The Powers That be
Three Filmmakers. One Vision.
A mission to bring back the kind of movies that defined generations—before Hollywood got obsessed with sequels, reboots, and the almighty dollar.
The Powers That Be was founded by Jeff Hupp, Brian Cusac, and Merritt Fritchie, three advertising creators who grew up on mixtapes, late-night horror flicks, and the electric thrill of storytelling that meant something.
Our first film, Band on the Run, hits spring ‘25 via Freestyle Digital Media— marking the start of a movement.
This isn’t just about making films. It’s about making a statement.
Our Mission.
We are Powers That Be—a film production company born from rebellion, rock-n-roll, and a relentless drive to tell the stories that matter. We make films that break the mold, challenge the system, and give a middle finger to the status quo.
Inspired by the spirit of John Hughes, the grit of horror, and the soul of the 80s, we create stories about growing up, pushing back, and making your own way.
No corporate agendas. No safe bets. Just films with impact, edge, and a pulse that beats with pop culture itself.
About Band on the Run
There was something special happening in the Detroit music scene of the late 1990’s.On one side of the city, the Garage Rock rival was in full swing with bands like the Von Bondies and the White Stripes.
On the other side of town, Rock-Pop bands and artists like Brendan Benson, Wax Wings, and the Atomic Numbers wanted to be the next Cheap Trick.
The kids came out, and the buzz reverberated worldwide.
Soon, music moguls like Seymour Stein, the co-founder of Sire records that broke punk and new wave, started showing up in dilapidated rock clubs to sign bands that months before no one seemed to care about. Not long after, hip music festivals like South by Southwest took notice and booked more Detroit bands than the previous decade combined.
It was the gold rush, Detroit style, and for the first time since the Motown revolution, a generation of scrappy musicians from the Metro area thought they’d escape the Big Three automotive production line that their parents and grandparents worked and retired from.
But as soon as it started, the gold rush ended—and only one band, The White Stripes, made it out alive—decades later, now permanently etching their place in the Rock history books.
Band on the Run lovingly revisits this moment of Detroit rock history and stuffs the audience in the back of the filthy band van. Viewers will get a firsthand narrative of what it was like to be a musician who, for the first time, thought that maybe their dream of rock stardom was somehow attainable, and the complicated generational rustbelt fate that awaited them was permanently in the rearview mirror.
Band on the run Stars Larry Bagby!
Larry is internationally known for his all-American and guy next door characters, as well as his comedic and dramatic roles. His long list of credits includes the supporting role as Marshall Grant in the award-winning film “Walk the Line," as “ICE” (Ernie) in the iconic film “Hocus Pocus," as Shirl Kendrick in the war drama “Saints and Soldiers”, and most recently in Kevin Costner's epic Western, "Horizon." He has appeared in many TV shows such as HBO’s “Ray Donovan”, Fox hit TV show “9-1-1”, CBS long time series “NCIS”, “The Young and the Restless”, “JAG”, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and many more.
Larry is our beloved father-figure, "Thomas," in Band on the Run, and we couldn't be happier to have him star in the film! Learn more about Larry here! >>www.larrybagby.com
our Lead, Matt Perl!
Matt Perl fell in love with filmmaking in high school, which led him to pursue a career in film production—initially focusing on a path behind the camera. Along the way he discovered a passion for acting, which has led him to making his feature film debut as a lead in Band On The Run (2024). He has also worked as a stand-in & photo double for actors like Adam Driver, Liam Neeson, and Pete Davidson on major motion pictures. With several other indie features and short films now under his belt, and with many more in the works, Matt is excited to see these projects released to the public and to see where his acting journey takes him next.
Landon TaverniEr as "J.J."
Limelight on Landon Tavernier! Landon was raised in Toledo/Perrysburg, OH. He now resides in Los Angeles working as an actor in television, film, and theatre. Landon comes by way of studying in New York at the renowned Neighborhood Playhouse, home to the late, great acting teacher, Sanford Meisner. He also studied and acted in Michigan at Jeff Daniel’s theatre company, Purple Rose Theatre Company.
After moving to Los Angeles, Landon hit the ground running on even more stages, working at playhouses such as Rouge Machine Theatre’s US Premiere of Oppenheimer, Theatre of Note’s Man is Wolf, and The 11:11 Theatre’s FAMOUS; the latter two plays focusing and shedding light on the #metoo movement. He was also part of an experimental theatre company, Slauson Rec. Theatre, with actors Shia LaBeouf and Bobby Soto. All of these artists, stage work topics, and stories, have shaped Landon to pursue his craft meticulously and intentionally to expand; not only expressing himself on stage, but in Film, TV, and most recently in Writing.
He is producing a feature film which he wrote and has been well in development for a year, dealing with indecision, brotherhood, and toxic upbringings. To stay creative, Landon loves making art films with his brother, as well as directing his own super 8mm films. His most recent acting credits include feature films such as Turbo Cola, Band on the Run, and FAMOUS, as well as a new western series, playing a young Jim Bridger, in The Tall Tales of Jim Bridger.
Dylan Randazzo as "Cody"
Dylan Randazzo is a born and raised New Jersian who now works locally in the NYC area in both stage and screen. His love for film and theatre began at a very young age, and he has since made it his passion, getting his BFA in Musical Theatre at Marymount Manhattan College in 2020. Dylan has performed in many notable venues across the NJ/NY area—NJPAC, Carnegie Hall, Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, The NJ State Theatre. His most recent professional credits include his Off-Broadway debut as the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz and the Axelrod PAC production of Sunday in the Park with George directed by Eamon Foley. While he is fresh to the film scene, he is beyond excited to make his feature film debut as bass player Cody in Band on the Run (2024). When not performing, Dylan can be found behind the scenes music directing children/teen’s theatre programs throughout NJ, relaxing at the Jersey Shore with his family and friends, or behind the desk podcasting, having launched his quarantine passion project “The Dyl Pickle Movie Network” on YouTube in early 2021. Instagram: @thedylanrandazzo
Daniel Blair as "Maxime"
Daniel is involved in film, theatre, and music alike. At a young age, Daniel started writing, singing, and producing his own music. His debut album, The Flip Side Part One (2020), has gained much online traction, with the second album, The Flip Side Part Two (2022), close behind. He has acted as a live/tour musician in many artists’ performances, also producing, writing, and engineering for other artists’ discographies, and he performs in cities across the country with his best buddies, leading his own band with music from his solo act. Daniel makes his film debut with Band On The Run. Released this past February is Daniel’s third and most recent album, I Don’t Like To Think A Lot About These Kinds Of Things. Learn more about Daniel here >>https://linktr.ee/danielblairmusic
Our DP, Brandan lee keller
Brandan Lee Keller is a cinematographer based in Detroit, Michigan. Films and stories are a core part of his life and upbringing. Nurturing his love of art and visual storytelling, Brandan has spent his life creating as a filmmaker, photographer, and musician since his teenage years. He studied Graphic Design before committing fully to his career as a cinematographer and his passion for crafting striking, cinematic imagery.
Brandan has always been fascinated by the relationship between light and darkness. How it behaves, and how it shapes experience, perspective, and evokes emotion. He is passionate about crafting stories that entertain, provoke thought, and challenge the audience’s perspective.
When it comes to approaching projects, Brandan believes every frame should say something, to serve the story and do the characters justice above all else.
