The Larry Larson Project

Atlanta, Georgia | Film Feature

Documentary, Comedy

Greyson Wyatt

1 Campaigns | Georgia, United States

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This campaign raised $1,893 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.

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What does it mean to be a storyteller? We check in with Larry to learn more about the ventures he has cooking after founding an LLC in his 70s to turn his hit plays of the 80s into films. A step inside the mind of journeyman actor and playwright Larry Larson.

About The Project

  • The Story
  • Wishlist
  • Updates
  • The Team
  • Community

Mission Statement

We’re going to delve into the idea that you never age out of creativity, passion, and drive, even if your industry tries to leave you behind. We'll be tempering that idea with an examination of the compromises one incurs with a lifelong pursuit of entertaining. Faust, but the uplifting version.

The Story

Y'know that guy you've seen on TV over the years? The Orkin man, FBI agent #3, the face of that cashier training video for Arby's you watched for your first job in 1992? The one that looks familiar but you can't place the name? What if I told you I know his name?




Variety show star, senior band frontman, radio host, playwright, and journeyman actor, there isn't a lot in the entertainment industry Larry hasn't done. With 75 stage play appearances and over 20 plays penned with his writing partner, Eddie Levi Lee, Larry's final frontier is breaking into film.


Larry & Eddie rose to Atlanta fame in the 80s for their irreverent and deeply dark comedies they co-wrote and co-starred in. Among their most popular titles: Blood Orgy of the Chainsaw Chorus Line, Tent Meeting, and Some things You Need to Know Before the World Ends: A Final Evening with the Illuminati. Larry's worked alongside Bernie Mac, Jan Hooks, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Earle Haley, Anthony Michael Hall, Kenny Rogers, Keith Carradine, Karl Malden, Dennis Weaver, Rob Liebman, and many more.


But since founding a company at the age of 72 to further share his voice with the world, suddenly it seems like every door he knocks on gets no response.



"Theatre is fleeting; you're onstage, it's live, it's gone, but film--it's going to be with us for a while..."



This documentary is about Larry's struggle to make it onto the big screen as an actor and writer. But we're also interested in who Larry is. We aim to explore Larry's mission to reach audiences, reflect on his career, and meet "the many characters living inside his head."


The principle iron in Larry's fire is the rocky development phase for the screenplay to Some Things You Need to Know Before the World Ends, optioned by two film grads out in LA. The story revolves around the deranged Reverend Eddie and his faithful hunchback assistant, Brother Lawrence, carrying on with their godly duties after an apparent apocalypse.


We're also interested in exploring the Atlanta entertainment landscape, how it's changed since Ted Turner hit the scene, what Covid did to small theatres, and whose voice gets a platform in 2024.



I'm Greyson! I'm the Brother Lawrence to Larry's Reverend Eddie.


Right after founding the company, Larry brought me on board, via a Facebook wanted ad, as his assistant to transcribe the hard copies of his plays into digital and to shoot his audition tapes. Our working relationship has evolved greatly over the last four years.


We're making this documentary before I leave for California in September and before, as Larry so ominously puts it, "the curtain closes"... Larry is at a turning point. Does he retire and enjoy the golden years, or keep pushing?



So... yes. If you watch the trailer, you'll see the lengthy email he sent me back in 2021 pitching the idea. 3 years have gone by. There's a meddling compulsion to write your own life--to write what you know. I've never believed in the idea and I don't plan on starting now. I think Larry's situation and drive is a fascinating story that transcends my relationship with him.


Financially what does this mean? Neither Larry nor his company, CCP, will have a financial stake or input in the project, nor will CCP be involved in the creative vision of the documentary (outside of an ethical courtesy). The navigation of such a relationship, I believe, will also be a fascinating concept to track as the documentary progresses. This is not a vanity project.



This documentary is inspired by Val, Ren Faire, and Crumb, and aims to be tonally similar to How to with John Wilson.



Most of the archival work, i.e. compiling all of Larry's footage and photographs, has been completed.


I have recorded roughly 6 hours of footage so far, including a couple sit downs with Larry, and an interview with Bill Tush.



There is additional footage I need to track down and pull from the internet and old 8mm film reels.


I have many questions left to ask Larry about his life and career. Tracking the progress of Illuminati is also an ever evolving subject. Additionally, we have a number of interview targets: people from Larry's personal and professional life, including Eddie Levi Lee. Additional interviews will be scheduled if the funds to do so are secured. That's where YOU come in!


Our timeline is ideally to finish east coast interviews by mid September and to complete the remaining interviews in the next couple of months after that, and to be finished with post (which will probably take me a long, long time) by end of 2026. We're hoping to allow room for developing coverage of Illuminati and other schemes of Larry's.



In addition to travel costs, we're also hoping to upgrade our documentary gear for a higher production value. In particular, a schmoozy microphone and a small monitor for the camera. A post production budget will also help me carve out time for editing and potential consultation.


We also hope to hire local Atlanta artist, Theodore Davis (who did the fan club membership card), to design the film poster. Check him out on Instagram @teds_odds_n_ends.



We're planning a primarily local festival route, after which the documentary will be made available online for free as a resource and source of inspiration for all creatives, entrepreneurs, and weirdos like Larry and myself.


If you'd like to be part of Larry's ever-evolving story, join our campaign and make a contribution! The perks are wild.


What in the hell is this documentary about?? Larry's asked me that same question. It's about legacy, art, creative control, insecurity, celebrity, partnership, age, a fickle industry, the excitement of good news, the pang of bad news, and it's about Larry C. Larson.



Wishlist

Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.

Boom Microphone

Costs $300

To perfectly capture the sweet melodic tones that make up Larry Larson's voice.

Camera Monitor

Costs $300

Make setting up interviews easier and so subjects can get a preview.

Food Expenses

Costs $100

Keep interview subjects happy

Travel and Gas

Costs $500

For potential flights and travel to interview subjects.

Post Production Costs

Costs $500

It's gonna take me a HOT minute

Poster Art

Costs $200

There is a specific local Atlanta Artist I would love to commission for the poster art.

Festival Submissions

Costs $150

To get Larry out there!

SSD Drive and archival digitization fees

Costs $310

For storing interview footage. We also have several 8mm film reels to digitize.

Cash Pledge

Costs $0

About This Team

Aside from the documentary's subjects, this is a one man operation. I'm Greyson! I'm a Georgia grown filmmaker and screenwriter based in Atlanta until attending UCLA's screenwriting MFA this fall.


I've co-adapted work with Larry, in addition to writing Zombabies and The Forever Moment.


My festival credits for screenwriting and short films include: The Atlanta Film Festival, Killer Shorts, Screencraft, Rolecall Indie Showcase, Atlanta Children's Film Festival, Atlanta Underground Film Festival, and The Script Lab.


To learn more about the previous media I've created under the branding Gimmick Films, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@gimmickfilms or my website: https://greysonwyatt.wixsite.com/home

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