Dark Sky Percussion Presents: Fall Awake
Avg reading time: 5 minutes
Paul 'Sal’ Salazar
Director of Media and Marketing @ Dark Sky Percussion
“Fall Awake” Trailer - Creative Director
As the creative director for Dark Sky Percussion’s 2025 show trailer, my approach has been deeply immersive, blending hands-on craftsmanship and artistic exploration. We meticulously designed the sets and costumes and built the set flats by hand the weekend of the shoot, bringing every detail to life. Hours were spent studying our music and collaborating closely with designers and choreographers to embody the show’s essence. Inspired by La La Land‘s dance sequences, the bold camera work of Climax, and Spike Jonze’s visionary “Welcome Home” commercial, this trailer is an experimental journey, inviting audiences to escape with us into a world of passion and artistry.
BTS Photos
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Experimental Short Film through the medium of percussion
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• 100K for a full experience for our performers/members
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• 24 Weekends
• 480 Rehearsal hours
• 8 minute performance
It takes 24 weekends and 480 hours of intense rehearsal for Dark Sky Percussion to perfect an extraordinary 8-minute performance, captivating audiences across the globe.
Omar Sanchez
Production Photographer
Social Media Manager @ Dark Sky Percussion
Devon Asmus
Director of Photography and Camera Operator
Media Production Specialist @ Dark Sky Percussion
Show Designers and Staff
Seth Woodard
Zach Carrasco
Kevin Tieck
Emily Figueroa
Sharon Woodard
Kheffy Cervantez
Sergio Bravo
Lizz Alonzo
Darren Van Derpoel
Synopsis
The 2025 Dark Sky Percussion production, Fall Awake, is a journey through the mesmerizing yet isolating realm of escapism. At its core, the show explores the delicate balance between reality and illusion, where characters find solace in their dream worlds to escape the harshness of their waking lives. However, as the lines blur, this fabricated sense of bliss begins to tighten its grip, suffocating them with a false sense of security. The show’s choreography uses intricate, dreamlike movements to mirror this emotional conflict, contrasting soft, floating sequences with tense, chaotic sections. Inspired by films like La La Land and Asteroid City, the visuals feature surreal lighting, reflective props, and abstract set designs that immerse the audience in this contrast between vivid dreams and stifling reality. During the trailer, one of the key sequences—where the protagonist ventures through a hidden door into an ethereal space—came to life when the show designers reimagined the entry-way to the dream world as seen in the movies “Coraline”, “Becoming John Malkovich” and the music video “Welcome Home”. This “happy accident” instantly became a defining moment of the show, adding an organic element to the polished design and emphasizing the unpredictable nature of dreams.
Main Characters
Carmina Pineda (Vis)
Protagonist
Charlie Ly (Vis)
Protagonist Entity
Lizzy Espinoza (Vis)
Entity
Dre Barlow (Vis)
Entity
Diego Andrade (Cymbals)
Entity
Jason Liu (Snare)
Entity
Carly Wulffert (Bass)
Entity
Olina Ing (Vis)
Entity
Entity (Vis)
Antagonist
Charlie Ly (Vis)
Protagonist Entity
Tone of your movie
Theme
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The "Dance Until You’re Dead" trope and theme in pop culture often embody high-energy, frenetic movement and an element of recklessness or transcendence, frequently depicted in narratives that push characters to extremes.
Style
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Dark Sky Percussion thrives in the experimental genre of show design, art direction, and performance.
Locations
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Multiple venues throughout the Southern California Region, with the final performances at the 2025 WGI World Championship competitions held in Dayton, Ohio.
Gear
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The percussion ensemble are partners with REMO, Pearl & Adams Percussion, On2 Percussion,
Color Palette
Uncover the vivid and moody color palette of 'City of Shadows,' reflecting the dichotomy between light and dark in the heart of the city.
Visual Asthetics
Immerse yourself in the visual aesthetics of 'City of Shadows,' where stunning cinematography captures the essence of suspense and intrigue that defines the film.
Atmospheric Elements
Dive into the atmospheric elements of 'City of Shadows,' where the city itself becomes a character. Explore the tension, mystery, and allure of its urban landscape.
Character Portraits
Delve into the character portraits of 'City of Shadows,' revealing the complex personalities and hidden depths of the individuals who navigate its enigmatic streets.
Production
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Movie
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45 Days
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5
Schedule
Pre Production
Development
- First key point or characteristic about the character.
- Second key point with more detail.
- Third point providing further information.
Pre-Visualization
- First key point or characteristic about the character.
- Second key point with more detail.
- Third point providing further information.
Casting
- First key point or characteristic about the character.
- Second key point with more detail.
- Third point providing further information.
Crew Hiring
- First key point or characteristic about the character.
- Second key point with more detail.
- Third point providing further information.
Budgeting and Scheduling
- First key point or characteristic about the character.
- Second key point with more detail.
