Born and raised in New York, Ron has been acting since 1987 doing local theater and eventually branching out to Off-Broadway and film.
Ron has been seen as Lester Patrick on AMAZING SPORTS STORIES for Fox
Sports Network. He's has a recurring role on ALL MY CHILDREN. He has also been seen on PENN
& TELLER: BULLS***!, UGLY BETTY, LAW & ORDER, and MAURY POVICH among other
shows. He is curre tly Host of the show DIAMOND PASS that is shown on Time
Warner Cable.
His film debut was the straight-to-video b-movie DARK ROSE in which he played the lead, Jonathan, a vampire-hunter and NYC cop. In addition to THE ETHEREAL PLANE, Ron has appeared in ENCHANTED and AUGUST RUSH, with a starring role in THE TRADE OFF and RIPPLES.
Some of Ron's commercials are VERIZON FiOS; ROCK BAND VIDEO GAME; SHARP AIR PURIFIER and the ever popular MAXODERM.
Gene Gabriel studied at HB Studios in New York City. His first professional job was a small role as a gang member in Joseph B. Vasquez's (Hangin' with the Homeboys) film The Bronx War. While living in Miami he answered an ad for improvisers and auditioned for "Laughing Gas" Improv comedy troupe and was one of their fastest rising apprentices. He became a company member almost immediately.
He was cast as a killer on Walker, Texas Ranger, an INS agent alongside Eva Mendez and Ice-T in the TV pilot/movie The Disciples. He received critical attention for his performance in Luis Saumell's award winning Spanish language short film "Por Que".
In 2002 he landed the role of "Rodriguez" in 'Richard Greenberg (III)''s "Take Me Out" which premiered in London's prestigious "West End". He had appearances on Law & Order: Criminal Intent, The Sopranos, and One Life To Live.
He has also enjoyed recurring roles on “Numb3rs”, "One Life to Live" and
"Days of Our Lives".
Before having the great opportunity of playing 'Kayla' in "The Ethereal Plane," Elizabeth has appeared in various theatrical, television and film productions over the years. A few recent O.O.B. credits include Grace in "Requiem for a Heavyweight," Sonya in "Uncle Venya" and Claudia in the premier of "Trio" by Shel Silverstein at the Ensemble Studio Theatre.
Some film and television credits include the role of Ann Archer's daughter Sarah in "An Indiscretion of an American Woman" for Lifetime, and "Down To You" for Miramax.
Elizabeth is a graduate of the William Esper Studio and received her BFA in Acting from Marymount Manhattan College.
TOM SHAY
Having done lots of stagework, "The Ethereal Plane," marked Tom's film debut. Acting mostly in New York, his career began in a production of "Me and My Girl", and his first role as the Doctor in a production of "Baby."
Other roles were Abel in a production of "Children of Eden," and The Steward in Fatima Players' production of "Into the Woods," both of which also featured his costar from The Ethereal Plane, Ron Rogell.
While filming "Ethereal," he also appeared on stage as Caesar Rodney in "1776," a Curtain Call production in Stamford, CT.
Tom went on to produce the music video "Sweet Miracle" and the short film "Shutting Down," both directed by Clarke M. Smith.
The Ethereal Plane was Yael's first acting job. He fit the part of 'Agent 2' so perfectly, his role in the film was cast immediately.
Yael is an also accomplished keyboardist and electronic composer. He recorded with "Young and Company" who had the disco classic hit "I like what you're doing to me", and "A Gentleman's Agreement" who has written and produced for acts such as "Corina" and "Alta Dustin". Yael also put his talents to use for Tyrone Davis, who has sung background vocals with "Count Basic" and the late "Vicki Sue Carter".
Yael also composed a full score for "The Ethereal Plane" in its rough cut stage. Both versions of the film are available.
A friend to director Clarke M. Smith for many years, Gregorio landed a humorous part in "Bloodline", made by Clarke and Peter Beam in 1995. His debut dates back to 1975 when he played the lead in "'Twas the Night Before Christmas". He was also a member of a select singing group called Eastman from '81 to '83.
Gregorio appeared in the last 3 films from Clarke M. Smith, which are "Bloodline" (1996), "Contamination 2" (1998), and the lead in "Distant Echoes" (1999). "The Ethereal Plane" was his 4th outing working with Smith.
Clarke M. Smith has officially been making films since 1985, which started with clay animation as far back as 1979. In college he studied film and television.
Post-graduation, to date he has directed 22 short films, a few music videos, and the feature “The Ethereal Plane”. It had success in film festivals (winner at the Big MiniDV Film Festival) and foreign distribution in Asia.
Notable films include "Shutting Down, and "Crazy Joe" (nominated for best actor at the 2013 San Diego Film Awards) and "Stover Hill" (2nd place winner at the 2014 San Diego Fall Film Festival). Also, his 1985 student film "The Lurking" won Best Oldie But Goodie at the 2016 San Diego Film Week. Another recent directorial effort “The Loyal Remnant” was made for the 168 Film Project and received nominations at the 2017 San Diego Film Awards for makeup and costume. That same year, Clarke edited one of the True San Diego Film projects, “Coming and Going in Vegas”.
In 2019, he re-teamed with Randy Davison for a short called "You Are Me", which deals with cloning and terminal illness. The film also features Annie Willett and Larry Poole. In the film festival circuit, the film took home Best Drama Short at the Silicon Beach Film Festival, and Producer's Choice at the Showlow Film Festival. See the trailer here.
Leilani and Clarke met during production of a college short called "Anonymity" in 1989. Despite the hellish shoot that it was, Leilani and Clarke became close friends, and later married. After having several other roles in his films such as "Roadkill" (1990), they continued to make films. Leilani then took on associate producer duties on films such as "Contamination 2" (1998) and
"Distant Echoes" (1999). "The Ethereal Plane" was a massive undertaking and earned her a producer credit on the film.
A few years later, Leilani served as Production Designer on the 2008 short "Shutting Down". By the way, it was her idea to call the production company 'Time Access Entertainment' (later changed to TimeAxis Media).
TROY STERLING NIES (Composer)
Troy has composed numerous film scores, and has worked as set-recordist, audio designer and set-Paramedic (his other life). He had the honor of being selected for the 2009 Bismarck State College Rising Star Alumni Award.
In addition to his incredible score for The Ethereal Plane, his music can also be heard in Clarke M. Smith's 2008 short film "Shutting Down". Some of his other scores include THE WHISPERER IN DARKNESS,
IN SEARCH OF LOVECRAFT,
DIABOLICAL TALES, HEARTLESS, and
THE CALL OF CTHULHU.
