A Poem for A Poet: Sundance Alumni Director Robert Saitzyk invites you to take the ride with “The Last Beat”

First Nine Minutes of Film Released Online

(Los Angeles, CA --April 08, 2014) “The Last Beat” follows the final days of Jay Douglas, famous American rock star, in a turbulent, but exhilarating early 1970's Paris. Inspired by the last days of rock and pop culture icon Jim Morrison, the film is not in any way a traditional biopic, but a lyrical study of a brilliant, complex, and troubled soul. Tragic and comedic, at the film's core are Jay's broken, but passionate relationships with the two women in his life -- Clemence, a glamorous Countess, and his professed "soul-mate," Valerie Eason, an earthy red-haired beauty from golden California.

A film ultimately full of erotic passion, music, and humor, “The Last Beat” is sure to excite those who may not know much about Morrison and the times, and for those that do, a film sure to speak to them deeply. “We don’t want to tell a story about how Morrison might have died in a bathtub or in a club in Paris,” says Saitzyk. “This film is about the psychology of who Morrison might have been at the end of his life. We don’t want to know HOW his heart stopped, we want to know what was IN his heart, right up until its last beat.”

“The Last Beat”  stars Shawn Andrews (Dazed and Confused) as Jay Douglas, Cameron Richardson(Shameless, Harper’s Island) as Valerie, with Martha Higareda (Street Kings), Kevin Corrigan (Pineapple Express, The Mentalist), Seymour Cassel (Heist), Courtney Halverson (Godspeed, Death Valley), Leah Cevoli (Deadwood, Robot Chicken) and Helenna Santos (American Reunion, BlackBoxTv).

“It's an honor to play the role of Jay Douglas” says Shawn Andrews. “The film celebrates one of the greatest rock poets of all time who continues to be an important influence in my life.”

The film is currently raising development funds via the popular crowdfunding platform Indiegogo, and can be accessed directly by going to www.RideWithTheBeat.com. As part of the campaign, Saitzyk has released what will be the opening scene of the film.  “Saitzyk adds his own poetic touch that sets it (the film) apart from others and at once makes it his own.” Says writer/reporter Jim Cherry, “It’s a scintillating nine minutes that makes me want to see the rest of the film.”

Joining writer/director/producer Robert Saitzyk and lead actor/producer Shawn Andrews, The Last Beat's team includes Producer Jeffrey Allard (The Violent Kind, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning), Producer Matthew S. Miller (American Asylum), Director of Photography Michael Hardwick (The Yellow Wallpaper, Godspeed), and Producer Michelle R. Thomas (Asylum).

In addition to the beautiful storyline, The Last Beat’s soundtrack will be performed and composed by some of the actor/musicians who will play “The Riders”  (Shawn Andrews (vox), George Adrian (guitar), Jason Mezilis (bass/piano), and Stephen Hines (drums).  The original music is a collaborative effort, being written and recorded under the musical direction of George Adrian.  

“The Last Beat”  is offering a variety of unique perks on Indiegogo, including personalized poetry, a glossy photo book, a limited edition vinyl soundtrack, picnic with the entire cast and crew and so much more at http://www.RIDEWITHTHEBEAT.com