Award-winning filmmakers
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Dream it.
What began as a wild idea between filmmakers Aaron Hagele and Tim Slowikowski quickly turned into an obsession. They saw something in the chaotic, unpredictable world of Gil Mantera’s Party Dream that demanded to be captured. From the first moments of filming, the vision was clear: tell a story that’s as offbeat, unpolished, and electric as the band itself.
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Build it.
The making of Party Dream was a true independent effort — long nights, countless shows, and cameras rolling in basements, clubs, and on the road. Hagele and Slowikowski pieced together archival footage, intimate interviews, and raw performances to build not just a documentary, but an immersive portrait of ambition, artistry, and family ties. Every frame was crafted with the band’s DIY spirit in mind.
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Grow it.
What started as a local story in Youngstown, Ohio has grown into something bigger: a film that resonates with anyone who has chased a dream, lost their way, or tried to reinvent themselves. By bringing Party Dream to audiences around the world, Hagele and Slowikowski show that the energy, humor, and heartbreak of this band’s journey isn’t just about music — it’s about the universal pull to keep going, no matter what.
Get a sneak-peak.
Lights up. Synths blast. Costumes shimmer. Party Dream throws you headfirst into the outrageous world of Gil Mantera’s Party Dream — part rock show, part comedy act, all chaos. Directed by Aaron Hagele and Tim Slowikowski, this documentary follows two step-brothers from Youngstown, Ohio who turned a basement idea into a full-blown spectacle. It’s wild. It’s heartfelt. It’s the rise, fallout, and unexpected afterlife of a band that never played it safe.
Working in all facets.
Hagele and Slowikowski tracked down friends, fans, and fellow musicians for interviews that pulled back the curtain on the step-brother duo at the heart of the band. Then came the real grind: digging through mountains of footage, stitching together the highs and lows, and balancing outrageous performances with raw, personal moments.
Behind the scenes, the work was just as relentless. Hours were spent clearing music rights, licensing tracks, and making sure every synth line and guitar riff could live on screen. Editing pushed the story into focus; post-production polished it into a cinematic ride without losing its scrappy, DIY edge. The result? Party Dream — a documentary as strange, funny, and heartfelt as the band itself.
For all this hard work, the film won two Best Feature awards at both the Philadelphia Unnamed Film Festival and the Sherman Oaks Film Festival in 2022.
Music Supervision
Merchandise Music was honored to work on the short film “Deja Loop” by filmmaker Timmy L’Heureux.
“From our first call discussing themes and past work, Aaron and Tim quickly understood my vision and sent me a batch of strong contenders. In the edit, we collaborated and experimented until the short came alive. Merchandise Music not only delivered but made the whole process a blast. Highly recommend!”
