An anti-medicine cult controls every aspect of Josie's life. When she's forced to break one of its core tenets in order to save her young son, she risks public humiliation and permanent isolation from her family.
An anti-medicine cult controls every aspect of Josie's life. When she's forced to break one of its core tenets in order to save her young son, she risks public humiliation and permanent isolation from her family.
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Story
About The Project
I was raised in the Worldwide Church of God, a Pasadena, California-based religious cult, founded by the evangelist Herbert W. Armstrong, that prohibited its members from using modern medicine.
When I contracted a near-fatal pneumonia infection at the age of six, my father, a high-ranking minister, and my mother made a bold choice to defy the church's strict rules and take me to a hospital, where I was given antibiotics and saved.
It can be hard for someone who has never been in a brainwashing cult to understand why someone in the situation like the one my parents were in can't just pack up and leave.
Organizations like the WCG, while venerating the family unit publicly, actually weaponize familial relationships by teaching (and forcing) members to ostracize relatives who leave or are disfellowshipped. My parents' familial, social, spiritual, and professional lives were all inexorably tied to the church.
When I was sallow, colorless, and becoming weaker by hour, they must have certainly struggled with a brutal internal conflict. On one hand, there was clearly something seriously wrong with me and their parental insticts would compel them to use any means necessary to fix it. On the other, taking me to the hospital could very likely cause not only terrible devastation to all of our personal lives, but a permanent "F" on a test from God.
My goal for this short is to capture and dramatize that conflict.
Incentives
$5
Contributor Credit!
- Your name in the on-screen credits, and appreciation from the bottom of my heart.
$10
(New!) Digital Streaming Link to Full Film!
- Your name in the on-screen credits
- An e-mail with a direct link to watch the completed film online!
$25
Distinguished Contributor Credit!
- An e-mail with a direct link to watch the completed film online!
- Your name in a special section in the on-screen credits
$30
Pre-Cut Kids' Crafty Kit
- Your name in a special section in the on-screen credits
- An e-mail with a direct link to watch the completed film online
- One-of-a-kind set of pre-cut kids' crafty sets by Kerri Fernsworth Feazell. (Only 5 available. Immediate shipping upon collection)
Claimed: 3 of 5
$50
Invite to Cast/Crew/Contributor Party on August 20!
The party happened on August 20th and it was great!
$50
Necklace with Lichen
- Your name in a special section in the on-screen credits
- An e-mail with a direct link to watch the completed film online
- One-of-a-kind necklace handmade by Kerri Fernsworth Feazell (Only one available. Shippped immediately upon collection)
Sold Out!
$50
Raw Silk Eye Pillow with Lavender
- Your name in a special section in the on-screen credits
- An e-mail with a direct link to watch the completed film online
- Soothing eye pillow handmade by Kerri Fernsworth Feazell (Only three available. Shippped immediately upon collection)
Sold Out!
$50
16mm Film Necklace
- Your name in a special section in the on-screen credits
- An e-mail with a direct link to watch the completed film online
- 16mm Film Necklace handmade by Kerri (made and shipped and end of campaign)
Each necklace contains 3 frames from a home movie reel purchased from Ohio, dated 1944. It's an authentic piece of a real American life circa World War II.
Claimed: 0 of 10
$60
Unique Film Stock Candle Holder
- Your name in a special section in the on-screen credits
- An e-mail with a direct link to watch the completed film online
- One-of-a-kind candle holder handmade by Kerri Fernsworth Feazell uses candlelight to illuminate 16mm film cells (There's only one available. Shippped immediately upon collection)
Sold Out!
$60
Necklace with Tree and Copper
- Your name in a special section in the on-screen credits
- An e-mail with a direct link to watch the completed film online
- One-of-a-kind necklace handmade by Kerri Fernsworth Feazell (Only one available. Shippped immediately upon collection)
Claimed: 0 of 1
$60
Unique Bark Candle Holder
- Your name in a special section in the on-screen credits
- An e-mail with a direct link to watch the completed film online
- One-of-a-kind candle holder handmade by Kerri Fernsworth Feazell (Only one available. Shippped immediately upon collection)
Claimed: 0 of 1
$60
Copper and Tree Candle Holder
- Your name in a special section in the on-screen credits
- An e-mail with a direct link to watch the completed film online
- One-of-a-kind candle holder handmade by Kerri Fernsworth Feazell (Only one available. Shippped immediately upon collection)
Sold Out!
$60
Necklace with 16mm Pup in Locket
- Your name in a special section in the on-screen credits
- An e-mail with a direct link to watch the completed film online
- One-of-a-kind necklace handmade by Kerri Fernsworth Feazell (Only one available. Shippped immediately upon collection)
Claimed: 0 of 1
$75
Signed Copy of My Dad's Book
- Your name in a special section in the on-screen credits
- An e-mail with a direct link to watch the completed film online
- The full story of the Worldwide Church of God's transformation from a repressive cult to a mainstream protestant church, published by Zondervan in 2001.
