Sneak Preview – 2051: THE RETURN PROJECT, a film by Dennis Dewey

Dr. Richard Calbert, the world’s leading pioneer of the 21st Century in the field of brain-computer interface and director of the Humanistic Artificial Intelligence Lab (HAIL) first at Stanford Universityand then as an independentfacility in the 2030s, directs a research program called “The Return Project,” which entails the download to digital storage of a complete human brain and neural network and developing a way to communicate with that brain through voice emulation software. In 2040 a young scientist, Dr. Gloria Dennison, is taken on as a post-doc and remains at HAIL for the following decade as she becomes Calbert’s right-hand assistant, confidant and close personal friend.

When Calbert,still vital and leading the team at HAIL at age 82, is diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, the board directors of HAIL approve his offer to donatehisbrain to the project. Gloria, who subsequently becomes director, is designated as the sole interlocutor with the late Dr. Calbert. There are challenges along the way that threaten failure for project—chief among them the dislocation and mental anguish Calbert suffers as he lives on beyond his death. Becoming angry and anxious, he wants to be released, but learns that he had insisted that a “pre-mort” be drawn up to preclude his being “shut down.”

A renowned scientist from Princeton is enlisted to help the HAIL team develop an algorithm called “the regression app” that allows Calbert to enjoy reliving pleasant childhood experiences more real than state-of-the-art virtual reality. Through several “awakenings” he is slowly brought back online, leading up his “birthday to eternity” when he is to come online to live forever. The story revolves around Calbert’s struggle to adjust to disembodied life and ends with a dramatic resolution to that dilemmaworthy of “The Twilight Zone.”

Cast and Crew

Dennis Dewey has lived in Utica for nearly forty years. Since retirement in 2016 he has made six major documentary films for the History Center since 2022, including Mr. Dickens Comes to Utica and Farmin’ It: Dairy Farming in Oneida County. This film, 2051: The Return Project, is his first feature film. Two years in the making, Dewey wrote the screenplay, filmed, directed and edited it—resulting in his frequently asking himself, “What kind of old man wakes up one morning and says to himself, ‘I have to make a movie?!'”

A cautionary tale about the first downloaded human brain and neural system communicated with by means of voice emulation software, the story was inspired by two books about Artificial Intelligence, Fei-Fei Li’s The Worlds I See and Ray Kurzweil’s The Singularity Is Nearer, “The film might be called ‘science fiction,’ I suppose, because it’s both fictitious and based in science,” he says, “but it’s really about relationships and what it means to be fully human.”

Dewey recruited 18 amateur actors from the Greater Utica area. “I paid them with my gratitude and the promise of a cast party dinner,” he says. Remarkably, none of them needed to learn any lines because he prompted every shoot—sometimes verbally, sometimes by teleprompter. “This made the editing task enormously time-consuming,” he says, “but I think audiences will be astounded at how good these actors are and at how readily the dialogue flows.”

One of the two lead roles (Dr. Gloria Dennison) is played by Jane Hart—an actor, poet and psychologist. Jane grew up in Utica and now splits time between Buffalo and Madrid, Spain. The only trained actor in the cast, she did her BFA in Theatre Studies at Niagara University with acting credits that include Blanche/Louis in Shakespeare’s KING JOHN at the New Phoenix Theater, Hero in Shakespeare in Delaware Park’s MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING and roles in NU Theater productions including Cassius in JULIUS CAESAR and Leading Lady in SIX CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF AN AUTHOR. In addition to her theater degree, she holds an MA from SUNY Buffalo in Interdisciplinary Studies/Political Theater (having authored a “documentary for the stage” about the life and work of Vaclav Havel) as well as a PhD in Counseling Psychology from Seton Hall University. She is thrilled to be making her film debut in the 2051: The Return Project and to be directed by the man who introduced her to acting in the first place, her father Dennis, who continues to inspire her with his audacious creativity.

The second lead role (Dr. Richard Calbert) is played by Utican Paul Schulman, who notes, “I grew up mumbling so that at the beginning of my career as a college professor my father asked, ‘How will anyone ever be able to understand what you’re saying?’ Obviously, my whole life was preparation for the movies (though perhaps not the talkies)—my only other acting experience being a small, non-speaking role in a Chinese ballet twenty years ago at Hamilton College. Dennis and I have been all-season walking partners for years, so when he asked me to be in his movie, I said, ‘Sure.’ I think Dennis didn’t expect me to accept! Being a part of this project was an unusual experience, but lots of fun. It was a pleasure to be a part of this creative effort but surprising how much work remained after the filming. Dennis was infinitely patient with a non-professional cast. It’s a project we can all be proud of.”

Ed Townsend (Dr. David Hertz), a Presbyterian minister who has served more than a dozen congregations in and around Utica and Central New York, spent his early hometown years in Pittsburgh performing musical theater and opera. As lead singer for the band, Eddie and The Otters, he was fortunate enough to share the stage with many touring rock bands, including The Pretenders, The Romantics and The Ramones. He saw this opportunity to work with the cast and crew of 2051: The Return Project as “one more enjoyable brush with fame.”

