The Full Circle Moment

In the early 2000s, long before any of us had built our current careers, director Jon Tvrdik, lead actor Jon Purcell, Justin Thompson, and I were just a group of friends making short films together. We all went our separate ways into similar industries, spending decades honing our crafts, but we never quite found our way back to the same set.

Until This Is A Message.

Reuniting to make this short film in 2025 was a milestone on its own, but the reality of the shoot was far more profound. This time, we weren't just the kids figuring it out with a camera. I was behind the monitor as Director of Photography, Justin was back on set bringing the environment to life, and right there in the mix with us was the next generation. My daughter, Parker, stepped in to work as a PA. And in front of the lens, playing the leading roles, were Tvrdik’s and Purcell’s sons.

Watching those two boys deliver their performances while Parker hustled behind the scenes hit me in a way I didn't expect. I found myself tearing up with pure joy behind the camera. Seeing our children seamlessly step into this world we love, on a set built by four old friends getting back to their roots, made it one of the absolute best days of my career.

This Is A Message is currently entering the film festival circuit. You can learn more about the project and follow our journey at thisisamessage.com.

Post 2: The Production and The Process

When FASTER Digital Studios signed on to help produce director Jon Tvrdik's short film This Is A Message last year, the goal was to push our visual storytelling. As DP, having the right crew and the right gear is everything when it comes to translating a script into an actual atmosphere.

FASTER provided the full camera and lighting packages, relying heavily on our cinema rigs and production lighting to carve out the mood. But the unsung heroes of any production are the crew members who keep the wheels turning. Sarah Lemke stepped in as 1st AC, executing flawlessly on a fast-moving indie set where managing the camera and pulling focus is incredibly demanding. Equally vital was Justin Thompson, who tackled set design and essentially served as the ultimate utility player. From building out the environment to handling basically anything Jon Tvrdik needed across both sets, Justin made sure the vision never missed a beat.

Because we believe the process is just as important as the final cut, we didn't just light the narrative. We ran a parallel documentary crew to capture a dedicated "making of" production. There is a specific kind of magic in the problem-solving and collaboration that happens between setups, and we wanted to document exactly what it takes to bring a project like this to life.

While the film itself is currently under wraps for its festival run, you can view the press kit and learn more at thisisamessage.com.