Well It Is Done

     Well, it is done.  After a decade of work, we have finally finished the pilot for The Streets Of Gold.  Wow, how great is that?  I'll tell you how great it is. It's AMAZING.  The entire process was a blast.  I mean, to work with so many talented people from so many diverse backgrounds and experiences, pretty incredible.
     We are putting up a couple of pieces of sample artwork for people to see and you can expect to see some video samples over the next few days.
     I just wanted to take a few moments to thank the people who have been involved up to this point to make such an incredible production happen.  So, here we go.

Producers and Crew
Creators – Del Weston and Nabi Z.
Executive Producers – Del Weston and Nabi Z.
Executive Producer - Jack Lucarelli
Directors – Del Weston and Nabi Z.
Assistant Director – Karen Bullis
Producer – Doug Fawell
Producer - Nina Houlihan
Associate Producer - Karen Bullis
Associate Producer - Russell Weston
Editor – Karen Bullis
Director of Photography/A Camera Operator - Chris Warren
B Camera Operator/Assistant Camera - Matt Borek
Gaffer - Spencer Smith
Boom Operator/Sound Mixer - Aaron Gray
Makeup – Armee Jacob
Grip – John Buchan
Music by Ben Chan
Sound design - New Music Unlimited
On-set Acting Coach - Jack Lucarelli
Still photographer – George Kim
Colorist - Richard Samuels
Post production facilities provided by EFC

Cast
Abdullah – Nabi Z.
Ali – Peter Banifaz
Kendall – Michelle Gracie
Celine – Alexandria Rousset
Mr. Ahmes – Anthony De Longis
Brad – Brian Graham
Suzette- Hanieh Jodat
Jesse – Mariana Vilchez
Helga – Kye Kinder
Wayne – Jack Lucarelli
Norma – Sabrina Buchan
Kelly – Nina Houlihan  



So to the people who have worked so hard to bring you this show, we say Thank You and to the people who will work even harder to give it a shot on the small screen, we offer an even heartier thanks. Please look for clips as promised, and we'll see you all on the Streets of Gold.

D.

What's Going On, On The Streets Of Gold?!

Wondering what's been happening behind the scenes? As the pilot nears completion, we simply can't wait to show everyone what a great show these performers have given us.  Well, here you have it ladies and gentleman - the fantastic Karen Bullis doing what she does best - everything. From assistant directing to editing, Karen is the connoisseur filmmaker in every sense of the word.  An AOF Alum, an AOF award winner and now a team member in this new excursion on the Streets of Gold.

We spoke with Karen about her editing style and some of her influences on this project and she said, 'Well, reality is really a fun genre to work in, even scripted reality.  I have a lot of content to draw from because there are so many shows out there now that are doing so well.  That being said,  Streets of Gold is different than a lot of what is being seen because of its premise, the diversity of cast, and its ground breaking comedic subject matter."


After a few rough cuts and even more late nights in the office, the flow is finally perfect. With just the right amount of comic timing, great performances from all of the cast members, and hilarious scenes, the pilot is now moving on to sound design and music by the great Ben Chan. Having worked with Ben on The AOF Channel, Reality Racing: The Rookie Challenge, and in Karen's directorial short, The Wave, we are sure there is no better guy to edit and mix Streets of Gold in post production.

While Ben works on the sound, our picture lock will get a little color correction and within the next week, everyone should begin seeing clips here on our blog and the pilot will be ready for review.

 Looking good & stay posted!

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE STREETS OF GOLD

     A number of years ago Del Weston and Nabi Z., began producing indie programs and shows for themselves.  After three or four years they landed at a Los Angeles Television Station that focused on Middle Eastern Programming.  The duo began producing a number of shows for the channel and completely revamped its look, feel, programming and operations.

     Not happy with the standards set for the foreign focused shows and characterizations and stereotypes that were being put forth; Weston and Z., began exploring new ideas for humor and entertainment that spoke about the rich culture of the Middle East without all the silliness and low production value that many had come to expect.

      And then boom, 9/11 hit and all bets were off.  The show got put on the shelf even though the producers had already written a number of episodes of the project about a wealthy speculator from the East who comes to America to buy it.

      The team continued to work together over the next decade.  Nabi worked on his acting and producing skills and Weston went on to Exec. Produce, Write and Direct a number of shows including SPIKE TV's Reality Racing The Rookie Challenge, The National Sports Schedule on ESPN Los Angeles and LA In A Minute.  The two rejoined for the Cooking, Health and Fitness program FEELIN' GOOD which also aired on ESPN Los Angeles.
                                                                                                                                                                                   

     After Weston created and produced the Action On Film International Film Festival and was joined by partner Doug Fawell in the creation of The AOF Channel -which airs on NBC Los Angeles - Channel 4 and stars Kim Coates of the hit FX Television Series Sons of Anarchy- They moved forward with the resurrection of the Streets of Gold show.

