Mercy, Love and Grace: The Story of Force Blue tackles two big problems currently facing the world today: 

1.       Our oceans and marine ecosystems are in peril due to rising temperatures, increased ocean acidification, pollution, irresponsible fishing practices and overdevelopment.  The marine environment is a fragile one, and extinctions are now happening over the course of decades rather than centuries.  Recent studies warn that a quarter of the world’s ocean species may be extinct by 2050.  The latest global coral reef assessment estimates that 19% of the world’s coral reefs are dead.  More than 50% of the world’s oxygen is produced via phytoplankton photosynthesis.  In other words, unless steps are immediately taken to reverse the alarming trends, we are literally going to suffocate ourselves.  The good news is, 45% of the world’s reefs remain healthy - providing hope that mankind can indeed prevent the death of our oceans.

2.       We have been at war for 16 years and have amassed an enormous population of veterans who are returning from their deployments with various intensities of PTSD.  What makes Force Blue even more vital and extraordinary is that during these “missions” to preserve our marine world, the combat veterans involved will be restoring their own lives with a renewed sense of purpose that is critical to helping them defeat the demons that are hindering their successful transition back to civilian life.  The internal conflicts these men and women face lead to problems like depression, drug and alcohol addiction and are a direct contributor to the suicide epidemic that is ravaging the veteran community.  Since 9/11, the U.S. has spent nearly 5 trillion dollars on war, but only a fraction of that on the mental health of veterans returning from those wars.  Long after leaving the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan, these men and women can still be a positive “force” for change.  They served us; now it’s our turn to serve them – by giving them the opportunity to become weapons of mass-construction to help save our oceans and our very survival as a species! 

Principal Photography of our Cayman Islands deployment is in the can! 

Our deployment to the Cayman Islands began on April 25th.  We returned home on May 8th and had a screening of the 40-minute work-in-progress film at NYU on June 6th – an incredible achievement in and of itself.  As a side note, we were asked by CayFilm’s program director if they could screen whatever might be available for their international film festival beginning June 30th.  We agreed with the caveat that we would not have a completed film to share.  What makes this so extremely heartening is that while thousands of other filmmakers from across the globe submitted their completed films, our work-in-progress film will be part of an international film festival just 10 weeks after we started production!

We have been producing films for decades and have never received this level of praise and support in such a ridiculously short amount of time.   Clearly, we are producing something much greater than just another film for our own ambitions.  This film needs to be completed!  To accomplish that, we need partners willing to get involved and to join this mission  to preserve our marine habitats and restore the lives of our returning servicemen and women.   

What our collective funds will produce: 

1.    Travel/shooting in Anchorage Alaska, Hollywood California, Burning Man Nevada, NASA Huntsville Alabama, St. Louis Missouri, Ann Arbor Michigan, London England

2.    Editing completion of final documentary feature film.

3.    Stock footage licensing

4.    Original Music score & audio mix

HERE ARE OUR HEROES:​

WILL HINKSON
U.S. Reconnaissance Marine
Backdrop for our filming: Tough As Nails Michigan

Will served as a E-5/Sergeant 5 years in the Marine Corps.  He is the recipient of the Iraq Campaign Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Humanitarian Service Medal, Navy and the Marine Corps Achievement Medal.  He was also a security contractor in high threat areas overseas.  Will is also a very accomplished athlete and trainer.  He was a competitive swimmer and distance runner in high school, teaching Special Olympics and giving swimming lessons as his high school job.  His beliefs in fitness as a form of physical, mental and spiritual health led him to start a CrossFit affiliate at the Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan of all places – the first of its kind at an Embassy anywhere in the world.  He ran that for three years in Kabul before leaving to launch Huron River CrossFit in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  He is now the owner and CEO of Huron River CrossFit.  His passion for helping others achieve physical, mental and spiritual health does not stop with conditioning.  Will sponsors a wide range of charities, including Stiggy’s Rescue Dogs, which provides companion dogs to military veterans living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury.  Will is hosting an event at his gym this August, and hundreds of people will attend to lend their support to this extremely worthy cause.

​SEAN MOORE
U.S. Army Special Forces
Backdrop for our filming: NASA Underwater Training Facilities

Sean joined the United States Army in 2006 and served in Iraq with the 1st Cavalry Division, then the 10th Mountain Division, before finishing his military career with the 10th Special Forces Group.  He was hit by an IED in 2009 and diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  After being medically discharged in 2011, he moved to Hartselle, Alabama.  In 2012, Sean graduated from Colorado State University with a bachelors in Biology.  He currently works for the NASA U.S. Space and Rocket Center where he is the Operations Supervisor for the Underwater Astronaut-Training Program.   An experienced scuba diver, Sean is a zero-gravity expert and works with astronauts underwater.  Since the mid-1960s, NASA has trained its astronauts to conduct extravehicular activities, otherwise known as spacewalks, in underwater conditions.  NASA has long considered working below the surface in neutrally buoyant conditions an ideal way to train for the zero-G environment of space.  Talk about a match made in heaven.

