A provocative film that questions faith, sexuality, and Jesus.
And definitively answers the age-old question, “How far is too far?”
BE THE FIRST TO HEAR ABOUT...
- The release of the official trailer.
- Behind the scenes updates.
- Podcast interviews with cast and crew.
- Opportunity to join "The Road to Edmond HYPE TEAM" and Facebook Group.
- Pre-release screenings with Tripp Fuller and David Trotter around the nation.
- How to bring a pre-release screening to your city.
ABOUT THE MOVIE
FILM SYNOPSIS
Imagine a youth pastor (aka Cleo) whose love for a teenage girl puts his job at the church in jeopardy. No - not an under-age, pervy sorta love. We're talking about a level of care and acceptance that most churches aren't too fond of. (Now you're wondering what her deal is, aren't you?) The Elder Board puts Cleo in a two-week Jesus timeout, so he packs a bag, hits the road on his bike, and runs into a hairy guy named Larry traveling with his dead Dad. (Actually, Larry runs into Cleo, but we'll leave that for the film.) All kinds of craziness ensues causing Cleo to question faith, sexuality, and Jesus...including how far is too far. It's weird, and you'll love it...we promise.
WE SAID "YES" TO...
- Real-people actors who clean up well.
- Shoe-string budget with a gritty indie film vibe.
- Beginning of the road plot line.
- Inspiring the world to ask questions.
WE SAID "NO" TO...
- B-list actors with washed-up careers.
- Over-produced, slick Christian movie vibe.
- End of the world plot line.
- Trying to get the whole world saved.
WHY WE'RE MAKING THIS FEATURE FILM
Have you ever imagined life as an adventurous road trip with bumps and twists and turns that take us to places we didn't even know existed? We get to eat a lot of snacks and sing epic songs and ask each other crazy questions. Can you imagine if no question was off-limits or too far out there? What if we could talk about things like faith, sexuality, and Jesus without worrying about the church lady giving us a lemon-faced look of disapproval?
That's what The Road to Edmond is all about - an indie film that'll make you laugh out loud AND think deeply about faith (even if you don't think you have one). We're not talking about a big-budget flick controlled by the Hollywood elite. We're just a group of filmmakers and friends who care deeply about the big questions of life, and we want to have honest conversations about them. We believe this movie has the potential to create space for millions of people to ask meaningful questions that many of us have been too scared to ask.
A FILM BY...
TRIPP FULLER (cast as "Larry") is a competitive home brewer and theology nerd as well as the founder of Homebrewed Christianity, a popular progressive theology podcast and website that garners over 50,000 listens per month. He recently completed his Ph.D. in Philosophy, Religion, and Theology at Claremont Graduate University, and his first book in a ten volume series is entitled “Homebrewed Christianity Guide to Jesus: Liar Lunatic, Lord or Just Freaking Awesome”.
NATHANAEL WELCH (cast as "Cleo") is the founder of Different United, a non-profit creating communities for people with and without disabilities through art and photography. He is also an accomplished musician – oboe, guitar, drums, bass, accordion, banjo, etc.
DAVID TROTTER (producer and director) has produced and directed three award-winning documentaries including Set Free Posse: Jesus Freaks, Biker Gang, or Christian Cult?, In Plain Sight: Stories of Hope and Freedom, and Mother India: Life Through the Eyes of the Orphan, and he is also the author of numerous books. David lives with his wife of 23 years, Laura, and their two teenagers in Newport Beach, California.
LOUIS BAKER (executive producer) is passionate about telling stories through film, photography, design, and music. He is the Founder and CEO of Creative Property Group, a real estate agency focused on inspirational environments in southern California, as well as Live2Nest, a consultancy empowering owners of multi-tenant properties to increase value through creativity and culture. Louis is the founder of Fatherless Unite, which helps kids turn a negative into a positive through sports, art, and music, and he is the author of “A Total Life: Four Timeless Principles”.
JESS SETTER (production sound mixer) is co-owner of Setter Studios and has traveled the globe to help world-changers tell their stories through cinematic videos. Jess, and her husband, Brandon, make their home-base in Costa Mesa, California.
CORY HILL (cinematographer) is the owner of Cory K. Hill Productions and has traveled extensively throughout the world to capture cinematic footage and create documentary-style videos for both for-profit and non-profit entities as well as local churches. Most recently, he served as cinematographer for “Set Free Posse: Jesus Freaks, Biker Gang, or Christian Cult?”. Cory lives with his wife, Carli, and their blind dog, Rage, in Costa Mesa, California.
BRANDON SETTER (cinematographer) is the owner of Setter Studios and has traveled the globe to help world-changers tell their stories through cinematic videos. Brandon, and his wife, Jess, make their home-base in Costa Mesa, California.
