Give as a gift
Stream the curated UCLAxFilmFest 2025 Official Selections here!
Synopsis
Echoes in the Dark follows Sarah, a woman who is struggling to come to terms with the recent loss of her fiancé, Josh. As she battles with grief, her mind becomes plagued by twisted and distorted memories from her past, causing her mental health to deteriorate rapidly. Feeling as though the darkness of her mind has taken control of her, Sarah must confront the demons within and find a way to survive before the darkness consumes
her completely.
Director's Statement
As a first-time screenwriter and director for Echoes in the Dark, I was excited to delve into the complexities of depression through this film. My personal experience growing up with a father who struggled with manic depression has given me a glimpse into the daily struggles of managing mental illness, but it has also left me with a deep understanding of the inner turmoil and confusion that often goes unseen. Echoes in the Dark aims to shed light on the struggles that those with depression face, as it affects not only their ability to feel and think, but also their ability to navigate the world around them. It is my hope that this film will bring attention to the importance of mental health and the impact it has on individuals and their loved ones.
Crew
Connie Jo Sechrist - Writer/Director/Producer
Connie Jo Sechrist is an accomplished American Actress and Emmy® Nominated Producer from San Jose, CA, whose work has been recognized at prestigious festivals such as SXSW, Tribeca, Hollyshorts and other Academy Qualifying Festivals around the world. She is well-known for her dynamic and complex roles in drama, action, and scifi genre films.
As a passionate advocate for mental health, Connie Jo has produced and starred in over 20 films that explore mental health and personal stories, with the goal of destigmatizing mental health issues and breaking down barriers. Her commitment to raising awareness about the prevalence of mental health problems and encouraging greater understanding and acceptance is evident in the impactful nature of her work. In addition to her acting and producing career, Connie Jo is also a respected leader and mentor in various independent film groups around the world, where she strives to inspire and support the growth of other aspiring filmmakers.
Kristen Brancaccio - Producer
Kristen Brancaccio is the founder of Exit Twelve Productions, a full-service production company specializing in music videos. She is a writer, director and VMA-nominated producer with an extensive background in the digital space. She began her career at The Key of Awesome, a hit comedy series with 3 billion views on YouTube, and she was a top 10 directing finalist on HBO's Project Greenlight. Her producing credits include the web series Terminator Genisys: The YouTube Chronicles starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lilly Singh and videos/digital content for top music artists including Usher, Kesha and Sebu from Capital Cities. Her writing credits include a teen spy action screenplay for Legendary Digital and Grindstone Workshop, a digital series for Skybound Entertainment. She has produced for Defy Media (RIP), Quibi (also RIP), Riot Games and many digital creators including Whitney Avalon (of Princess Rap Battles fame) and Joey Graceffa.
Darren Joe - Director of Photography
A San Francisco area native, Darren's Emmy award winning cinematography work is informed from his background as a trained classical dancer, his degree in video art and photography, and his prior career as a Information Technology manager. Concentrating in narrative and documentary, but also working in the television and commercial space, Darren has lensed films across the world; including the UK, France, and India. Films that he's shot have been shown in festivals around the globe; including Sundance and Cannes Film Festival.
Matthew James - Composer
Born into a working-class family in Chicago, IL, Matthew’s musical journey began with a $1 toy keyboard at age 7, sparking a lifelong passion. Early lessons with his father on a Casio keyboard led to awards as a clarinetist and his first compositions by age 11. By 18, he was a self-taught multi-instrumentalist, band leader, producer, and songwriter active in Chicago's music scene. In 2016, inspired by a friend in Hollywood, Matthew transitioned to scoring for film and TV. His first project, Life After Hate, earned an Emmy, paving the way for further success. By 2017, he was working on shows like Black Lightning and Being Mary Jane. In 2018, Matthew built a studio at Burbank’s Aura Sound & Color facility. He continues to thrive, with multiple feature films and projects on the horizon.
Danny Shepherd - VFX Artist
Danny is a visual effects artist with over a decade of industry experience, known for crafting high-quality, immersive visuals that elevate narrative storytelling. With a background in directing, producing, and acting, Danny brings a multifaceted understanding of filmmaking to his VFX work, making him a dynamic force in the world of visual effects.
Austin Smagalski - Editor
Austin Smagalski was raised in Sonoma County and has been passionate about filmmaking since childhood. His work often explores internal struggles, with frequent use of themes like trauma, family and isolation. While he has since made a career in TV editing, his passion is writing and directing independent films. Austin's latest feature film, To Die Alone, premiered at the San Francisco Independent Film Festival in 2024 to critical acclaim. His upcoming work includes a documentary focusing on dog rescues and a crime thriller currently in development.
Scott Seagren - Actor (Josh)
Scott is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker, writer, and actor with a passion for crafting entertaining and thought-provoking stories. Inspired by Star Wars, sci-fi, westerns, and thrillers, his love for film began at a young age, fueled by drawing comics, acting out scenes, and studying behind-the-scenes featurettes. A graduate of the New York Film Academy’s intensive program, Scott has spent over a decade honing his craft on sets and sharing his knowledge by teaching film production to kids through PlanetBravo.
