Fortress Entertainment Group and Damascus Road Productions Join Forces to Produce Wholesome Entertainment

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., April 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Financier Ted Farnsworth announced today that his company, Fortress Entertainment Group, Inc., has entered into a three-picture deal with Damascus Road Productions underscoring different aspects of World War II with emphasis on the Holocaust, a subject near and dear to Farnsworth's heart.

​The first movie, Resolve, is a $16 million-budget action/adventure, telling the true story of Clay Conner, Jr., leader of a band of soldiers in the Philippines, who steered clear of Japanese capture and the horrific Bataan Death March forming a guerilla fighting unit composed of G.I.'s, Filipinos and dangerous indigenous natives. Eluding capture for 34 months in the jungle, Conner and his ragtag crew fought mightily, playing a pivotal role in the Japanese surrender.

The movies will focus on courage and resilience with Holocaust connected stories portraying the triumph of the human spirit.

Principal photography on Resolve is to begin after the COVID-related bans are lifted, potentially as early as July or August, with simultaneous production in Syracuse, New York as well as Los Angeles and Manila in the Philippines.

Film distribution will be through Smith Global Media as well as Sony Pictures Home Entertainment for output deals including theatrical releasing, VOD, DVDs, SVOD, Cable TV and Digital.

Ted Farnsworth said, "We are looking forward to our association with Damascus Road Productions. We believe that their background in the faith-based movie sector is the perfect fit and we look forward to a long- term relationship and many more movie projects".
Ryan O'Quinn is well known to the faith-based audience as the star and executive producer of the 2016 movie, Believe, distributed by Sony Pictures and Freestyle. He is the founder and president of Damascus Road Productions headquartered in Westlake Village, California.

Ryan O'Quinn said, "Regardless of what happens within the 30-mile radius of where we're situated in the heart of Hollywood, our goal is to bring wholesome, high-quality projects to the big and small screen that appeal to a broad audience and present a positive world view."

Also working with the team are Jackelyn Viera Iloff , founder of Starlighter Films and Entertainment. Said Jackelyn Viera Iloff, "I am so thrilled to be working with this incredible team of film professionals. As a producer, my mission is to share hope, faith and inspiration through the storytelling of the human condition. I can't think of a better time to be out there sharing compelling stories in a world so uncertain and in such turmoil."  

​Contact: info@fortresseg.com 786.385.0532

Actors Ryan O'Quinn and Cory Oliver have finalized season one of a new talk show series dedicated to interviewing celebrities and others who live in and near the Conejo Valley and coastal cities of Westlake Village, Malibu, Calabasas, Agoura Hills and Thousand Oaks. 

Some guests in season one include Mariel Hemingway, Michael Berger and Rene Echevarria. 

Segments include an interview portion, cooking tips, DIY suggestions, home improvement and makeup tutorials. 

Distribution terms were not disclosed and will be forthcoming. 

Ryan O'Quinn will appear in the upcoming feature "Secret Agent Dingledorf and his Trusty Dog Splat". Film is based on a book by the same name from scribe Bill Myers. The film marks the second feature film collaboration for Ryan O'Quinn and director Billy Dickson. They last teamed for 2016's "Believe" from Sony Pictures and Freestyle Releasing.  

"Dingledorf" sees O'Quinn as the maniacal Dr. Chuckles who seeks to take over the world by zapping unsuspecting victims with a laugh gun. 

LOS ANGELES - October 24, 2019 - ( Newswire.com )

​​​​Australian-born Angus Benfield is an actor, director, producer and writer represented​​​​​​ by Thirdhill Entertainment in LA. Benfield was approached in 2019 by author Alan Duprey to adapt his book "HEAVEN: THE ADVENTURE BEGINS" into a feature film.
Duprey, part-owner of "MEDIA 14:36 Inc." and author of the book "HEAVEN: THE ADVENTURE BEGINS," reached out to Benfield after viewing the feature film "TRUST," also written and directed by Benfield.