Brad Bennett, the film’s composer and a local psychologist from Clinton now retired, has dabbled in music composition throughout his life. As a longtime friend of the director, Dennis had invited him to create music for a previous documentary films. That successful collaboration led Brad to accept gladly the invitation to score this film. He says, “It’s been a lot of fun contributing to the making of a full-length film!”

Cathy Axel is a Connecticut transplant to the Utica area by way of New Hampshire and Georgia), and avid supporter of independent films and attendee of many film festivals the past ten years. Cathy served as “Best Gal” on the project and says, “To be a gopher during some of the filming was insightful.  Being an encouraging sounding board and looking in on the creative process,  from concept to premiere, has been an adventure!”

Aaron Woodman lives in Utica and works as a civic engagement leader, passionate about educating people to be civically engaged to create positive change. He’s created a curriculum called Becoming the Changemaker and hosts a YouTube channel of that same name. Aaron serves as Vice President of the NAACP Oneida County Branch, on the board of the Mohawk Valley Junior Frontiers, and as Project RISE Consultant for the Mohawk Valley Junior Frontiers. Dennis had the good fortune to be seated next to him at Oneida County History Center’s Hall of Fame/Living Legends banquet, was impressed with his sense of “presence,” and asked if he’d consider taking part in the film. Aaron plays the young scientist, Dr. Stanley Morris, whose role includes a romantic interest and gets to flirt with the world’s leading neuro-scientist. He says working on this film “was a fun and joyous time.”

West Winfield Springs resident, Sharon Rankins-Burd, has lived and worked in Upstate New York her whole life. “I have always enjoyed music and theater, and I’ve been performing on stage in area community productions and am I’m currently employed by Upstate Caring Partners where I write grants, produce donor support materials, and oversee an employee recognition program. When I’m not working or in rehearsal, I enjoy crafts and gardening, game nights with my family, and I am “hoomom” to my three cats: Gretl von Trapp, Oliver Twist, and (little orphan) Pepper. I was both honored and intrigued when Dennis invited me to be part of this project, and am so glad I said “yes” as it has given me an opportunity to observe Dennis in a whole new light which has only increased my respect for his talent and intellect. I hope audiences find this thought-provoking film to be a conversation starter!”

A Nashville native transplanted in Holland Patent, Larry Beasley (Oliver Lawrence) has found a home on Central New York stages having played roles ranging from the scheming Thénardier in Les Misérables to the iconic Harold Hill in The Music Man and Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. Larry says, “I’ve always believed in saying ‘yes’ to the unexpected — and an invitation to move from the stage and step in front of a camera felt exactly like that kind of moment.”

Boni Carstarphen (Dr. Miriam Wexler) is an Alabama native who resides in Clinton. She says, ” I have always had a passion for movies. I love going to a theater and letting my mind go into a different world. I have had an interest in the creative process it takes to write and create a film since I was a kid. So the idea that I could be in a film sounded like fun! When Dennis approached me about playing Dr. Wexler, I was excited for the opportunity to learn firsthand what happens when someone makes a movie. 2051: The Return Project is going to be a blast on the big screen, and I can’t wait to see how it all comes together.”

Venus Reddick, a long-time resident of Oneida County, an artist, crafter and poet, has also worked as an entertainer and comic. In addition she’s an executive team member of Hhype100radio.net for independent content creators. Her role as scientist, Dr. Aisha Kilborn, in 2051: The Return Project is her film debut through which she hopes to enjoy a measure of cross-over to her creative and humanitarian endeavors. Dennis notes that she is one of those amazing actors who can produce tears on cue.

Jennifer Boulanger (Dr. Barbara Dockman), a native of Rome, is a retired MVCC English Professor and academic dean, a sometimes writer, a mother of two, and a grandmother of six. Jen says, “Knowing as I do that every one of Dennis Dewey’s projects is both a learning experience and a chance to meet new, bright friends, I found participation enriching and fun (even, as if I fully admit, acting is NOT my forte!).”

Utica’s John L. Swann is a mystery writer and a recovering broadcast journalist. “I was happy to contribute in a small way to Dennis’ project, and it was a pleasure to work with him. He’s a creative force. As for my role, it felt strangely familiar–anchoring the news—after a hiatus!

Carl Szablak (Dr. Sydney Goldberg) is a long-time member of the MVILR, Mohawk Valley Institute for Learning in Retirement, and a talented artist who has taken drawing classes at Munson. Despite having no experience in acting, he graciously accepted his role when Dennis asked him to take part. Says Carl, “I have much respect for Dennis and his skills, and very much enjoyed getting to know better my castmates during the shooting of the movie.”

Carol Williams (Doreen McAlister), another long-time member of the MVILR took one of Dennis’ classes there last year. “He asked a few of us if we would help him out with a movie he was making. It was fun and for me a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Set managers Cathy Axel at Rome MVCC and Susan Dewey (wife of the filmmaker) on set in Madrid, Spain offered their able assistance, and Pamela Schulman her script editing skills. The film was shot with an iPhone 13 Pro and an iPhone 15 Pro using RODE transmitter mics and edited entirely in iMovie, using some computer-generated sequences produced in Freepik and using stock footage from Pixabay, Pexels, Vecteezy and Pond5 along with footage from Dewey’s own collection and home movies.

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