What We Do
FILMS
Actual Life
"love is the drug I can't resist"
Writer / Director's note:
I began writing the script, Actual Life, in 2018, at a time when a close friend of mine, as well as a friend of my brother, had
been diagnosed with cancer. We were in our mid-twenties, our whole lives ahead of us, and two of the most free spirited,
joyful, beautiful and kind people I knew were faced with life threatening diagnosis’s — everything changed.
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I returned to the script in 2022, when oddly enough, I would come to learn of my own health concerns (I'm OK don't worry) but it has been an incredibly confusing and confronting experience, and of course began to stir more questions within me.
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What do you do when life begins to feel like it's slipping
away, so fast.
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The two characters in this film are navigating the tumultuous waters of what it is to be human. It’s beautiful, hard, profound,
stupid-silly, heartbreaking, and full of extraordinary love — if we are brave enough to stay open to it.
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While watching this film, I want the viewer to feel the cells in their body react. Goosebumps to ripple over their skin in moments when they feel excited and when they feel scared. To feel that invisible thread inside that connects us all, that what
is my story is also your story.
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Our story.
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And stories help us heal.
Inspiration
This film was largely inspired by individuals I knew personally, as well as two very specific songs. First was Sam, a friend of mine, who absolutely radiated positivity and joy. She had a certain magic to her that made her bold, beautiful, and wildly courageous. She was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer, never smoked a cigarette and not only an avid yogi she also taught yoga, aka healthy as F. It was shocking. I miss her, and I think of her often. Whenever I feel the pressure of life becoming too strong, I think of Sam, and her strength, and the joy & light that radiated from her that could never be dimmed.
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I met my brother's friend Adam's wife; Maria, at my brother's wedding. Wow that's a bit of a twister. She was another young, vibrant, beautiful woman who's energy uplifted an entire room. The kind of woman who's heart shines through with the intensity of a desert sun. They got married while she was sick, and the love between them was something I could only admire, barely able to fathom how they navigated union and loss at the same time.
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I love music. It is incredibly fascinating to me how something you listen to, can completely alter your mood and energy. I became obsessed with the two songs linked above; Fred Again's "Angie" and The Bahamas "Lost in the Light" and listened to these songs on repeat while writing this script (and re-writing it, and re-writing it, and re-writing it... you get the point) but these two songs got me into such a flow state, the story just poured out.
Film Tone
Filming in warm tones, using elements of sound, light, and intentional silence to pierce through the audience's heart to make them laugh, cry, and connect.
Malcolm and Marie
meets
The Before Sunrise, Sunset, and Midnight Series
Our Crew.
This is our team, and the heart of the operation for the film 'Actual Life'. This passion project would not be possible without the following key contributors, and many more individuals who have given their time, support, or encouragement. It truly takes a village, and this is a helluva good one.
Shooting January 10, 2026*
*shooting date will either be January 10 or 17 depending on scheduling and rehearsals dates.