ON FIRM GROUND
Dallas, Texas | Film Feature
Documentary
In a race against time, two people battling Parkinson's Disease embark on a journey of hope as they undergo brain surgery to reclaim their lives. Meanwhile, fueled by personal loss, their devoted friend leads a determined charge to raise awareness for the disease in an inspiring fight for a cure.
ON FIRM GROUND
Dallas, Texas | Film Feature
Documentary

1 Campaigns | Texas, United States
10 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$1,265
Goal: $15,000 for post-production
In a race against time, two people battling Parkinson's Disease embark on a journey of hope as they undergo brain surgery to reclaim their lives. Meanwhile, fueled by personal loss, their devoted friend leads a determined charge to raise awareness for the disease in an inspiring fight for a cure.
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Having each lived with Parkinson’s for nearly a decade, North Florida residents Greg Ritscher and Sabrina Molina undergo Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery; each of them weighing the potential risks of the procedure against the hope of a life less impacted by the disease. Although it is a part of a holistic approach to treatment of the disease, DBS is often seen as a “last ditch effort” in Parkinson’s Disease treatment by those going through the procedure. At the same time, Jen, a friend to both Greg and Sabrina and a local advocate, works to raise awareness for Parkinson’s through the First Coast Parkinson’s Run in Jacksonville, FL. Having lost her mother to Parkinson’s, Jen has dedicated her life to education and outreach for the disease.
Parkinson’s disease is an often-misunderstood disease, affecting people in many more ways than the visible tremors with which it has become synonymous. With nearly 90,000 people in the U.S. diagnosed with Parkinson’s yearly, it is a disease that will likely affect the majority of people in one way or another. Parkinson’s still doesn’t have a known cause or cure, and it doesn’t discriminate. This goal of this film is to help push society towards a greater awareness for the disease and the people that live with it.
During the past few years filming this project, we've grown very close with everyone featured in the film and have become strong advocates for Parkinson's Disease, despite not having a direct connection to the disease. Parkinson’s is especially timely now, with Michael J. Fox’s retrospective film, Still, recently released on Apple TV+; and his foundation’s finding of a possible genetic marker for the disease; there is no better time than now to release both a touching, but also informative documentary about Parkinson’s and the people who are affected by it.
Project Status
We started filming this project in August 2021. Principal photography has been completed as of November 2024 and we are now deep into the editing process, with an anticipated completion in early 2025. We aim to submit the completed film for a festival run in April of 2025, Parkinson's Awareness Month. Ultimately, we hope to secure distribution nationally on public television or through a streaming service (Prime Video, Hulu, etc.) in 2025, but we need your help!.
Fundraising Goals
In September 2024, the film was awarded the North Texas Pioneer Award from the Austin Film Society, which allowed us to complete principal photography on the film. Our campaign goal will allow us to finish the film in preparation for a film festival run. This includes primarily post costs coming from third-party freelancers and admin costs:
- Finishing Editor
- Color Correction and Grading
- Sound Mix
- Graphics
- Music
Funds raised above our goal will go towards improving the film, allowing us to seek an extended festival run, and seeking distribution to a streaming service or public television, with a portion of all funds above the goal going towards local and international Parkinson's organizations. We want you to see this film and raising funds above our goal will afford us the opportunity to make that a possibility by making the film ready for national distribution!
Additional Fundraising (Stretch) Goals
$25,000
- Allows us to finish the film by covering all remaining post production costs and the start of a localized film festival run with local, free screenings for Parkinson's Groups in the North Florida area
$50,000
- Covers all out-of-pocket production and post costs with an extended, national festival run and screening tour
$75,000
- Allows us to prepare the finished film for national distribution, hopefully on a streaming service or public television
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Finishing Editor
Costs $3,500
Allows us to hire a professional editor to polish the film, transitions, and pacing.
Sound Mixing
Costs $3,500
Sound mixing will clean up dialogue and balance audio levels of background music so the film sounds as good as it can.
