The Other Side of the White Line
Friends and Family !
I am starting a fundraiser to support The Other Side of the White Line, a film I wrote based on my senior poetry thesis. In May 2019, I graduated from Emerson College with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and a minor in photography. I began writing my thesis in 2017, and after thorough editing, I adapted the poems into a script which is filming in the summer of 2022.
What is the film about?
The Other Side of the White Line is a depiction of two drug dealers attempting to survive the unsustainable effects of drugs and alcohol. As they travel the country, dealing and taking drugs, their understanding of reality blurs into disjointed memories of the past and present.
What is my inspiration?
The Other Side of the White Line began as a small group of poems I wrote toward the end of my active addiction. A few months after starting the poetry collection, I left Boston for a rehabilitation center in Florida. I had been drinking and using drugs for seven years, and I was exhausted, scared, sick, and fading into the effects of addiction. In those seven years, although friends and family told me at times, I was unaware of my problem.
In the two months I spent in rehab, I wrote several poems. I was humbled that I could relate to alcoholics, heroin users, and meth addicts, of all different ages, races, and economic backgrounds. I was grateful to face my addictions honestly with these women, and understand my relationship to drugs and alcohol with education, bravery, and care. After I was released in August 2018, I worked for months and compiled the poetry series for my senior creative writing thesis.
Why tell this story?
The Other Side of the White Line is not meant to glorify drugs, teach a lesson on getting clean, or inspire fear in the viewer. I want to depict the alcoholic/addict individuals in my film as dynamic and as detailed as possible. Therefore, I am choosing to cast actors and actresses who are themselves addicts or in recovery, along with individuals who have been personally affected by a loved one in addiction. By remaining transparent as the writer, director, producer, and one of the lead actresses, I want to steer the ideas and conversations we have surrounding drug addicts and alcoholics in an open and informative direction.
Already, I have lost friends to relapse and addiction and I currently know several individuals who are struggling. Therefore, I want to highlight this issue by raising accurate awareness from first hand experience. I have now been sober for almost three years and although I am the strongest and happiest I've been in my adult life, staying sober is a serious challenge for any individual to face.
What is the goal?
For the next year, along with my own savings, I am looking to fundraise $20,000 to support this film. I am also applying for grants to support my film. The funds will primarily go toward the price of equipment, car rental, travel expenses, and supporting the 10+ cast and crew members on the road. Any donation is welcome!
Who is helping tell this story?
Several friends and family members are already helping me with this process, in wardrobe, location scouting, scoring, and directing. Casting is already underway, but will be finalized closer to shoot dates in 2022! Once again, I am choosing to cast actors and actresses who are currently or are recovering from addiction, or individuals who have been personally affected by a loved one in addiction.
The magic behind the camera will be my good friend Scott Sweitzer who started a production company with his friends called The End. Check out their work!
Visual Inspiration
At Emerson College, along with Creative Writing, I minored in Photography. Below are several photographs I took in and out of addiction that are serving as a portion of the visual inspiration for specific shots, locations, and mood of the film. Besides my work, there are also several photographers and filmmakers that have influenced this film.
Beyond The Film
When the film is complete, I'm submitting the final version to film festivals and competitions, to continue the awareness about addiction today. Eventually, I want to raise enough money from the completed film, to sponsor an individual to receive help at the rehabilitation center I attended.
If you would like to learn more about the film, the story, or other details, please reach out! My e-mail is [email redacted]. Thank you for your support and for taking the time to read this.
Much love,
Milan Sachs
