Help Fund Blake Nelson Documentary

It’s tough to think of how many lives have been reduced to a statistic in America’s opioid crisis. It’s a tragedy that we’ve quickly become numb to. The erasing of lives, of experiences, of dreams into this wholly American problem. 

My friend Blake Nelson passed away from an opioid overdose 4 years ago. A spirited songwriter and musician whose music and creative output seemed destined to fade into obscurity after his passing. Lots of people loved Blake. I was one of those people. I met Blake during college at an open mic night and we quickly became great friends. I was in awe of Blake’s writing and his passion in performance, which unfortunately was mostly restricted to open mic nights at a local bar. He made lo-if home recordings that had pop appeal, but dressed them in static and noise much like his hero Mark Linkous was wont to do. We started a band with a couple friends that lasted for a while until Blake began rehab in Florida. 

Blake’s is just one of countless lives that were cut short by addiction, lost to the void of the opioid crisis. Anything you’re able to donate will go towards making this film happen and preserving the story and music of someone whom I don’t think should be forgotten just yet. 

About the film:

This will be a feature-length documentary film.

I have felt for years that someone should make a documentary on Blake, but also had a feeling that one might never get made. After speaking with his family about the potential project and hearing their enthusiasm for it, I decided to begin the process of making a film.

Through interviews, the film will focus on the lives that Blake affected, about how he lives on through his family and friends, both through the hurt and the love.

This will be my first feature-length film. Making movies is expensive and time consuming. I have a full-time day job in addition to music and filmmaking and my income unfortunately isn't enough to fund this project independently. I will be filming, recording the audio, editing, scoring, etc., for the film mostly on my own.

The funds raised will cover:

- Equipment Acquisition (lenses, camera, lighting equipment, microphones, tripods, hard drives, etc.)

- Equipment insurance

- Travel expenses (car rental, lodging, fuel) to conduct interviews in: Ohio, Indiana, Louisiana, Florida, Texas, and likely other locations as well

- Attorney/Legal Fees

- Film Festival Application Fees

Any amount raised over the goal will go towards any unexpected expenses in pre-production/filming/post-production (additional legal fees, licensing costs, artwork, etc)

Anything you’re able to offer here helps, even just sharing the link! I will also be applying for film grants, so the idea is that with a combination of those grants and the funds raised here, I should have enough to make the film that Blake and his loved ones deserve.

Thank you for your time!

All the best,

Andrew