About
Join me on this unforgettable journey
Two years ago, I met Michael Schmid after my Stand Up Comedy show. He was humorous, charismatic, and a big fan of comedy. I couldn't help noticing he was in a wheelchair which he joked about and had a great attitude about his circumstance. Even back then, he expressed that he wanted to try Stand Up Comedy. I encouraged him to start and we kept in touch through social media.
A month ago, Michael called me and told me he was dying. His neurological condition, PLS (Primary Lateral Sclerosis, similar to ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease), has deteriorated to the point that he would not live to see 2019. This disease has already taken away the use of his lower body, most of his upper body, and is now affecting his speech and tongue. Instead of being kept alive through feeding tubes at the end of his life and prolonging the devastation to his family, Michael made the enormously difficult decision to end his life through euthanasia at the end of December. He told me his dying wish is to perform stand-up comedy and he asked me to help make that happen. My immediate answer was "Of Course!".
As we discussed writing his set, Michael made it clear to me that he wants to encourage others to pursue their dreams as well. He wants to leave people with hope and laughter. That's when we came up with the idea to document the whole process, so his dream becomes something he can share with the world, even though he will not be here to see the finished documentary.
We have a lot to do in a very short amount of time. As an eighteen-year veteran of comedy, I called my favorite top comedians and asked for their help. Several national headlining comics gladly donated jokes for Michael's set. We sat for hours pitching jokes, writing, and laughing with moments of deep sadness. Trying to find the humor in tragedy is what comedians do best.
I left my TV writing job to find my purpose. This is it, helping others! Getting to know and serve this brave, beautiful person has been one of the highlights of my life. Loving Michael through his scariest time... stand up comedy (joke)... is a blessing to us both.
That's what brings me to you. This heartfelt documentary is far from over, I have so much more filming to do, interviews, etc, not to mention the huge undertaking in post-production to put the final product together. We would greatly appreciate your prayer, encouragement, and financial support.
Risks and challenges
Honestly, the biggest risk here is my heart. I was going to say financial, but what is debt really, compared to a broken heart and a man that is dying? This man is so kind and compassionate toward others, it's impossible not to be drawn in by him. How will I take the loss of my friend? Will I be able to be strong for him at the end? I feel tremendous pressure to represent Michael's life, dream, and death in a beautiful and truthful way. I know God will help me through this journey, and many lovely people who have stepped up to help any way that they can has been so touching.
Other obstacles are the physical ones, Michael is in a lot of pain now. I'm praying that his voice has the strength to complete the 15 minute set we have written for him. I will be on stage with him to help hold the mic and guide him through it.
The show is in San Diego, where he lives, it's been difficult because I live in Los Angeles. So trying to hire a camera crew, get comics, figure out logistics have been really hard from so far away.
Post-production will probably require 2 months of non-stop editing, color correction, sound engineering, finding distribution, etc. All of these require a tremendous amount of money that I do not have... but I do have faith, and I will keep my promise to Michael!
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