The Dark Side
An inspiring tale that reveals the transformative power of courage and determination, proving that even in the face of unspeakable hardships, one can emerge from the shadows and find their way towards a brighter future.
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CipherDirectori need a girl, Flames
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CipherWriteri need a girl, Flames
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CipherProduceri need a girl, Flames
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CipherKey Cast"Himself"
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Noah TopeteKey Cast"Child"
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Barbara BrienoKey Cast"Stepmother"
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Daniel SelkKey Cast"Father"A Fistful of Aces, Who Needs You, Let Me Sleep
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Carmen SageKey Cast"Mother"
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Melvin Bulock Jr.CinematographerAll I Do, Bad News Doctor, Dead Presidents
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Project Type:Experimental, Music Video, Short
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Genres:Music, Drama, Short, Musical Drama
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Runtime:26 minutes
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Completion Date:October 31, 2024
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Production Budget:15,000 USD
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Country of Origin:United States
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Country of Filming:United States
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:RED
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Aspect Ratio:16:9
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:Yes
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Student Project:No
Distribution Information
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TubiDistributorCountry: WorldwideRights: Internet, Video on Demand, Pay Per View, Free TV, Paid TV, Console / Handheld Device
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Amazon VideoDistributorCountry: WorldwideRights: Internet, Video on Demand, Pay Per View, Free TV, Paid TV, Console / Handheld Device
Cipher is an all-around creative from Dallas, Texas. As a young boy, he spent time in children's homes and foster care before reuniting with his mother in Dallas. The constant moving, however, proved to be quite a challenge and made it difficult for him to keep friends, stay in school, graduate, and stay away from trouble.
Music has always been a refuge for Cipher, most especially when times got tough. In 2006, he created his first record with a little help from some headphones he got from the school computer room. His love for rap music started very early in his young life, and it became his source of inspiration and a form of self-expression. Despite the adversities he faced in life, Cipher managed to graduate high school with honors.
Knowing that he could not afford to go to college, Cipher enlisted in the U.S. Navy after high school and was assigned to Carrier Strike Group Three. He participated in VBSS exercises and was part of the military operation that involved the capture of 15 Somali pirates and the release of 13 Iranian hostages. Throughout his military career, Cipher always found the time to write songs. During his time in the service, he was able to connect with mentors who helped develop his skills in marketing, investing, and starting businesses.
Four years and several medals later, Cipher was honorably discharged from the military, and he moved on to pursue his college degree. It was during that season in his life that he focused more on his music, learning to combine a southern sounds with a quick cadence. After establishing his personal style, his music has generated over a million streams across platforms, and his single 'Make You Mine' reached #34 on the iTunes R&B Charts. He has directed all of his own music videos and continues to expand his vision into film.
My hope in sharing one of the darkest times of my life, 'The Dark Side', is for people to know that whatever they're struggling with in their life, they're not alone.