The film industry has many talents, and when you find yourself cultivating the next silver screen Oscar hopeful, the experience and integrity of your inner circle makes all the difference in the world.  We are truly blessed with the best of the best who have come together in rare form to bring this film to life.  

Jeanne Starr Gater

CEO / Executive Producer

Delano Glass

Producer

Beulah Cooley

Wardrobe Design

Bernie L-Watkins

Legal Counsel

Chellee Roberts

Marketing

Dana Gress

Composer

Robert Gater

Producer

Bryan Papeirski

Dir. Photography

Ele Bardha

Stunt Director

Jenny Beauregard

Clinical Advisor

Keith Jackson

Set Designer

sharpen_Craig

Craig Erquhart

Music Director

Renee White

Locations Director

Jermaine Golden

Product Unit Manager

Jeanne Starr Gater

CEO / Executive Producer

Jeanne Starr Gater was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi, but spent most of her youth in Chicago, Illinois. She is a graduate of Carver High School in Chicago, where she received numerous awards and honors, the highest distinction being: “Most Outstanding Senior Graduate.” The author holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education from De Paul University and a Master’s Degree in Popular Culture/Broadcast Communications from Governor’s State University. Her prolific background includes working as a Teacher and Office Occupations Coordinator at her alma mater, Carver High, in Chicago; and as Teacher/Yearbook Advisor at Cass Technical High School in Detroit, MI. Jeanne also worked as Assistant Editorial Community Affairs Director for WLS-TV in Chicago before her promotion to Detroit to become Director of Editorial/Community Affairs for WXYZ Radio; both ABC owned stations. Ms. Starr Gater won a number of editorial awards before becoming a television reporter at WKZO T.V. in Kalamazoo, MI, and at WDHO Television in Toledo, Ohio where she also hosted, Community Close Up. Her stellar resume includes a modeling and acting career which began while attending De Paul University and working part-time for former Olympian Track Star, Jesse Owens. His public relations firm used her for promotional ads for a number of their clients; and Jeanne after completing her degree was recruited for modeling and acting jobs through the Shirley Hamilton Modeling Agency in Chicago Illinois.

Delano Glass

Producer

Delano Glass is a entertainment veteran of film, television, music & magazine publishing with over 20 years of experience.
He has worked with & for many icons in the industry including Prince, Janet Jackson, Cherie Johnson, Alex Thomas, Slum Village, Dwele & many more.
His company Real Entertainment Films, LLC has completed production with KJ POST & Ken Baker Jr on a film project entitled "Why Do Men Cheat? The Movie which is loosely based on his former lifestyle. His current film "My Sister's Keeper" is in post production. Delano is lead producer of a upcoming film entitled "Bring Back Summertime" filmed in Detroit, Atlanta & The Virgin Islands. He is also Exec Producer of many Television show's including "Rock City Spotlight", "A Father's Pain", "Movie Show Plus" "Blood Brothers" & many more. Also be on the lookout for the movie streaming site "Moovietyme". A site to view first run & indie films.

Beulah Cooley

Wardrobe Director

Beulah Cooley is a Native of Philadelphia, MS who moved to Detroit, MI in 1977. Beulah has been designing clothing since she was a child. Using her dolls as models, she began sewing in the eighth grade and making her own wardrobe.
Cooley previously worked at Bobbie Brooks Mfg. Co. in New York City, and Barney`s men shirt Mfg. company, Meridian, MS. Also McFain Mfg. company Pachuta, MS. was one of the companies contracted to manufacture the Blue Jean Denim Line, for J C. Penneys. Working as a sewing machine operator for these manufacturers enabled Beulah to gain experience that enhanced her God-given designer talent. That talent was further enhanced with her taking classes in Art Illustration at Oakland University in Michigan.
In 1978 ... Beulah began catering to a select clientele which attracted numerous others to her unique designs. 1983 ... "Beulah's Designer Fashion" was established, and she gained recognition as a fashion innovator. She won many local fashion competitions, and was featured on Detroit local television as one of the top ten designers nationwide in the International Design Competition sponsored by "Canadian Mist Designers of the Future".1992 ... One of Beulah’s designs was declared a winner and was on display in the Black Art Museum in New York City.

