What's it about?

It is a dark, southern drama that follows a young boy who gets drug along with his father, to the scene of his father's best friend's suicide. The story is told from the young boy's perspective, and follows as he and his older brother, who is just entering the rebelliousness of adolescence, try and make sense of the tragedy in their family.

Director's statement

Hi, I'm Christian Walker, the Director of Arrow of Light. You may be reading this because you are a friend of mine, or of someone involved in the project. If you don't know me, then let me briefly introduce myself.

I got my start in the film world through acting over 25 years ago. Since then I have acted in countless projects, as well as worked various crew positions ranging from producer, to art department, to director. It's fair to say that I have proven my love and commitment to film.

When I read the story Arrow of Light, by Randal O' Wain, when it was published in Oxford American a couple of years ago, not only was I struck by the beauty of the story, but I saw it play out perfectly as a film in my head.

Being a true story, it perfectly paints one of those real experiences in one's life, the details, the small and large moments, and the drama, but without being overblown melodrama.

If I could show you my friend Randal's story, as it plays in my head, I know you will be moved by it.

But I need some help. To do it right, I need a little money. I have a team on hand that is extraordinarily talented, and all of us are on the cusp of being able to do with our lives what we are passionate about. A contribution to this film, is a contribution to the writer, to the actors, to the cinematographer, to the composer and to every single person on the crew who just wants a chance to prove themselves. 

I think this film will be important. This is the kind of film I've always wanted to make, and that I want to see made. Hollywood makes a lot of garbage. This is not that.

What we need and what you get

Making a film is expensive business. Just a few of our costs will be renting lighting gear, vehicles that will appear in the films, locations, feeding the cast and crew and paying crew members.

We have compiled a great list of incentives! Please check them out. Even the smallest amount helps.

If we don't reach our projected goal, I will still move forward with the project, even if that means shooting part of it, just to give people a taste of what the whole film could be.

The team

Christian Walker - Director

Christian entered the world of film as an actor 25 years ago. His acting credits include lead roles in the indie features Live Animals and Tennessee Queer, as well as countless shorts and commercials. As a musician he spent many years playing and touring with punk stalwarts Pezz and political hardcore act Bury the Living. He has worked as a producer on the award winning short film Si, and feature film, The Blood Beast of Black Bayou. Finally, his directing credits include Of A Promise Broken, Slaughterhouse Phi and The Gun Incident.

Toby started his film training in 2012 and has since booked lead and supporting roles in feature films, prime time TV, prize winning short films and numerous commercials. He recently worked with Bryan Cranston and Diane Lane on Trumbo in the supporting role of Chris Trumbo. He landed the only child's role in 22 Jump Street and also co-starred on American Horror Story as the young witch hunter, Hank. Toby has trained consistently since 2012 with Debby Gaudet's Young Screen Actors. He has also trained under Harriet Greenspan, Braden Lynch, Cheryl Faye, Ty Harman and Joey Paul Jensen. Toby won the lead role in 2014's Chasing Ghosts, starring opposite Tim Meadows and Frances Conroy. He held the lead role in True Heroes, the 2014 Louisiana Film Prize Grand Prize Winner and was nominated for "Best Actor" for his role in that film.

Brad Beall as Chris

Brad Beall was born on January 22, 1997 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Who's Your Bully (2014), The Message (2014) and Got Burger?(2015).

Randal O’Wain is a fiction writer and essayist from Memphis Tennessee whose work appears in The Pinch, Guernica Magazine, The Oxford American, Booth Journal, Crazyhorse, Redivider, and Hobart: another literary journal, among others. He now lives in Iowa City where he is an MFA candidate in the Nonfiction Writing Program at the University of Iowa. 

Taylor Terrebonne - Editor

Taylor Terrebonne graduated from the University of New Orleans majoring in Film and Philosophy. Taylor has been making advertisements for the Emeril Lagasse Foundation for two years as well as other local businesses. Taylor has edited ten short narratives and four documentaries including, The Exam and The Duel, both by Laszlo Fulop, Birthday Wish, by Francesca Caruso, as well as three, 48hour film project New Orleans, films that he also wrote, filmed, and directed: Home Sweet Homeless, Liam, and Credo. Taylor is eager to make a name for himself as an editor and eventually a colorist.

The Impact

Even if you don't have anything to contribute, please share this and help spread the word. It would mean the world to me. Thanks for your support!

Christian Walker