HELMET REQUIRED
A LOVE STORY BY IAN HAWK MACLEOD Laz, a young man living with life-long epilepsy, wants more out of life. But he’s stuck, imprisoned by his own fears. He’s always worn a helmet as safety is key to his survival, but he feels trapped by this defense. He lives in West Mesa house, a hub for young adults living with disabilities. Laz loves his roommates and caretakers but like every member of a dysfunctional family, he’s dying to get out.
When his Nana, who raised him, passes away, he leaps off the existential diving board into an unknown abyss. Laz decides to make a film as a tribute to his Nana and suddenly, life seems inspiring. When he bonds with an elderly woman who lives in the senior home at which the West Mesa group volunteers, Laz finds freedom in this unexpected connection. And when a young, intriguing woman, who has her own self-destructive issues, moves into West Mesa, she sets the group’s predictable lives of routine on fire.
HELMET REQUIRED is more than a feature film; it’s a journey to inspire all to take a chance on love, despite the risks.
SYNOPSIS PAGE 2 Lazarus (Laz) Lazarus (Laz) is only in his 20’s but already feels stuck. Despite his brilliant mind, the world sees him as disabled. Born with epilepsy, Laz chooses to wear a helmet to protect his memory from the impact of his seizures, though his real fear is of getting trapped in death’s waiting room having never truly lived. Sensitive and pragmatic, he is looking for a way to break out of his cage but lacks the awareness to know it is self-constructed. A blend of sweet and ballsy, he’s a heap of TNT tempting a match to light his ass on fire.
Isabel (Izzy) Izzy is in her late 20’s; a raw blend of temper and thievery. A series of traumas have left her maladjusted, broken and lost. While Izzy’s outward demeanor tells the world she is closed-off and tough, behind it all is a heart waiting to burst open. While she appears an introvert, it’s an act to cover up her Tourettes. When provoked, Izzy’s PTSD can send her into fists of fury. Unexpectedly meeting her match in Laz, her worldview comes crumbling down. Izzy is a fireball that will set the West Mesa house ablaze. Walker Frank Walker inherited West Mesa house, an adult assisted-living facility in Northern New Mexico, from his parents who passed away in a car accident. Although Frank is pushing 50, he’s still trying to figure life out. He’s a bit of a putz to be the head administrator of the West Mesa house, but he’s determined to step into the role his parents played in the community. With his affinity for Jeopardy and 80’s hair bands, he’s lovable in his way, but has trouble earning respect from the residents of West Mesa as his approach is all bravado, no vulnerability. Among his many struggles is Reggie’s astuteness of all things West Mesa, including their shared history of the days he went by “Little Frankie.” CHARACTERS PAGE 3 Reggie Reggie is in her late 50’s and has been the head nurse (and mother hen) since the inception of the West Mesa house. She is compassionate, but intense, as there is no room for nonsense on her clock. Though wise beyond compare, managing a house of adults with disabilities and hovering over her pothead daughter/ employee, has left her exhausted and burned out. After her eldest son was lost and never found due to drug abuse, she has become resolute to raise the West Mesa residents as her own. Dylan Dylan is in her late 20’s and too cool for school. She lacks the motivation to get out of the New Mexico desert but is complacent and her ability to live in the moment prevents this fact from ruining her mood. After her brother disappeared, Dylan came to West Mesa to help support her mother Reggie, and move through the pain. Years later, she remains at West Mesa. She is often the mediator in the house because of her mellow demeanor and playful attitude, that’s only helped by her fondness for smoking weed.
Bird Bird is the soul of the West Mesa house. He might be the resident innkeeper/janitor, but his charming, loving, and wise vibes keep everyone calm and mindful. When he’s not cleaning up Laz’s messes, he spends time focused on his two obsessions: playing the saxophone and maintaining his classic VW Bus. CHARACTERS PAGE 4 Spencer Spencer may have physical limits due to his cerebral palsy, but his quick wit and sarcasm are unparalleled. He is naturally antagonistic but keeps himself amused with his uninhibited remarks and offensive jabs. Spencer observes all and knows that he is way too big for the restricting walls of West Mesa. A mix of savant, ADHD and narcissism, Spencer keeps the group Naoko on their toes. Naoko is the heart of the West Mesa House as she is optimistic and a friend to anyone who needs one. She may wear her overly emotional heart on her sleeve, but a traumatic head injury in her youth has kept her stuck in time. Despite being in her 20s, she possesses an innocence she will never outgrow. Cole Cole may be the quietest of the group, but they are the backbone of the West Mesa house. Cole’s autism can be limiting in social settings, but they are always present in their loyalty and attachment to the group. Helen Helen is a sweet and charming woman in her late 70’s who is experiencing late stages of Alzheimer’s. When she feels her youngest son’s presence upon meeting Laz, their bond will ignite. Laz will tirelessly work to jog Helen’s old memories to heal her and bring her back from her illness. CHARACTERS PAGE 5 Helmet Required takes place in Northern New Mexico, a region drenched in symbolism. One of the most well-known symbols, The Zia Sun, represents The Circle of Life, which embodies the infinite nature of energy. This means if something dies, it gives new life to another.