Color Correction and Grading
Costs $3,500
Gives the finished film a consistent look and color across all the shots and scenes.
Graphics
Costs $3,000
Creates consistent lower thirds (contributor names and titles) as well as interesting and informative graphics.
Music Licensing
Costs $1,500
Allows us to pay for licensed music (popular songs) for key parts of the film as well as background music for the rest of the film.
About This Team
ON FIRM GROUND is a collaboration with WEEKENDERS MEDIA, LLC and various organizations focused on the Parkinson's community. As a production company our goal is to Empower, Inspire, and Impact through films that focus on advocacy and issues that are often overlooked by media.
Justin Jay Jones | Director/Producer
With over 13 years of finance experience in the entertainment industry, Justin has worked on projects for Netflix, HBO, Apple, Animal Planet, and more. He now looks to focus on his own projects and tell meaningful and impactful stories that might get overlooked by the entertainment industry at large.
Stephen Bradford | Executive Producer
Stephen first fell in love with photography during his time studying at the Art Institute in Miami, FL. With over fifteen years of creative marketing experience, he has worked for global brands such as, Fox, Disney, Sony Pictures, Netflix, Amazon and Nike; and now looks to use his experience to tell his stories.
Damian Vaca | Producer
Damian’s been in the entertainment industry since 2005, working in an executive role for companies such as MTV, Live Nation, and SBE, and as a Producer on From Cradle to Stage, Truth to Power, and the upcoming Lizzo Doc on HBO Max. He looks forward to bringing his expertise in carrying projects from pre-production to distribution to this project.
Jen Otero | Executive Producer
As the founder of the First Coast Parkinson’s Run and President of the Young Onset Parkinson’s Organization as well as the daughter of someone who passed with Parkinson’s, Jen will provide her life experience and knowledge of the subject, as well as the other participants, to ensure the film shows an accurate portrayal of hers, and everyone’s experiences.
Greg Ritscher | Executive Producer
A “warlord of commerce,” Greg was a successful business consultant for many years and is currently a motivational speaker and author, translating his journey with Parkinson’s to overcoming everyday struggles in your life. Motivated by a strong desire to be there when his granddaughter walks down the aisle at her wedding, Greg is steadfastly determined to raise awareness for Parkinson's Disease.
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Having each lived with Parkinson’s for nearly a decade, North Florida residents Greg Ritscher and Sabrina Molina undergo Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery; each of them weighing the potential risks of the procedure against the hope of a life less impacted by the disease. Although it is a part of a holistic approach to treatment of the disease, DBS is often seen as a “last ditch effort” in Parkinson’s Disease treatment by those going through the procedure. At the same time, Jen, a friend to both Greg and Sabrina and a local advocate, works to raise awareness for Parkinson’s through the First Coast Parkinson’s Run in Jacksonville, FL. Having lost her mother to Parkinson’s, Jen has dedicated her life to education and outreach for the disease.
Parkinson’s disease is an often-misunderstood disease, affecting people in many more ways than the visible tremors with which it has become synonymous. With nearly 90,000 people in the U.S. diagnosed with Parkinson’s yearly, it is a disease that will likely affect the majority of people in one way or another. Parkinson’s still doesn’t have a known cause or cure, and it doesn’t discriminate. This goal of this film is to help push society towards a greater awareness for the disease and the people that live with it.
During the past few years filming this project, we've grown very close with everyone featured in the film and have become strong advocates for Parkinson's Disease, despite not having a direct connection to the disease. Parkinson’s is especially timely now, with Michael J. Fox’s retrospective film, Still, recently released on Apple TV+; and his foundation’s finding of a possible genetic marker for the disease; there is no better time than now to release both a touching, but also informative documentary about Parkinson’s and the people who are affected by it.