- Runtime13:40
- LanguageEnglish
Stream the curated UCLAxFilmFest 2025 Official Selections here!
Synopsis
Echoes in the Dark follows Sarah, a woman who is struggling to come to terms with the recent loss of her fiancé, Josh. As she battles with grief, her mind becomes plagued by twisted and distorted memories from her past, causing her mental health to deteriorate rapidly. Feeling as though the darkness of her mind has taken control of her, Sarah must confront the demons within and find a way to survive before the darkness consumes
her completely.
Director's Statement
As a first-time screenwriter and director for Echoes in the Dark, I was excited to delve into the complexities of depression through this film. My personal experience growing up with a father who struggled with manic depression has given me a glimpse into the daily struggles of managing mental illness, but it has also left me with a deep understanding of the inner turmoil and confusion that often goes unseen. Echoes in the Dark aims to shed light on the struggles that those with depression face, as it affects not only their ability to feel and think, but also their ability to navigate the world around them. It is my hope that this film will bring attention to the importance of mental health and the impact it has on individuals and their loved ones.
Crew
Connie Jo Sechrist - Writer/Director/Producer
Connie Jo Sechrist is an accomplished American Actress and Emmy® Nominated Producer from San Jose, CA, whose work has been recognized at prestigious festivals such as SXSW, Tribeca, Hollyshorts and other Academy Qualifying Festivals around the world. She is well-known for her dynamic and complex roles in drama, action, and scifi genre films.
As a passionate advocate for mental health, Connie Jo has produced and starred in over 20 films that explore mental health and personal stories, with the goal of destigmatizing mental health issues and breaking down barriers. Her commitment to raising awareness about the prevalence of mental health problems and encouraging greater understanding and acceptance is evident in the impactful nature of her work. In addition to her acting and producing career, Connie Jo is also a respected leader and mentor in various independent film groups around the world, where she strives to inspire and support the growth of other aspiring filmmakers.
Kristen Brancaccio - Producer
Kristen Brancaccio is the founder of Exit Twelve Productions, a full-service production company specializing in music videos. She is a writer, director and VMA-nominated producer with an extensive background in the digital space. She began her career at The Key of Awesome, a hit comedy series with 3 billion views on YouTube, and she was a top 10 directing finalist on HBO's Project Greenlight. Her producing credits include the web series Terminator Genisys: The YouTube Chronicles starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lilly Singh and videos/digital content for top music artists including Usher, Kesha and Sebu from Capital Cities. Her writing credits include a teen spy action screenplay for Legendary Digital and Grindstone Workshop, a digital series for Skybound Entertainment. She has produced for Defy Media (RIP), Quibi (also RIP), Riot Games and many digital creators including Whitney Avalon (of Princess Rap Battles fame) and Joey Graceffa.
Darren Joe - Director of Photography
A San Francisco area native, Darren's Emmy award winning cinematography work is informed from his background as a trained classical dancer, his degree in video art and photography, and his prior career as a Information Technology manager. Concentrating in narrative and documentary, but also working in the television and commercial space, Darren has lensed films across the world; including the UK, France, and India. Films that he's shot have been shown in festivals around the globe; including Sundance and Cannes Film Festival.
Matthew James - Composer
Born into a working-class family in Chicago, IL, Matthew’s musical journey began with a $1 toy keyboard at age 7, sparking a lifelong passion. Early lessons with his father on a Casio keyboard led to awards as a clarinetist and his first compositions by age 11. By 18, he was a self-taught multi-instrumentalist, band leader, producer, and songwriter active in Chicago's music scene. In 2016, inspired by a friend in Hollywood, Matthew transitioned to scoring for film and TV. His first project, Life After Hate, earned an Emmy, paving the way for further success. By 2017, he was working on shows like Black Lightning and Being Mary Jane. In 2018, Matthew built a studio at Burbank’s Aura Sound & Color facility. He continues to thrive, with multiple feature films and projects on the horizon.
Danny Shepherd - VFX Artist
Danny is a visual effects artist with over a decade of industry experience, known for crafting high-quality, immersive visuals that elevate narrative storytelling. With a background in directing, producing, and acting, Danny brings a multifaceted understanding of filmmaking to his VFX work, making him a dynamic force in the world of visual effects.
Austin Smagalski - Editor
Austin Smagalski was raised in Sonoma County and has been passionate about filmmaking since childhood. His work often explores internal struggles, with frequent use of themes like trauma, family and isolation. While he has since made a career in TV editing, his passion is writing and directing independent films. Austin's latest feature film, To Die Alone, premiered at the San Francisco Independent Film Festival in 2024 to critical acclaim. His upcoming work includes a documentary focusing on dog rescues and a crime thriller currently in development.
Scott Seagren - Actor (Josh)
Scott is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker, writer, and actor with a passion for crafting entertaining and thought-provoking stories. Inspired by Star Wars, sci-fi, westerns, and thrillers, his love for film began at a young age, fueled by drawing comics, acting out scenes, and studying behind-the-scenes featurettes. A graduate of the New York Film Academy’s intensive program, Scott has spent over a decade honing his craft on sets and sharing his knowledge by teaching film production to kids through PlanetBravo.
- Runtime13:40
- LanguageEnglish