As the film reveals a death leading to a metaphorical rebirth, this sign, so deeply embedded in the culture, will inherently be rooted in the allegory.
The natural harshness and raw beauty of the desert epitomizes the characters and their journey. Thematically, feeling trapped in open space lends itself to intense imagery where one gets both exposed and lost in the juxtaposition of bright light and shadows.
Filming the movie in New Mexico will allow for an immersive experience that will uniquely service this story.
LOCATION PAGE 6 Growing up in a small desert town, I constantly felt trapped. To deal with the blazing heat in the summer time we’d go to the mall, go bowling, or go to the movies. I’d buy one ticket and sneak into three screenings the same day. When I felt alone, sitting in the dark with strangers and breathing in cinema, made me feel part of something bigger. I felt alive. I became obsessed with cinema.
And I still am.
I especially fell in love with John Hughes films.Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink… this is where I learned to fall in love before I actually fell in love. I think Molly Ringwald was actually my first imaginary girlfriend. I know people love off-beat love stories as much as I do.
Identity is a theme I often explore in my storytelling. I look like a very tall Caucasian dude, but I’m actually half-Filipino (my mother is an immigrant from the Philippines). This blend was a struggle for me growing up. I wanted to be received by those in my culture for the soul and passion I possess in my heart, but because of my appearance I often was not accepted.
Through the struggle of feeling like an outsider I gained strength and quickly found courage and confidence in the lives of outsiders such as Jack Kerouac, Bob Marley, and John Cassavetes. I became attracted to characters on the fringe of society, characters in transition; souls searching for purpose and meaning within.
In 2013 at the age of 34 I was diagnosed with leukemia. I would embark on a walkabout of mortality and overcoming. During a traumatic chemo session, I had an allergic reaction to Demerol and fell into a coma. I awoke after four days unable to walk or talk. I would experience for the first time what it felt like to be disabled. When you are broken physically, it is easy to be dismissed and more importantly not seen. I’m nearly 7 years in remission now and am grateful for the suffering I have experienced. Through this suffering I can truly see joy in all things. Though death brushed my brow, I am witness to the fragility of life, how love and grace can transform us, and how this sacred precious present moment is truly a blessing.
Lastly, Helmet Required is a love letter to my Lola (Filipino Grandmother) who passed away from Alzheimer’s. Our elders who are often seen as irrelevant, are actually the key holders of our heritage and contain the wisdom of our ancestors.
And may this film resonate with young people in the world who feel alone or feel like an outsider… that they will feel love and togetherness when they experience Helmet Required. DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT PAGE 7 Where have all the love stories gone?
As kids of the 80’s, we grew up watching movies that we knew by heart, made us laugh until it hurt, and shaped our view of love. These movies made us who we are; they informed our dreams. Movies with memorable sequences, enduring music cues that are forever married to a particular scene, and moments that make you feel all the feels at once. Because these beloved films are in our DNA, we feel it our mission to bring heart back to the cinema, while telling important stories that need to be told. As storytellers and people of diverse backgrounds, it is vital to us that we make films about outsiders played by outsiders. In a society that often discriminates and marginalizes a large portion of humanity, there are two - of many - groups that are regularly ignored, deemed inconsequential or unable to contribute to the productivity of society; the disabled and the elderly.
We plan to cast actors with real disabilities and give roles to those truly in their 80’s; choices seldom seen in Hollywood. Where are all the love stories and comedies for people with disabilities that aren’t mocking or making caricatures of them? We want to tell an authentic love story that breaks ground for a unique cinematic path where diverse voices are embodying the characters we’ve created.