Project Status
We started filming this project in August 2021. Principal photography has been completed as of November 2024 and we are now deep into the editing process, with an anticipated completion in early 2025. We aim to submit the completed film for a festival run in April of 2025, Parkinson's Awareness Month. Ultimately, we hope to secure distribution nationally on public television or through a streaming service (Prime Video, Hulu, etc.) in 2025, but we need your help!.
Fundraising Goals
In September 2024, the film was awarded the North Texas Pioneer Award from the Austin Film Society, which allowed us to complete principal photography on the film. Our campaign goal will allow us to finish the film in preparation for a film festival run. This includes primarily post costs coming from third-party freelancers and admin costs:
- Finishing Editor
- Color Correction and Grading
- Sound Mix
- Graphics
- Music
Funds raised above our goal will go towards improving the film, allowing us to seek an extended festival run, and seeking distribution to a streaming service or public television, with a portion of all funds above the goal going towards local and international Parkinson's organizations. We want you to see this film and raising funds above our goal will afford us the opportunity to make that a possibility by making the film ready for national distribution!
Additional Fundraising (Stretch) Goals
$25,000
- Allows us to finish the film by covering all remaining post production costs and the start of a localized film festival run with local, free screenings for Parkinson's Groups in the North Florida area
$50,000
- Covers all out-of-pocket production and post costs with an extended, national festival run and screening tour
$75,000
- Allows us to prepare the finished film for national distribution, hopefully on a streaming service or public television
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Finishing Editor
Costs $3,500
Allows us to hire a professional editor to polish the film, transitions, and pacing.
Sound Mixing
Costs $3,500
Sound mixing will clean up dialogue and balance audio levels of background music so the film sounds as good as it can.
Color Correction and Grading
Costs $3,500
Gives the finished film a consistent look and color across all the shots and scenes.
Graphics
Costs $3,000
Creates consistent lower thirds (contributor names and titles) as well as interesting and informative graphics.
Music Licensing
Costs $1,500
Allows us to pay for licensed music (popular songs) for key parts of the film as well as background music for the rest of the film.
About This Team
ON FIRM GROUND is a collaboration with WEEKENDERS MEDIA, LLC and various organizations focused on the Parkinson's community. As a production company our goal is to Empower, Inspire, and Impact through films that focus on advocacy and issues that are often overlooked by media.
Justin Jay Jones | Director/Producer
With over 13 years of finance experience in the entertainment industry, Justin has worked on projects for Netflix, HBO, Apple, Animal Planet, and more. He now looks to focus on his own projects and tell meaningful and impactful stories that might get overlooked by the entertainment industry at large.
Stephen Bradford | Executive Producer
Stephen first fell in love with photography during his time studying at the Art Institute in Miami, FL. With over fifteen years of creative marketing experience, he has worked for global brands such as, Fox, Disney, Sony Pictures, Netflix, Amazon and Nike; and now looks to use his experience to tell his stories.
Damian Vaca | Producer
Damian’s been in the entertainment industry since 2005, working in an executive role for companies such as MTV, Live Nation, and SBE, and as a Producer on From Cradle to Stage, Truth to Power, and the upcoming Lizzo Doc on HBO Max. He looks forward to bringing his expertise in carrying projects from pre-production to distribution to this project.
Jen Otero | Executive Producer
As the founder of the First Coast Parkinson’s Run and President of the Young Onset Parkinson’s Organization as well as the daughter of someone who passed with Parkinson’s, Jen will provide her life experience and knowledge of the subject, as well as the other participants, to ensure the film shows an accurate portrayal of hers, and everyone’s experiences.
Greg Ritscher | Executive Producer
A “warlord of commerce,” Greg was a successful business consultant for many years and is currently a motivational speaker and author, translating his journey with Parkinson’s to overcoming everyday struggles in your life. Motivated by a strong desire to be there when his granddaughter walks down the aisle at her wedding, Greg is steadfastly determined to raise awareness for Parkinson's Disease.