AK-47 Entertainment Group
Presents:
The Drive
Now a feature film
Cast and Crew
W. Keith Sgrillo (Klyde)
W. Keith Sgrillo
Keith Sgrillo was born and raised in Havertown, PA. He is a Haverford High School graduate where he played football and lacrosse. Upon graduating from Haverford, he attended Shippensburg University and graduated with a masters in Elementary Education. He spent time teaching in the Philadelphia School District, then Penn Delco School district, and returned to the Philadelphia School District in 2016. He played semi-professional football for the Conshohocken Steelers for 11 years as a linebacker and defensive coordinator.
Sgrillo has been a working actor for over a decade. He has starred in the productions of "Relasume: The Relationship Resume", the TV Series on WMCN Network's "Brotherhood of Silver" as the lead, Vincent Minette, "Oliver Twisted," "Three Women," "Bizzaro Bill," "Johanna: The Chronicles" (which he produced/directed/wrote/and starred in, and "Masks." He has also starred in the theater productions "The Conversation" and "The Rebuttal" at the Adrienne Theater in Philadelphia and "What if Heaven was Black" written/produced by John Josey (starring in THE DRIVE as Detective Marcus Stone). He has written three film manuscripts and is currently working on a science fiction novel series as well as being the creator and writer of "The Drive."
Anthony Horton (Dog)
Anthony Horton is a proud South Philly native who's passion for started as a kid playing imaginary roles in his mothers's living room. But it wasn't until a college friend asked him to play a role in her student film. He was instantly hooked. Over the next years Anthony has appeared on many projects including Law and Order, I Am Legend, and ESPN's Monday Night Football. In 2013 alongside W. Keith Sgrillo and Harold Gant, Anthony started AK-47 productions and started off the journey of the production company with the web series The Drive.
Harold Gant (Director)
Harold Gant grew up in Ambler, PA. He was raised in a family oriented home in a large family. Gant grew up a fan of comic books and martial arts which inspired him to pursue the martial arts later in life. He has practiced many of the martial arts and uses this to further his career as a producer by coordinating fight scenes in the art of film.
Gant has starred in a feature film, “The End Game Chronicles” as well as starring in and producing the TV series “Brotherhood of Silver” (2013). Gant teamed up with Anthony Horton and W. Keith Sgrillo to start the production company, AK-47 Productions and directed his first TV/Web series, “The Drive” (2014). Gant can also be seen as a host/interviewer for Bestow Productions at the 2014 Comicon in Philadelphia.
Janell Green (Director of Photography)
Janell Green is a Videographer/Filmmaker, Producer, Director and Writer from Williamstown, New Jersey. Janell attributes her creativity, and love of filmmaking to the extensive bloodline of artist in her family.
“ We range from musicians, to writers, to visual artist, even the athletes and the left brained dabble in the creative in my family. I spent endless hours creating imaginary worlds playing HE-MAN, Star Wars, and video games with my little brother. My older sister introduced me to writing for fun and keeping a journal."
Janell's mother introduced her and her siblings to film at a young age they all have a mutual love for great movies and television.
Janell earned a BA in Communication at the University of Hartford, and also spent two years enrolled in the Video Production program at The Art Institute of Philadelphia.
Since leaving The Art Institute Janell has worked on projects with Will Smith (the first), she has participated in the Philadelphia 48Hour Film Project. Janell wrote, directed, and edited a music video and a mini documentary for Philly’s Hip-Hop-Rock band Kameelah Waheed and The Government Cheaze. Janell has filmed and edited a segment for The Urban Evolution TV in Trenton, NJ, and an Internet pilot titled ‘Eat This’ for Faja Ding Productions in Hammonton, NJ.