Bernie Lawrence Watkins

Legal Counsel

Bernie Lawrence-Watkins is a seasoned principal attorney at the law firm of B. Lawrence Watkins & Associates, PC, concentrating in the areas of Entertainment, Media Technology, Licensing, Copyright, Trademark, Business Transactions, Litigation, and Corporate Formations. Her clients include Grammy® Award-winning music producers, artists, and songwriters, some of who have sold over 10 million units in sales. She also represents major label record executives, Deejays, independent record labels, managers, music and film/television production companies, screenplay writers, and clothing designers. Ms. Lawrence-Watkins has over nineteen years of experience in drafting and negotiating complex agreements ranging from licensing, employment, corporate transactions, to product endorsement and influencer deals on behalf of entertainment and corporate brands. Ms. Lawrence-Watkins’ sharp negotiating skills have earned her clients over millions of dollars in advances and residual income. She periodically appears as a guest lecturer and panelist at colleges, law schools and conferences nationally and internationally.

Bishop Chellee Roberts

Marketing & PR

Bishop Chellee Roberts has worked extensively to promote major faith-based movie releases by working directly with movie theaters and churches for ‘opening weekend’ promotion. Notable movies she has promoted include:

•The Passion of the Christ: Producer/Director, Mel Gibson
•War Room: Produced by the Kendrick Brothers
•Woodlawn: Produced by the Erwin Brothers

Bishops Roberts stated: “I’m looking forward to bringing worldwide attention for viewers to see Bring Back Summertime because out of this true story of tragedy, true triumph against what seemed to be insurmountable odds arose VICTORY! I’m looking forward to working with the faith-based media component because as a pastor I see people go through daily trials, challenges and health issues. They will witness firsthand perseverance, and faith come alive in Bring Back Summertime; stirring again their faith that God is truly a Healer and A Deliverer.

On July 2, 2022, The Queens Gala in Birmingham Alabama presented Bishop Chellee Roberts with “The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from President, Joseph Biden, Jr., and the AmeriCorps. The award was to honor her fifteen years of outstanding leadership and community service assisting people worldwide.

Dana C. R. Gress

Composer

Dana is the lead player and composer for Chill FX, a modern jazz group based in Southfield, MI. He is also a recording artist with Chill FX, having released our debut CD on My Heart Records titled “Dawn of the Blu Frog” now available on iTunes and w.cdbaby.com/chillfx. Dana has performed at such venues as Seldom Blues restaurant and Sterlingfest Jazz and Art Fair.
Pianist/Keyboardist
Dana is a professional pianist with excellent sight reading and jazz improvisation skills. I perform as a solo jazz pianist regularly for private social engagements. I have held many positions in which his skills as a pianist or accompanist are desired (see above).

Education
2000 | Master of Education (Curriculum and Instructional Design)
• Westminster College
1995 | Bachelor of Music in Composition (Scoring for Motion Pictures
and Television)
• University of Southern California
• Studied with Frank Ticheli
• Recipient of BMI Scholarship for Film Scoring
Professional Experience
Composer
• Studied with renowned composers Frank Ticheli, Erica Muhl, Buddy Baker, David Raksin,
Christopher Young, John Parker, Larry Blank, Alan Silvestri, Elmer Bernstein.
• Recipient of BMI Scholarship for Film Scoring
• Published by C. L. Barnhouse Co.
• Commissioned by
• Prevailing Winds Wind Quintet, Salt Lake City, UT
• Highland High School, UT
• Salt Lake Symphonic Winds, UT
• Park City Community Schools. MI
• Lakeview Public Schools, MI
• L’Anse Creuse Public Schools, MI
• Connecticut Chamber Music Association, CT
Alto Saxophonist

