!["Up To Snuff" Documentary To Screen Sunday at Garden State Film Festival](https://www.newjerseystage.com/events2018/Snuff.jpg ""Up To Snuff" Documentary To Screen Sunday at Garden State Film Festival")
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Television, film and music fans come together at the Garden State Film Festival on Sunday, March 25 for the screening of the documentary feature Up to Snuff at House of Independents. The film recently world premiered at the Pasadena International Film Festival, where it received the award for Best Documentary.
The film explores the music, hardships and triumphs of W.G. “Snuffy” Walden, one of the most beloved composers in television history and the man behind television themes for The West Wing, thirtysomething, Wonder Years, Friday Night Lights and Roseanne. The cast includes Aaron Sorkin, Martin Sheen, Marshal Herskovitz, Tom Arnold and musicians Eric Burdon of The Animals, Steve Lukather of Toto, and Tris Imboden - longtime drummer for the band Chicago.
Although millions have been touched by Snuffy’s music, few know about the iconic musician and composer’s journey prior to achieving television fame. Up to Snuff explores “the other side of Snuffy” through personal stories, laughs and insights from friends and collaborators, who shed light on his unique history and how a successful rock and roll musician overcame addiction and found his way to Hollywood.
The film was produced by Yorktel Media Services, the award-winning creative services division of visual communications leader Yorktel. Known for their Emmy award-winning television and short film productions, Up to Snuff is the company’s inaugural feature film. Yorktel is headquartered in Eatontown, NJ, just miles down the road from Asbury Park, the site of the Garden State Film Festival.
“It was Aaron Sorkin who first gave me the idea to tell the story of Snuffy Walden,” said Mark Maxey, Yorktel Executive Vice President of Media Services and Up to Snuff Director and Producer. “Audiences connect emotionally to Snuffy’s music, and the soundtracks for the shows he has scored are iconic and beloved. And yet no one knows the other side of Snuffy, the rock and roll guitarist that toured the world reveling in the sex, drugs and rock and roll era of the 1970’s and 1980’s.”
Up to Snuff will be screened in theaters around the world and as an official selection in film festivals throughout North America and Europe. Snuffy’s story of perseverance, belief in yourself, and overcoming obstacles to achieve one’s dreams while helping and elevating those around you – is a story that resonates with people. Says Maxey, “Attending festivals and seeing how people connect with Snuffy’s story, and the questions and conversations sparked during the filmmaker Q&A’s that follow each screening – that’s the most exciting part of this experience for me. Being able to celebrate this project and its success with friends and colleagues so close to home is an added benefit.”
House of Independents is located at 572 Cookman Avenue in Asbury Park, New Jersey.