In 2011 Janell submitted a trailer for a short film ‘Touch” to The 2011 EMPixx Competition. The EMPixx Awards are sponsored by The American Pixel Academy. This program honors the best in production of commercials, TV programs, corporate videos, internet moving pixels, and independent films and videos. Two awards are given: Gold and Platinum. Janell won top honors with a Platinum 2011 EMPixx Award. The trailer received a 9.1 out of 10 points. Judges comments: “good use of effects, good casting and was well edited … excellent work."
In 2012 Janell joined the crew of Brotherhood of Silver as Production Manager, camera person and editor. During the production of Brotherhood of Silver Janell also produced (un-credited) and edited the Behind the Brotherhood documentary,
While on the set of Brotherhood of Silver Janell met William Keith Sgrillo, Anthony Horton and Harold Gant. In early 2014 Keith, Anthony and Harold invited Janell to work with them on THE DRIVE as the Director of Photography. They have been making magic ever since.
Thomas Alan Nelson (Robert O'Shea)
Thomas Alan Nelson retired from the Atlantic City Police Dept. after 25 years in 2006. Several years later he decided to get into acting.In 2012, He answered a call for an audition for the part of The Anti-Lover in a short film called "Trial By Fire" which was directed by the talented Tyann Sells.
Soon afterward, in 2013 Mr. Nelson got a part in the feature film "Good Brutha, Bad Brutha", a Silver Gorilla/ Miles Silas Biggar Production. He appeared as Captain Queen in Brotherhood of Silver in 2013 as well.
Being impressed with the professionalism Mr. Nelson displayed, he was offered and accepted the larger part of Mike Burns, the father of a good cop on the verge of going bad.In 2014, Thomas Alan Nelson was contacted by AK47 Productions, due to his growing reputation in the filming industry, and was given the role of Robert O'Shea in the action drama, "The Drive".
Brian Ray (Joe "The Greek" Jackson)
Brian was born in Philadelphia and raised in Ardmore, PA. He begin acting in 1999. He has performed on stage as well as TV and film. Brian has four kids and is very proud of them.
Lieutenant John Josey (Detective Marcus Stone)
John Josey is a proud member of the Philadelphia Chapter of the FOP (Faternal Order of Police) and has served his city for over 19 years with honor. He is a Philadelphia native and made the choice to serve and protect at a yong age. He is also an acting enthusiast and proud father.
John stars in "The Drive" as Detective Marcus Stone. A brash but committed officer of the law sworn to bring down the dark element of the streets. John is curently working on his first theatrical script entitled, "What if Heaven Were Black." This is a close to the chest drama about the black American's perspective on the after life and how one earns their way beyond the gates of heaven.
Johanna DeRogatis (Sharon)
Johanna DeRogatis
Johanna was born in Philadelphia and spent her childhood growing up in St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands. After returning from the islands, Johanna graduated from Haverford High School and received her degree in Finance from the University of Phoenix. Johanna currently works in the financial services industry and serves on the volunteer committee for the Philadelphia Chapter of The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis/Magee Rehabilitation Hospital.
Johanna comes from a large Irish/Italian family that helped instill the strong values she has today... and even a little comedy. Always imaginative and creative, she loves to write and do interior design. Johanna took drama classes throughout school and developed a passion for the arts and acting. She always knew she had a greater calling, even as a child.
Johanna has now gotten the chance to express her passion in the role of SHARON in the new TV Web Series, The Drive.
Guy Wellman (Richard)
Guy Wellman was born in Guyana, South America and raised in Newark, Delaware. After serving honorably in the United States Navy, Guy attended the University of Delaware, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Sociology.
Guy has had a lifelong interest in acting and film that was furthered with his graduation from John Robert Powers Modeling Agency and encouraged when he enrolled in a college level drama course. Guy began his professional acting career on stage in the 2008 production of "Broadway Santa" with the Delaware Children's Theater.
Since then, Guy has gone on to appear in over 15 films, 10 web series, print ads, commercials and theater productions in NYC. Guy made his motion picture debut in "Browncoats: Redemption" as Dr. Cameron Alan.
