Cast/Crew

Cast

Danny was born in 1982 in Sacramento California. He started acting at a very young age. In 1989 at age 7 he was in his first theatrical performance. "Come Follow the Band" a Magic Circle Theatre children's musical started Danny's passion for the stage. He continued to act in plays and musicals quickly moving to the top of all his drama classes in Jr. High and High school graduating as "Most Versital actor" "Best Actor in a Leading Role" and "Best Actor in a Supporting Role." After High school he studied films in a local community college feeding his passion for film.

Danny performed in various other roles in local theatre, church, and college while still in his home town working as a construction foreman. Such roles as SAMUEL in "The Pirates of Penzance" and MIKADO in "The Mikado" (both Gilbert and Sullivan musicals) expanded Danny's abilities in Broadway singing and performing. Danny has an active interest in writing and performing music as he has been performing in rock bands starting at age 12 but acting takes front seat in this passionate young man's heart.

In September 2006 Danny moved to Hollywood to pursue his career and started to make short films and independent features. In 2007 he was cast in several independant films, comercials, modeling shoots and short films including "Bowling Alley" developing relationships with many other actors and industry contacts.

He took his career in his own hands when he wrote "Hardcore Hearts." Striving to make his dream come true of starring in a feature film he put on many hats in "Hardcore Hearts" acting as producer, graphic designer, music supervisor, creative consultant, and many other jobs.

Danny Herb is represented by Lemon Lime Agency for Commercials, Music Videos, Print, And product print and is currently looking for theatrical representation.

Samantha was born and raised on the Jersey Shore and developed her passion for the performing arts at a very young age. Beginning with local plays and moving on to classical training, Samantha became truly passionate for acting when she started her first studies in Shakespeare at the Sandy Roeser Studios in Red Bank, New Jersey. Juggling dance competitions, many dance classes and acting classes at the age of 14, Samantha was accepted into the Performing Arts program at Red Bank Regional High School as a Drama major. Come Senior year, she double majored in Drama and Dance and participated in plays such as, "As You Like It" "Kiss Me Kate" and "The King and I." When it came time for college, Samantha was afforded a scholarship to The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Hollywood, California and moved across the country at eighteen years of age in 2006.

Since AMDA, Samantha has earned recognition as an actor/combatant by the Society of American Fight Directors in Unarmed and Rapier and Dagger combat. She has also landed the role of Edna in "Waiting for Lefty" performed at the Lillian Theatre in Hollywood, directed by Michael Zelniker. She has booked local and international commercials and since trained at Lesly Kahn & Co. She has found work in modeling, doing print work for No! Jeans, IDI by Matthew, 575 Jeans, YM Magazine, Passion Beauty Magazine and many more. She has modeled in runway shows such as Project Ethos and for designers including Lauren-Elaine Designs, Scandalous Social Club and Vim Trousseau.

She would like to thank her family, first and foremost, for the constant support and belief in her ability and talent. Also, she would like to thank the teachers and coaches that have inspired and pushed her to be her best. She thanks her best friend, Ellorin Joy for the support, positivity and love. And last but not least, The City of Angels, which has shown her just how much passion she has even through the most difficult of times.

Franco is a graduate of the Professional Actors Studio. He is an award winning actor and filmmaker that began his career in Atlanta, GA starring in a series of national commercials before moving to Los Angeles in 2008.

Franco got involved with Hardcore Hearts when he blew the audition away with his amazing interpretation of Pastor Scott. Both the writer and Director had invision just what Franco had performed and it was clear that there was no other actor more fit for the role.

Franco is represented by Rod Baron.

Sean 's first signs of artistry and self expression were through drawing comic book and video game characters in his early elementary school years. Being the active boy he was, he then studied Martial arts and break-dancing as a hobby throughout middle-school. It wasn’t until Freshman year at high school that he would pick up guitar for the first time. With his new fascination for music he then began to learn all styles of not only guitar but music in general.

After completing high school Sean moved to Los Angeles to begin the next phase of his life and pursue the entertainment industry. With Acting/Modeling in the picture, he then joined OC based band “Burning Tree Project” and went strong for 5 years touring the US and Canada as well as earning a spotlight on MTV. During this time, Sean became very well known for his popular theme song arrangements on the internet. Receiving over 5 million hits, he has become one of the most recognizable internet personalities and has been featured on countless video sites and web/magazine articles. He began producing bands and artists in the LA area, which then blossomed into film scoring.

In 2008 Sean was discovered by Kim Matuka, who has managed to successfully launch the careers of some of the hottest young actors in Hollywood.

Sean became involved with "Hardcore Hearts" when he met the writer/producer Danny Herb in late 2007 on set of an indie film "Bowling Alley" and developed a friendship which led to a professional relationship. Sean teamed up with Colten Daigneault and wrote, composed and recorded all the original Hand of Blood and New Noise songs for "Hardcore Hearts." Danny later joined him to record the vocals.

For now, Sean focuses solely on his acting career while still creating and working on the musical side of things as a hobby. Although Sean has many endeavors and a full plate, he remains humble and excited to help and inspire others.

Krisondra was born and raised in Orange County, in Southern California. At 10 Krisondra began her career as a model, and then she quickly started her acting career. In December 2005, at an event called Model Search America, Krisondra was discovered by 14 different modeling and talent agents from all over the Country..... Such as Elite, CESD, MTV2, Generations, and Future from (Milan, Italy); just to name a few. Krisondra was then referred to an agency in Southern California that quickly wanted to represent her....Since then, Krisondra has completed many films and she has several more film, TV, and modeling projects pending.

