Our Story
Friends,
We thought it best to greet you with that wonderful word - “Friends.” It’s the intimate welcome that Bishop Fulton J. Sheen used to begin each and every broadcast of his hugely successful program, “Life is Worth Living,” which aired on the Dumont Network, and then ABC, for over a decade. Over the last six years of development, as we’ve studied Sheen’s life, teachings, and generous spirit, that word has become a mantra for us - “Friends.” Sheen’s commitment to embracing all of humanity, no matter how adversarial, has inspired masses - not to mention the both of us.
We were introduced to each other through random show business channels. However, we had no idea how closely our backgrounds were aligned. As it turns out, long before we began working in television, we were both altar boys in the Peoria diocese in rural Illinois, where both of our dads were ordained as Deacons in the Catholic Church. And our grandparents, moms, aunts and uncles were and are prominent fixtures in the Church there.
Through what we believe is divine intervention through Sheen’s faithful intercession, we’ve been on a journey to tell his story - a cinematic deep dive on the soon-to-be “patron saint of the airwaves” - Venerated Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. As it turns out, before he began working in television, Sheen, too, was an altar boy from the Peoria Diocese whose family was - yes indeed - a prominent fixture in the Church there.
Our Series
When Bishop Sheen's doomed-to-fail TV series becomes the biggest show on television his influence thrusts him centerstage of major world issues in the 50s and 60s. But, will he lose himself in fame and popularity - or will his faith show him the way?
“Wolves & Sheep” is an hour-long historical drama about Bishop Fulton J. Sheen (where Martin Sheen gets his stage name), who was the most popular man on television in the 1950s. Sheen's show, in its first season, rises from a doomed-to-fail time slot to become the number one TV show in America, unbelievably beating the “Milton Berle Hour” (they become pals), winning Sheen an Emmy, and a spot on the Hollywood A-list. But, it all comes crashing down when Sheen’s superior, New York’s powerful Cardinal Spellman, cancels the show. And in this series we explore why.
The title of our series comes from Sheen’s book The Life of Christ, where in Chapter 27 he quotes Matthew (10:16), “I am sending you out to be like sheep among wolves.”
In the 1950s, Catholic political power in the west reaches its apex on the global stage, from intervention in Vietnam, the ongoing Cold War, backlash from our counter culture revolution and the Civil Rights Movement. It’s an influence that will put John F. Kennedy, the first and only Catholic into the White House, and Catholic president Diem into power in Vietnam, through the ambitions of arguably the most powerful man in the Catholic Church, Cardinal Francis Spellman. And, we will see fame put Bishop Sheen at odds with his superior, Cardinal Spellman. These two men are the most beloved and the most respected, the most popular and the most powerful, both called to vocation, both influencing major changes in our world.
It’s a moment in time when 96% of Americans believed. Sheen captivates as the world’s first Televangelist, with over 20 million viewers tuning in on 123 stations. And, not just Catholics. More than half of his viewers are Jewish and Protestant. His star rises like a comet.
We are ready to pitch the networks and need your help
We've been invited as Artists in Residence at The Sheen Center for Thought & Culture in New York City for this Spring. We will spend our residency in deep research, development, and intensive writing, while we continue on our journey to tell Sheen's story for the screen.
While at the residency we will also be traveling to Los Angeles and pitching this incredible story of the world’s first televangelist, Fulton J. Sheen, in a 12-part limited series to air on a major network like ABC, NBC, or CBS, and global VOD outlets like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and others. We will also be meeting with A-List talent and will seek attachments for all the major rolls in our series, including: Bishop Sheen, Cardinal Spellman, Clare Boothe Luce, JFK, Joe Kennedy, Roy Cohn, J. Edgar Hoover, and others that make up his intriguing story.
This will be a full-time job for us, meaning we will not be taking other work during this time. The funds raised here will go to support our efforts to accelerate into a green light for our breakthrough series.
Our Sheen series project is mission-driven and a necessary effort - an extension of Sheen’s vocation as the “John the Baptist of the Airwaves”. It’s also a way to introduce Sheen to a new generation who are media savvy and expect historical dramas to be immersive, compelling and wrought with conflict. Alongside this, we will deliver a message of hope, transcending our differences and reaffirming our shared values.
Sheen once said, “Believe in the incredible, and you can do the impossible.”