Marketing Helmet Required as a comedy and love story will allow us to reach a broader audience, shift their perspective on the human experience of those whose lives are rarely celebrated, and make space for all of us to cultivate more love and compassion. We strongly feel the world could use more of that today.
PRODUCER’S STATEMENT PAGE 8 Ian Hawk MacLeod (Writer & Director)
Ian Hawk MacLeod is a son of an immigrant, a cancer survivor, and a creative conduit. He’s passionate about stories of outsiders and journeys of overcoming. He began his career in the theatre as an actor + playwright before earning a MFA in film directing + producing. He is currently a studio executive at MGM Studios/LightWorkers where he heads up development and production for features and TV series. Ian is on a mission to spread peace throughout the land by using the medium of cinema to foster love and compassion.
Jillian Stricker (Producer)
Jillian Stricker is a creative producer who has worked on over 50 feature films, television series, documentaries, and commercials over the past 13 years in New York, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. She currently resides in Los Angeles where she works in Physical Production for Independent Originals at Netflix. This past year Jillian has produced the Topic.com docu-series Distressed Real Estate.
Jillian has Location Managed highly acclaimed films including Oscar-winning, Whiplash, Oscar-nominated, The Big Sick, Emmy-winning, Get That Wand; over 10 films that have premiered at the Sundance Film Festival including, After The Wedding, Come Sunday, A Kid Like Jake, and Love is Strange; and most recently HBO’s original series Betty.
Jillian’s love for humanity and the artful collaboration of storytelling through filmmaking inspires her to make movies that change the way people think and feel.
TEAM BIOS PAGE 9 Autumn Bailey-Ford (Producer)
Autumn Bailey-Ford is the founder of Autumn Bailey Entertainment, one of the few women-owned production companies in the South East region of the U.S.. It is her mission to help artists realize their creative dreams. In 2018, she produced the award-winning documentary Maynard about the civil rights icon Maynard Jackson.
Autumn currently has multiple shows in studio development and has over 30 films under her belt with six projects being produced in 2020. Her commitment to community service has led Autumn to be a member of the Producers Guild of America, Black Women in Film, and Reel Divas. Autumn is currently a board member for the Atlanta Film Festival as well as the recipient of numerous awards including The Malibu Film Festival Producer Award, Atlanta’s Who’s Who, and PVIFF Rising Star Producer Award, among others.
Roger Goff (Executive Producer)
In over 30 years as an entertainment professional and attorney, Roger has handled hundreds of transactions across the entire industry spectrum including film, television, music, digital media, and entertainment technology. He has represented financiers, as well as producers, directors, writers, actors, and other artists and entrepreneurs.
As an attorney in the film industry, Roger has handled financing and production for over a hundred films, including the Academy Award winning Dallas Buyers Club, Welcome to the Ridleys (produced by Ridley Scott), Splinter, and American Gun. He has also been an executive producer or producer on several films, including most recently Man Down, starring Shia Labeouf, Gary Oldman and Kate Mara, and Krystal, directed by William H. Macy and starring Rosario Dawson, Kathy Bates, Nick Robinson, Grant Gustin, William H. Macy, and Felicity Huffman. TEAM BIOS PAGE 10 DIRT FLOOR REVIVAL (Production Services)
Jonathan Delaney Marsh (Co-Producer) is currently the managing partner of Dirt Floor Revival LLC in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Delaney is an artistic- minded producer who can blend a variety of essential production elements to achieve a balanced set. He has 20+ years of production experience on feature films (over 30 motion pictures). Delaney has served as the Vice President of IATSE Local 480, New Mexico’s Operation Manager of Precinct 13 (a division of Robert Kurtzman’s Creature Corp), and assisted in crafting the current tax incentive program in conjunction with the State of New Mexico and Albuquerque’s Film Offices. Delaney’s expertise is the ‘art of the set’ His positive attitude in collaboration and a spirit of excellence makes him invaluable in bringing the script to screen. Past credits include, Santa Fake, The Longest Yard, and Mall Cop.
Matthew Nicholas Hanson (Co-Producer) is an executive producer and entrepreneur with an expertise in finance and enterprise management to turn capital investment into finished product. As a key member of Dirt Floor Revival LLC, he is impeccable in translating script and director vision into production architecture while constructing production plans with agile execution.
TEAM BIOS PAGE 11 THANK YOU!