In 2008 Krisondra was discovered by Kim Matuka, who has become an empowered influence in LA and New York and has launched many young actors’ careers.

Recently Krisondra appeared in and choreographed a dance routine in a feature film called the “Screening Room”; and she choreographed another dance routine for Kiana Daigneault, her sister, for a music video which will also be in an upcoming feature film called “Roll Call” and on You tube in 2010.

Krisondra met writer/producer Danny Herb on set of a feature film called "Bowling Alley", in October of 2007; and since then they have been friends. Upon completion of Hardcore Hearts script, Danny asked Krisondra to play the role of Lacy.

She is represented by Schuller Talent for theatrical and film, and Abrams Artist for print and commercial.

J.Michael was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and soon after moved to Minnesota to be raised in Minneapolis. As an energetic youth, he played an assortment of sports growing up, but shined on stage, acting in over 30 plays and musicals, including Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream and Benjamin in The Yellow Boat, in which he was given an acting star in the MN State One Act compettition. Awarded the coveted Waste Basket Revue Scholarship for acting his junior year of high school, he knew what he wanted to focus his energy on.

Soon after graduation, J Michael moved to Tucson, Arizona to join the Arizona Repertory Theatre and attend class at the University of Arizona. There he continued to excel, acting in over 20 staged productions, including the role of Eugene Jerome in Brighton Beach Memoirs, Biloxi Blues and Broadway Bound. In his sophomore year he was noticed while performing with the elite improv comedy troupe, The Charles Darwin Experience and was offered the lead in his first film, Earnie. His love for acting found bliss in film and he began his on-screen career, acting in over 15 films the next 2 years.

Following his degree in Professional Acting and Theatre Production, J Michael headed west to Los Angeles to capitalize on his youthful look, begin recording as a talanted lyricist and rapper, as well as ultimately to continue to feed his hunger for fantastic films, including Pigeon Kicker and Last Call. Always on point, he stays well tuned, sharp and forever appreciative for the opportunities given to him to be on set and in front of the camera.

Danny Herb as Luke Masterson

Samantha Sergeant as Tye Morse

Franco Castan as Pastor Scott

Sean Gordon as Mark Cooper

Krisondra Daigneault as Lacy Getka

J Michael Trautmann as Jackson Morse

Crew

Hardcore Hearts is only possible from the incredible vision and dedication from our extremely talented crew. With their passion to make the best film possible we have been able to make this happen so far and would not have been possible without these angels. Their loving generousity is the only reason any of this is possible. Our crew are the true Hardcore Hearts.

Director - Aaron Paustian

Aaron Paustian moved to Southern California with his family from Kansas City in 1996. His interests in skateboarding lead him to become submersed in the hardcore music scene. All throughout his younger years, he dreamed of making movies that dealt with real people and honesty in art. When the suberbs of Southern California had given him all it had to offer, he moved to Hollywood in 2005 to pursue his passion for film.

After graduating film school in 2007, Aaron went on to direct many other short films, music videos and documentaries. He continued to search for inspiration in truth with film. When Aaron met Danny on set as an electrician, they discussed Hardcore Hearts and Aaron was immediately attracted to the films honesty. With Aaron's background in the hard music scene, his dedication and passion, it was clear that he was the perfect director for the film.

Aaron's vision as a director is to bring truth and realism to the spotlight of film and art. He is currently looking for representation.

Producer - Juri Koll, More Than Kin, LLC

Juri Koll has produced or production managed features such as American Cowslip, The Truth About Kerry, NekroBeach, and That Game of Chess. He has produced and/or directed well over 30 short films, both narrative fiction and documentaries. His films have been screened all over the world in over 70 festivals.

After graduating from California Institute of the Arts, he founded Art/World Productions, and began making documentaries focused on famous and infamous artists. Subjects featured were as diverse as Titian, Mark di Suvero, The Fauves, and the local Venice graffiti artists just beginning to break into the formal world of art. As part of his endeavor, he worked with major museums and galleries across the country, including The National Gallery of Art, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. His documentary work has been seen on NBC, CBS, ABC, PBS affiliates, and his films are on the shelves of university libraries and private collections across the U.S. Recently, his first documentary, In The Steel: A Portrait of Mark di Suvero, (1991) was accepted into the Archives of American Art at the Smithsonian Institution.

In addition to the awards received, films Juri Koll has produced have visited Cannes (France), the Cork International Film Festival (Ireland), the Australian International Film Festival, Long Island International Film Festival, Rhode Island International Film Festival, Maui Film Festival, Golden Lion Film Festival (South Africa), New England Film & Video Festival, LA Short Fest, Action on Film. Hof Film Festival (Germany), and many others.

Several feature films he has written, and will be producing or directing are in advanced stages of development, including A Venice Tale, and The Diplomat in association with ExitFilm/Estonia.

Matt Fore - Director of Photography

Matt Fore is an award-winning cinematographer who started making movies at the age of eight with his family's Sony Handycam video camera with the hopes of making his own feature films in the future. After screening his later high school films at countless festivals across the nation and winning numerous awards at these venues, Matt found his niche more in the visual style of film rather than the acting or blocking. The story is the number one priority to Fore when making visual decisions, not just aesthetics, and as such, he possesses an extremely keen grasp of both the artistic and technical side of digital and celluloid filmmaking and makes it a habit of weaving the two together into every frame he composes.

Matt lives in Los Angeles where he recently wrapped his fifth feature film.

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