About UNKNOWING

July, 2020

The Director

Patricia Frontain: Director/Writer/Producer

Patricia Frontain began her career in filmmaking as a script supervisor for features films, episodic television and commercials. Most notably, she has been the main script supervisor for NBC’s Chicago PD for since the show premiered in 2013.

After 20 + years in the scripty chair, Patricia moved over into the director’s chair. She made her network directorial debut on March 24, 2023 on Lifetime Network with a movie entitled “Twisted Sister,” starring Mena Suvari.

Before directing television, Patricia was at the helm of many short films. Most notable are “Light,” starring Marina Squerciati and Amy Morton; “The Follower,” starring Jon Seda and Kara Killmer; “Unknowing,” starring David Eigenberg, Phil Tyler and Ajani; and “RIP”, starring Sylvie Sadarnac and Guy Van Swearingen.

Patricia’s series of anti-gun violence Public Service Announcements entitled “Shattered” feature actors from Chicago PD, Chicago Fire, and Chicago MED and have aired nationally.

In 2015, her 14-year old son was caught in gang gunfire and lost his life. To honer her son and help eradicate the senseless loss of life to gun violence, Patricia created a viable non profit entitled Patrick Lives On. With the help of the casts and crews of Chicago PD, Chicago Fire and Chicago Med, the NFP enables Chicago youth to attend the after school activity of their choice in hopes of keeping them away from gangs and gun violence. This creative team also produces the above-mentioned, inspirational short films, which are distributed pro bono to counseling and detention centers with a suggested discussion packet.

All of Patricia’s short films have their first screening at the Patrick Lives On annual Film Showcase hosted by Resolution Digital Studios and Cinespace Film Studios in Chicago. The showcase has become a highly-attended Chicago film industry networking event, as well as a fundraiser for Patrick Lives On.   

Credits

Ajani: Angel

Ajani is an 18 year old SAG actor from the Hulu series “Love Victor”, the Showtime series “The Chi”, as well as NBC’s “Chicago PD”, “All American” on the CW, FX’s “Atlanta” and numerous tv projects & feature films. He graduated high school at 16, he’s a published author of a children’s book, a hip hop artist, and a professional public speaker who did a Tedtalk. He has traveled all across the country to speak at schools and host his own Youth Empowerment Day events for different communities. His purpose has always been to affect change and inspire the youth in the community.

David Eigenberg: Detective Tee

Currently portrays “Christopher Hermann” in NBC Hit Series Chicago Fire. “Steve” in Sex and the City as well as multiple TV, feature, and theater credits. Working for the first time at the age of 12 in a community theater project, he landed a part, not in some cutesy kid story or clown play or happy happy show, but a production of Kurt Vonnegut’s’s “Happy Birthday Wanda June” directed by Dale Bowers. The piece was pretty risqué for a small town and walkouts abounded due to language and subject matter. The local critic was very taken by David’s presence, and thus provided David’s first and only positive review.

A few more small local plays and musicals followed, but time and adolescence took him to different places. High school was typically unremarkable, less than average grades and anger was the menu for those years, leading to an undesired distinction of class clown in the class of ’82, which upon receiving, he ‘flipped off’ the class and administration. The University of Iowa had accepted him, and he decided to pursue study in the field of social work.

Phil Tyler: Detective Luce

Phil is a native of Chicago and became a filmmaker at Columbia College Chicago, with a focus in directing. He moved to L.A and in his 13 plus years in there, he had every film/tv production job you can think of. From working as a production assistant to becoming one of the youngest 1st assistant directors at 22 later becoming a director/producer and everything in between for networks like ABC, NBC, CBS, CARTOON NETWORK, FOX, FX, NICKELODEON, AND VH1. In order to become a better director Phil started acting to understand all aspects of the industry he loves. Phil’s in front of the camera credits include CHICAGO P.D., THE CHI, EMPIRE, BALLERS, S.W.A.T., VERONICA MARS, THE GOLDBERGS, CSI CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D., REVENGE, THE PLAYER and THE FOSTERS.

