed him forever.
Terry Gatens, 42, Studio City, CA - OF
Commercial TV star and ex-teammate of the original Network players, Terry was estranged from the group these last 10 years. He tries to make amends in 2007. Unbeknownst to the team, Terry reveals his recent unfortunate whereabouts and shares his personal story of addiction.
Scott Bailey – 41, Castaic, CA. – C/P/1B
A closet recluse, Scott lives in the foothills of California in a secluded $4000 trailer he bought on eBay. He raises dogs, cats, ferrets, birds and horses with his live-in girlfriend, Kimmie. Three times a week, Scott travels two hours to play in three baseball leagues in Los Angeles.
Pat Armstrong – 43, Santa Monica, CA – 1B/DH
During the day, Pat molds the lives of young men as the head varsity baseball coach at Crossroads High School in Los Angeles. At night, however, Pat finds a different breed of talent in a darker, seedier role.
Troy Startoni, 45, Virginia Beach, VA – INF/DH
Ex-pro baseball player, ex-actor, ex-felon, and professional conman, Troy was busted in 2004 for the manufacturing and distribution of marijuana out of his home on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. After spending time in the Eastern Shore Penitentiary, Troy tries to make changes; especially in the way he’s treated the women in his life and his own family.
Manny Vargas, 39, Lawrenceville, GA. - DECEASED
The Ex-Gulf War veteran dies suddenly of a heart attack at the young age of 39 ONE MONTH before the 2007 World Series tournament. The team dedicates the Series to Manny.
Terry Loe, 50, Acworth, GA – C/P/OF
A tenured University Professor at Kennesaw State in Georgia, Terry is a devout Christian. His roommate is the Jewish manager of Network, Rick Cohen. A Former star player for Mississippi State he made the last out in the 1981 CWS with the bases loaded, two out and down by a run. Always living the dream of redemption, T-Loe has had 6 surgeries between 2003-2009 just to keep playing the game he loves.
Brien Blakely, 45, Charlotte, NC – INF/OF
TV Commentator for FOX TV in Charlotte, NC, and the Anchor of Fox News. Brien has also hosted over 30 Television shows in Hollywood as well as HGTV’s “Weekend Warriors,” and such nationally syndicated shows as BattleDome and the National Enquirer TV show. Brien lost both his parents at a young age and he discusses the impact those deaths have had on his life.
Chad Brown, 47, World Traveler – P/DH
Professional Poker Player and TV commentator for the Ultimate Poker Challenge, Chad was named Poker Player of the Year in 2006. Brown made back-to-back final tables at 2005 World Series of Poker circuit events. He is currently dating Vanessa Russo, a pro-poker player and law student at the University of Miami. As of 2007, his total live tournament winnings exceed $1,600,000.
Mike Roesler, 45, Ft. Wayne, IN – P/1B
Ex-Major League pitcher for the Reds and Pirates circa 1989-91, Mike is now a mortgage broker in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. His wife has a degenerative nerve disease and because of the rising medical costs and the terrible sub-prime mortgage market, Mike is being forced to sell his home and move his family.
Pat Zapp, 55, Marietta, GA – P/OF
Executive at Coca Cola for 25 years, Zapp had a heart attack in 2005 and was fitted with a pacemaker. Being a LEFT-HANDED PITCHER, Pat requested his pacemaker be installed on his RIGHT SIDE so he can continue pitching.
OTHER NETWORK PLAYERS
Craig “KC” Kasin – 43, Las Vegas, NV - CF
KC, a drummer, had a one-man show at the Hard Rock Café in Las Vegas from 2005-07. Suffered a heart attack a few years back and plays with several stints in his chest. In 2008, KC was attacked by his own dog and suffered a severe arm injury that could threaten his musical career as well his status on Network.
Darien Smith, 42, Buford, GA. – P/OF
Darien played his last world series in 2008 with Network. Two weeks later he underwent experimental brain surgery for Parkinson’s disease using a special technique called deep brain stimulation.
Bob Atwater, 41, Lilburn, GA - OF
Inventor of Atwater Slicks, moisture wicking compression apparels. Bobby has gone through a series of life-altering mistakes recently, but is on the road to redemption.
