Tackling one of the biggest projects in my life/film career (writing/directing my very first feature film) so far has me thinking- a lot. I think about what I want out of the project; what my definition of success is; why I wanted to film this project; how do I get enough financial backing; how do I make sure this project runs as smoothly as possible?
The list of thoughts goes on and on… and on.
Aside from writing/directing a few short films that premiered at a couple of festivals in the US and a producer credit for a friend of mine’s film in 2016, this is my first feature… and on some levels it terrifies me. It’s so easy to constantly compare my journey with others. It’s so easy to turn on the computer, log onto Facebook and see John Doe from film school raise $25,000 overnight for their feature film (apparently this person had a lot of rich relatives); or to see Jane Smith use her uncle’s connections and seemingly do no work to land a producer credit on a Hollywood film. It’s easy to see these things and walk away feeling discouraged from time to time. Do you ever feel that way?
However, I just keep reminding myself that my chapter 2 is going to be vastly different than someone else chapter 10. I keep telling myself that it’s okay to be where I am- I just have to keep moving forward. I have to continue to passionately pursue my goals. I’m happy for every person that I’ve known who is able to continue to pursue their dreams- I am; but comparison, man, it can be a real bruja.
I’m literally starting from scratch. This film that I’m championing (“Saving Savanna“) is something that I need to do. “Saving Savanna” is about a suicidal young woman, Savanna Winslow ended her lease, quit her job, and cut off all ties. After her suicide attempt fails, Savanna is faced with the stark realization that she has nothing left. When a doctor offers her a second chance, she has a decision to make: to live or continue trying to die.
This film, however, isn’t depressing and it’s not about Savanna’s downward spiral. It’s a film that focuses on the hope that can come when someone is surrounded by people who uplift and spread positivity. Much like Savanna, there are so many people who suffer from crippling depression and anxiety; and there are a number of them who see no other way out from their hopelessness other than suicide. This film is for them. It’s for those of us who aren’t alway happy; those of us who feel isolated and lonely; those of us who need someone to hold out a helping hand. This film is for those affected by the death of someone close to them who committed suicide; for those who need a beacon of hope- of laughter.
I said all of that to get to this point: I wrote this film so that people would have hope. This world can be dark and we can each feel isolated from one another; but it doesn’t have to be that way.
That’s why I wrote this film. That’s why I’ll be filming it.
May 2018. “Saving Savanna” goes into production. Please support it.