“We loved Angus’ writing and directing style in ‘TRUST’; it dealt with real-life issues and struggles, it was genuine, authentic and heartfelt, and we wanted this authenticity in dealing with the subject matter within the book, as it can be difficult to talk about," Duprey said.
"HEAVEN" ventures into what happens after we die, for the one who has passed on and for those who are left behind afterward. It explores the lifelong question: If there is life after death, what is it like, and does this offer hope to all of us affected by the passing of a loved one?

The book by Alan Duprey titled "HEAVEN: THE ADVENTURE BEGINS" explores such a concept: "As I wrote the story of Heaven, I became more and more intrigued. The more I learned, the more I wrote. Even after the book was written, I continued to study, learn and share. I am still passionate about the subject,” Duprey said.

Angus Benfield joins the "HEAVEN" project as director, producer and writer, in collaboration with Westlake-based film company Damascus Roads Productions, headed by Executive Producer Ryan O’Quinn.

Set between Heaven and Earth, "HEAVEN" tells the story of Jonathan Stone, a middle-aged paramedic who struggles to find meaning in his everyday life, until he wakes up one day in "HEAVEN" and discovers that his life had more meaning than he could ever have imagined. It follows the life and afterlife of Jonathan Stone and the lives of those around him from his past, present and future.

“It's 'dreamlike’ but also grounded in a very real-world feel. I am looking forward to bringing a new and unique interpretation and visual palate of Heaven that encapsulates this to the screen,” Benfield ​said.
​
Angus Benfield is an Australian-born, L.A.-based, accomplished actor, writer, director and producer and can be seen more recently playing "Willie ‘Super Fat’ Hollingsworth" opposite actors Vinnie Jones, LL Cool J and Chris O’Donnell in this season of "NCIS LA," and as "Fatty Melvin" in the feature film "MOTORVATION," due to be released in early 2020.
Filming for "HEAVEN" commences in December 2019 in Los Angeles.

Community leaders and professional performers are again teaming up to sing for some of the Conejo Valley’s hardest-working nonprofits.
This year, more than 20 brave souls will grace the stage Sun., Aug. 11 at The Canyon in Agoura Hills for the second annual Charity Karaoke: Sing for a Cause  fundraiser hosted by the Conejo Senior Volunteer Program.

Ryan O'Quinn will emcee the event. The actor/producer/comedian is a Calabasas resident and is also president of Damascus Road Productions in Westlake Village.

The brainchild of CSVP volunteer Laura Conway, the event pairs nonprofits with singers who compete to see who can raise the most money and who can win the most votes for best performance.

In Charity Karaoke, participating organizations choose singers as well as collect donations. Their organization keeps 80% of what they bring in and the remainder goes to CSVP. The organization collecting the most money receives a cash prize, awarded the night of the event. 

Singers also compete for best performance based on audience voting. Both in-person audience members and those watching via online streaming will be able to vote via text. 

Thousand Oaks native Carly Bracco, who played the role of Elsa for “Frozen Live” at Disney, will perform in Charity Karaoke for Conejo Community Outreach. Bracco also performed in 5-Star Theatrical’s “Peter Pan” in 2017

“American Idol” finalist David Hernandez, will also sing on behalf of Paw Works. In all, at least twenty local singers will represent the 20 charities. 

Doors open at 5 p.m. at The Canyon.
Tickets run from $20 to $40 each and residents are encouraged to visit The Canyon box office, 28912 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills or purchased online through ticketmaster.com

More info can be found at CharityKaraoke.org

Ryan O’Quinn has accepted a leading role in an upcoming feature based on a best-selling children’s novel from scribe Bill Myers. O’Quinn will team with director Billy Dickson for the second time in three years. The duo last worked together on the award-winning “BELIEVE” from Smith Global Media / Sony Pictures.

Story revolves around a team of malevolent clowns, led by O’Quinn, who seek to take over the world by zapping unsuspecting victims with a laughing gun and ultimately face-off with a trio of elementary school kids. Myers, a winner of the C.S. Lewis Honor Award, is a celebrated author and filmmaker and has sold more than 8 million books.

Taylor Cole is producing and has also partnered with O’Quinn on two features. Derrick Warfel, Paul Arroyo and Peggy Medberry will exec produce.

Ryan O’Quinn is repped by Buchwald.