Luigi Rossmini (Max)
Luigi (Lou) Rosmini is a paramedic for the Philadelphia Fire Department and an aspiring actor. He received his EMS degree from Hahnenmann University in "95", and has been in his current position for 18 years. Lou has been involved in EMS for 25 years and decided it was time for a change. Lou has been in several films, cast as a featured extra and had a role as a historian on the BIO channel in a pilot, and an Italian Captain of the the Black Shirts in a WWII documentary . The first experience for Lou with acting was as an extra in the Film "The Nail", filmed in South Philadelphia and since then its been better roles, step by step. Lou is a great cook, loves tattoos, and works out regularly to stay in shape. To add to that love of food and cooking he has started a "foodie" group that meets once a month at his home. Lou lives in North East Philadelphia with his girlfriend, Shana but he loves New England and visits often, mostly Salem MA. He is a fan of Akitas and owns two named Kody and Mia.
Andrew Deffley (Josh McCarty)
Actor K. Andrew Deffley, born in Illinois, but raised in New Jersey, is running the acting gamut as we speak. Whether drama, comedy or improv, whether film, television, commercial or voice-over, Deffley is immersed in the craft. You can see him pursuing his passion in various roles shot from Philly to New York City and back again. Deffley considers himself fortunate to have found equally ambitious and … driven … people to work with in AK47 Productions and “The Drive!”
Frankie Fierle (Dominc "Fats" Barrone)
Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Frank has established himself as Doylestown PA's hometown local celebrity. From the 20 years of playing football in college and Semi-Pro and Professional, to traveling the world with Team USA as the Defensive Captain, Frank has conquered many challenges as an athlete and now he is redefining himself as an Actor and Performer.
Frank has reinvented the term, 'Jack of all Trades'.. as an actor, he has appeared in starring roles in many independent movies, stage productions and musicals, music videos and he was also featured as the main character in CNBC's Documentary: Criminal Mindscape (The Joel Rifkin Story) as serial killer, Joel Rifkin.
As a stage performer, Frank has established himself as the East Coast # 1 Elvis Tribute Artist. By performing in various venues, weddings, corporate functions and exclusive events, Frank has grace the stage with amazing showmanship and a singing voice that Elvis Presley himself would be proud of!! Frank is also the Front man for a very popular band in the Tri-State area called Philly Rock & Soul. This 9 piece band with a great horn section sets the tone all through the area with songs that span from 60's 70's 80's Rock, Motown and Soul. As if being the front man of the band, he also plays the Saxophone
Gunter Moller (Vince)
Delila Matara (Tom's Daughter)
Gunter is a native German speaker. He immigrated to the United States in the year 2002 and is
currently working as a Senior Research Scientist for Arkema Inc. in King of Prussia,
Pennsylvania. Since 2012, Gunter had supporting roles in two local Community Theater plays as
well as lead and supporting roles in several film student movies. He is currently actively involved
in a WWII reenactment project as an actor and translator.
Delila is currently a middle school student ready to start 8th grade. She is an avid reader and excells in academics at her local middle school. She has just started her acting career and wants to pursue it as a futuer goal to become a more compelte student.
"The Drive" proudly debuts her in her first speaking role.
Kenneth "Smirk" Evans (Tyrone)
Hailing from East Camden, New Jersey, Kenny "Smirk" Evans, a young savvy entrepreneur, is the creator
and lead designer of "Inur Cirkal", an upscale men's urban apparel brand, which is slated to launch
late 2014. He is also the Co-founder/Co-CEO of All-Out Family Records, an independent record label
which is the home of many multi-talented artists from the U.S. and abroad; and Co-Owner and President
of Artist Development for Black Phalanx Entertainment, LLC, a musician and modeling management
firm.
