CAST

  • Juan Manuel Salcito

    MICHAEL

    Juan Manuel Salcito is an Argentine-born American actor and visual artist. Juan played Michael in 'Into Temptation' where he artfully demonstrated unrequited love as he navigated the aftermath of his past. Juan has experience in film, television, commercials, print, theater, and ballet. Most recently, Juan can be seen in the Netflix American comedy-drama streaming television series, ‘Gentefied’. Juan received his Bachelors of Fine Arts from The New School - College of Performing Arts in New York, where he was awarded the Distinguished Artist yearly grant for exceptional performance. Juan currently lives in Los Angeles, California, with his sidekick, Chief, a beautiful Silver Lab.

  • Tom McLaren

    FATHER GRAHAM

    An accomplished actor and published author, Tom McLaren started his adult life as a corporate finance executive at Warner Bros. and Twentieth Century Fox. In 2012 he made a mid-life career change and began acting in film, television, and commercials. Major credits include the Netflix TV series 'Lost in Space' and the feature films 'Expelled' (a #1 best-selling movie on iTunes), 'Exorcism of Molly Hartley' (Fox) and 'Santa's Little Helper' (Fox/WWE). He has starred in 30 feature films, including the indie movies 'All American Bikini Car Wash,' 'Death Pool,' 'As I Am,' and 'S'ids Lake.' He co-authored the award-winning book 'Styling the Stars: Lost Treasures from the Twentieth Century Fox Archive' with actress Angela Cartwright. Currently, Tom is Co-Head of Next Chapter Entertainment's Production and Publishing divisions. His second book 'Thornsby by Fred McLaren: The Complete Comic Collection,' co-authored with former Fox COO Mary McLaren, was published in 2020.

  • Jaxon Ballenger

    YOUNG MICHAEL

    Jaxon started acting at six years of age and hasn’t looked back. He enjoys the process of reading a script and putting his own characteristics into his character. As well as acting, Jaxon enjoys reading, drawing, and playing with his friends.

 CREDITS

WRITER, DIRECTOR, EDITOR:
Quinn da Matta

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS:
Lara Wickes
Joseph Seeman
Quinn da Matta

PRODUCER:
Adam Dlugolecki

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY:
Matt Plaxco

MAKEUP & HAIR:
Jessica Vergon 

PRODUCTION DESIGNER:
Brooke Ashe

ORIGINAL SCORE:
Paul Spaeth

TECHNICAL INFO

RUNNING TIME: 20 Minutes

GENRE: Drama

YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2021

ASPECT RATIO: Anamorphic (2:1)

SOUND: 5.1 Surround Sound

OTHER: Color, English

 
 
 

FILMMAKERS

  • quinndamatta.com

    Writer, Director, Editor & Executive Producer

    Quinn is a diverse international award-winning writer, director, and editor with over 20 years of experience in the motion picture industry. As a proud gay man, Quinn highlights the power and the struggles of the LGBTQ+ community in many of his creative works. Quinn's most recent film, 'Into Temptation,' highlights his skills as a storyteller and collaborator through his writing, directing, and editing.

    Quinn received his Bachelors of Arts in writing, editing, and directing from The South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance. He then worked for a non-profit, directing and producing public service announcements for health care organizations in areas most affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Quinn later worked as head writer and director at a content marketing agency where he created over 250 promotional spots for international brands like 'Grey’s Anatomy,' 'Desperate Housewives,' 'Pushing Daisies,' 'The Tudors,' 'Ugly Betty,' and 'Prison Break.'

    Many of Quinn's creative works have been internationally recognized. In 2007, Quinn won the 'PromaxBDA Rocket Award' which recognizes exceptional achievements in young creatives.

    Originally from a remote farm in South Africa, Quinn immigrated to the United States in 2010, where he now lives in Hollywood, California, with his partner. Quinn works as a Senior Producer at the Aspire Artists Agency while also creatively collaborating on various projects with clients like Sony, NatGeo, History Channel, Nickelodeon, Disney, Freeform, OWN, Lifetime, and ABC.

 


  • Executive Producer

    Joseph’s creative road began in the 4th grade when he asked his mom if he could start taking piano lessons so he could play like his grandmother. His mother quickly bought an affordable piano, and Joseph’s life changed. Upon graduation, he received a scholarship to Webster University and began his life as a dancer. He spent years exploring how movement could express music as well as his emotions. This was his introduction to storytelling and choreography, culminating in numerous national awards.

