LIFE AFTER TOMORROW

Origin Country: USA
Runtime: 75 MIN
Presentation Format: Beta SP

DIR/PROD Julie Stevens, Gil Cates, Jr. EXEC PROD Motty Reif, Chris Kelly DP Thomas M. Harting ED Steven J. Escobar, Jesco Film Entertainment MUS Megan Cavallari FEATURING Julie Stevens, Sarah Jessica Parker, Martha Byrne, Allison Smith, Danielle Brisebois.

Short Note:
Reuniting more than 40 former "orphans" and "Annies", this showbiz documentary takes a candid look at the highs and lows of being a child star. With revealing conversations about the impact on their families, friendships and the futures, the former Annies wax nostalgic about their glory days and life afterwards, including appearances from the creators of the musical, Sarah Jessica Parker and Martha Byrne (AS THE WORLDTURNS), MSNBC anchor Dara Brown and actress Allison Smith.

Long Note:
The title might imply earnest forbearance in a post-nuclear landscape, but instead this insightful, entertaining film offers a glimpse of life behind the curtain - the velvet curtain ofBroadway, that is.

The Broadway musical "Annie" was meant to help lift the U.S. out of its mid-1970s doldrums. After a rocky start, the show became a smash hit. Thousands of young girls flocked, not only to see "Annie", but also to audition for parts in it. Dozens of women lucky enough to fill those roles (including Sarah Jessica Parker) reveal the highs and lows of their experiences as child actresses in a cultural phenomenon.

Filmmakers Gil Cates, Jr. and Julie Stevens (a former "Annie" orphan herself) offer a balanced perspective. Some girls used the show as a springboard to greater success; others struggled to accept that their careers peaked at age 10. All of them reveal how "Annie" had a lasting impact on their lives.
-P.E. Thomas

Biography:
Julie Stevens began performing at age nine when she was cast as one of the orphans inthe in the hit Broadway musical, ANNIE. While performing in the show on Broadway, sheattended Professional Children's School, with fellow Annie alumni, Sarah Jessica Parker. Julie played Pepper in the final cast when Annie closed on Broadway after 2,377 performances.

Julie went on to earn a BFA from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts but quickly discovered that a degree in Acting did not help pay the rent. She went back to school and received a Masters Degree in Education from Bank Street College. Julie wasable to utilize her acting skills and teaching degree as a teaching artist for many well-known theatre companies in New York, including The Roundabout, National Actor's Theatre and Manhattan Theatre Club. She helped create educational outreach programs,led pre and post-show discussions, and facilitated drama workshops with New York City public school children. Julie also became an on-set Studio Teacher for professional children working in commercials, studio films, and independent films. Her recent credits as a Studio Teacher include THANK YOU FOR SMOKING, (directed by Jason Reitman),FAMILY UNDER SEIGE, INHABITED, and the soap opera THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL.

In 2000, Julie launched a website, ANNIEORPHANS.COM, hoping to re-connect with her fellow cast members online. The website quickly became the premiere ANNIE site for fans worldwide and has succeeded in creating a "sisterhood" of young women who appeared in the show.

Currently, Julie's singing voice can be heard as Barbie in the animated feature film, THE PRINCESS AND THE PAUPER. Her voice can also be heard in the singing Barbie doll, Erika. Other voiceover characters include My Little Pony and Cheer Bear in CARE BEARS LIVE! Julie is a member of the Director's Guild, Screen Actor's Guild, AFTRA, and Actor's Equity Association. LIFE AFTER TOMORROW marks her directorial debut.