Private Project

Driven By Angels

🪦 A documentary of speed, loss, and the angels that keep us moving.

🚀 62-year-old Vaughn Shafer comes out of retirement in a bold attempt to reclaim his title as the fastest man on a motorized skateboard. What begins as a comeback story quickly spirals into chaos as his crew battles setbacks at the track and the loss of one of their own.
🏆 Legacy Award – DocUtah
🏆 Best First Time Director – Amsterdam New Cinema
🏆 Audience Choice Award – Idyllwild
🏆 Best Editing Documentary – Idyllwild
🏆 Best Cinematography Documentary – Idyllwild
We look forward to sharing the film with new audiences and connecting with communities that embrace stories of risk and resilience. Our crew tends to bring a whirlwind of laughs, memories and yes, usually a baby pig. 🐖

  • Brett Buescher
    Director
    Co-Founder Street Kingpins Web Series
  • Nick Costello
    Director
  • Nick Costello
    Producer
  • Brett Buescher
    Producer
    Co-Founder Street Kingpins Skateboard App
  • Hart Houston
    Story Support and Director of Interviews
  • Seth Beckton
    Cinematography
  • Brett Buescher
    Cinematography
  • Vaughn Shafer
    Key Cast
    "The Daredevil"
  • Nick Costello
    Key Cast
    "The Co-Consspirator"
  • Brett Buescher
    Key Cast
  • Hart Houston
    Key Cast
    "The Observer"
  • Louis Buescher
    Key Cast
    "The Mentor"
  • Travis Tripp
    Key Cast
    "The Rival/Friend"
  • Brett Buescher
    Writer
  • Hart Houston
    Writer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 17 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    September 22, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    30,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Canon EOS C70 & Archival Mine DV
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • DOCUTAH International Film Festival
    St. George
    United States
    February 26, 2026
    Legacy Award
  • Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema
    IDYLLWILD
    United States
    March 3, 2026
    Official Selection
  • Central Florida Film Festival
    Mount Dora
    United States
    January 23, 2026
    Official Selection
  • Amsterdam New Cinema Film Festival
    Amsterdam
    Germany
    February 28, 2026
    Official Selection
  • Motion Pictures International Film Festival
    Calgary
    Canada
    November 20, 2025
    Official Selection
  • World Film Festival in Cannes

    Best True Story Winner
  • Amsterdam New Cinema Film Festival

    Best First Time Director
  • The Doc Screenings International Documentary Film Festival

    Best Director
  • Berlin Indie Film Festival

    Best Director
Director Biography - Brett Buescher, Nick Costello

🎥 Brett Buescher is a filmmaker, editor, and storyteller whose work blends immersive filmmaking with bold, cinematic storytelling. He takes pride in delivering a full range of emotion throughout the viewing experience. Rooted in skateboarding culture and action sports, Brett developed his visual style documenting underground skate crews and building a following through his @StreetKingpins skateboard app.

Brett’s best work comes to life alongside his brother-like director & producer, Nick Costello. Nick is a small man with enormous ambition and ideas. He complements Brett’s more grounded approach, and together they share a passion for shining light on extraordinary individuals. Nick brings an energy that can disarm anyone, a grin that sparks connection, and a rare ability to bring out the inner child in everyone he meets.

That energy proved invaluable during the filming of Driven By Angels as the team explored the contrasts in Vaughn’s life, from a rising Hollywood stuntman to an aging daredevil still determined to chase meaning at an age when most are applying for social security.
.
.
The film was created in collaboration with secondary director Hart Houston and cinematographer Seth Becton.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

This project started as a story about speed and adrenaline. Vaughn was chasing a world record on a board that defied reason, and I was fascinated by his refusal to slow down. But as the journey unfolded, the film revealed itself to be about something much deeper... life, death, and what we hold onto in between.

My father, Louis Buescher helped build the very board Vaughn rides. When he passed away during production. The film transformed. It became more than just Vaughn’s quest. Our team was forced to confront mortality in a way I never had imagined. Suddenly, the record attempt wasn’t just about adrenaline It was about honoring those we’ve lost and finding meaning in the risks we take.

That’s why the film’s name changed. What began as Adrenaline Is the Fountain of Youth evolved into Driven by Angels. It’s not just about Vaughn’s angels or mine. This isn’t just about living fast; it’s about carrying the weight of those who came before us and refusing to let their fire burn out.