The book includes a description of my pneumonia episode, and my parents' struggle to reconcile their caring instincts with their misguided faith.
*Includes US shipping
Claimed: 2 of 10
$100
A Massive High-Five at the Cast/Crew/Contributor Party!
A huge, gratifying high-five at the Cast/Crew/Contributor party that makes a really good noise. Unsatisfying and/or awkward high-fives will be re-attempted up to five times.
*Travel not included
Claimed: 5 of 20
$250
An Eponymous Cocktail at the Cast/Crew/Contributor Party!
We'll name a special cocktail after you and serve it throughout the whole Cast/Crew/Contributor party. Additionally, I'll make a speech at the party describing the cocktail and explaining how you have inspired it, ingredient-by-ingredient.
Rules:
1) You get no input on the name, style, or ingredients. It will be based completely on the information and feelings Kerri and I have about you. Fun, right?
2) It's just one rule, actually.
*Travel not included
Claimed: 2 of 3
$500
PA-for-a-Day
A lot of crowdfunding campaigns offer days on the set as an incentive. I'll do no such thing!
If you contribute $500, I'LL go to YOUR film set for a day, and work as a PA! I'm a great worker. I'll make coffee, carry stuff, order lunch, whatever you need.
Offer valid any day I'm available within a year of the end of this campaign. And I won't BS my way out of it. I get that commitment to my promises from my mom. Ask anyone who knows me.
*Valid within 200 miles of Los Angeles
Claimed: 0 of 3
$1,000
Associate Producer Credit
- An e-mail with a direct link to watch the completed film online
- An "Associate Producer" Credit on-screen and on iMDB
Claimed: 1 of 3
$5,000
Executive Producer Credit
- An e-mail with a direct link to watch the completed film online
- An "Executive Producer" credit on-screen and on iMDB
Claimed: 0 of 1
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$5
Contributor Credit!
- Your name in the on-screen credits, and appreciation from the bottom of my heart.
$10
(New!) Digital Streaming Link to Full Film!
- Your name in the on-screen credits
- An e-mail with a direct link to watch the completed film online!
$25
Distinguished Contributor Credit!
- An e-mail with a direct link to watch the completed film online!
- Your name in a special section in the on-screen credits
$30
Pre-Cut Kids' Crafty Kit
- Your name in a special section in the on-screen credits
- An e-mail with a direct link to watch the completed film online
- One-of-a-kind set of pre-cut kids' crafty sets by Kerri Fernsworth Feazell. (Only 5 available. Immediate shipping upon collection)
Claimed: 3 of 5
$50
Invite to Cast/Crew/Contributor Party on August 20!
The party happened on August 20th and it was great!
$50
Necklace with Lichen
- Your name in a special section in the on-screen credits
- An e-mail with a direct link to watch the completed film online
- One-of-a-kind necklace handmade by Kerri Fernsworth Feazell (Only one available. Shippped immediately upon collection)
Sold Out!
$50
Raw Silk Eye Pillow with Lavender
- Your name in a special section in the on-screen credits
- An e-mail with a direct link to watch the completed film online
- Soothing eye pillow handmade by Kerri Fernsworth Feazell (Only three available. Shippped immediately upon collection)
Sold Out!
$50
16mm Film Necklace
- Your name in a special section in the on-screen credits
- An e-mail with a direct link to watch the completed film online
- 16mm Film Necklace handmade by Kerri (made and shipped and end of campaign)
Each necklace contains 3 frames from a home movie reel purchased from Ohio, dated 1944. It's an authentic piece of a real American life circa World War II.
Claimed: 0 of 10
$60
Unique Film Stock Candle Holder
- Your name in a special section in the on-screen credits
- An e-mail with a direct link to watch the completed film online
- One-of-a-kind candle holder handmade by Kerri Fernsworth Feazell uses candlelight to illuminate 16mm film cells (There's only one available. Shippped immediately upon collection)
Sold Out!
$60
Necklace with Tree and Copper
- Your name in a special section in the on-screen credits
- An e-mail with a direct link to watch the completed film online
- One-of-a-kind necklace handmade by Kerri Fernsworth Feazell (Only one available. Shippped immediately upon collection)
Claimed: 0 of 1
$60
Unique Bark Candle Holder
- Your name in a special section in the on-screen credits
- An e-mail with a direct link to watch the completed film online
- One-of-a-kind candle holder handmade by Kerri Fernsworth Feazell (Only one available. Shippped immediately upon collection)
Claimed: 0 of 1
$60
Copper and Tree Candle Holder
- Your name in a special section in the on-screen credits
- An e-mail with a direct link to watch the completed film online
- One-of-a-kind candle holder handmade by Kerri Fernsworth Feazell (Only one available. Shippped immediately upon collection)
Sold Out!
