Carlos A Hiciano: a recent college graduate whose passion for filmmaking and art has developed from an early age. Carlos is a versatile artist who loves to collaborate in music, film, and other mediums. He aspires to create feature films and create an independent film company in the future.

Baptism by Fire is a short film that takes a soldier’s journey through the Vietnam War into question. While serving his country, Isaac, the young soldier must deal with the pain he has inflicted upon others and the choices he has made, in order to survive.

The regrets and longing for his fiancée back home eat away at him until one particular night, in which he must stand up and fight for his well being, as a former member of his platoon comes back seeking answers and vindication, for being left behind.

Through the ramifications that occur in the course of this single night, lives will change and any innocence that once was, will be lost.

About Director:

Craig Surko is a filmmaker based out of NJ, USA who has a BFA with a specialization in the filmmaking field (from Montclair State University). While Baptism by Fire is his thesis film from university, it has continued to play in festivals throughout the United States, as well as England, Ireland and more. Throughout the festivals in which it has screened, the film has also managed to win two awards for Best Acting and Best Directing (from the 2013 Durham Film Festival). 

Scheduled for March 16^th, 2013 from 7:30 – 9:30 PM, the 4^th Annual Hell’s Kitchen Short Film Festival is anticipated to lead a forum for discussion surrounding domestic violence within the Hell’s Kitchen Community, with 5 hand-picked short films to be debuted from local rising filmmakers. Each film details a personal account of domestic violence or abuse from the filmmakers perspective, with directors and actors facilitating a brief open forum following their film to discuss the impact of domestic violence within their communities. The 4^th Annual Hell’s Kitchen Short Film Festival is free and open to the public, and will take place at 400 West 43^rd Street, New York, NY 10036. Early arrival is suggested.

Behind the scenes, retired Hollywood actress and now author Carol Hollenbeck has hosted the Hell’s Kitchen Short Film Festival for a handful of years, with much appreciated help from film-loving members of her Hell’s Kitchen (tucked just a few blocks outside of the Times Square area of Manhattan, NYC) community. This year, the festival will include live entertainment, wine and cocktails, and delicious treats from famed local eateries. Carol Hollenbeck is the author of True Blondes, a novel based on her account of Hollywood, both the pretty and ugly side, including her experience with domestic abuse. Copies of True Blondes will be available for sale, and proceeds will benefit victims of abuse within the local community.

The 4^th Hell’s Kitchen Short Film Festival is easy to get to, with the A, C, E, 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R subway lines within walking distance of festivities. Films that will be showcased will be announced March 4^th, 2013 via Carol Hollenbeck at www.Twitter.com/TrueBlondesNY. Parental discretion is advised. The festival will be hosted at a handicap-friendly facility.

The 1960’s & Fashion. As told by Carol Hollenbeck

It was the sixties. I was in Hollywood, the land where dreams came true. Marilyn Monroe had recently passed away. The Beatles were first arriving on our shores. That was when the mere mention of the word glamour could conjure up images of all the Hollywood fashionistas. One of the most famous fashionistas of that period was Edith Head, the designer to the stars. She designed clothes for Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and Lana Turner, Ava Gardner and a host of other celebrities. Whatever dress Edith drew could automatically turn to gold. Then there was Oleg Cassini, he became famous for designing the pill box hat for the first lady Jackie Kennedy. ”The Jackie Look” ushered in an era of timeless simplicity.

In the year 1961, the first lady appointed Oleg to be her exclusive couturier. I loved Oleg Cassini’s style. In the year 1964 designer Mary Quant introduced the world to the Mini Skirt. The mini skirt was one of my favorite designs of the sixties, just a few inches above the knee, made it easier if a producer asked to see your legs. All you had to do was peer down and say “your looking at them”.

One of my favorite stars back then was Kim Novak. The blonde of all blondes. She was a real true blonde fashion icon. Her love of the color purple made a great impression on me. My fashion taste of the sixties had to be either orchid, lavender, purple or the wild color of hot pink. They were the hues I fell in love with.

The nineteen sixties was a great time for women, it was fashionable back then to have some flesh on your body. Kim, as well as Marilyn had a bit of heftiness, which was considered to be sexy. The pin ups and cheesecakes photos as they were called in that period of history were all the rage. That era gave me, as well as other young women permission to look well rounded, so to speak. It was acceptable in the old days to be a size 10, 12 or even a 14.

Then suddenly as if overnight the fashion era changed. That was when the famed model Twiggy sashayed on the scene. Twiggy, with her long legs, wide eyes and pixie style hair had swept he designers into a whirlwind frenzy. Twiggy was the end of the fashion era of flesh is good.

That was the beginning of the “Thin Is In” style. As for my taste, I didn’t care for the thin is in trend. As the fashionistas fell in love with the slim trim Twig, I remained true to my “flesh is best” theory. Briget Bardot, who was another sex goddess of the nineteen sixties was slender in her bikini and feathered boa, not skinny. The bikinis became popular from all those beach party flicks of that era. I was never comfortable wearing a bikini, I guess I had a little prudishness left over from the nineteen fifties.

A couple of years ago I had the great pleasure of seeing the fabulous documentary on the famed Italian designer Valentino. The film was called ”The Last Great Emperor”, it broke me back to a time when I felt that fashion had an elegance and style.

Here’s a sneak peak at what I’m working on for New York Fashion Week 2013. I’m so excited!

