The Ride Home (Proof of Concept)

A high school baseball star, whose love for the game has been tarnished by insurmountable pressure and expectations, is sent down a dangerous path with every step on the field.

This is a proof of concept for the feature film.

  • Michael Vaughn Hernandez
    Director
    Worthy, For the Love of Jason
  • Cole Depner
    Writer
  • Cole Depner
    Producer
  • Shanika Denise Moore
    Producer
  • Cole Depner
    Key Cast
    "James "Jimmy" Ryan Jr."
    October Faction, Ginny & Georgia, Accused
  • Luke Roberts
    Key Cast
    "James Ryan Sr."
    The Batman, Game of Thrones, Ransom
  • Marisa Brown
    Key Cast
    "Kirsten Ryan"
    The Rookie, The Conners, Big Sky
  • Michelle Nuñez
    Key Cast
    "Sienna Clarke"
    The Rookie: Feds, Ruthless
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    6 minutes 51 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 22, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    25,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Michael Vaughn Hernandez

Michael Vaughn Hernandez is a Trinidadian-American writer and director currently based in Los Angeles. Growing up in both Miami and the Caribbean afforded Vaughn the opportunity to experience many richly diverse cultures and people from vibrantly different walks of life. Michael holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Florida State University and has utilized his skills and years of experience to fulfill his passion as a storyteller by directing various music videos, commercials, industrials, marketing campaigns, and narrative films. Projects include the inaugural season of For the Love of Jason (ALLBLK/formally UMC), “Worthy” (Amazon Prime), and “Back2Life” (American Black Film Festival).

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Director Statement

Jimmy’s journey is one of a seventeen-year-old trying to overcome the “athlete” label that has defined him and find not only who he is, but uncover the value he brings to the world. It’s crucial to me that any narrative project I undertake is not only a project I would love to direct, but also a story I personally would become the biggest fan of. With an immense passion for drama films (Whiplash, Waves, Black Swan, and more), THE RIDE HOME immediately checked off every box.

The central reason the film won me over is the genuine heart in this story. I find the most interesting people are down to earth, fighting through personal flaws that make their journey that much harder - and more challenging - despite all efforts to go about life the “right” way and make the people in their life happy. The character of Jimmy is altruistic in his efforts and relatable to the Jimmy in all of us who have chapters in our lives where, try as we might to suppress who we may be to please the ones we love, we still somehow come to a place where we need to be ourselves and be accepted and validated as individuals.

We are living in a unique point in history where the volume for voices speaking out on emotional acceptance and empathy is at an all-time high. THE RIDE HOME is a refreshing story that shares with audiences it’s okay to be honest with themselves, as uncomfortable or painful as it may be. It’s okay to say they are unsure of a relationship, they need time to figure life out, they're willing to take risks to find the truths that matter to them most… In the end, honesty and doing the right thing may be the most difficult challenge of all, but there can be no true loss if the end result is a win of growth, maturity, and respect. That brings Jimmy to who he is ultimately meant to be in this chapter of his life.

It would be an honor to be entrusted with the responsibility of achieving and expressing Jimmy’s voice through the screen to the viewers who will be amused, convicted, and inspired to speak and seek more truth in their lives, wherever they may be in their journey.