Teaching and other Professional Experience
2009 - present | Lead Performing Arts Teacher, Vocal Music Instructor
Marvin L. Winans Academy of Performing Arts | Detroit, MI
2008 - 2011 | Accompanist/Assistant Director
Roeper Community Choir and Chamber Singers | Birmingham, MI
2005 - present | Adjunct Faculty
Saginaw Valley State University | University Center, MI
2006 - 2009 | Instrumental and Vocal Music
Nataki Talibah Schoolhouse of Detroit | Detroit, MI
2003 - 2006 | Vocal and Instrumental Jazz Director
L’Anse Creuse Publ ic Schools | Harrison Township, MI
2000 - 2003 | Instrumental and Vocal Music
Summit Academy | Flat Rock, MI

Robert Gater

Producer

Robert Gater’s career encompasses over 25 years of global operations and consulting roles, with extensive experience in many facets of the Financial Industry. Having proven leadership in both independent and retail enterprise, Robert’s forward thinking, insight and outstanding guidance within corporate structures has given him the acumen to handle business ventures and projects with precision and flair.

Robert began his diverse career in the Securities Industry where he held senior management positions and was involved in the planning of multiple successful Limited and General Partnerships.

Philosophy: I wanted to offer my clients options that are outside the traditional box at the big banks, and to provide a catalyst and resource to bring about cause and change to foster the ability to thrive and grow.

Favorite Quote:  “If thou has run with footmen and they weary thee, then how canst thou contend thyself to run with horses? “

Bryan Papierski

Director of Photography

Bryan studied film at Art Center College of Design (Pasadena), and has the insight, skill, and eye for achieving a wide range of different looks and styles, whether working as a director or as a cameraman.
A real-person, slice-of-life director, Papierski is skilled in casting actors and real people, particularly children, and developing and discovering their characters, bringing out natural performances from professionals and amateurs alike. 

Bryans "WHY" is to make every film or video project the best it can be. Bottom line is my passion, work ethics and being a great team player.

Specialties: director, camera man, operator, dir/dp, local 600, full Arri and Red camera package, filming people and kids, thinking/creating on the spot, jib arms/cranes, under water film/ video, editing, computer graphics, drawing, painting, sculpting, welding, woodworking, ...

Ele Bardha

Stunt Director

Ele Bardha is a famous stunt coordinator known for his exclusive work in various fighting scenes. He has contributed in many fight sequences in many films. He lives in Detroit, Michigan and has been living there for a long time. He has been the face behind several action scenes in many blockbuster movies. He has also contributed to another field of filmmaking from being in miscellaneous crews, assistant director, camera and electrical department and has also produced many films. He has invested his money in films like Seven Days in Utopia, Marshmallow, Paid In Full, Shark Lake and much more. He was involved in many epic action scenes in different super hit films. He started his career in stunt direction in 2009 with Crash Course and later did various hits like Street Kings 2, Machine Gun Preacher, Harold and Kumar, The Citizen, Oz the great and powerful and much more. He also appeared as a body double for stunts in films like Machine Gun Preacher, War Flowers, Red Dawn and Only Lovers Left Alive.

He loves his work and has a unique passion for what he does. He is an extreme adventurist and likes bringing that passion into his work in the films. He has directed action sequence in the epic action movies like Need for Speed, Transformer: Age of Extinction, Deadpool and even in Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice. His work is applauded by many and loved across the globe. The action scenes in these movies were intense and required huge amount of experience to pull off such a performance. The fights in the movies were applauded by critics as well as audiences. He has been a part of some great movies, which helped him increase his stature in Hollywood. He also worked in making a TV commercial for Miller Genuine Draft. He is a multitalented personality who has contributed in many different ways to the film industry, from being in the crew, cameraman, producer and even stunt director. He has dedicated a major part of his life towards it, enjoys what he does and hopes to continue doing it in the coming future.

