My Only Son is a film based on a short period of a friend’s life, during which his life was forever changed due to events out of his control. It is the story of his struggle for acceptance and understanding from himself, his family and others while he battled mental illness.
www.Jonathan-Looper.com/myonlyson.htm
Why this film?
In early 2012, a childhood friend reached out to me on Facebook. I hadn’t heard from him since he transferred to a different school when we were in grade school. We talked back and forth and he began opening up about his struggle with mental illness. During the summer of 2012, we met and he shared his full story of serving in the Air Force, leaving the Air Force to care for his mother as she battled cancer, and him beginning college. In his first semester of college, he began having hallucinations and hearing voices that over a period of merely a few weeks completely took over his life. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia in December 2008.
As many of you know, my undergraduate degree is in government and I worked in politics and government for nearly six years. I entered that field to work to effect social change and improve the lives of people whose voices aren’t heard, including people living with mental illnesses. Working in politics, I learned that through stories, through showing that which connects us all yet makes us all different, that hearts and minds are moved.
Why now?
As part of my Masters program, I am required to write and produce a film, but I want my efforts to have an impact beyond my school program. My Only Son is a story that can impact the lives of many others living with mental illness and those people in their lives who are struggling to understand them.
Being in school, I have the opportunity to produce this story and take advantage of all of the assets my school provides. I am working with award-winning acting, directing and screenwriting instructors to produce the best script and film possible. The school also covers some of the production expenses, such as equipment, location, crew and insurance for up to two days of the shoot.
What is the budget?
First, I want to make it clear that I am not making money from this film and will not be paid as an actor in this film. The current budget for the 15-20 minute short film is $4,650 and includes equipment rental, a daily stipend for the cinematographer, director, and some principal actors (not including myself), craft services, post-production editing, and one location rental.
How will the film be distributed?
My Only Son will be completed by March 2013. I will submit the film to all of the major festivals. If selected, it will be screened at the festivals, as opposed to being distributed via social media. If not selected for major festivals, it will be marketed and distributed via social media.