“TRUE BLONDES” - A STORY FOR ALL
(Book Review – 2012)
By Dulcy Brightman | Click Here for Original Link

Many years ago I attended a very lavish Holiday Party at New York City’s Main Library on 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue. The main hall of the New York Public Library was decorated with Poinsettia, garlands, and other greenery. The high ceilings and beauty of the marble below my feet, and surroundings only highlighted the festive room.

It was a special party. It was for television producers, their guests, distinguished members of New York City Government, and artists from all five boroughs of New York City. The room was filled with people in lavish cocktail dresses, smartly tailored business suits or tuxedos. You could practically feel the deep black velvet worn by some women with distinct fashion savvy.

I was one of the invited people who sparked in her vanilla crepe blouse, and velvet skirt. I observed the room with smiling people holding glasses of champagne, and finger foods of all kinds both salty and sweet. Suddenly, a stunning woman with blond hair, long eye lashes, and a cheeky smile, knocked into me. It was none other than famed author and writer, Carol Hollenbeck. We chatted about her 1950’s novel, and other projects of hers. Before you know it, I had invited Carol and her friend, Chocolate Waters, a famous for “Poet Laureate of Hell‘s Kitchen“, to help me review current Feature Films from every major movie company. Chocolate was exceptionally witty, and charming as was the humorous Carol.

Carol, this past May 2012, reminded me that she and Chocolate had done reviews on several of my shows for “Reel People Review” in the early 1990’s. I was astounded as I had not recalled this, as at the time I was producing two simultaneous television (series) shows, as well as writing and editing them. Carol was no stranger to long hours of work, and so it was we had mutual respect for our ongoing ambitions.

This year, Carol, announced to me that she was to have published her exciting, amusing, heartbreaking and heartwarming novel, “TRUE BLONDES”. This book gives a solid unnerving perspective of victims of domestic abuse.

Twenty percent of sales of “TRUE BLONDES” are to benefit the Safe Horizons Domestic Violence Organization. 

NY Author Launches “Rebuilding Our Bookshelves”, Book Drive to Benefit Those Affected by Sandy

[New York, NY] Weeks after Super-storm Sandy ravaged the East Coast, philanthropist and author Carol Hollenbeck is sitting back along with countless other New Yorker’s wondering what they can do to help those whose lives have been turned upside down. Known around her Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood for her acting roles in 1960-1970’s blockbusters, Carol is now calling on her friends both in NYC and around the region to round-up a bag of books and help put them in the hands of those without televisions, radios, and other technology. Starting November 16th, 2012 and lasting 30 days, donate books to Rebuilding Our Bookshelves by dropping them off or mailing them to the Renaissance Diner – 776 9th Avenue at 41st Street. New York, NY 10019. Books may be dropped off 24 hours a day.

Carol Hollenbeck debuted her first novel, True Blondes, this past Summer, and has recently been involved in several philanthropic projects to benefit the city of New York. In addition to helping those affected by Super-storm Sandy, Carol is scheduled to host a benefit event for victims of domestic violence during next season’s New York Fashion Week. Carol Hollenbeck is also using her novel, True Blondes, as a tool to help those in need, by vowing to donate 25% of book sales indefinitely to benefit victims of domestic abuse through respected advocacy organizations around the country.

Carol Hollenbeck is available for live interviews. For information please contact L. Blake Harvey at The Lawrence Blake Group Int’l at (646) 481.8237 or Requests @ LawrenceBlake.com. Follow Carol Hollenbeck on Twitter for updates on Rebuilding Our Bookshelves at www.Twitter.com/TrueBlondesNY & on Tumblr at www.TrueBlondesNY.Tumblr.com. Large/International donations are accepted and may be coordinated directly with the Lawrence Blake Group Int’l.

NY Author Launches “Rebuilding Our Bookshelves”, Book Drive to Benefit Those Affected by Sandy

[New York, NY] Weeks after Super-storm Sandy ravaged the East Coast, philanthropist and author Carol Hollenbeck is sitting back along with countless other New Yorker’s wondering what they can do to help those whose lives have been turned upside down. Known around her Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood for her acting roles in 1960-1970’s blockbusters, Carol is now calling on her friends both in NYC and around the region to round-up a bag of books and help put them in the hands of those without televisions, radios, and other technology. Starting November 16th, 2012 and lasting 30 days, donate books to Rebuilding Our Bookshelves by dropping them off or mailing them to the Renaissance Diner – 776 9th Avenue at 41st Street. New York, NY 10019. Books may be dropped off 24 hours a day.

Carol Hollenbeck debuted her first novel, True Blondes, this past Summer, and has recently been involved in several philanthropic projects to benefit the city of New York. In addition to helping those affected by Super-storm Sandy, Carol is scheduled to host a benefit event for victims of domestic violence during next season’s New York Fashion Week. Carol Hollenbeck is also using her novel, True Blondes, as a tool to help those in need, by vowing to donate 25% of book sales indefinitely to benefit victims of domestic abuse through respected advocacy organizations around the country.

Carol Hollenbeck is available for live interviews. For information please contact L. Blake Harvey at The Lawrence Blake Group Int’l at (646) 481.8237 or Requests @ LawrenceBlake.com. Follow Carol Hollenbeck on Twitter for updates on Rebuilding Our Bookshelves at www.Twitter.com/TrueBlondesNY & on Tumblr at www.TrueBlondesNY.Tumblr.com. Large/International donations are accepted and may be coordinated directly with the Lawrence Blake Group Int’l.