Jenny Beauregard

Medical Story Consultant

Medical Story Consultant for film production, Bring Back Summertime. Consultation with set designers and Detroit Medical Center Film Coordinator for implementation and set up of all ICU rooms, medical equipment, medical staff wardrobe and color schemes consistent with storyline and 1980’s era of the story. • Certi9ied Registered Nurse Anesthetist with over twenty years of anesthesia experience in clinical and didactic education. Experience covers a broad spectrum of anesthesia that includes cardiovascular, neruro-surgery procedures; general surgery, obstetrics, pediatrics and pain management.
• Astute ability to assist surgeons in dire life/death traumatic operating room emergencies.
• American Anesthesia Association, Black Nurses Association, NAACP. ENAPHA: Ethiopian National Association of Professional Health Care Associates
• Awards
Nurse of the Year 1989/Providence Hospital, Southfield, MI.
2001-2004
Manager of Anesthesia Services Southeast Surgical Center of Michiga
• 1995-2001
Detroit Medical Center/Sinai Grace and Hutzel Hospital
Clinical Instructor and Staff CRNA
• 1981-1997
Director of Anesthesia Services
Seaway Hospital /Oakwood South Shore Hospital)
Developed and supervised anesthesia operations.JCHAO.
• Education
• Wayne State University, Bachelor of Science in Anesthesiology •1978 .
• Voluntary Missions
• Traveled for three years to Ethiopia (2-3 week periods) with ENAPHA Organization.
• Performed anesthesia for Cardiac Surgery, Neurosurgery, General Surgery, Pediatric, Maxilla-Facial surgery and Pacemaker Placement.
• 2013 and 2021 - 2022

Keith Jackson

Set Designer

A wise philosopher once said, “The vision is only as strong as the visionary.” With an innate ability to transform ideas into masterful works of art, O. Keith Jackson stands tall as a consummate visionary.

A native of Detroit, Michigan, O. Keith Jackson is the CEO/Executive Director and Creative Designer for The Deep Drama Design. For over a decade, he has conceptualized, designed, and built elaborately detailed sets for many highly successful touring productions including: Woman Thou Art Loosed, R. Kelley’s, 12 Play, What Men Don’t Tell, Why Good Girls Like Bad Boys, Church Girls, Cheaper To Keep Her, Marriage Material, Cheater’s, The Stage Play,CHRISTIAN TABERNACLE’ ANGLES ON ASSIGNMENT and many more. To add to his plethora of creative talents, his genre also includes: concerts, comedy specials, awards shows, party, home, and business decor.

The key to my success is always giving the client more than they expect.

-O. K. Jackson

By consistently living up to his self-imposed standard of excellence, and labeled the “Set Doctor” by the late, internationally renowned, Ron Milner, Jackson consistently receives lucrative contracts from some the country’s “heavyweights” in theatre productions. He has a reputation for not only building dynamic sets, but, also improving sets that have been built by others. In that sense, all roads lead back to Jackson; as he has created a style that is often imitated, but never duplicated.

