Turn Off follows Ryan, a 30 something alcoholic, as he faces his current reality and his past while navigating daily life in rehab. We’re introduced to the characters surrounding him, including one eccentric middle-aged hippie, Cal. Ryan frequently finds himself outside his comfort zone, disgusted with the weirdos in the place and thrust into sharing some of his story with the group. Ultimately he must make a decision: participate in healing practices and risk the fear of self-discovery, or abstain and prolong his healing process or worse, relapse.

Ryan is an alcoholic who has reached rock bottom and has found himself in a place he never thought he would be, rehab. Raised to believe in the power of hard work, Ryan has successfully navigated many of life’s challenges on his own; marriage, fatherhood, divorce. We find Ryan at the end of his rope, unable to ‘suck it up’ and unsure how to proceed and he must learn some harsh truths if he’s going to make the journey towards healing and a new life.

Cal is a middle-aged hippie and a veteran of rehab: he'll try anything twice. Seasoned in the healing arts, his eccentricity provides the vehicle for the harsh truths delivered through comedic self-reflection. 

TOP (left to right): Jess Matney, Whitney Lavaux, Leslie Sawyer, Sissy Robberts, Rob McLeroy, Heidi Danae Crane, Rhyse G

BOT (left to right): Morgan Honer, Ethan Caldwell, Christopher Beytia Frentzel, Oliva Frasco, Luigi Comba, Nat Reed, Palmer Hope

This film sits between the seriousness of addiction depicted in films like Beautiful Boy and Leaving Las Vegas and the farcical comedy of Loudermilk.

Left: (Beautiful Boy, 2018) Right: (Leaving Las Vegas, 1995)

As the saying goes, laughter is the best medicine and I believe healing begins when we can see ourselves in other people, relate to those strangers and laugh WITH them.

Top: (Beautiful Boy, 2018) Bot: (Loudermilk, 2017)

We will shoot on 16 mm filmstock to marry the grittiness and texture of film stock with the disquieting and corporeal reality of the rehab experience.

Writer/Director Statement:

This story is based on my own experience in detox and rehab facilities in 2018. I was born in Georgia, got obliterated in Georgia, but most importantly, I got sober here. Without the support of the community in these facilities and innumerable others, I wouldn't be here. This story is for anyone sick and suffering and seeking a change. It's a beacon of hope in the dark and tumultuous time when you've hit rock bottom but can't see the light ahead. Ultimately, this story highlights the importance for community and shows that despite our individuality we are all connected and share a common bond. Through this film, we will gain interest in our fellows, see how our experience can benefit others and our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.

-Brent Ogburn

HARD FACTS

According to recent studies from the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics:

-10% of Americans over the age of 12 have Alcohol Use Disorder.

-69.3% of people who die from excessive alcohol use in Georgia are male.

-An average of 3,953 annual deaths in Georgia are attributable to excessive alcohol use.

-Georgia has a higher rate of underage drinkers than the majority of states.

We are well into pre-production and are prepping to shoot this in the 3rd week of September in Atlanta, GA. Our cast is set and the majority of crew are in place and we have a location ready to dress. We're aiming to have a cut of the film ready to submit to the Atlanta Film Festival before the final deadline in November.

We need your support!

(Beautiful Boy, 2018)

We ave 30 days to secure at least 80% of our goal to get the green-light.

A majority of our budget will be distributed to the talented cast and crew to ensure they are fairly compensated for their craft and hard work. We will also prioritize camera and lighting equipment to capture each moment in their truest form.

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Help us to expand the conversation surrounding sobriety and redefine the sober experience!

Brent Ogburn - WRITER/DIRECTOR

Born and raised in the suburbs of Atlanta, GA, Brent pursues stories of truth and honesty, which often center around moments of pain. After serving the industry as a production assistant and two degrees in the craft of filmmaking and screenwriting, Brent crafts stories about real people facing real problems in a challenging world. He currently serves as a Film teacher at Norcross High School.

Olivia Frasco - PRODUCER

Olivia recently received her bachelor's degree from Emerson College, majoring in Media Visual Arts where she produced six short films, three independent short films, and two music videos. 

Working alongside some of the most creative and hard-working individuals impacts and inspires Olivia to share the human experience through storytelling. “It takes more than knowledge of the craft but also friendship, determination, and being okay with making mistakes."

Luigi Comba - CINEMATOGRAPHER

Luigi is a cinematographer and director that is drawn to the emotional undercurrents of life and brings a calm, grounded energy to his work. He was raised between the Dominican Republic, Italy, and the United States which gives him a layered view of identity, emotion, and the human experience. Driven by truth, connection and heart, Luigi uses light, texture, movement and stillness to translate emotion into the image, creating stories that shift perspectives and heal.