Smirk has now decided to answer the calling of the film industry, adding to his resume, actor and
producer. He has landed supporting roles as "Smirk", playing a drug lord's notorious hitman, on season
one of the new hit TV series, "Brotherhood of Silver"; as “Tyrone”, a heartless street dealer, in the highly
anticipated new series, “The Drive”; and as “Slop”, a player that runs the east side, in “Chase Street”,
a gritty new series coming early 2015. Among all the titles and responsibilities that Mr. Evans possess
he remains humble, much like his beginnings. Growing up Smirk made many decisions striving toward
the dreams he has now made a reality.
He is no stranger to a sorted past, however he did not allow
that to stop him. Mr. Evans became an avid reader and seeker of knowledge, using every educational
opportunity available to him. He has received numerous educational certifications in the fashion and
business management industries. Mr. Evans is a true example of what hard work and determination can
achieve. It is not enough for him to be a rising leader in the entrepreneurial arena; Smirk seeks to leave
a legacy for his family and surrounding community. He is currently developing a non-profit organization,
appropriately named “The Street Love Foundation”. His goal is to show generations to come that
education and determination are the fabric to success. Mr. Evans has an insurmountable number of
professional and community outreach goals, needless to say the world will be seeing the achievements
of Kenny “Smirk” Evans for years to come! For more information, or to contact Mr. Evans, please contact
Krisitn Vaganos (Katie)
Kristen Vaganos is an 18 year old TV, Film, Commercial, Theatre, Voiceover, and Improvisation actress. She works in the Philadelphia-NYC region and will be attending the NYU Tisch School of performing arts in the fall next year. She is also experienced in hosting, interviewing, and teaching acting and improv.
Lynia Love (Star)
It is rare to meet a person who seems so certain of what they
want out of life and so well equipped to achieve it. Lynia Love
is one of these rare individuals who possess the experience,
personality, and passion to captivate the entertainment industry
with her breathtaking acting talent and stunning modeling ability.
Secure and connected with any character, Lynia stretches herself
beyond her comfort zone to find a relatable sincerity in every role
she plays. Lynia studied theater and communication at Mercer
County College and has graduated from John Robert Powers’
Modeling and Finishing School as well as Smooches Model Inc.’s
modeling program. She continues to hone her acting skills as a
regular attendee of the NYC Filmmakers Workshops, constantly
developing and perfecting her acting.
With a strong artistic background, Lynia strives to establish
herself as an acclaimed actress and is willing to pay her dues as
a beginner in the business for the opportunity to feel the rush of
the stage, the admiration of an audience, her growth as an artist,
and the deepening of her devotion to the arts. Lynia could not
have chosen a better surname because it is her candid love for
her craft that will soon put her center stage.
Davon Clark (Jamal)
Davon Clark is a graduate of Temple University. He is currently working on a webseries called Junior Citizens and a childrens book called The Adventures of Prada Enchilada.
Born February 16th, 1992 in Philadelphia, Pa, Denzel A. Owens-Pryor, the seventh oldest of eleven children, came to realize his passion for the arts at a very young age. A big part of this was due to Denzel's mother and uncle exposing him to their various musical influences. From R. Kelly to Aaliyah. Eminem to Ol' Dirty. El DeBarge to Destiny's Child, this constant mix of sound opened his eye's even more to the idea of being an entertainer.
Denzel received his first taste of the stage life at the age of nine when he placed himself into a talent show at Thomas K. Finletter School and performed "All This Love" by El DeBarge. That same year he also took part in a school play for Black History Month. Thus began Denzel's journey to become a multi-disciplined artist.
Denzel Pryor (Jason Boyd)
Jim Palombo (Daniel Harvey)
After a hiatus from the film and entertainment industry, veteran actor James Palombo is thrilled to be back working on The Drive with such an amazing cast. Previous credits include feature films, series television, commercials, and professional theater. A personal favorite was his work on one of the first episodes of the Sopranos. James is looking forward to continuing his re-immersion into his first love – acting.