Josh Davis, 44, Douglasville, GA – SS/3B/OF
A former Lamar University All-America baseball player, Josh owns a State Farm insurance business in Douglasville, Ga.
Jeff Wells, 56, Santa Monica, CA – P/1B
The oldest player on the team, “Wellsie” owns a landscaping company in Santa Monica. Jeff was a former concert violinist who now plays his violin in a rock band on weekends. He coaches Varsity baseball with Pat Armstrong at Crossroads H.S.
Robert Wasmund, 42, Dallas, TX – 1B/P/3B
Robert is an ex-professional poker player who is now Dan Harrington’s business partner in an investment company. Harrington won the WSOP Main Event in 1995.
Brian Schaefer, 36, Burbank, CA. – OF/INF/P
Originally from Nashville, Brian is a commercial actor living in Los Angeles.
Mikey Moore, 50, Dacula, GA. – P/3B
Mike is a former All-America basketball player who changed sports at 35. He is one of the current star pitchers on the Network.
Miles Whitlock, 47, Sandy Springs, Ga. – DH/1B
Owns a very successful display fixture company and is a racecar enthusiast.
FEATURE IN DEVELOPMENT
After Rick Cohen signed with Stephen Gates at EVOLUTION MANAGEMENT in Los Angeles, Gates, sent the rough cut of "Faded Glory" to one of the icons in our industry. After screening the film, DAVID ANSPAUGH, the director of the two classic sports movies…"HOOSIERS" and "RUDY,” came on board and is now officially attached to do a feature version of "Faded Glory" in 2009-10! You can find his credits on www.imdb.com:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000770/
QUOTES FROM HOLLYWOOD LEGENDS
MIKE TOLLIN –
Producer/Director - Credits include: “Bronx is Burning,” “Radio,” “Coach Carter.”
“Rick Cohen’s film is a work of true passion, a timeless story of hopes and dreams and one last shot at glory. Rick has captured a wild and wondrous journey that is a treat for anyone who thinks life should be lived to its fullest.”
DAVID ANSPAUGH –
Director "Hoosiers and "Rudy.”
"“Best Sports Documentary since Hoop Dreams!”
PETER GILBERT
Co-Director, Producer of “Hoop Dreams.”
“An important look into how men use sport to bond and relate to life itself.”
ANGELO PIZZO -
Writer of both “Hoosiers” and “Rudy.”
“A compelling documentary with authentic, well-earned emotions.”
ROGER TOWNE -
Writer of "The Natural."
“Roy Hobbs and the New York Knights live in Rick Cohen. I’ve not seen so much blood and guts, self-less honesty, despair, pathos, passion, honor, and above all, -- so much bravery in filmmaking. Rick's poignantly invested and dramatized love for his friends and the game of baseball shows clearly in this documentary.”
MORGAN SPURLOCK -
Director of "Super Size Me.”
"A little film with a LOT of heart.
LEIGH STEINBERG
Legendary Sports Agent who inspired the character of “Jerry McGuire.”
“This is THE documentary that resonates and connects with the deepest hopes and fears of males throughout the country and is a landmark event--Rick is a truly gifted talent! Faded Glory offers an unique opportunity for women to experience the locker room environment and psyche of men in an alternative habitat. It should not to be missed!”
FADED GLORY FESTIVAL TOUR
Awards won:
Delray Beach Film Festival Audience Award
LA United Film Festival Audience Award
ALL SPORTS LA Film Festival Audience Award
Atlanta Film Festival Runner-Up Audience Award
Real to Reel International Film Festival Runner-up Audience Award
Newport Beach Film Festival - Leigh Steinberg Sports & Entertainment names the film - audience favorite.
OTHER FESTIVALS coming:
LONG ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
SO CAL INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL
And more to come!
CONTACT INFORMATION
RICK COHEN & CHRIS PULLARO
ENDORPHIN ENTERTAINMENT. INC. 4920 Roswell Rd 45B Suite #422 Atlanta, Ga. 30342
Email: endorphinentertainment@comcast.net
Phone number: (404) 432-9564
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT:
http://www.endorphinentertainment.com
CHECK OUT OUR 5-STAR RATED HOT SIZZLE REEL AT:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTsEEidCWkc
CHECK OUT OUR 5-STAR RATED TRAILER AT:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwinGCh6e30