First Feature Is In Sight!
>> Monday, April 28th, 2008
You heard right, my first feature film is gearing up, I’m heading back to KY, and “The Epp’s” have an addition to the family!
The whole reason for me moving to LA was to follow my dreams of directing feature films and it seems my dreams are going to lead me right back to Kentucky!
The film is called “The Phoenix”, and is based on the true life story of Harold Dennis. The script was written by Dan Smith who is a History professor at UK and has been actively involved in writing and producing film and television projects since the early 90’s.
Harold is a survivor of the 1988 Carrolton, KY bus crash that claimed the lives of 27 children in, what still remains the worst drunk-driving accident in US history. Dennis, 14 years old at the time of the accident, was severely burned and his face disfigured. Despite having no experience playing high school or college football, Dennis convinced then-UK football coach Bill Curry to let him play as a walk-on. He did so well that the next season he became a scholarship player and went on to be featured nationally for his courage on EPSN, Sport Illustrated, and People Magazine.
Harold will appear on the Montel Williams Show this Wednesday, April 30th.
Our goal is to shoot the film this Fall, but there is still a lot of groundwork before we get into preproduction. I feel so very blessed to be a part of this project and thankful for the opportunity to tell Harold’s story. Please visit www.phoenixfilms.net to watch more of Harold’s story, including the interview on Montel Williams show.
ROUND 2
Cindi is pregnant with our 2nd child! We had a lot of time while the writers strike was going on out here. She is 14 weeks along and expect to have him or her around Isaiah’s birthday in October! Everyone thinks this one is a girl because Cindi is feeling totally different from the first pregnancy. I’m still saying “boy” because our whole family are all boys…why break tradition.
Finally, I am moving back to KY first part of June. Lot’s of reasons have led to this decision including the pregnancy, “The Phoenix” will be shot in KY, and I feel God is leading me back to the place where I can be the most productive. Besides, I’ve already secured my representation, made great contacts and will continue all my projects and relationships from back home. At the end of the day, I feel completely at peace with this decision and can’t WAIT to get home. I’ve got a lot of work to do and my career as a filmmaker has only begun!
I’ll be seeing you soon and look forward to working with all my fellow KY filmmakers! 