J. P. McAllister

J.P. McAllister is a nationally touring comedian and actor based in Chicago, Illinois. He is a brilliant story teller known for using stories from his past to both entertain and motivate his audiences. One of his Comedy highlights was performing for the legendary founder of Def Comedy Jam and Laff Mobb Bob Sumner. As an actor J.P. has appeared in over a dozen film and Television projects with his most notable role being that of gun runner Tony Reed on NBC’s Chicago PD.  Pryor to his role as Juan in UNKNOWING, J.P. played the role of Ed in Patrivk Lives On’s second film The Follower.

Cast and Crew

  • Angel – Ajani
  • Detective Tee – David Eigenberg
  • Detective Luce – Phil Tyler
  • Juan – JP McAllister
  • Little Man – Zach Cutter
  • Oscar – Oscar Johnston
  • Gang Leader – Adem Aluka
  • Shooter – Milton Woods
  • Michael – Ethan Kinnison
  • Writers – Blake Armstrong & Patricia Frontain
  • Cinematographer – Jamison Acker
  • Editor – Anthony Jaime
  • Composer – Lindsay Jones
  • Executive Producer – Patricia Frontain
  • Producer – Tayler Bujnowski
  • Associate Producer – J. Nicole
  • Associate Producer Post – Ian Harbilas
  • First Assistant Director – Michael Kennedy
  • Post Production Sound – BAM Studios
  • Costume Designer – Abby Cress
  • Set Decorator – Trish Schneider & Crew
  • On Set Dresser – Margaret Radnick
  • On Set Painter – Patrick Miller
  • Armorer – Walt Smith
  • Make – Up – Stacy Herbert
  • Script Supervisor – Mia Wicklund
  • On Set Picture Cars – George Ortiz
  • Production Assistants – Maggie Bell, Graham Jeep, Lucy Edlund, Jack McGreal,
  • Niko Sorrentino, Jacob Zepeda, Milton Woods, Anna Krivoruk, JP McAllister, Hudson O’Neill
  • Stand Ins – Ryan Johnson, Deontre Crenshaw, Houston Weatherly
  • Camera Operator – Gary Malouf
  • 1ST AC – Chris Polmanski and Becca Johnson
  • 2ND AC – Nihal Dantluri and Scott Hoelzer
  • Colorist – Michael Lux
  • Sound Mixers – Michael Capulli & Dan Grib
  • Boom Operator – Carly Perkins
  • Gaffer – Trevor Kodat
  • Best Boy – Jaxi Alegria
  • Lamp Operators – Alex Shields, Julia Benson, Gerrit Fahr, Ethan Schoenborn, Tom Clippard
  • Genny Operator – Norman Ard
  • Dimmer Operator – Collin Lindgren
  • Key Grip – Ed Gutierrez
  • Best Boy Grip – Tim Troy
  • Company Grip – Peter Aranda
  • Location Manager – Patrick Muldoon
  • On Set Locations – William Ackerman
  • Craft Service – Michael Chesler
  • Security – Embassy Security
  • Still Photographer – Lori Allen
  • BTS Videographer – Vernon Vision Productions
  • Set Teacher – Patricia Gianneschi-McNichols
  • Covid Manager/Medic – Renee Sebby
  • Covid PA – Riley Sebby

Original Soundtrack – Ajani “Speak My Peace”

In Gratitude

This passion piece was made possible by a team of expert craftsmen and women who donated their time and love to make this dream a reality. I am forever indebted to the cast, crew and vendors who helped honor my son, Patrick, and helped our anti-gun violence mission.

Special Thanks

  • BAM Studios 
  • Cinespace Film Studios
  • Universal Studios 
  • NBC
  • Chicago Film Office
  • B&J Wire
  • RDL Marketing
  • Sunbeam Lift
  • PRG Camera
  • Essanay Studio & Lighting
  • Buona Beef
  • Ferrara Bakery 
  • Picture Car Mack
  • Service Sanitation
  • SAG/AFTRA
  • Embassy Security
  • Cinelease