I have always loved psychological thrillers like Fight Club, Black Swan, and American Psycho in the way they explore the human psyche and fragility of the mind. 

That said, millions of people are affected by mental illness each year. It is incredibly prevalent, permeates throughout almost all aspects of an individual’s life, and yet mental illness as a whole is highly misunderstood and surrounded by stigma. Some may argue that some of my favorite films feed into that stereotype and the misunderstandings around mental illness.

What if there were a movie that follows the main character into his mental demise, but instead of laying down and allowing himself to be devoured by his inner-demons, he somehow found the strength to stand up to them? And could that story offer hope to others who may be struggling in their own journeys?

Donovan is the story of a recently divorced advertising director who tries to be a good father to his young son while being torn apart by his own bipolar disorder. I wrote, directed, and produced the film throughout all stages of production. I raised money and partnered with investors to produce the film, worked with a cast and crew of around 10 core members (along with 30-40 extras on heavier populated scenes), secured locations, worked with vendors, and eventually found my editing chops in post. There was a whole lot more to it, but I’m trying to keep this somewhat concise. (…looks back at this section once complete and realizes…I write a lot, what can I say?)

The film was featured in several film festivals, where it was praised for its innovative narrative structure and strong emotional impact. It won several awards including Best Picture and Best Dramatic Feature.

Most importantly, it really connected with audiences. With an 8.8 rating on IMDB, several positive user and critic reviews, interviews, and among so many emails, messages, people approaching me at screenings and events, I hear how the film helped them realize they weren’t alone and that it’s okay to ask for help. 

That kind of impact and meaning to the people who see it not only makes Donovan an invaluable part of my professional growth, portfolio, and career…but to my life as well.