About this project

A Decade in the Making

Though we began shooting principal interviews "only" three and a half years ago, Lords of Soaptown started as a seed when I was still in film school, in 2001.  Since then, I've been fortunate enough to work on a number of great projects, but I've been anxiously waiting a decade to see the story of Freestyle Walking on the screen.  Not only was I lucky enough to be privy to all the details of the creation of this weird little sport, but I've been fortunate to speak to all of the people whose lives were genuinely changed by something I - for better or worse - rabidly hated as a teen.  What changed my mind?  As I teased in my introductory video (by the way, that kid who freestyle walks through the shot was not hired by us - just pure luck), you can see for yourself, in the trailer:

We're Just Steps Away

The problem with the trailer is that I couldn't come close to showing you everything.  Not only did we meet even more passionate Freestyle Walkers, but we learned of more and more twists to this story.  We also met people who confirmed what we've believed from the beginning - small as Freestyle Walking may be now, the effects are still rippling through pop culture and people's lives.  What started as a hoax - and perhaps still remains one - is still undeniably something that has brought people together, and made them infinitely happier.

Your donation will help us complete the only interviews we have needed from the beginning but haven't been able to travel to get - all the classmates, teachers and even the remaining two Lords of Soaptown themselves (we'll be reuniting all four on screen) who were so central to this story.  Whether playing it real for the camera or hamming it up to look like sports fanatics, a good portion of an entire town in the suburbs of Chicago was responsible for part of this hoax, making Freestyle Walking look like - and then become - a real thing.  Your donations pay for a camera operator, Production Assistant, travel and food - for our interviewees as well as our crew - on a shoot that will take place over two weekends, out of necessity of the schedules of everyone involved.  It also pays for the initial edits that will get the film into a festival.

We think we've found a sports/comedy documentary that manages to tell a human story without being forced to make it a film about competition.  It's a film about friendship, in all its many forms.  Whether we find friendship through sports or pranks or boredom - or all of the above - all that matters is bonding with that right person or group who give you your greatest memories.

Thank you so much for your time and your support.  Please, tell your friends.

- Jason