BLACKOUT

“Blackout” the latest film written & directed by Brendan W. Riley is out now.

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In early November of 2022 I had the idea for “Blackout.” The concept stemmed from a recurring paranoid dream I had throughout my mid-20s. I won’t reveal the dream for fear of spoiling the plot, but suffice to say that the experience left an impression on me.

Unfortunately, the story of “Blackout” ventures beyond my dreams. I’ve been lucky to befriend a great many people over my short time on this Earth. Some of them have struggled with substance abuse. A real-life nightmare occurs when watching another human being struggle to escape the grip of alcohol and other drugs.

It’s a terrible experience that reminds me of something I saw in my childhood. I grew up near a low-head dam. If you are not familiar with these, they are dams where the water passes over the top of the dam structure. This creates an especially dangerous type of hydraulic which traps objects in a never ending cycle of being dragged underwater, then resurfacing, only to be dragged under again.

While I was fortunate to never witness a person stuck in one of these “drowning machines” I did once see a large plastic barrel stuck in the cycle. There was a clear, depressing pattern. No matter how many times the barrel went through the cycle, escape was unlikely if not impossible.

In the haunting words of a psychology teacher I had back in college: “I was a smoker and I will always be one cigarette away from being a smoker again.”

Logline

A tragedy unfolds in classic horror style as Sable Everly loses her grip on reality while struggling to control her demons.

Some mistakes don’t come undone. Some people do.

Written/Directed by Brendan W. Riley

Sable played by Kera O’Bryon

Cinematography/Editing/Sound Design — Tom Maher

Production Sound Mixer — Allen Cavedo

Assistant Director — Michael C. Ivey

Gaffer — Bill Ku

Production Assistant/Ghost Girl — Natalie Ku

Ghost Girl Voice — Heidi Starr

COMING SOON

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Cast & Crew

Brendan W. Riley

Writer | Director

Brendan W. Riley is an American film director and screenwriter whose work explores the tension between individual control and systemic pressure. A former RIFF Arts Institute Fellow, he brings a background in psychology, photography, and acting to a precise, minimalist filmmaking style. His short films—including The Choice, BLACKOUT, and Kissing Frogs—have screened at the Richmond International Film Festival, Indie Short Film Festival, and Ocean City Film Festival. He is the founder of Riley Films LLC and an Artistic Associate with HATTheatre, currently developing his new short film Still.

Kera O’Bryon

Actor (Sable)

A native of Bel Air, Maryland, Kera O’Bryon has worked in entertainment since age three. An accomplished singer and actress, she has appeared in more than 35 stage productions, primarily in musical theatre and opera. She became a recording artist as a child, releasing albums with her family and later with her brother. Her career highlights include opening for Smokey Robinson and Marie Osmond, performing at multiple Vietnam Women’s Memorial ceremonies in Washington, D.C., and winning a statewide competition to sing the national anthem at the Baltimore Orioles’ 1990 Opening Day game.

Tom Maher

Cinematographer | Editing | Sound Design

Tom Maher is an award winning cinematographer whose work focuses on capturing fleeting human moments and shaping them into meaningful visual narratives. His craft has been recognized with multiple industry honors, including a 2018 Emmy, four Graphis International Silver Awards, a 2021 Webby Award nomination, and several One Show Shortlist distinctions. Known for meticulous detail and a disciplined approach across camera, post-production, and sound, Maher brings technical excellence and emotional clarity to every project.

Allen Cavedo

Production Sound Mixer

Allen Cavedo is an Emmy-winning Production Sound Mixer who specializes in location sound for film, advertising, and documentary work. With extensive experience across corporate interviews, commercial campaigns, and independent productions, he pairs technical precision with practical problem-solving. His credits include projects for Comcast NBCUniversal, ESPN, NFL Media, Focus Features, VICE Media, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation. Cavedo is a trusted collaborator known for delivering clean, reliable dialogue and sound that meets professional standards.

Michael C. Ivey

Assistant Director

Michael C. Ivey is an award-winning filmmaker whose work is grounded in a thriller-driven approach to storytelling. He began his career in the art department on two feature films before earning a degree in advertising from VCU. A five-time participant in the 48 Hour Film Challenge and five-time Richmond International Film Festival selection, he brings experience in screenwriting, directing, producing, and editing. Based in Richmond, he has twice served as president of the Virginia Production Alliance and is a member of the Virginia Screenwriters Forum. His latest film, Custody, is currently in festival submission.

Bill Ku

Gaffer

Bill Ku is a veteran cinematographer whose early career included work as a second assistant cameraman on Tombstone(1993) and network television movies such as Skylark and Miss Rose White. Now an established director of photography, he has shot narrative shorts including Steve’s Killer Quota (2018), Tea for Two (2022), and Custody (2025). Known for precise lighting and grounded visual storytelling, he often produces as well, bringing intimate, character-focused films to life with technical clarity and craft.

Natalie Ku

Production Assistant

Natalie Ku is a filmmaker and current college student with hands-on experience across multiple on-set roles, including production assistant, slate, and director. Known for her adaptability and eagerness to learn, she contributes wherever needed to support the filmmaking process. Natalie is focused on continuing to build her skills, expand her industry knowledge, and grow her professional network through practical production experience.