Chad Valyear - Up From The Dark

A heavy metal singer who is a spiraling drug addict is disrupted by a determined friend and a God who puts him back together right in front of those who broke him.

  • Steve Sugarman
    Director
  • Steve Sugarman
    Producer
  • Chad Valyear
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 57 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 31, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    1,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • The IndieFEST Film Awards
    La Jolla, CA
    United States
    May 1, 2023
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Steve Sugarman

Somewhere between light and sound, there is Steve. Steve has several decades of work circling around photography, video, web, music - and most recently - 3D animation.

Starting photography when he was only 11 years old, he has grown that love to being recognized as a Hollywood nominated director. He is a published music producer and plays bass guitar.

He lives in 'a state of constant total amazement' in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada with 3 cats, 11 fish, and 1 wife.

"Almost the whole world is asleep. Everybody you know. Everybody you see. Everybody you talk to. Only a few people are awake and they live in a state of constant total amazement." - Patricia (Meg Ryan) in Joe Vs. Volcano (1990)

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Director Statement

I first met Chad at a music gig where we opened for his band, Valyear. After a few minutes of conversation, I knew there was a journey in this guy that needed to be told. I got up the courage to ask if I could interview him and he jumped at the chance. This is just a snapshot of a two hour conversation I had with Chad. Truly a story of an amazing transformation that I hope inspires others to do the same.