Andrew Gardner (Brian Jackson)
Andrew L. Gardner the third, a Philadelphia Pennsylvania native, and the oldest child followed by two younger siblings. Andrew is no stranger to hard work, his parents Jacquelynne and Andrew worked hard to provide for their children.Andrew was taught to be independent and strong; however his personality exemplifies a great sense of humor and other skills that include cooking. In attending Edward Bok Technical Vocational high School his cooking skills were afforded the opportunity to flourish in their Food Service program.
Although, he expressed a love for cooking, he was mesmerized by a high school play, which altered his dreams, and sparked a new found love for theatre. Being forced to provide for himself, he found he had to postpone his dream and entered the work field as a driver for Septa Transportation Company. It was not until he lost his job, and through a union struggle that the company hired back their drivers. It was this very incident that made him realize that he needed something more concrete to further his future.
Andrew graduated with a degree from Delaware County Community College in Communications Theatre, his dream is in the making and no longer postponed. Although, he is still a driver he has dedicated his career toward the theatre arenas.
Bessie Amato (Jasmine)
Bessie Amato currently hails from the land of Crayola Cran and Larry Holmes (Easton Pa). New to the business she brings energy and sprit to the screen. Since childhood she had been struggling to find herself, from growing up in foster care she had always made it her passion to help others. Finally being able to move forward with what she really loves and her passion this project had helped her succeed in the entertainment industry. Follow her on instagram.com bessbess03.
Merceedes Simmons (Tiffany)
Merceedes Simmons is a native of Glassboro, N.J. She graduated from Rowan University with a B.A. in theater performance. Since then she has been in several theater productions in the tri-state area such as the Shakespeare’s Midsummer’s Night Dream ,Conversation, An Affair Exchange, All my sons, and etc. Merceedes also has film credits in movies and shorts like “Off Campus” and “3 Women” now she is coming to us on web-isodes. “ I am grateful for all my opportunities and look forward to growing in my craft and making enjoyable entertainment.”
Charles C. Huss (The Reverand)
Charles D Little (chase) CEO& founder of the charlesdavidgroup llc, born and raised in Camden, N.J. aka "soup city" birthplace of Campbell's Soup. Charles enjoys writing songs as well as acting. He has appeared on several compilations for DROP ZONE RECORDINGS. He wrote & co-produced with Raymond "stingrays" Watkins on selections such as "So Pretti". Also he he has co-starred and played the part the part of "Eli" in The Brotherhood of Silver. In addition Charles enjoyed the role of "Rev" in the "Drive" written by Keith Sgrillo. Charles was grateful for the experience and would like to thank all for the oppurtunity and looks forward to doing more in the future.
Chris Nee (Detective McCall)
Chris Nee a 23 year old actor/comedian from Springfield, Pa born February 4, 1991. At age 16 started performing stand up and getting trained in acting down at the Actors Center of Philadelphia where he was trained in on camera, voice over, stage combat, improv, etc. Also has an Associated degree from Delaware County Community College in theatre where he studied, acting, voice and movement and Shakespeare. Chris Nee performed in many college productions and you could also of seen him competing in Phillys Phunniest Stand Up Competition in 2012 and 2014 down Helium Comedy Club.
Officer Jason Hoover (Officer Daniels)
Officer Jason Hoover is a real life hero. He has been serving as a Prospect Park (PA) police officer for over 14 years. He is a dedicated and highly decorated officer who lives his career. As a young man, he attended the Haverford school district. There he excelled in the sports of footaball and baseball. He has pursued his passion for football serving as a coach at the Haverford Youth Football organization. His father was the head of the Haverford Police Department and inspired his son to pursue a career as a law enforcement officer.
He was brought on set of both "Brotherhood of Silver" and "The Drive" as the official police advisor and took a starring role in "The Drive" as Officer Daniels. Jason is a committed father of three and married to a wonderful wife, Jen Hoover who also serves law enforcement as dispatcher for Haverford Township.