Fading Star

An estranged band tries to reunite after one of their former members falls ill.

  • Adam Santiago
    Director
  • Billy Hamill
    Producer
  • Derek Shreves
    Director of Photography
  • Jeromy Darling
    Key Cast
    "Jason"
  • Brittany Benjamin
    Key Cast
    "Rachel"
  • West Hunter
    Key Cast
    "Mike"
  • Harsh J. Gagoomal
    Key Cast
    "AJ"
  • Sean Skyler
    Key Cast
    "Corey (Voice)"
  • Michael Sapieja
    Writer
  • Adam Santiago
    Writer
  • Caroline Jaecks
    Editor
  • Allie Mott
    Production Designer
  • C.J. Johnson
    Composer
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Music
  • Runtime:
    17 minutes 18 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 24, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    7,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • 2019 Twin Cities Film Festival
    Minneapolis, MN
    October 22, 2019
    ***World Premiere***
  • 2019 jellyFest (Season 3)
    North Hollywood, CA
    Semi-Finalist
  • 2019 Culver City Film Festival
    Culver City, CA
    December 6, 2019
    West Coast Premiere
    Official Selection
  • 2020 Philadelphia Independent Film Festival
    Philadelphia, PA
Director Biography - Adam Santiago

Adam Santiago is a Chicago-based filmmaker, a Milwaukee native, and a product of Emerson College and the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.

His latest film, Fading Star, premiered to a sold-out audience as part of the 2019 Twin Cities Film Festival.

Other past projects include the "Human Movement" dual-music video for Pears and Direct Hit! (FAT WRECK CHORDS), as well as Direct Hit's: "Altered States," "Crown of Nothing," "Snickers or Reese's," and "Villain Alcoholic" music videos. He also directed the "Talking Girlfriend Blues" music video for Trapper Schoepp (XTRA MILE RECORDINGS) and "Fire" for La Armada.

The music videos for "Snickers or Reese's" and "Fire" played in concurrent years as 'Official Selections' of the 2017 & 2018 Milwaukee Film Festival. Additionally, the former video was included as one of Milwaukee Record's, "Best Milwaukee Music Videos of 2017" list.

Adam's work has also been featured by Alternative Press, Riot Fest, ChorusFM, Flood Magazine, Dying Scene, Bad Copy, Flood Magazine, BrooklynVegan, and PunkNews.

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Director Statement

I’ve never been great with words. Usually if I need to convey any important emotion or heighten the mood of any given scenario, I’ve always thrown on a song. That’s how it’s always been. I know that I can always pick a song that will tell you exactly what i’m trying to say in the right tone.

As I grow older, I've also learned that music has the power to transcend time... to take you back to the days of skateboarding in back alleys with your friends, to first kisses, to your first band practice. There are also times that you can hear a song and recognize it's impending importance and relevance to your current situation and even sometimes, it will even just let you know that you are not alone in the universe and that all moments shall pass.

As somebody who’s moved around the country a lot, I also recognize the importance of secondary family units. The family you find in regulars at the bar you frequent, or on the crew of your latest short film, or in the case of Fading Star, the family you form in a band.

Fading Star explores the idea of music and its undeniable power to bring people together amidst emotionally challenging scenarios. In the film, music reminds us that it can eclipse the personal baggage we all carry with us and that with the right sound, and the right people, it can heal all wounds.