Ryan O'Quinn's Damascus Road Productions will begin principal photography on the feature film "Motorvation" this month.  The film stars Australian-born actor Angus Benfield who plays "Fatty" Melvin, a small-town motivational speaker who is stumbling through life until he has a revelation that happiness can exist with who we are right now. 

The project is a collaboration with Damascus Road, Ignite Pictures and Thriller Films and is being produced by Taylor Cole. 

O'Quinn will play Frank Peters, the CFO of Octocircle, a multibillion dollar corporation with mal-intent in Fatty's business

Film also stars Judy Norton (Stargate-SG1, The Waltons), Christopher Wiehl (CSI), Cory Oliver (God's Not Dead, BASEketball) and is directed by Josh Hodgins. O'Quinn is repped by Buchwald Talent. Benfield is repped by Baron Entertainment.

​More info on the film's star and story can be found in this month's issue of Westlake Magazine. 

November 01, 2018
By Dawn Megli-Thuna
dawn@theacorn.com

Just ask the Apostle Paul. The road to Damascus is more than a route to Syria.
​
Damascus Road Productions, named after the location of Paul’s conversion to the Christian faith, is a Westlake Village-based film production studio that produces inspirational and family-friendly entertainment alongside more secular selections.

Their latest faith-based project, a film called “Motorvation” based on themes from the Book of Ecclesiastes, is slated to film at locations in and around the Conejo Valley this December. The film tells the story of a man who inherits a motivational speaking company after his brother dies and sees that his brother’s prosperity never brought him happiness.

Actor Angus Benfield was cast in the lead role in the film, which is scheduled to shoot over four weeks in December and January at locations in Thousand Oaks, Agoura and Fillmore.
The 46-year-old father of one said the theme of the movie is about finding joy and meaning in what really matters rather than material success.

“It’s about learning to live life now and not ‘when,’ which is when I lose weight or when I get a different job. The world is designed is to keep us chasing after all that stuff. The idea is to challenge our preconceived ideas about what life is really about.”

Benfield has been involved in the entertainment industry since he was a teen. His most recent project to be released is “Trust,” a film based on the life of Job.

The Australian native moved with his wife and kids to the Conejo Valley last year and Benfield said the move put him in proximity to other Christian actors and producers.

Ryan O’Quinn is the president of Damascus Road Productions. Two years ago, O’Quinn, who is a film and television actor who has appeared in shows such as “Beverly Hills, 90210” and movies like “Starship Troopers,” got tired of commuting between the Conejo Valley and Sony Studios in Los Angeles.

So he set up shop in an office that occupies the former home of DTS Sound on Via Colinas.
He said the production studio does both secular and faith-based media, working on everything from horror movies to inspirational family films.

Far from being a creative backwater, O’Quinn said, the Conejo Valley has a robust Christian filmmaking community that supplies talent to nearby companies including PureFlix, a Christian film production and distribution firm with offices in Calabasas known for films like “God’s Not Dead” and “The Case for Christ.”

He said local writers, actors and producers are putting out “good clean content” that’s inspirational to help people refocus on what’s important. He said uplifting media is needed now more than ever.

“I dread turning on the television, especially in the last week,” he said.
The 46-year-old father of three said many Christian filmmakers also congregate around the Westlake Village-based Christian Entertainment Guild. The organization’s website says Christians in entertainment have the opportunity to use their gifts and talents to be part of “portraying the true nature of Christ to the world.”

That’s a role actress Cammy Brickell takes seriously. The Agoura Hills mother of two was cast to play the female lead in “Motorvation.” Her character, Lisa, runs a weight-loss company based on being your personal best, at least according to external standards of beauty and success.

The 37-year-old said the movie highlights the fact that while people get caught up in trying to better their lives through a new car, a better house or a thinner body, true happiness comes from being present in the moment, showing kindness and loving people well.

Brickell also performs as a stand-up comedian and has done television and commercial work. She said that as a Christian, she has one foot in each world. “We need to be in both,” she said. “For me as a churchgoer and someone who believes in God, I love being with the church community to get spirit-filled and focused. I also love being in Hollywood and bringing a good message.”
​
She said her biggest passion is to make people laugh and bring joy wherever she can.
“God is good,” she said. “All the time.”