How cool will it be to watch a brilliantly written, cast, and produced series about Fulton Sheen? And, how wonderful it will feel to know you were a part of making it happen!
“Believe in the incredible,
and you can do the impossible.”
~Sheen
Why Now?
In 2002, Sheen's Cause for Canonization as a saint was officially opened by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C., of the Diocese of Peoria. From then on Sheen was referred to as a "Servant of God.” In 2012, the Vatican officially announced that it had recognized Sheen's life as one of "Heroic Virtue". This is a major step towards an eventual Beatification - simply put: Sainthood. Currently, Sheen is styled "Venerable Servant of God.” And, while Sheen’s cause for Beatification may soon be realized, his incredible journey leading him toward Sainthood has been lost in the fabric of American history. We intend to tell it.
The Sheen story is about a remarkable man whose spiritual intensity was the primary force that propelled him throughout his life. His life in the Church spans one of the most exciting periods in the venerable institution’s history, from an era characterized by growth, discipline, evangelism, self-confidence, and exclusivity, to the post-Vatican II period known for its change, dissent, disillusionment, ecumenism, and openness to the modern world.
Our world isn't that different from Sheen's. We are strongly divided and faith hangs in the balance. Sheen's voice is for today. Now more than ever we need to see and feel the presence and find our shared values and unified voice. Sheen captivated the world in his day, and he can do it again.
Funding
We are raising $15,000 dollars in this first development phase. The monies YOU contribute go towards our time in New York while intensively writing and developing. Your gift will also make it possible for us to travel between New York and Los Angeles to take meetings with A-list talent we want to attach, and pitch our series to the networks and studios.
It is a monumental undertaking...
But, the momentum and interest in there, in both New York and Los Angeles, for us to commit 100% to a successful green light of our series in 2020. Which means taking ourselves off the market and putting all of our efforts into this series.
Impact
Sheen was able to reach a global audience with his faith and wit - and we believe he can do it again. Now, more than ever, we need a strong voice that challenges our world view and grounds us in faith and a more connected global family. Sheen did that - and can do it again.
WE NEED YOU!
Give what you can and help us bring Sheen's story to life for the screen, and introduce his message to a new global audience. Every little bit helps.
If you believe in our idea and want to see a series about the life of Fulton Sheen come to life, please share our campaign on your social networks.
Thank you!
Sean & Dieterich
About the Writers
Sean Patrick Fahey is a filmmaker and tech innovator. As a writer/ producer/director, Sean’s films have screened in over 30 festivals, world-wide, with Nancy Picks and Chooses premiering at the Cannes Short Film Corner, the Tractor Builder winning the Studs Terkel award at the Chicago International Film Festival. Feature documentary Bailout, premiered at Silent Cinema in Los Angeles, winning best of fest at Derby City, Charlotte International, and is available on Amazon Prime. Message From the East premiered at the Beirut International Film Festival. Ba Ne Jek Mal, filmed in South Sudan, had a red carpet gala world premiere at the Luxor African Film Festival (Egypt) and is part of Filmatique’s Banned Nation Series, currently on a nationwide screening tour. Sean made a splash recently as Director of Photography on 2019's Hallmark Original Movie, JL Ranch 2, starring Jon Voight, Bo Derek, and James Caan. Sean also works as a director of branded content with Bow & Arrow Films (clients HP, IBM, Budweiser, Hyundai, and others) and is CEO/Founder of WindowMirror Inc., a technology Startup developing Butterfly. Sean is a 2020 Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Center for Thought & Culture artist in residence in Manhattan, NY.
Dieterich Gray is a writer and producer of TV advertising (Bud Light, Android TV), viral web content (Funny or Die), and immersive live experiences (Google, Dignity Health, Captain Morgan). As an actor (I know... actors, right?), Dieterich has appeared in numerous television series: Westworld (HBO), American Horror Story (FX), Criminal Minds (CBS); national commercial campaigns: State Farm, McDonald’s, Infiniti; and feature films, including the faith- based, Dog Jack, staring Louis Gossett, Jr. Dieterich learned the precious art of storytelling treading the boards on our nation’s most respected stages, including Yale Repertory, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and The Second City. Dieterich works as a freelancer and is represented by Aqua Talent Agency and Entertainment Lab Management. Dieterich is a 2020 Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Center for Thought & Culture artist in residence in Manhattan, NY.
The Sheen Center is not a sponsor nor do they endorse this project or campaign.