- Third point providing further information.
Production
Principal Photography
- First key point or characteristic about the character.
- Second key point with more detail.
- Third point providing further information.
Daily Post-Production
- First key point or characteristic about the character.
- Second key point with more detail.
- Third point providing further information.
Post Production
- Editing
- Sound Design and Music Composition
- Color Grading and Visual Effects
- Post-Production Sound
Target Audience
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Movie
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45 Days
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5
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Item description
Marketing and Distribution Plan
Marketing Strategy
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What should we know about the services you provide? Better descriptions result in more sales.
Distribution Channels
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What should we know about the services you provide? Better descriptions result in more sales.
Theatrical and Digital Release
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What should we know about the services you provide? Better descriptions result in more sales.
International Distribution
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What should we know about the services you provide? Better descriptions result in more sales.
“As the creative director for Dark Sky Percussion’s 2025 show trailer, my approach has been deeply immersive, a blend of hands-on craftsmanship and artistic exploration. We meticulously designed the sets and costumes and built the set flats by hand the weekend of the shoot, bringing every detail to life. Hours were spent studying our music and collaborating closely with designers and choreographers to embody the show’s essence. Inspired by La La Land‘s dance sequences, the bold camera work of Climax, and Spike Jonze’s visionary “Welcome Home” commercial, this trailer is an experimental journey, inviting audiences to escape with us into a world of passion and artistry.”
Sal Salazar
How you can make an impact
Join us on this journey to inspire, elevate, and transform the performing arts
Financial Support
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“Your contribution fuels our mission to elevate artistic excellence and make Dark Sky Percussion’s 2025 season a reality. With your support, we can upgrade our equipment with a new mixer, cover travel and site expenses, and reduce fees for our passionate performers.”
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Every donation, big or small, directly impacts our performers and our mission.
Amplify our Message
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Spread the word by sharing our show trailer with your community. Together, we can inspire the next generation of performers
Join us LIVE
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Be part of our artistic journey live in Riverside this March. Witness the hard work and passion come to life.
Dark Sky Percussion FAQ
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The competitive aspect of indoor drumline challenges performers to reach new levels of musical, visual, and physical excellence. It fosters teamwork, discipline, and creativity, pushing each ensemble to innovate and refine their performance. Competitions provide a structured environment where groups can showcase their hard work and talent, receive feedback, and grow from the experience, ultimately building a stronger, more dedicated community within the marching arts.
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You can watch Dark Sky Percussion perform at various regional events organized by the Southern California Percussion Alliance (SCPA) and at the Winter Guard International (WGI) World Championships. For a detailed schedule of upcoming performances, please refer to our 2025 Season Calendar. Additionally, performance videos and media are available on our official YouTube channel and social media platforms.
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Dark Sky begins its competitive season in Late January and performs across Southern California and Ohio for the WGI prelims and finals. Percussion Independent World (PIW) • Southern California Percussion Alliance (SCPA)
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Yes! We were awarded "Best Experimental Short Film" by the Next Generation Independent Film Awards for our 2022 Production "POLARIS."
Contact Details
Dark Sky Percussion • AZ / CA • All Rights Reserved • 2024
directors@darkskypercussion.org
Phone
(928) 660-1127
Credits
Dark Sky Crew:
Show Designers: Darren VanDerpoel, Seth Woodard, Zach Carrasco
Assistant Directors: Emily Figueroa, Kheffy Cervantez
Choreography: Kevin Tieck, Lizz Alonzo, & Zach Carrasco
Movement Coach: Lizz Alonzo
On-Site Medic: Debbie Seeley
Social Media Coordinator: Omar Sanchez
Graphics: Robert Batorski
Cast:
Production Crew
Creative Director: Paul “Sal” Salazar
Production by MV Productions
Line Producer: Paul “Sal” Salazar
Producer: Sergio Bravo
DoP & Camera Op: Devon Asmus
1st AD: Christopher Shick
Edit: Devon Asmus
Music & Sound Design: Seth Woodard (First Ave Music)
Color & VFX: Paul “Sal” Salazar
1st AC: Sergio Bravo
Gaffer: Aiden Kostich
Grip Assistant: Daniel Tabata
Production Assistants: Skylar, Lauren Lefitz, & Jake Parcell
Production Photographer: Omar Sanchez
BTS Photos: John Soto
BTS Video: Kade McKeever
Logistics Coordinators: Emily Figueroa, Kheffy Cervantez
Chaos Coordinator: Sharon Woodard
Songs: “Another Day of Sun” Composed by Justin Hurtwitz, Lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, as seen in the movie “La La Land” (2018)
Location: Arlington High School, Riverside, CA
Craft-Services: Little Caesar’s
Camera: RED KOMODO 6K
Lens: Cooke Sp3
Peripherals: Hollyland
Monitors: SmallHD
Gimbal: DJI RS4 Pro
Ring & support: TILTA