Charles Chester is branching out into the world of filmmaking. The Hicksville native, who currently works as a director for Bloomberg Television, will begin filming the motion picture The Children of Fleeting Light later this year and, in an effort to support the film, a fundraiser will take place Saturday at the Joseph Barry Knights of Columbus. The movie will be shot on 35mm primarily on Long Island, including Hicksville, as well as in parts of Connecticut.

According to Chester, The Children of Fleeting Light is inspired by the tragedies of William Shakespeare, with the main character, Sean, plagued by dark visions, including one that revolves around the murder of his best friend, Josh - the Romeo. The story invites the audience, as a fellow character, to help unravel the mystery before it is too late. "In a sense it is a murder mystery in reverse," said Chester, adding that a love story blooms between Josh and his Juliet, Fiorra.

The film's principal actors, producers and writer/director will be on hand to answer any questions. The Children of Fleeting Light will star Screen Actors Guild (SAG) members Martin Soole, a veteran theatre actor with 10 Off Broadway plays under his belt as well as movie appearances in The Good Shephard alongside Robert De Niro, Matt Damon and Angelina Jolie and the soon-to-be-released I Am Legend with Will Smith, and David B. Sochet who has appeared in dozens of plays, the film Star Trek: Generations and has a reoccurring role on the USA network's Up All Night. The movie will also star Actors' Equity Association (AEA) member Brandon Jones, a veteran of the Lexington Shakespeare Festival who is currently rapping up his third feature film.

Working on the production end will be cinematographer Manfred Reiff, whose work has been featured in the Sundance Film Festival and Loreal commercials; and illustrator Steven Valdez as storyboard artist. Valdez recently finished designing a videogame based on NBC's hit television show Heroes , who is also involved with various animated shows, including channel 11's Skunk Fu. Producers include John Rebecchi, an actor and filmmaker whose comedy troop, Sans Pants, is currently featured on YouTube.com and Direct TV on Demand, and Tim Rollins, one of the youngest television/film production directors in the country and a current employee with Bloomberg Television.

The cost of Saturday's fundraiser is a suggested $30 donation, payable at the door, which includes food and a discounted cash bar. Supporters will receive mention in the film's credits as well as a chance for screen time in a pivotal soiree scene. The Joseph Barry Knights of Columbus is located at 45 Heitz Place. For more information, call the Joseph Barry Knights of Columbus at 938-8323.