Life & Death

Life & Death is a short film 20-years in the making, a re-imagining of a completed feature film that never was. A film family - former married couple Jason and Heather Coleman, along with Jason’s father Michael - made the original movie, sold everything they owned, and went broke when it failed to sell. Flash forward 20 years, a copy of the film on VHS was discovered by the couple’s transgender daughter, Ashley, an aspiring editor and YouTube content creator. It was Ashley’s idea to reedit the movie, with both her mom and dad each adopting one segment of the film and transforming it into three smaller short films. Comprised of forgotten film footage from the former failed film, each short is as unique and different as the filmmakers themselves.

Life & Death includes: Stolen, flirting with death and dating from both the male and female perspectives, One and Done, the story of a man seeking redemption for his past dark deeds, and Ponder, which delves into the psychology of violence and mayhem within the mind of a female assassin. The production team also features actor/producer/father Michael Coleman, and Ashley’s little brother Jack, who was given the task of naming the clan’s company, “Film Family Presents.” Life & Death is truly a family affair.

  • Ashley Coleman
    Director
  • Heather Coleman
    Director
  • Jason Coleman
    Director
  • Heather Coleman
    Writer
  • Ashley Coleman
    Writer
  • Jason Coleman
    Writer
  • Heather Coleman
    Producer
  • Jason Coleman
    Producer
  • Michael Coleman
    Producer
  • Heather Coleman
    Key Cast
    "Connie"
  • Jason Coleman
    Key Cast
    "The Driver"
  • Michael Coleman
    Key Cast
    "The Old Man"
  • Robert Donavan
    Key Cast
    "Voice of The Old Man"
  • Bonnie Sheffield
    Key Cast
    "Sam McKinney"
  • Aura Lewis
    Key Cast
    "Calamity"
  • Stephen Havas
    Key Cast
    "Will"
  • Lorraine James
    Key Cast
    "Destiny"
  • Terry D. Stevens
    Key Cast
    "CEO"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Comedy
  • Runtime:
    22 minutes 21 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 1, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    500,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    16mm
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.37:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Ashley Coleman, Heather Coleman, Jason Coleman

Ashley Coleman (Creator “Ponder”)

At the young age of 20, transgender talent Ashley Coleman has already set herself apart in the streaming world. Under the moniker of MrMegaMaggot, Ashley has created hours of videos, gameplays and various shorts on both YouTube and Twitch filming and editing her own creative content. She also maintains an art blog on Deviant Art and is an aspiring editor and voice–over actor. Ashley sites both David Lynch and YouTube creator BedBananas as her influences for her segment Ponder in Life & Death.

Heather Coleman (Creator “Stolen”)

Both a screenwriter and novelist, as well as a female filmmaker, Heather Coleman has never stopped working and writing since her failed feature debut with now ex-husband Jason. Heather has written three screenplays, three TV pilots and three novels, which have received glowing reviews. She’s currently planning to branch out with her own video content this year. Heather sites witty writer Tina Fey as the influence for her segment Stolen in Life & Death.

Jason Coleman (Creator “One and Done”)

Jason Coleman went the opposite direction after his failed feature film debut with now ex-wife Heather, becoming both a film critic as well as getting into the arena of theatrical exhibition to continue his love of movies. Coleman is currently a film critic for the site WhySoBlu.com, is the founder of the beyond the norm film events company Flicks For Fans and even manages an iconic movie palace in LA with plans to someday own his own. Jason sites 70’s films and early Walter Hill work as his visual influences and Martin Sheen’s Apocalypse Now voice-over as the audio inspiration for his segment One and Done in Life & Death.

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Director Statement

Life & Death began with the inspired work of transgender daughter Ashley Coleman that went on to invigorate former husband and wife filmmaking team, and parents to Ashley, Jason and Heather Coleman to revisit work they had made together 20-years prior. It is by far the best work for all and shows not only the importance of never giving up, but the power of family.