Local Brothers Shoot Independent Film in Stamford

Mike Basone, director of "Life in Parallel" chose to cast most of his actors from New York and LA, but he also chose to shoot the film in Connecticut to maintain the film's themes of triumph, defeat, friends, family, and home.

Mike Basone, who graduated from LA Film School in 2008 and wrote the script to Life in Parallel with his brother and producer Dan Basone, who recently graduated from Fairfield University, has based the film on his own experiences.

"Life in Parallel takes place during film school, and it's about what it takes to make a film. It's about the main character's highlights, struggles, and triumphs," Mike Basone said during an Aug. 19 shoot at Stamford's Lakeside Diner.

"We're putting many of our own experiences from film school into this film," Dan said.

Both from New Canaan, the Basone Brothers, have named their production company Basone Entertainment. Basone Entertainment is homegrown in every sense, and its founders seem to prefer it that way.

"It's all friends from film school and friends from New Canaan," Mike said about his film crew.

Life in Parallel's cast is mixed as it pertains to experience. This film is the first feature role for Guiding Light's Chris Cafero, who plays the main character in Mike Masi. Fresh faces such as Cafero are supported by Joe Stevens, previously featured in 2010's True Grit, and Joseph D'nofrio, previously featured in A Bronx Tale and Goodfellas.

"Joseph D'nofrio plays a manager for the main character," Mike said.

Mike confessed that the film's budget isn't high, but expressed that he was simply glad to be making his own movies. "We're starting small," Mike said. "We expect to make bigger films from here.

When the film wraps, the Basone Brothers plan to take Life in Parallel to film festivals with the hope of securing a distributor. In the meantime, scenes are being shot at popular locations across Connecticut, with the full cooperation of people sympathetic to Basone Entertainment's vision.