The March to Sundance
We are happy to report that we have made great progress toward the completion of the film! Impact First, a Colorado non-profit organization, has awarded us a $10,000 grant to help complete the filming and begin the editing process, which has been extraordinarly helpful; we need your help to carry us across the finish line!
We are extremely excited about finishing "Between The Fall And Rise", and the impact this film will have, and we can't do it without you. LET'S MAKE IT HAPPEN!!
Between the Fall and Rise
Synopsis: A feature length film about a young woman with a heroin addiction, living on the streets of Skid Row, who collides with a young man who has disconnected from everyone around him and is all but ready to stop living. They embark on a journey of self-discovery, loss, and redemption between a single fall and rise of the sun.
Please follow this link for the LA Times article on the movie:
The Inspiration:
This story is inspired by a beautiful young woman of 26 named Ashley. I met her about 8 months ago at 7th and San Pedro (the Skid Row area of downtown Los Angeles).
I was on patrol with my partner when we stopped to talk with her; I was curious as to what she would be doing in such a troubled area as I'd never seen her before. It soon became apparent that she was a heroin user, and my heart sank. We had a pleasant interaction, and at the end of the conversation I saw her eyes well up as I told her that I would keep her in my prayers.
I saw her again while at Jail Division after two officers had arrested her for being under the influence. I said 'hi' to her as they brought her in and she gave me a smile. I then asked if she remembered me and she said she did (it had been 6 months since I had had face-to-face contact with her). "Really?" I replied, and even though she could barely stand up, her eyes rolling to the back of her head, she said "Yea, 7th and San Pedro."
I then saw her a few days later and again, I approached her and began asking her questions about where she was staying and when the last time was that she had used heroin. She asked if she was in trouble, to which I said 'no'. After hearing that she didn't know where she was going to sleep that night (It was
8 pm, and had been raining all day) I expressed that I was concerned for her.
It broke my heart to know that I couldn't do anything for her in that moment. I drove home that night with a huge weight bearing down on my shoulders. I had an overwhelmimng urge to do something to give back, to draw awareness to the devastating powers of addiction.
The Impact
It has been my experience in getting to know many homeless and addicted individuals that everyone has a story to tell and desperately wants to be loved, validated, and accepted.
Our collective desire is that this film will bridge the gap that keeps the marginalized in the blind spot of our communities. We hope to inspire people to give back by volunteering their time at local homeless service programs, donating to programs that have permanent supportive housing, and to increase education about addiction, homelessness, suicide and the critical importance of seeking help.
We are in the process of building a website/forum/hub where information about the many services and programs will be provided. There will be links, testimonials, blogs that will revolve around addiction/homelessness/those impacted by both. Information on that website will be provided at the end of the film.
Our goal—with Between The Fall And Rise and future projects—is to create and promote films whose primary purpose is social impact, and are proud to join the swelling ranks of filmmakers who share this mission.
What We Need
Your support! We want to hear others' feet hitting the pavement alongside ours in the march to bring this message to the world.
Please help us meet our goal of $15,000.
We have an extremely talented crew, many of whom have donated their time and professional talent, but there are still expenses involved with completion of the project. Your contributions will go toward:
* Crew
* Post Production
•Editing / Editing Supervision
•Assembly / Color Correction
•Sound Editing / Design
•Music Licensing / Fees
* Festival Fees
Other Ways You Can Help:
If you're not able to make a financial contribution at this time, you can still help in a major way by sharing this page with everyone you know through Facebook & Twitter and encouraging them to support this.
THANK YOU in advance for your encouragement and support!