       For production and post-production, the show will be run by EFC Films and represented for world wide sales. For any questions about the show, please contact EFC at 626.325.3406 or via email at efcfilmco@aol.com.

      Joining Fawell, Weston and Z., on the journey are Jack Lucarelli - talented actor, producer, and winner of the 2011 Breakout Action Star, new producer Nina Houlihan who is currently working on the new season of the AOF Channel and AOF Alum Karen Bullis.  Bullis is a writer / producer / director who is acting as Assn't Director for the show as well as the Lead Editor for the program.

                        

Top right, Nina Houlihan and Doug Fawell.  Bottom Pic, Assn't Director and Lead Editor Karen Bullis lines up a shot at the historic set for the show, the home of the famous American Cowboy and Film Star Hopalong Cassidy.

THE CAST OF STREETS OF GOLD:  O.K. Who Are These People?

     Ok, what you have here are some of the most talented new faces in the industry today.  This cast has been hand picked for their unique qualities that range from perfect comedic timing to beauty to acting talents and much more.

     When we decided to do The Streets Of Gold, we decided to use both the best American and Middle Eastern performers we could find, after all, the show is about their lives, experiences and adventures.  

     First up, there is Nabi Z.  Z is an extremely talented actor and straight man to the comedic talents of his Co-Star Peter Banifaz.  Not only does he speak six languages fluently, but he has been acting for nearly two decades in both his native country as well on international shows based in the US and seen worldwide.

      Nabi is the co-creator, producer and co-director of the show and he also oversees writing duties with his partner Del Weston.

     Alexandria Rousset is one of the most beautiful and talented new actresses on the scene today.  She plays the young and in-love wife of our main character Abdullah.  Rousset is no stranger to the camera as she has been seen on over a million downloads of videos ranging from  promotional videos for the Action On Film International Film Festival to Music Videos, Short Films and the AOF Channel Television Series which stars Kim Coates of the FX Hit Sons Of Anarchy.

     Peter Banifaz is one of the hottest new comic faces on the rise in the improv and film world.  The bilingual comedian and actor has been working in Hollywood for a number of years.

      With work as a writer, director and a performer, Banifaz is a triple threat and a fearless performer who isn't afraid to do almost anything to deliver the laughs.  Banifaz can  be seen in short films such as Brando and Rude Boy, Banished, By A Second, and Strife Heist as well as such shows as 1000 Ways To Die on SPIKE and more.

     Finally, we have the incredibly talented and glamourous Michelle Gracie.  This veteran actress and host has now moved into the spotlight as a producer with a new indie film in post production as well as stints in front of the camera on NBC's The AOF Channel, and award winning shorts such as Lateral Us, What We Became, and Drawing Angel.  

     Gracie has also worked as a producer on projects such as Wreck, Knuckleheads, The Astray, and Bricks and Ashes.

     Our incredible supporting cast includes notables like Anthony De Longis of Jet Li's Fearless, The High Lander Televsion Series and a number of great film roles to his credits. You'll also find folks like Hollywood Veteran Actor Jack Lucarelli who is currently featured in Quentin Tarantino's new film Django Unchained. We will also be featuring a number of great comedians and stars from the world of television and film as the show continues to grow.

 On our next Blog, learn about the people behind the production like veteran television producer, writer and director Del Weston who is also the creator of the AOF Festival and the AOF Channel.

THE STREETS OF GOLD
                                                                                    For over a decade, we've been working on The Streets Of Gold TV project and we've finally found a way to make the dream of this show a reality.
    What happens when a wealthy Middle Eastern businessman comes to America thinking he can buy the country?  We'll find out as we join Nabi Z. as Abdullah, Peter Banifaz as his inept but lovable butler, Ali, Michelle Gracie as his assistant and the incredible Alexandria Rousset as his beautiful wife, Celine - as they discover in a funny, irreverent and absolutely hilarious way what it means to be an 'American.'
     On these pages you will find out about the show, its development, progress, origins and more.  You'll be able to link to our character profiles, pics and story-lines.  We will also be posting information on special guest stars along with video clips and a production diary from the Cast and Crew.

                                                                                                                                 

        Written / Produced and Co-Directed by:

Del Weston and Nabi Z.
Executive Producer
Jack Lucarelli

Produced by:

Nina Houlihan / Doug Fawell

Assn't Director / Editor

Karen Bullis

Director of Photography  
Chris Warren

Production by    
EFC Films
Show Representation by
EFC Films
626.325.3406
efcfilmco@aol.com

                                                       

Assn't Director and Editor of Streets of Gold - Karen Bullis Preps a scene at the historic set for the show, the original home of Cowboy Hopalong Cassidy and later of actress Selma Blair.