Craig Erquhart

Music Director

Pianist, songwriter, vocalist and recording engineer, Craig Erquhart, has over thirty years experience in the music business. Over the years he has produced Eight CD Albums and Twelve Singles. He has produced and coached numerous gospel artists at his Wesshighland Recording Studio located in Southfield, MI. His engineering skills include Digital Audio Work Station computer based software production with advanced experience in recording technique acquired educationally at the Recording Institute of Detroit.
For more than ten years, Craig served as the Music Director for Jeanne Starr Gater’s Supa Dupa Babee ‘Friends Forever’ Healthy and Smart” anti-drugs, anti-violence stage production. Jeanne Starr Gater cites Craig as being creative, talented and easy to work with. Together they produced eight original songs, mascot voice overs and the sound effects for the show which played major theater venues in Detroit including the famed Detroit Opera House and Music Hall. The “Friends Forever” stage production which was produced annually in October to support the federal Drug Enforcement Agency’s Drug Prevention Month received press coverage, and noteworthy acclaim from educators and law enforcement agencies in Detroit. The lively stage production was deemed a lifetime remembrance and noted as exciting as a Broadway Production. Craig Erquhart, because of his musical talent, was recruited to work on the Bring Back Summertime Film Project and his creative genius has not gone unnoticed. He worked directly with the project’s Music Supervisor, Donnie Lewis (former Motown Records drummer), and Dana Gress, Bring Back Summertime Music Composer. Craig digitized and musically updated and mastered the background music for the Bring Back Summertime Theme Song. He also co-directed the Bring Back Summertime Orchestration for the two-day live filming and recording of the 36-piece orchestral performance by the Detroit Federation of Musicians. Craig's outstanding dedication to the film project is reflected in the creative production of the Bring Back Summertime Sound Track, producing and writing a number of original songs for the movie; including the movie’s 1980’s endearing opening music and sound effects for the film’s crash scene trailer. Craig openly stated: “I want the theater audience to feel the emotional presence of all music created for Bring Back Summertime down to their very core.”

Renee White

Locations Director

Renee White is the Founder of Emmanuel House 1 & 2, an Assisted Living and Adult Day Care Center. Her thirst for helping people she asserts all started with her parents who favored her, her siblings, and numerous others with unconditional love. She thus learned to appreciate small things in life, or things other people often considered insignificant; and that along with her Christian upbringing helped her extend herself to helping others ‘no matter how downtrodden!’ Renee’s professional and entrepreneurial experience include working as a correctional officer, and owner and operator on her own day care center. As a staunch liaison, and advocate for children with special health care needs, she was able to build her administrative leadership and connections. Eventually, stepping out on faith on what she felt was God’s divine plan for her life, Renee opened Emmanuel House 1 in 2005. Emmanuel means ‘God is with us.’ (Matthew 1:23). In 2018, Renee was honored by POWER, Professional Organization Women of Excellence Recognized. Her recognition for community service continues as Renee has been selected as an honored member of the Nationwide Registries Women of Distinction Honors Edition 2022.

Renee’s high energy, focus and drive for getting things done makes her a valuable team member working as the Locations Director for Bring Back Summertime. When presented with the opportunity, Renee knew her many contacts while working for the City of Detroit would help her get the job done. She was drawn to the faith-based story of prayer, divine intervention and the fact that the film project parallels her mission of continuing to help people. Renee spent several weeks scouting and finalizing the film’s critical crash scene location. Concurrently, working with Executive Producer, Jeanne Starr Gater, she secured storage and pickup for some of the film’s vintage vehicles. As Locations Director, Renee will be spearheading contacts, contracts, and permits for numerous locations needed for the film project in Detroit, and for Second Unit Filming locations and permits in the Bahamas.

Jermaine Golden

Unit Production Manager

Jermaine Golden first developed an early interest in becoming a Filmmaker during his high school years. He studied TV/Radio Broadcasting during his junior and senior high school years in Detroit, Michigan. After graduating from high school, he majored in Digital Video Production earning his Associates Degree in Basic Film Theory and Film Editing from Baker College in Royal Oak, Michigan. After graduation, Jermaine decided to test the waters and further develop his filmmaking expertise in the Independent Film Industry. Since then, he innovatively wrote, produced and directed the Gospel Stage play, “Never Too Young”. Over the years Jermaine has directed several music videos, and the short film “Caught Up.” He also developed the television movie trailer in 2014, “A Father’s Pain” which has received critical acclaim. Jermaine’s Independent Film Production Company, Golden Gate Entertainment has directed several films including the 2021 Movie, “Thieves On the Cross” in conjunction with Real Entertainment Films. Jermaine will act as Unit Production Manager and also work as a camera operator for the Bring Back Summertime Film Production.