I think the only way to explain this film is to watch it first... then if curious of the backstory, read my Facebook post about it below. Thanks for watching!!!
"First off, thank you everyone for all the birthday love!!! I've been working abroad and haven't been able to share how much I appreciate every single one of you!!
In my appreciation for all of my friends, I'd like to finally share a project that I've been working on-and-off for the past year with the most talented performer I've ever known, Daniel Gutierrez. He's also one of the most inspiring, supportive friends I've been lucky enough to have in my life.
Danni had spoke to Jon Harvath of Fort Knox Five about using this specific song in this portrait - about a month later, Jon passed away. I feel extremely lucky to have been able to create this posthumous collaboration between these two talents - both of which the messages and inspiring tone wouldn't be possible.
The most personal, and deeply emotional, part of this project was that after Danni and I shot this a year ago, I lost a very influential friend of mine that I haven't openly talked about with even some of the closet people in my life. Michael Ramey was the first skater that I looked up to and the first artist who pushed me beyond all of my insecurities - no matter what he did skating, he always made it looked steezy while pushing the envelope and when I wasn't ready to play my first rock show in 8th grade, his ambition and talent lead me and our first band into a battle of the bands where we won 2nd place (this was my first show and first performance ever). Michael was one of the most genuine and dedicated friends to everyone, whether you lived in Richmond or only visited now and then.
I didn't quite know what this short film was going to be about, nor did I know how it was all going to be put together until this past Christmas when I spent time reflecting on Michael with his family Mary Ramey, George Ramey, and Lindsay Ramey in their basement watching one of the first videos I ever made - a latin myth for extra credit in high school starring none other than myself, Michael, and another good friend Chad Florstedt. That basement has been nothing but fond memories of band practice and now an amazing inspiring experience that reminded me from where I came.
I dedicated my life to film and art because I love working with my friends, I love watching you all grow and share, and most importantly I love being inspired by you. I share this short project in hopes that no matter where you are in life, take a step back and realize that you are all that you need, though in tough times your friends (and family) are always there for you! So go collaborate with them, inspire each other, stop making excuses for not making that project that you have buried deep within yourself... and never stop making art happen!
Nothing but love! You are all you need!
Special thanks to Marcelo Asher Quarantotto, Matthew Addington, John Schaller, and Anthony Greenz for their contributions to and support for this project."
