WAKE UP
A suburban community is shaken when a pair of teenagers mysteriously disappear, uncovering a darkness hiding in plain sight. Tension builds, lives intersect as the community races against time to save their youth in this suspense thriller inspired by true events.
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Janet CraigDirector
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Janet CraigWriter
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Dan HoranWriter
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Deborah Smericnik (Executive Producer)Producer
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Elizabeth Runnels (Executive Producer)Producer
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Janet CraigProducer
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Doug GrossmanProducer
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Mark DavidProducer
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Joaquin CamiloProducer
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Bill MendietaProducer
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Kristen WiseProducer
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Mike WiseProducer
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RaisingHOPEProducer
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David GridleyKey Cast"David"The Duff, The Last Ship, Team Kaylie
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Tori GriffithKey Cast"Grace"Outta Control, Lost Girls, The Fergusons
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Isaac C. Singleton JrKey Cast"Tanner"Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Planet of the Apes, Transformers: Fall of Cybertron
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Chasnie HoustonKey Cast"Nevaeh"Double Cross, When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story
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O'Shay NealKey Cast"Ian"Velvet Prozak, The Broken Soul, Dave
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Janet CraigKey Cast"Annie"Butterfly Caught, Raise Your Hand
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Judson MillsKey Cast"Russ"Walker Texas Ranger, Major League: Back to the Minors, Westworld
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Brooke Anne SmithKey Cast"Beth"Too Close to Home, Aquarius, Awkward
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MattKey Cast"Socia"Breaking Them Up, Better Call Saul, NCIS: New Orleans
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Project Type:Feature
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Genres:Drama, Thriller
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Runtime:1 hour 31 minutes 49 seconds
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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:Digital, ArriRAW
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Aspect Ratio:2.39:1
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:Yes
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Student Project:No
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Sunscreen Film Festival WestHermosa Beach, CA
United States
November 6, 2021
North American Premiere
Best Dramatic Performance, O'Shay Neal -
Sunscreen Film Festival WestHermosa Beach, CA
United States
November 6, 2021
World Premiere
Best Feature -
Sedona International Film FestivalSedona, AZ
United States
February 26, 2022
Most Impactful Film
Distribution Information
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Delta AirlinesDistributorCountry: United StatesRights: Airline
Veteran actress Janet Craig is a first-time feature film director, having cut her teeth directing theatre productions and numerous short films. Janet studied at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, where she acquired her degree in Theatre while playing on the nationally-ranked women's tennis team, earning world rankings in both singles and doubles as a professional tennis player. Her acting credits consist of a wide variety of roles including appearances on network television, film, and in theatre. Her most recent project, WAKE UP, was inspired by her personal experience as a foster parent, and her passion to do all she can to put an end to sex trafficking. Janet is thrilled to bring WAKE UP to a global audience, and is actively in development on a television series.
WAKE UP originated when I heard a young woman share her story of being trafficked at an event for Forever Found, an anti-trafficking nonprofit. As I sat and listened, I was forever changed, and I wished I could bring the whole world into that room with me. I thought if everyone heard this young survivor’s story, they would feel as I did: we have to stop this. WAKE UP is my way of inviting the world into that room. I chose to make a narrative feature to reach audiences who might not otherwise hear about trafficking, but would watch a crime thriller. Inspired by the award winning movie CRASH and the blockbuster TAKEN, WAKE UP shows how lives intersect and impact each other in the terrifying world of human trafficking. It’s not a story of good verses evil, but of people capable of both. I am so grateful for the talented team that came together to make this project a reality, including the many subject matter experts who joined us on the journey. At the end of the film, Rachel C. Thomas, survivor, educator and spokesperson, shares a glimpse into her own life, and calls audiences to join us in this hope that together we can WAKE UP and bring hope, healing, and freedom to more kids.