NATHAN QUINN
Remote Medic NREMT-P FP-C TP-C
Remote Medical International Executive Security International
Backdrop for our filming: Burning Man, Nevada

As a professional medic, Nathan travels all over the world.  This August we have an incredible opportunity to travel with Nathan to help set-up Emergency Services Department for this year’s Burning Man event.  His expertise will aid in creating potential services for; Fire Fighting, Rescue, Hazardous Materials, Emergency and Non-Emergency Medical evaluation and treatment, Mental Health services, 911 Dispatch, and providing the two-way radio communications infrastructure for all of Burning Man.

GEOFF REEVES
U.S. Navy SEAL
Backdrop for our filming: Hollywood California

In hopes of fulfilling a dream of becoming a Navy SEAL, Geoff joined the military.  After several advanced training schools and having earned the coveted SEAL “Trident,”  Geoff reported to SEAL Team 10, helping commission the new team and becoming a “plank owner.”  Upon returning to the US, new orders took him to the Navy Parachute Team, “Leap Frogs.”  They perform dynamic parachute demonstrations into stadiums for Major League Baseball, National Football League, NASCAR, horse races, high schools, and X-Game events nationwide.  Geoff took his determination and moved to Los Angeles to pursue another career, Hollywood.  He has worked as an actor and host, and able to be seen in movies, television, commercials, webisodes and video games.  Some of his credits include “Transformers” and “Iron Man.”  He is also a professional race car driver, stunt driver and test drives new model exotic/ luxury cars and motorcycles for many automobile companies.  When we shoot, we will experience jumping out of airplanes and landing at public events, auto racing events, and the testing of ridiculously expensive luxury cars.

RODOLFO “RUDY” REYES
U.S.  Reconnaissance Marine
Backdrop for our filming: Heartland of Kansas City

A veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan, Rudy served with distinction as a member of the United States Marine Corps illustrious 1st Reconnaissance Battalion and played himself in HBO’s Generation Kill, a miniseries based on the bestselling book by Rolling Stone reporter Evan Wright.  A graduate of the Marine Corps Combatant Diving, Scout/Sniper and Search, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) schools, Rudy has worked as a counter-terror contractor for the Department of Defense, trained African wildlife preserver rangers in anti-poaching techniques.  Rudy is the author of Hero Living, a book which chronicles his warrior philosophy and teaches others how to follow it.  Rudy will take us to the crime-riddled neighborhood he survived as a child by becoming a wrestling champion and a Kung Fu martial arts expert.  His homecoming tour will also feature a tremendous amount of pain as we visit Clint Comics, where owner Jim Cavanaugh was murdered during a robbery on May 12, 2017.  Jim, a Vietnam veteran, was a farther figure for Rudy and his two brothers, and Rudy mourns his loss by continuing to be a positive force in the veteran’s community – something that made Jim immensely proud.

JON SLAYER
British Royal Marine Commando
Backdrop for our filming: London England

Jon was born and raised in Durban, South Africa - surf mecca and shark hotspot.  His roots are in the wilds and waters of Africa.  During his high school years he spent vacations assisting his marine biologist father on scuba diving expeditions to study the coral reefs of Sodwana Bay and as a young man he was a safety kayaker on the Zambezi River and worked for whitewater rafting companies around Victoria Falls.  After 911, Jon pursued a military career in the Royal Marines including deployments into Afghanistan and Iraq. He also lead a Royal Marine recruit training team at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines and worked closely with US Forces while deployed to protect the military base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.  As a civilian he has supported science and research trips onto the coral reefs around the British Indian Ocean Territory and the Chagos Archipelago.  A consummate traveler, both in the military and during his professional career as an underwater cameraman, it is little wonder Jon invented an underwater housing for 360-degree-view cameras that can film Virtual Reality clips above and below water.  He is the founder of 360bubble that manufactures his invention.  We will follow Jon’s story to it’s roots on the wild north east coasts of South Africa where we will see the stunning coral reefs and golden sand beaches that fostered his love of the ocean. Then we will follow his journey out of Africa to the UK where he joined the British Military. There he will show us around on a unique 360-degree-view travel tour through the streets and metro tubes of London. However, the real power of Jon’s backstory will be a somber reality check when we film at the London Bridge (still recovering from the nightmare of the June 5th terrorist attack) and discuss what it means to be a “protector” and the debt we OWE to all the men and women who accept that role, even after their service has ended.