$60
Necklace with 16mm Pup in Locket
- Your name in a special section in the on-screen credits
- An e-mail with a direct link to watch the completed film online
- One-of-a-kind necklace handmade by Kerri Fernsworth Feazell (Only one available. Shippped immediately upon collection)
Claimed: 0 of 1
$75
Signed Copy of My Dad's Book
- Your name in a special section in the on-screen credits
- An e-mail with a direct link to watch the completed film online
- The full story of the Worldwide Church of God's transformation from a repressive cult to a mainstream protestant church, published by Zondervan in 2001.
The book includes a description of my pneumonia episode, and my parents' struggle to reconcile their caring instincts with their misguided faith.
*Includes US shipping
Claimed: 2 of 10
$100
A Massive High-Five at the Cast/Crew/Contributor Party!
A huge, gratifying high-five at the Cast/Crew/Contributor party that makes a really good noise. Unsatisfying and/or awkward high-fives will be re-attempted up to five times.
*Travel not included
Claimed: 5 of 20
$250
An Eponymous Cocktail at the Cast/Crew/Contributor Party!
We'll name a special cocktail after you and serve it throughout the whole Cast/Crew/Contributor party. Additionally, I'll make a speech at the party describing the cocktail and explaining how you have inspired it, ingredient-by-ingredient.
Rules:
1) You get no input on the name, style, or ingredients. It will be based completely on the information and feelings Kerri and I have about you. Fun, right?
2) It's just one rule, actually.
*Travel not included
Claimed: 2 of 3
$500
PA-for-a-Day
A lot of crowdfunding campaigns offer days on the set as an incentive. I'll do no such thing!
If you contribute $500, I'LL go to YOUR film set for a day, and work as a PA! I'm a great worker. I'll make coffee, carry stuff, order lunch, whatever you need.
Offer valid any day I'm available within a year of the end of this campaign. And I won't BS my way out of it. I get that commitment to my promises from my mom. Ask anyone who knows me.
*Valid within 200 miles of Los Angeles
Claimed: 0 of 3
$1,000
Associate Producer Credit
- An e-mail with a direct link to watch the completed film online
- An "Associate Producer" Credit on-screen and on iMDB
Claimed: 1 of 3
$5,000
Executive Producer Credit
- An e-mail with a direct link to watch the completed film online
- An "Executive Producer" credit on-screen and on iMDB
Claimed: 0 of 1
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
As an active member of an improv community, I'm lucky to have lots of friends with talents in every aspect of the filmmaking process. I've never really had to "cold call" anyone, and I usually don't have to run auditions.
My wife Kerri is co-producing and co-directing the film with me. Since 2009, we've been learning the art of filmmaking together, and I'm beyond blessed to have a great life partner and collaborator in the same person.
On our first day of shooting, we were lucky to work with director of photography John Hale, who has shot many web projects for us, and always impresses me with his ability to use cinematography in service of story. He's also profoundly pleasant to be around.
Amy Bury, an improv teammate, is in constant demand as an actress in her community, and I'm thrilled to have her play the main character in The Future of Man. She's ridiculously talented and tremendously humble.
Production sound mixer Kirbie Seis came highly recommended by several of our filmmaking friends, and when we shot our first scene with her, their praises were confirmed. She was professional, pleasant, and delivered great audio.
I was already familiar with Jack Hunter's brilliant acting from my capacity as an editor for Cracked.com, where Jack plays the wildly popular Roger Horton, host of the "Honest Ads" series. I'm flattered that he liked my script, and used his time to contribute to it.
Leah Catherine, who I also know through improv, did a remarkable job with hair and makeup on our first day of shooting. She understood exactly what we needed and executed it professionally. I was very impressed, and look forward to hiring her for the rest of the film.
Pei Pei Chung is a great friend and fantastic composer and sound designer, and she helped us polish our first scene at a substantial discount.
Ted Evans is a crazy-talented voiceover artist and good friend who has never hesitated to record something for me. On this project, he provided the voiceover for the intro to Abel J. Davidson's fictional TV show.
Mylissa Fitzsimmons has made several great shorts, has connected me with editing gigs, and didn't hesitate to offer help in several capacities as a producer. She's a great friend and I'm grateful for her help.
Breven Warren put together our first web series, Youth Pastor Kevin, and in doing so, demystified the production process and helped us launch our film careers. She founded and directs the nonprofit, Columbia Gorge International Film Festival. Her festival experience continues as she has either worked for, programmed with or been a juror at; Sundance Film Festival, Slamdance Film Festival, Los Angeles Film Festival, AFI Film Festival, San Francisco International Film Festival, Miami International Film Festival, Downtown LA Film Fest, Indie Spirit Film Festival, Mammoth Lakes Film Festival, Turner Classic Film Festival and Scriptapalooza.
Everyone mentioned above has helped me initiate my vision by offering their services for less than they're worth. I'm looking forward to raising the funds to pay them to help me finish my film!
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