Veterans Filmmaking Project, short film "CLOWN"

My friend is dying and I want you to help me help him leave something of himself behind. We are going to shoot a short narrative fiction film in Louisiana just before Christmas and he will play the lead. Our intention is to let this project be the springboard for a veterans’ filmmaking project that is ongoing, bringing veterans into the Arts and Entertainment world by allowing them to learn on the set, “filmmaking from the page to the soundstage.”

I’m a Marine and he is a soldier (Army), we both are Iraq Veterans. About five years ago I was Art Directing on a thriller in the swamps of Louisiana. The director had hired a handful of veterans to do background work on the film. Previous to that, I had written and performed a play, The Eyes of Babylon, based on my Iraq War journals. I performed the monologue which toured and ended up off-Broadway in New York. The Showtime Network made a documentary about the play. The movie is called Semper Fi: One Marine’s Journey (available to watch on YouTube). One of the veterans working on the John Schneider movie walked up to me on the set and said, “Hey you’re the guy from the Showtime movie.” I responded, “Guilty as charged.” He said half-jokingly, “You should write a movie and let me star in it!” I sort of laughed and said, “Maybe I will.” I got home that night and remembered that moment. I thought to myself, “Maybe I will!” Something about the boldness of his ask inspired me. So I did. I wrote a short film entitled CLOWN with my new friend, James Sheldon, in mind to play the lead. I shared the script with him and we became friends.

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A couple years ago Sheldon told me the doctors had found a spot on his lungs. I told him I was sure all would be okay but no matter what he didn’t have to face it alone. The spot turned out to be cancer and since that time I have watched him fight like the brave soldier he is to overcome it. But it looks like recovery wasn’t meant to be and my friend is preparing to die. Over these past couple of years we’d occasionally talk about CLOWN and how we might possibly actually make the film. As his condition worsened, I’ve really beat up on myself for not acting sooner; what a pity it is that I never got off my butt to do whatever it would take to make it happen. I figured that now it’s too late. About two weeks ago, Sheldon called me and said, “Are we gonna make this movie or not? It would be nice if I could leave it behind for my sons.” How was I going to say anything but, “Heck yes, we’re going to make this movie” still having no idea how we’re going to pull it off with his diminishing health and no resources to make a movie. I prayed for help. Since that time, I have come in contact with a veteran-owned production company that can help us actually make the film. Other people have offered to help in any way they could. We are, of course, under a real time constraint. And there is the matter of the money. Will you please help at the level you are able to? I understand that times are not great financially for a lot of people so I say in earnest that we will appreciate a $10 gift as much as a $10,000 gift if it comes with your good intentions, your prayers (if you’re the praying sort), your good vibes (if that’s more your jam), and in general to know that you are pulling for us.

What a wonderful legacy for my friend to know he is leaving behind. From my own personal experience as a veteran who was allowed to tell his story I know what an incredible gift that opportunity can be. It literally saved my life when I got back. A whole lot of people walk around saying, “We should support our veterans.” A precious few back that up with action. Won’t you be one of them?

Before I let you go:

1) Please consider giving.

2) Please share this with your friends far and wide on social media and in any other way you keep in touch.

3) Please reach out personally and individually to three or more friends and ask them to follow these same three steps.

Together we can make something beautiful out of a difficult situation.

Most Sincerely,

Jeff Key