'Dead Still' sci-fi thriller moves renowned Canadian actor into featured role

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Apr 24, 2013, 09:00 ET

LOS ANGELES, April 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - Calgary native Braden Paes has attached to play a featured role in the forthcoming film Dead Still, a 3D sci-fi thriller written by Canadian writer-actor Peter Skagen.

The premise is being kept under wraps, but the story is described in the vein of Avatar and Predator. Salient Features producer Charlotte Huggins (Journey to the Center of the Earth) has worked closely with Skagen and director Keith Melton in early efforts to secure financing. Engaging an international cast, it is slated to shoot in the spring of 2014 as a co-production with China Film Group, in Beijing.

Paes will play Shiva Bajpai, a gifted paleontology student and friend of the lead character who helps set up the central question of story by doubting the stated objective of an expedition to Irian Jaya, New Guinea.

"Braden has all the necessary qualities for the role, and he brings a fresh face with international appeal to the cast," said Skagen, who wrote the short films Snap!, The Service and Unforgivable.

Paes said, "Having someone that encompasses the explorer doing new things and new challenges…that's very much how I am as a person. This is Peter's brainchild, so he wants the best of the best to come out of it. He likes to approach things from a real perspective. Adding an ethnic character makes the film more real."

Paes is known for acting in the leading role of Cooper in Inherit the Wind, produced at Calgary's Pumphouse Theatre in 2009. He received a Best Young Actor award nomination for the role at the 9th annual Willy Awards. He's acted in leading roles in the films The High School Chronicles, Headlines and The Late Night Extravaganza. He played Vick in Ajay Sabhaney's Now it's Just Us, and acted in Odeh Kassis' documentary, The Bearcat.

Last year, Paes acted in, wrote and produced the short film, The Voices of Reason, which won four awards at the 2012 Calgary Film Race. Later this spring, he will again act in the Calgary Film Race in an on the fly, 24-hour production from writer-producer Gianna Isabella.

SOURCE Braden Paes