Experiencing Interruptions?

Donovan

A recently divorced advertising director tries to be a good father to his young son while being torn apart by his own bipolar disorder.

  • Jason Bee
    Director
  • Jason Bee
    Writer
  • Jason Bee
    Producer
  • Alin Bijan
    Producer
  • Marcos Rodriguea
    Producer
  • Jason Bee
    Key Cast
    "Donovan Drake"
  • Raymund C. King
    Key Cast
    "Dr. Jonas Cray"
  • Kelsey Deanne
    Key Cast
    "Jessica"
  • Damon Carney
    Key Cast
    "Steve"
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Genres:
    Drama, Thriller
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 40 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    June 1, 2017
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Jason Bee

Wearing “multiple-hats” is something Jason Bee does well. In 2011, he wrote, produced, and directed his first short film, It Was a Good Day, in which he also played the lead role, Jack. The film was premiered at the USA Film Festival and was featured in the Texas Showcase program. After the success of that short film, he set his focus on his feature film debut already in the works, Donovan.

Bee's love for acting started in his early twenties when he starred in his first theatrical play, Jeffrey, among minor roles in commercials and TV appearances on Walker Texas Ranger, Wishbone, and Barney. When he stumbled into a career in advertising spanning over twenty years, acting was put on hold. Upon the last lay-off in a rather volatile industry, Jason knew he was missing something and set off to get into acting again. However, he also understood that at this age, he had to offer something more of himself than just an actor in order to be taken seriously as an actor and decided to write a screenplay about his own experiences with bipolar disorder. From there, writer spiraled into producer, which spiraled into director...all the while knowing he would play this role to lend the authenticity it deserves.

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Director Statement

At the tail-end of the 90s, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I remember leaving the doctor’s office feeling betrayed by, of all things, my own brain. I remember questioning how to move forward with a mind full of thoughts and decisions I could no longer trust, while at the same time recognizing that these thoughts of confusion were also coming from the same brain I was having a hard time coming to terms with.

It was a very hard road to find stability for me—full of denial, pain, heartbreak to myself and especially those who loved and cared for me. There’s something to be said about hitting rock bottom: you either give up, or you figure your crap out. I was one of the fortunate ones to figure my crap out.

DONOVAN is my small way of giving back. It started out as an attempt to reach others in their own journeys with the messages “you’re not alone,” “it’s okay to ask for help,” and “it’s okay to talk about it,” through a story inspired by my own in the only way I knew how to tell it.

As my journey within making this film grew, so did its message. The more I shared my story, the more I realized how many others were willing, and wanting quite frankly, to share theirs. It became a catalyst of what I call the “Me Too Effect.” So many others shared their stories of struggle with bipolar, depression, anxiety, addiction, PTSD…stories about themselves, their brothers, their spouses, their parents, someone knew someone affected by... And no matter what the story was, everyone was coming together in the name of helping one another—in the name of love. I realized what had started out as my own story, with my own limited perspective in the grand scheme of things, became a story with a much bigger purpose—it became a story about others.

At the end of the day we all have something, whether that’s a mental illness, a learning disability, addiction, physical challenges, sexuality, or just being a scorpio, that we all must fully embrace to give 100% of ourselves to our loved ones. Because every morning we're allowed to wake up and spend another day on this planet, they’re the ones who really matter most.

I hope people see this film and are inspired by its story. More than that, I hope people connect with the messages within and find their own super-power to share with their loved ones.

Thank you for spending your time to read a little about my story. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do or answer for you.