This project was a wild ride, literally. Myself with a small group of creatives, and a skeleton crew traveled the US for 3 months to film. We interviewed real people that were in some way impacted by the tobacco industry. We met a 18 year old woman struggling to quit smoking, and living in her family home with all members smokers. She started when she was 14. In Oakland we followed a skilled poet with a bright future, who’s mother was a smoker, and was desperate for her to quit. In NYC, a young man with big dreams, living on his own at 17 because his father passed from lung cancer. In Vegas, we met with the band Imagine Dragons, who are passionate activists and eternal optimists. In Nashville, we spent the day at Jon Pardi’s house, a country music star with the tendency to smoke in the bars he was performing at.
It was emotionally inspiring project. A beautiful opportunity to create a bond with the creatives and production team, that is rarely accomplished. These 3 months of my life, I will never forget, and this is my favorite film we made.
Client | Truth
Agency | 72andSunny
Production Co | Hecho Studios
Director/DP | Christopher Velona
Line Producer | Melissa Langaas