DISCLAIMER: This film and all associated materials (website, podcast, swag, etc.) do not represent the belief system or views of any one person on our team. We're creating a collaborative film that pushes boundaries for all of the cast and crew in a variety of ways. We've held back at times in an effort to avoid needlessly offending, and at other times, we've knowingly stirred up a hornet's nest to provoke a response. In other words...if you're shocked that so-and-so was part of this project for whatever reason, just assume they had nothing to do with whatever you're upset about. And, if you like something, just assume that it made it into the film all because of them.
SUPPORTING CAST
GEORGE MACARY (cast as "Jabez") is a property manager and avid eBay seller who lives in Fowler, Colorado. Originally from Maine, he is a die hard Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan, which is evident by his living room decor. If you’re ever in Fowler, you’ll probably find George zipping around from property to property on his golf cart (or riding lawn mower).
KEISHA “KIKI” LADD (cast as "Claire") is a certified yoga teacher who travels as much as possible. She recently returned from a three month trip to India, which changed her life forever. She acted and modeled as a child and has recently revisited these old interests. Utilizing yoga and her BA in Psychology, she is passionate about helping people find healing through laughter, nature and meditation.
KAT HOUSER (cast as "Dawn") is a chef, blogger, and a woodworker from Denver, CO. She’s modeled hair for 303 Magazine, been an extra for Railroad Earth in their music video for “Adding My Voice”, and made appearances in several documentaries. When she’s not in the kitchen or in the wood shop, she’s out hiking, skateboarding, or finding new places to meditate/adventure.
CRYSTAL CHANDLER is focused on marketing and graphic design by day and anything outdoors on the weekends including camping, fishing, backpacking, and rock climbing. She considers herself spiritual, but not religious, and she lives in Phoenix, Arizona.
SARAH REEVE is a Human Resources Manager who lives in Costa Mesa, California, and she enjoys yoga, running, and homebrewing kombucha. As the daughter of a pastor who suffers from depression, she’s in the process of releasing a bit of toxic religious residue. Did we mention Sarah has a 25 year old daughter and 11 year old son who she adores?
(cast as "brides")
PATRICK DASKOL (cast as "father of the bride") is a “certified bean counter” aka – Certified Public Accountant – in Denver, Colorado. He is not your typical CPA: he sang for Pope John Paul II during World Youth Day in Denver, performed with the Opera Colorado chorus, and the Denver Gay Men’s Chorus. He is passionate about helping others through humor (bad puns, mostly), singing, and / or bean counting.
ALEXIA GEORGE (cast as "Mom") is the founder of Liv Healthy Baby a national, fresh organic baby food company that delivers directly to your door. Alexia has been modeling and representing brands since she was young, and she is an equestrian with a passion for show jumping.
LOUIS BAKER (cast as "Dad) is passionate about telling stories through film, photography, design, and music. He is the Founder and CEO of Creative Property Group, a real estate agency focused on inspirational environments in southern California, as well as Live2Nest, a consultancy empowering owners of multi-tenant properties to increase value through creativity and culture. Louis is the founder of Fatherless Unite, which helps kids turn a negative into a positive through sports, art, and music, and he is the author of “A Total Life: Four Timeless Principles”.
ELLE BAKER (cast as "daughter") is an actor, singer, and songwriter from Newport Beach, California. She recently performed in Aladdin at the Malibu Playhouse as well as Lady and the Tramp. She has written and performed music since she was 6 years old and recently cameoed on NBC’s America’s Got Talent. She is passionate about bringing hope and happiness through her music and performance.
MICKAYLA & MICHAEL WHISNAN (cast as "twins") are 13 years old and live in Fowler, Colorado (population 1,206). Not only are they identical twins, but they are even more rare as “monoamniotic twins” – having shared the same amniotic sac within their mother’s uterus. Their unique experience has created a powerful bond in their sisterhood.
Mickayla enjoys basketball, volleyball, softball, track, and swimming. She likes hanging out with her friends at school, spending time with family, and enjoying the peace and quiet of her hometown.
Michael (pronounced “Michelle”) is named after her father. She enjoys listening to country music, spending time with family and friends, and playing basketball, volleyball, and softball.
YOU MIGHT BE WONDERING
When and where was this film shot? We filmed in Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas from August 19 - September 1, 2017. Yes, we know that’s not very long to shoot a feature film, but we’re crazy like that. Watch our daily vlogs during filming!
When can I watch the film? Sign up for the email list, and you'll be the first to know about pre-release screenings that we'll be hosting throughout the United States in Spring 2018.
How can our major studio pay you big money for the film and show it in theatres all over the world? Contact David Trotter at david@theroadtoedmond.com.
