News & Events

‘Outer Banks’ Star Chase Stokes To Star In ‘Music Got Me Here’

From Deadline — “EXCLUSIVE: Marking his first leading role in a feature film, Chase Stokes is set to star in Music Got Me Here from multiple-BAFTA nominated filmmaker Gurinder Chadha who will direct. The feature film, which is based on the remarkable true story of Forrest Allen and Tom Sweitzer, is written by Academy Award-winner Irwin Winkler and by Jose Ruisanchez and is based on the documentary by Susan Koch of the same name. Winkler, Jon Levin and Alexandra Milchan will produce

The film tells the incredible true story of an eccentric high school music teacher, Tom Sweitzer,  in a small Virginia town whose world is upended when a former student Forrest Allen — a wild bright light — is left in a coma following a freak snowboarding accident. Hovering between life and death, this young man’s last hope for recovery, and to wake up and talk and walk again, is a reluctant teacher with a damaged past who answers the call from a desperate family to use music therapy as a means of breaking through to their son. This is a story about family, the bonds of friendship and ultimately, the healing power of music.

Stokes is known for his leading role in Netflix’s global phenomenon series Outer Banks. The drama series made its debut in April 2020 to massive fanfare and placement in Netflix top ten for a record number of weeks. For its second season, the series sustained its runaway success securing the number one spot in the Nielsen streaming rankings and has secured its spot as one of the most popular titles on Netflix to date. Season three of Outer Banks is currently in production. Stokes will next appear opposite Joey King in Uglies, a dystopian fantasy film based on Scott Westerfeld’s international bestseller of the same name, which McG is directing for Netflix.

“It’s very rare for a story like this to come along. Based on true-life events, I was gripped by the script and the documentary of the journey of Forrest and Tom and how powerful a family’s love can be to turn things around.  Chase Stokes is an exciting young actor who I believe has the vulnerability and emotion to convey the real depths of human despair and the exhilarating heights of relief and happiness the film explores. Add the amazing power of music and an inspiring soundtrack and you have a film that I believe will touch people all over the world,” Chadha said.

“I’m thrilled that Chase identifies with my own journey. As an actor, Chase embodies the fierceness and humor that lives in my heart and the spirit that helped me never ever give up hope,” said Allen.

Stokes repped by UTA, Luber Roklin, People Store and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman. Chadha is repped by ICM and Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner & Klein”

MARCH IS BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH!

According to the Center for Disease Control, an estimated 2.5 million people sustain a TBI annually in the U.S. alone. Approximately 50,000 result in death, and over 80,000 suffer permanent disability.

The best treatment for TBI is prevention, including wearing a seatbelt and a helmet. Early intervention and management of TBI is critical in reducing the level of disability experienced by the injured person.

Here are some websites where you can learn more about Traumatic Brain Injury:

• Brain Injury Association of America https://www.biausa.org

• Brain Trauma Foundation www.braintrauma.org

• Brain Injury Resource Center www.headinjury.com

Greenwich International Film Festival

We’re delighted to be part of this year’s Greenwich International Film Festival which runs May 1 - 3 and is being held virtually due to COVID-19.  Visit www.greenwichfilm.org to purchase a pass to the festival and see MUSIC GOT ME HERE!   Note: There are heavily discounted passes available for students, healthcare providers, seniors, military and others.

George Mason University Screening

MUSIC GOT ME HERE screened at George Mason University. There was a great discussion and Q&A afterwards.  The film had a huge impact on the audience and clearly helped the students and staff better understand traumatic brain injury and the transformative power of music therapy.

The American Film Showcase

MUSIC GOT ME HERE has been selected to be part of the prestigious American Film Showcase for the year 2020. The premier American film diplomacy program organizes screenings and workshops with American Filmmakers in more than 40 countries around the world.   AFS is a partnership between the Departrment of State’s Bureau and Educational and Cultural Affairs and USC’s School of Cinematic Arts.    http://americanfilmshowcase.com/

Screening at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute

MUSIC GOT ME HERE was honored to screen at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute in Bryn Mawr, PA.  A portion of proceeds from this screening went to benefit the Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital.  Film Subjects Forrest Allen, Tom Sweitzer, Rae Stone, Kent Allen & Tolliver and Director Susan Koch attended the screening and participated in a Q and A following the screening.

Middleburg Film Festival Screening

MUSIC GOT ME HERE had its premiere screenings at the Middleburg Film Festival to sold-out and very enthusiastic audiences --  receiving standing ovations at both screenings.   It was especially fitting for the first screening to be held at The Hill School, where Tom taught music for many years and first met Forrest, who was his young student.      

A rave review in the LOUDOUN TIMES.:     

http://www.loudountimes.com/news/article/music_soothes_the_soul_and_heals_the_body_for_these_two_middleburg_men

It's been quite the month for Forrest Allen  including speaking with Tom at the Kennedy Center as part of the NIH/Kennedy SOUND HEALTH Conference on "Music and the Mind".    Check out Forrest's  blog as he describes his latest adventures.

MUSIC GOT ME HERE was honored to be part of a groundbreaking and fascinating conference led by renowned soprano Renee Fleming and Dr. Francis Collins, head of NIH, the foremost bio-medical research institution in the world.  On June 2 and 3 at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C, leading music therapists, neuroscientists, and musicians (including the National Symphony Orchestra, Ben Folds, and EMPIRE’s Jussie Smollett) came together to explore the powerful connections between music and the brain. Excerpts from the MUSIC GOT ME HERE were screened followed by a terrific conversation with film subjects Tom Sweitzer and Forrest Allen.

Here is some coverage of the conference — and the SOUND HEALTH initiative launched by NIH and the Kennedy Center.