Matt Hunsworth
Writer
Director
Producer
Editor
Performer

Role: Matt Bayne

Bio: One of the original founders of NeoZAZ, Matt has worked on several creative projects with is partner David Smith over the past 15+ years.

As NeoZAZ ramps up for larger scale film projects in the near future, Matt had one thing he needed to get out of his system – to complete a Star Wars Fan Film. Not having the time, budget, or patience for a grand scale special effects CGI laced production, Matt came up with the next best thing – Making a mockumentary about what it’s like for over-ambitious amateurs to try to make such a  film.

More of Matt’s work can be found at NeoZAZ.com.

Matt co-hosts The D-1-3 Show podcast with David Smith and Gregg Hansen.

Notes:
The character “Matt Bayne” is 1 of 2 characters with a last name in the script. It’s never spoken, but his scene in the opening subtitles of Episode I – The Fandom Menace.

“Matt Bayne” was about one of a dozen pen-names Matt has assumed over the past 20 years for no particular reason.

If “Birth of the Empire” was a real fan film, “Matt Bayne’s” character would have been the Emporer’s secret apprentice, Darth Collius.

David Smith
Director
Co-Writer
Producer
Cinematographer
Performer

Role: David

Bio: coming soon

Notes:
The character “David/Dave” was referenced in the first drafts of the original concept of “Fan Film The Series”. The original script was to be shot in Orlando, FL without David. After it was arranged to shoot in PA, the character grew from a reference to fully realized character.

If “Birth of the Empire” was a real fan film, “David’s” character would not have a performing role, but would carry the burden (unwittingly) of getting the project done.

Chris Irons
Perfomer
Camera Operator
Boom Operator

Role: Chris

Bio: coming soon

Notes:
This is the second NeoZAZ film Chris has starred. He played “The Usher” in the 1996 short film parody “Die Hard With Butter Flavoring“. Since then, NeoZAZ had always wanted to work with Chris again, and 12 years later, it finally happened.

If “Birth of the Empire” was a real fan film, “Chris’s” character would have been “Barrat Thunderlight”, the first Jedi to have received Obi-Wan and Yoda’s warning message. Barrat would have enlisted the help of a smuggler and a bounty hunter to help find and transport the surviving Jedi while warding off this mysterious Sith Lord “Darth Collius” that keeps popping up everywhere.

Dave Fox
Performer
Boom Operator

Role: Dave

Bio: coming soon

Notes:
This is the first NeoZAZ film Dave has starred in. After his performance in this project, it certainly won’t be the last (Matt and David hope).
It was Dave’s idea to film a scene in the projection of the movie theater in Episode IV – “A New Script”. This scene provides a much needed break in the location background outside of the yard, woods, and dining room where nearly all the other scenes were filmed.

If “Birth of the Empire” was a real fan film, “Dave’s” character would have been “Ject Duster”, a smuggler Barrat hires to transport stranded surving Jedi to various safe havens across the galaxy.

Gregg Hansen
Co-Writer
Producer
Camera Operator
Boom Operator
Performer

Bio: Gregg describes cool things as ‘awesome’ and many things Gregg said in the movie were based off of real conversations.  Many hobbies keep Gregg busy like Linux, VoIP, arcade machine builds, DJing, geeking-out, studying Japanese, Rubik’s cubes, running, tennis, disc golf, croquet tournaments, bon-fires, and playing piano.
Gregg is the youngest cast member of the movie, but still has an appreciation for the ‘Trilogy’, even though his generation’s ‘Trilogy’ is definitely LOTR.
Gregg regularly broadcasts a “DnB, Electro, House, Trance, Techno” set on shoutcast on Sunday nights. More information can be found about this at www.djg-regg.com.
Gregg also runs a Technical Blog focusing mainly on VoIP and Linux at www.thiscoolsite.com.

Notes:
This is the first NeoZAZ film Gregg has performed in, but Gregg has played an important part in NeoZAZ for the past year. Most notible is Gregg’s role as co-host for the NeoZAZ Podcast, The D-1-3 Show.

Gregg is currently work with Matt on the NeoZAZ documentary “2 guys 1 goal“.

If “Birth of the Empire” was a real fan film, Gregg’s character would be “Kale” the first surviving Jedi Knight Barrat encouters. He assist Barrat in finding a rescuing the other Jedi, only to turn on Barrat when he is lured to the Dark Side of the Force by Darth Collius.

Karen Hunsworth
Performer
Boom Operator
Craft Services

Role: Karen

Bio: coming soon

Notes:
This is the first NeoZAZ film Karen has performed in, despite being Matt’s sister for nearly 32 years.

Though never mentioned, or written, it can be presumed that “Karen’s” character’s last name is also “Bayne” as she plays his sister in “Fan Film The Series”.

When Matt asked Karen to recruit additional crew members and performers in PA, Karen brought John and Sunday Coulter into the Production. Strangely enough, John Coulter appeared in Matt and Dave’s very first film, “How to be a patron”. This casting wasn’t planned, just a fantastic coincidence!

If “Birth of the Empire” was a real fan film, “Karen’s” character would have been “Dish Tlr’argfrim”, the bounty hunter hired by Barrat to track down and kill Darth Collius.

John Coulter
Performer
Boom Operator
Kick off / Wrap Party Host

Role: The Neighbor

Bio: coming soon

Notes:
This is the second movie of David and Matt’s that John has appeared in. John can be seen in the 1992 pre-NeoZAZ movie “How to be a Patron” as; Patron Number 7, Patron Number 14, and Bum sleeping on Bench.

In addition to performer and helping out with the production, John and his wife Sunday graciously hosted a kick off/wrap party for the whole cast at their home the night before the main filming began.

If “Birth of the Empire” was a real Fan Film, “The Neighbor” would not have been in it. “The Neighbor” was strictly written for “Fan Film The Series”, though he may have made an appearance in the background.

Sunday Coulter
Performer
Boom Operator
Kick-off / Wrap Party Hostess

Role: Sunday Williams

Bio: coming soon

Notes:
“Sunday Williams” was the only other character to have a last name in “Fan Film The Series”. However, the line was misread and the last name never appears in the final version of Episode V – The Agent Strikes Back.

Sunday graciously hosted a kick off/wrap party with her husband John for the entire cast at their home the night before the main filming began.