What Matters Productions

Short Synopsis: Bruce, recently diagnosed with cancer, is looking to create one final happy memory with his family, but the universe seems to refuse to let that happen.

The initial idea of this film was born out of a situational dark comedy Gerard Howard, the writer and my dear friend, was drawn to, in which a family attends the reading of a will that goes awry. When I first read that script, I was fascinated by his character, Bruce, and immediately imagined Mel Rodriguez for the role. I told Gerard, "Let's keep the first 3 pages, and ditch the rest, and just follow Bruce and his family for the day, he's such a fun character." Gerard agreed.

Once we had finished the script, Gerard and I just fell in love with this goofy, disconnected, relatable family, despite the fact that we were giving them the worst day we possibly could just for our own giggles.

As a director, I'm personally looking to make this my "calling card" film, as I develop feature films to direct in the future. And this fundraiser I'm hoping will mitigate the financial burden I'll have to undertake in order to make the film a reality. This story in particular just felt close to me, and close to my sensibilities. I've always kind of felt like the sad guy that wanted people to like him but never was quite connecting. So, of course, I'm so excited to be able to have the opportunity to make a surrogate character who I can hug and care for while I simultaneously laugh at as we run him through the wringer of life.

We've been lucky enough to bring on the extremely talented Mel Rodriguez and Sarah Burns to play the leads in the film, who will of course form the emotional and comedic core. Samuel Ott will be the director of photography, someone whom I've had the pleasure of knowing and working with for over 4 years now. I also own a post production company, Legion Post, and have access to exceptionally skilled artists in post production.

Since the film is dealing with depression, we have also been lucky enough to have a Fiscal Sponsor for this film, in the wonderful partners at What Matters Productions Inc, which allows all donations to be tax deductible as charity, and hopefully offer help to anyone suffering from depression and suicidal ideations.

More information about What Matters Productions Inc: To foster, promote and advance greater knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the activities and operations of organizations and individuals who assist those in need, who promote social justice and other charitable and educational activities and thereby, to transform the community-at-large into a more peaceful, loving and equal place.