The Story

We’ll never come back from this.

The thought repeated in Logan’s head as he contemplated the glass of bourbon in front of him. His wife, Jane, gazed at the record on the turntable; fresh tears on her face. Moments earlier, Jane made a confession to her unsuspecting husband. She was having an affair. Maybe he suspected this, maybe he didn’t. None of that mattered now. The truth was out. The damage was done. 

We can get through anything.

Jane considered as she opened her mouth to speak. But before she could, Logan was on his feet investigating a strange noise on their front porch. He leaned into the hallway and looked toward the front door. 

“There’s a girl on our porch.”

The late night visitor pleaded to be let in. She was terrified. It was winter and she wasn't even wearing a coat. Logan and Jane debated before ultimately letting the distressed girl inside. She said there was someone after her. Logan started to dial the police when the man showed up banging on the front door. The girl went into hysterics as Jane rushed her upstairs to safety.

Logan couldn't make out the man's words through the chaos at first. His heart sank when he came to the frightening realization... the danger was not outside... it was inside the house with them. Jane's scream sliced through Logan right before he bolted up the stairs. He discovered a scene more horrifying than he could have ever imagined. 

Writer's Statement | The Inspiration

I wrote the first version of this script in 2012. My initial inspiration for the story came from two films, The Strangers and When A Stranger Calls. I wanted to write a horror film with a simple concept that would resonate with the viewer. I believe that as a society we share a common fear; home invasion. The idea that an outsider (or outsiders) can harm us in the place we are supposed to feel safe is something that is extremely frightening, but at the same time very real. We have all experienced that noise outside when we’re alone and vulnerable and thought for a passing moment there could be someone out there whose sole objective is to harm us. 

As years passed and adulthood took form, I found another shared fear; The end of a relationship. This is a relatable idea as most of us have experienced the loss of a partner and the uncertainty that goes with navigating life without them. In recent years, there have been a number of very well written relationship dramas like Marriage Story and Scenes From A Marriage. They exhibit an authentic potrayal of intense conversations between partners when the end is near. 

I wanted to write a film that would manipulate the viewer through intense drama then spin them in an unexpected direction when the stranger arrives at the door. The couple then has to set aside their conflict and band together to address an escalating situation. I felt the blend of drama and horror would be the perfect tools to lead the audience in a familiar direction and then take them somewhere completely different.

Director's Statement

Infidelity is a complex issue in which our collective thought is changing. Thanks to therapists like Esther Perrel, polyamory and open relationships are more commonly accepted in mainstream society. There has been a re-framing of where these actions originate and what motivates them. From an unfulfilled need for attention to lack of security in expressing  your desires to your partner, there are several potential causes that have resulted in this societal shift. This doesn’t make the experience any less painful. I would posit that the pain is felt more acutely in the cheater rather than the partner being cheated on. Contrary to popular belief, it is so often not a lack of love that drives someone to this act. Ultimately, it hurts to hurt the one you love.

I was drawn to this script for several reasons. The biggest being our cultural misinterpretation surrounding the motives and emotional fallout behind infidelity. As someone who spent 6 years in an open relationship, I was forced to confront the feelings that go along with knowing your partner is enjoying another person. The complexity of jealousy is a fun one to dissect over time as you hear about your partner’s conquests. But what I found more interesting and revealing was that when the other person felt hurt, I usually experienced more pain.

Live, Laugh Love is an exploration of both sides of infidelity. Along with any relationship drama there are bound to be some twists. As this film also has elements of horror, it was interesting to play with the symbology of the genre and bend it to my will.

The Ask

THAT'S A WRAP! With a remarkable cast and crew from Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, principal photography on Live, Laugh, Love was completed in January 2023. It was imperative that our team had a comfortable and safe experience on the project. We accomplished this by providing transportation, catering, and adhering to Covid-19 protocols with onsite testing. Additionally, every cast and crew member was compensated for their time and talent. 

WAIT... THERE'S MORE! We are currently in the post-production phase of our film. As we speak, an original score is being composed to set the tone and maximize the emotional impact of our beautifully captured scenes. In addition to editing and color grading, we are working with a top tier visual effects team to bring Live, Laugh, Love's terrifying conclusion to life. With final cut slated for June 2023, our objective is to submit the film to highly acclaimed film festivals and introduce audiences to a new sub-genre known as Emo Horror.

WE NEED YOU! Making a quality film is a costly endeavor with many essential elements. From location and set decoration to camera and lighting, we utilized the best resources to bring our vision to life. The purpose of this campaign is both financial and social. We are asking for your help to recoup production costs and fund post production in addition to spreading the word about Live, Laugh, Love. We are extremely proud of this film and believe we have created a unique vision that is sure to stand out on the festival circuit. Check out our campaign and see how you can be a part of Live, Laugh, Love.