Queer Dark Comedy “Waking Up Dead” to Begin Filming Early July (Update)

With the movie world trying to get back to normal, there’s a queer dark comedy you should keep an eye out for. Breaking Glass Pictures has acquired the worldwide rights to award-winning writer and director Terracino’s (Elliot Loves) latest feature, Waking Up Dead. Currently, in pre-production, filming is planned to begin in early July.

Waking Up Dead will star Gabriel Sousa (Veronica Mars, Dollface), Judy Geeson (Mad About You), and Traci Lords (Eastsiders).

“If the industry is going to reopen for production, lower budgeted projects are going to have to lead the way,” said Terracino. “Accordingly, I think we may be the first film in cinema history to feature intimate love scenes with face masks, latex gloves, and 409!”

According to the press release, the official description reads:

A very uncomfortable comedy about suicide, assholes and a heartless Hollywood agent, “Waking Up Dead” focuses on Gabriel Sousa as hard-partying, self-absorbed Danny Maldonado, a once-promising Hollywood actor (his claim to fame was his guest arc as a narcoleptic rapist on “SVU”) whose life and career have hit rock bottom. But when he’s called in to audition for the lead role in the hottest new pilot in Hollywood, Danny sees it as his shot at redemption. Judy Geeson, in her first major screen role in years, co-stars as Lila, the former actress turned real estate agent who senses that Danny is spinning out of control and tries to intervene. Finally, Tracie Lords plays Phyllis, Danny’s caustic grade-B agent who drops by to explain to Danny just why there are so many assholes in the world.

Jason Caceres (“Magic City,” “Criminal Minds,”) plays Eddy, Danny’s long-suffering ex-boyfriend. Angelic Zambrana (“Precious,” “Bull”) appears as Danny’s sister, Sabrina, desperate to get Danny to reconnect with their dying mother before it’s too late. Makeda Declet (“House of Payne,” “Being Mary Jane,” “Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens”) plays Raven, former nightlife party girl turned Instagram self-help guru.

Rounding out the cast is fashion model Nelson Arrieta, Jr. making his feature film debut as Antonio, Danny’s best friend, while newcomers Antonio Ardolino and Bryce Morton appear as Anthony, a former conquest whom Danny can’t quite remember, and Carlos, an internet hookup whom Danny thoughtlessly tosses out the door before he can even put his clothes back on, respectively.

Sousa is repped by Firestarter Entertainment. Zambrana is with Vanguard Management and Buchwald. Declet is with Luber Roklin and Abrams Artists. Geeson and Lords are both repped by Chris Roe at Chris Roe Management. Caceres is with DSA Agency and Discovery Management. Arrieta, jr is with HRI Talent and Luber Roklin.

Waking Up Dead is written and will be directed by Terracino, whose prior feature Elliot Loves played at Outfest and over 75 other festivals worldwide and was picked by HBO and HBO Latino for exclusive cable and streaming. His short, My Polish Waiter, played at Sundance and New Directors/New Films.

Jupiter J. Makins, Patricia Mckenzie, Joe Bohn, Emmi Grullon, and Terracino produce this project. The film was cast by Barden/Schnee (The Help, Boys Don’t Cry, Dallas Buyers Club). Rich Wolff serves as executive producer. His company, Breaking Glass Pictures, will be distributing this movie theatrically.

“It is an honor to be producing with Terracino as I was a huge fan of Elliot Loves,” shared Wolff. “I’m certain ‘Waking Up Dead’ will be the sexy Latino sleeper hit of 2021!”

You read our Breaking Glass Pictures (Twitter) related coverage here.

Feel free to share your thoughts with us.

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Update: October 27, 2020

Waking Up Dead has finished filming. The creative team has launched a fundraising campaign (link) to help with post-production and a 2021 festival debut. The initial goal is to raise $20,000. Do consider supporting such a queer indie project by making a tax-deductible donation.

Author: Farid-ul-Haq

Farid has a Double Masters in Psychology and Biotechnology as well as an M.Phil in Molecular Genetics. He is the author of numerous books including Missing in Somerville, and The Game Master of Somerville. He gives us insight into comics, books, TV shows, anime/manga, video games, and movies.

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