Hello,

My name is Stephen Woollen, and I am an Air Force Veteran who is now pursuing my passion for filmmaking at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). To obtain a degree at SCAD, every student must direct, produce, or be a cinematographer on one final film called a Senior Capstone. This film should be the culmination of the student's work at SCAD and their biggest, most creatively fulfilling project up to that point.

The film I am directing is called Parkers Creek; it is a darkly comedic, moody, crime thriller that I wrote myself, based around a real location in my hometown of Southern Maryland.

The film follows Alex and Vincent, childhood friends who, after years apart reunite for the first time since high school. Through a twisted set of circumstances, they are forced to dispose of a dead body in a local creek. Trudging along a muggy creek in the dead of night, Alex and Vincent are forced to confront themselves, each other, and the complicated nature of their friendship. They soon come to realize, the rotting corpse is least of the problems between them.

This story grew out of my love for crime fiction and absurd “fish out of water” scenarios. In early drafts, Vincent and Alex were little more than hapless criminals, and the body they carried was just an excuse for darkly comedic banter and a flashy shootout.

Over time, as I kept writing, and then rewriting, I found myself falling in love with these two boys. You might ask, “Why? They’re clearly bad people who should be punished for what they’ve done.” And you’d be right. Objectively, they should be. But in today’s world, I think we’re too quick to judge, too quick to discard people who make mistakes, even people we once loved or who still love us. My writing professor Renee Bishop says “Don’t write the story, find the story.” And in writing Parkers Creek, I think I found it: two people desperate to be understood, but too afraid to look in the mirror. Instead, they lash out. They deflect. They turn the blame on each other. If there’s a lesson here, it’s this: we have to try to understand each other. Really see one another. If we don’t, we risk doing irreversible harm to the people we hold dear.

As with any film production, there are many costs involved. This film in particular requires a lot more then most productions with scenes shot on water, stunts, makeup, blank firing weapons, squibs, and more! This also includes the essentials for any film production such as camera and lighting equipment rentals, costumes, props and set design, transportation, and of course, meals for our hardworking crew!

This is where I need your help. Your donation will go directly toward bringing Parkers Creek to life. By supporting this project, you’re not just helping fund a student film; you’re investing in a story about friendship, class, and the complications of human nature we all share. You’ll also be helping a veteran-turned-filmmaker realize his dream of telling meaningful, cinematic stories that connect with people.

If you can, please consider donating or sharing this campaign with others who love independent film. Every contribution, every share, and every word of encouragement makes a difference.

Thank you so much for your time, your generosity, and your belief in new voices in film.

— Stephen Woollen