Help Us Share Gerard's Story (Documentary)

Thank you for checking out our GoFundMe! We believe Gerard Moreno's remarkable story is a testament to the power of adaptation and resilience. Join us on this journey as we share his message with the world through film.

Synopsis - Gerard's Story

At 23 years old, Gerard's life changed in an instant after he was shot during a home invasion robbery and paralyzed from the waist down, seemingly ending his dreams of one

day fencing in the Olympics. Overcoming depression and anger during his recovery, he found solace and gratitude by connecting with fellow hospital patients with disabilities. This newfound outlook reignited his zest for life and passion for athletics. Slowly but surely, sports became Gerard's compass, guiding him back to his true self. It started with wheelchair basketball, then came golf, tennis, scuba diving, off-road wheelchair racing, and skiing.

Fifteen years later, he discovered wheelchair fencing. What followed was years of relentless training and an unwavering dedication to the craft. "It was an amazing feeling knowing that I could do the sport that I loved again," he says, “The game was the same, but just from a different angle.” And in 2000, he fulfilled his dream of fencing at the Olympics. He went on to represent the United States in four Paralympic Games from 2000-2012.

Today, Gerard’s mission is to help people with disabilities live their lives to the fullest by encouraging them to be active and have fun outdoors. He gives back through his non-profit, coaching the LA Clippers Wheelchair Basketball team, mentoring young athletes, and sitting on the board of the United States Adaptive Recreation Center. “Frankly, had I not been shot,” Gerard says, “I don't know whether I would have had the same impact on the world and the community as I have had.”

From overcoming a life-altering challenge to thriving as a Paralympic athlete, Gerard's journey inspires us to dream bigger and push past our limitations.

A Note from the Director

I’m Nicole, a documentary video editor based in NYC and the director of this project! You might be wondering why I want to make this film. Well, Gerard has a special place in my and my family’s life.

It started before I was born, in 1970 at Beverly Hills High School. That’s where my father, Frank, met Gerard for the first time. The way he tells it, one day they were at football practice when Gerard tackled him so hard in the midsection it sent him flying to the ground, and “he’s been talking about it for the last 50 years!” Come their sophomore year, they became bonafide partners in crime, ditching school to go to Tito’s Tacos and pull pranks at Picwood Bowl.

The two eventually diverged onto their own life paths; Frank's Navy career led him away from Los Angeles, while Gerard's athletic success took him on journeys across the globe. Despite the distance, they stayed close. Many years later, Frank went on to choose Gerard as the godfather of his children. They are still best friends to this day.

Gerard’s story has always inspired me, and fresh out of college I was looking for one to capture through film. I asked Gerard if I could interview him and he agreed. That was eight years ago! I continued to film with him whenever I was in LA. Throughout that time, I continued to learn about filmmaking and established a career in the industry. This year, I decided that I didn’t want to let another Olympic cycle go by without finishing our project and getting Gerard’s story out in the world. I need your help to make that dream a reality!

Why Now?

As the world gears up for the 2024 Paralympics this summer, we see the opportunity to use the event as catalyst to share Gerard's story and reach those who can be deeply impacted by his message.

Our aim is to peel back the layers and explore the obstacles that stood in Gerard's way, showcasing the raw and unfiltered moments of struggle and triumph that propelled him forward. We believe Gerard’s story has the power to inspire others to confront their own challenges with courage and determination, empowering us to find strength in adversity and hope in the face of uncertainty.

Audience

We envision this film resonating deeply with a diverse audience, including sports enthusiasts, individuals with disabilities, and those navigating life's transitions and mental health struggles. With the film’s narrative spanning decades, it offers something meaningful for people from all walks of life to connect with and take away.

With your support, we can amplify Gerard's voice and ensure that his story resonates with people around the globe.

Meet the Team

Who are we? We are creative storytellers passionate about using film to tell authentic stories that foster empathy and connection. We’re also teammates in life and have been together for almost a decade :)

Through Nicole's work as an editor, she has cultivated a deep appreciation for creative exploration through film. She loves the process of putting all of the pieces together to uncover a captivating and impactful story. She's excited to both direct and edit this project!

For Anthony, color grading is the perfect blend of art and science. He loves problem-solving and creating beautiful images. These skills will prove invaluable as he steps into the role of producer for the film.

We Need Your Help

Your donation will go directly towards helping bring this vision to life! This is an independent production, meaning that we're trying to raise enough funding ourselves to cover the costs of making the film. Anything helps!

Here’s a breakdown of our budget:

Production - Los Angeles, CA (69%)

We will capture most of our footage in Los Angeles. This portion of the funding will cover our necessary equipment and production costs.

Production - Richmond, VA (13%)

We’ll be bringing on a two-person team to cover the National Wheelchair Basketball Championships. Your donation will help us hire a videographer and assistant for the day.

Post-Production (9%)

After the film has finished shooting, we’re excited to collaborate with an audio mixer and composer to help the sound in the film shine.

Other Expenses (9%)

We’re budgeting extra room to cover food and transportation for our crew while shooting and anything else that might come up during production.

Other Ways You Can Support

If you’re unable to contribute financially, you can still support us by spreading the word about our campaign and sharing it with your network. Every share and mention helps us reach a wider audience! Thank you for considering supporting our film.