JADED

JADED is a work of fiction inspired by a true story that made Dallas headlines. After my best friend’s 16-year-old daughter committed suicide, our worlds obliterated into a million frozen, fractured, jagged little pieces; Grace was not only like a second daughter to me, she was my daughter's best friend... her death was annihilating. When I finally sat down at my computer to hash it all out, my fingers attacked the keyboard in rapid succession fleshing out a story in two hours that had been smoldering within for three years.

What began as a therapeutic outlet morphed into a passion project that jump-started my life. I needed a channel for my grief, and this venture became my pipeline. Writing, producing, directing and acting in this film led me on a path to healing in ways that are as true and clear and palpable as my beating heart.

I know some may think it was irresponsible to shoot a movie during the pandemic, but I disagree. I believe the controlled environment we created on set was far safer than a visit to the grocery store. We were able to schedule the shoot during a time when the pandemic was locally contained, doubled the budget to accommodate all CDC, SAG, Texas Film Commission and OSHA safety restrictions and regulations, conducted regular health screenings prior to and during the shoot, had everyone rapid tested, provided individual PPE kits, separated the set into zones with designated seating, served individually packaged boxed meals, incorporated strict guidelines while filming, and were able to shoot 21 pages of script in three days without incident.

My first movie brought together a collaborative group of creatives eager to make a difference by spreading awareness about the rising epidemic of suicide and its devastating effects during an unbelievably challenging time. In the end, against all odds, we safely produced a film in the hopes of changing a life for the better. It already has. Mine.