    After graduating, he moved to Chicago and found residence in two professional dance companies, and danced as the guest artist in many others. Over the years, he was lucky enough to tour the world and loved the opportunity to explore different cultures, discovering the power of diversity. As he continues to inspire through fitness, Joseph has reconnected with his storytelling, this time through writing.

    He quickly signed up at UCLA to explore writing classes, take acting classes, and work with various writing coaches. He has completed a spec script and multiple treatments for TV shows, which all explore various aspects of his love for dance and music.

 

  • LARA WICKES

    Executive Producer

    Emmy nominated and award-winning producer Lara Wickes, daughter of Eleanor Calbes, renowned Canadian Opera Company Soprano, and best-selling author, David A.B. Wickes, was raised in Toronto, Canada, and has resided in Los Angeles since 1999.

    After beginning her career in front of the camera, Lara diligently moved her way up to production: from award-winning theater productions to webisodes, short films to features, and producing hundreds of promo shoots in the television marketing space. Lara has led and mentored many in her journey and continues to do so as the Executive Director of Production at ABC Television Entertainment Marketing.

  • ADAM DLUGOLECKI

    Producer

    Adam has an innate talent for taking the elusive parts of a concept and assembling them into comprehensive substance. Adam has a degree in Theater from Loyola Marymount University and has studied abroad in both Germany and Russia. He is currently a member of Ghost Road Company and a founding member/creator of Scherzo Theatre Company, where he still performs.

  • GABRIELLE GEIGER


    Production Coordinator

    Gabrielle transitioned from acting into production in 2019 and has never looked back. Her passion is people, taking care of everyone on set, and putting in that extra attention to detail. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Loyola Marymount University and has studied and performed in both Germany and Russia. Gabrielle is also co-producer of Queenfest, a bi-annual variety show that empowers female artists to perform and raise money for a local LA women’s shelter.

  • MATT PLAXCO

    Director of Photography

    Matthew is a father, a gifted Cinematographer, and part of the director duo MOM. Plaxco attended Art Center College of Design, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. He is currently represented by Zero Gravity Management.

    He was born in Seattle, Washington, and lives in Los Angeles, working on commercials, shorts, feature-length films, and music videos. Plaxco has collaborated with clients including National Geographic, Lifetime, BET, MSNBC, History Channel, Microsoft, Google, Rolex, Tag Heuer, and more. He believes in an honest approach to storytelling while retaining an elevated aesthetic.

  • BROOKE ASHE

    Production Designer

    Mexican x Irish + LA-Based + Award Winning + Fierce Female Production Designer = Brooke Ashe. A graduate of UC Berkeley (2001), Brooke has been a force in the world of Art, Marketing, and Production Design. A wildly passionate creative with an exceptional work ethic, Brooke has cultivated lifelong relationships during her 15+ years working in the Art Department.

    She champions building sets from scratch, seamless collaborations, and harnessing the most cost-effective solutions while still honoring the creative vision. She leads an extraordinary crew of artists who are aligned with her sensibilities and her just get-it-done attitude.

  • JESSICA VERNON

    
Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist

    Jessica studied makeup artistry at Cinema Makeup School in Hollywood. She was trained in character makeup development directly under Leonard Engelman - President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and Michael Spatola, a two-time Emmy nominated artist known for his work in Tales From the Crypt and Return of the Night of the Living Dead. Her experience is in media and production makeup.

  • PAUL SPAETH

    Composer

    Paul rides the line between silver screen, digital technology, and concert hall with resounding success. Spaeth's work in cinema has premiered at such prestigious film festivals as Toronto, Monaco, Naples, and Montreal.

    With a love for poignant storytelling and transmitting the ineffable through sound, Spaeth's work elevates a production while never overpowering it. His career has spanned a wide variety of media: from film to television, video games, and virtual reality installations, as well as producing electronic artist Luminous and his own piano-based albums. He attributes his success to his philosophy of the numinous experience in music: a clarity and directness that draws individuals to an intensely personal experience. As said by one listener, "The subtleties strike us honestly, driving to the core of who and what we are."

  • CHRISTOPHER WINTRODE


    Line Producer

    Chris served as the Line Producer for 'Into Temptation' where he was responsible for managing the budget and overseeing the film operations and logistics. Chris is an impact-driven business operations leader with a strong background in corporate law and significant experience leading commercial transactions and negotiations for billion-dollar companies. Chris obtained his Juris Doctor from Saint Louis University and his Bachelor of Arts from Beloit College, where he studied Economics & Management and Political Science.

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