Feature Film About the Power of Empathy

SHORT SUMMARY

Hello! My name is Sam Hendrian, and I am a poet/independent filmmaker striving to foster empathy through art. My team is a diverse group of compassionate artists who believe one simple truth: each person matters. Through our film Terrificman, we aim to cultivate understanding for all people, especially those who are societal outcasts. We want you to walk out of the film realizing how much you and your own unique story matter.

And what exactly is this movie about? Well, it's about a lot of things, but at its core, it is the story of a struggling writer named Joe Sydewok who tries to help lonely/isolated people on the streets of Los Angeles after eating a batch of cookie dough laced with a hyper-empathy drug. His own father unexpectedly was a victim of depression, and he wants to honor him by seeking out as many people as he can who are in extra need of love and empathy.   

WHAT WE NEED AND WHAT YOU GET

We are attempting to make Terrificman on the smallest budget possible, but we still need some funds to pay actors/crew members, pay for permits/locations, rent equipment, feed people, edit/distribute the film, and do a variety of other tasks. Your money will go directly to each of these tasks even if we do not raise the full $20,000 (or more); every penny counts, and we will work with what we have. 

THE IMPACT

Not only will your contribution help us fulfill our dream of making this film, but it will also help towards our greater mission of fostering empathy and compassion in this often apathetic world. People need the story of Terrificman now more than ever before; we would profoundly cherish your assistance in bringing it to them (which includes you I suppose, you are people). 

RISKS AND CHALLENGES

It is going to be difficult bringing this movie to life, especially with such a low budget. There will be locations that fall through or don't let us film at all, prompting script rewrites; days when time runs out on us and we cannot film everything we want while maintaining a reasonable schedule; and a wide variety of other logistical challenges. But it will be worth it; we care about this story, and we care about each person helping bring it to life. 

OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP

As an artist who is constantly broke, I totally understand if you cannot support us financially. If you could spread the word on social media or through email/word of mouth, that would also be profoundly helpful, and even praying for us or manifesting or whatever it is that you do would be most cherished. Enjoy the video below with music by our talented composer Brendan Louis Coller (not a trailer, but rather a visual encapsulation of the film's themes) and some concept art by our terrific concept artist Christian Cupero. I love you and am deeply grateful for any support you can give!