ROGER SPARKS
U.S. Reconnaissance Marine
U.S. Air Force Pararescueman
Backdrop for our filming: Majestic Alaska

Roger joined the Marines after high school.  After several deployments in Iraq, he trained to become a Pararescueman jumper, or PJ, with Air Force Special Tactics.  He received America’s third-highest award for conspicuous valor in combat for his actions during a battle in Afghanistan on Nov. 14, 2010.  His citation reads: “Despite continued enemy fire and with no concern for his personal safety, Sergeant Sparks immediately performed lifesaving measures for nine wounded soldiers.  Roger is retiring from the military in August.  There were will be an official ceremony and activities celebrating his distinguished 25-year military career, which, according to his military records, includes the saving of 300 lives.  As part of his transition back to civilian life he is a professional tattoo artist.  He sees tattooing as the way forward for himself and fellow veterans because the catharsis of imagery has a strong healing power.  He says: “It’s a metaphysical thing of attempting to master yourself through experiencing the pain of tattooing but through virtuous symbols.”  Roger will also take us to his most favorite awe-inspiring vistas of Alaska in the air and on ground.

ONCE FINISHED!

We will selectively premiere Mercy, Love & Grace: The Story of Force Blue at a major domestic film festival and a major international film festival.  We’ve already allied with some of the most influential festival gatekeepers, along and with a few very successful sales agents who will be engaging with conventional and online distribution partners. 

MOST IMPORTANTLY...

...is NOT the completion and success of our documentary film.  The most important outcome is that we will have collectively joined in a solution-based effort to save ourselves from extinction.  For those of you who feel this is a farfetched concern, PLEASE think again.  Whether you believe climate change is the result of human impact or not - life-sustaining eco-systems are dying.  This is not simply a political debate; it is scientific FACT.  Our generation may indeed the cataclysmic changes we seek taking place, but what about our children and their children?  Will there be enough oxygen left to keep them healthy and alive?  The simple truth is our planet is in trouble.  As filmmakers, all we can do is hope to reach as many people as possible with this vital information.  Through “Mercy, Love & Grace”, we have the opportunity to lend a whole new voice to the discussion – to give the most respected and revered men and women among us a platform to persuade.  NO ONE will question these battle-hardened heroes when they ask us to set aside our political differences, roll up our sleeves and save this planet before it is TOO LATE!

HERE'S HOW TO JOIN OUR MISSION!

CHOOSE A REWARD:

$10

Immediate digital viewing of 40:00 work-in-progress edit

$30 

Immediate digital viewing of work-in-progress 40:00 edit. PLUS digital download of completed feature length documentary

$50

Immediate digital viewing of work-in-progress 40:00 edit.  PLUS digital download of completed feature length documentary. PLUS DVD completed feature length documentary

$75

Be a FORCE MULTIPLIER!

Immediate digital viewing of work-in-progress 40:00 edit. PLUS digital download of completed feature length documentary. PLUS 3 DVDs of the completed feature length documentary.

$100

Be a TEAM LEADER

You get to share this important mission with your friends and family. Our VETERANS and our OCEANS need our love!

Immediate digital viewing of work-in-progress 40:00 edit. PLUS digital download of completed feature length documentary. PLUS 10 DVDs of the completed feature length documentary.

$1000

NYC PREMIERE DINNER!

Dinner with Jim Ritterhoff Sara and Bobby Sheehan the night of the PREMIERE SCREENING. PLUS Immediate digital viewing of work-in-progress 40:00 edit. PLUS digital download of completed feature length documentary. PLUS 10 DVDs of the completed feature length documentary. PLUS a “Special Thanks” screen credit!

$2,000

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER screen credit!

Dinner with Jim Ritterhoff Sara and Bobby Sheehan the night of the PREMIERE SCREENING. PLUS Immediate digital viewing of work-in-progress 40:00 edit. PLUS digital download of completed feature length documentary. PLUS 10 DVDs of the completed feature length documentary. PLUS a “Special Thanks” screen credit!

$5,000

PRODUCER screen credit!

PLUS Dinner with Jim Ritterhoff Sara and Bobby Sheehan the night of the PREMIERE SCREENING. PLUS Immediate digital viewing of work-in-progress 40:00 edit. PLUS digital download of completed feature length documentary. PLUS 10 DVDs of the completed feature length documentary.

$10,000

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER screen credit!

PLUS Dinner with Jim Ritterhoff Sara and Bobby Sheehan the night of the PREMIERE SCREENING. PLUS Immediate digital viewing of work-in-progress 40:00 edit. PLUS digital download of completed feature length documentary. PLUS 10 DVDs of the completed feature length documentary.