The Portland Development Trip | The Final Stage before Pre-Production

In a few days, we head to Portland for what may look like a simple development trip on paper. Flights. Equipment. A script read. Interviews. Photos.

But this is much more than logistics.

This trip marks the final leg of development before we move into full pre-production and the final push to secure the remaining budget and finalizing all of the pieces of the puzzle.

And that is something worth celebrating.

Who’s Joining Us in Portland

We are incredibly honored by the caliber of artists stepping into this phase of the project.

Luke Barnett will be joining us in the role of Uncle Matt. Luke is an accomplished actor and producer known for his work in film and television, including projects like Faith Based and a wide range of studio and independent productions. Most recently he can be seen on NBC in the show The Burbs and AMC's Hit Show Dark Winds. He brings both emotional nuance and industry experience to this role.

Francisco Barreiro joins us as Fernando. Francisco is an internationally recognized actor, best known for his lead performance in We Are the Flesh (Tenemos la Carne), which premiered at international festivals including Rotterdam. Most recently he can be seen on the Netflix hit tv show Narcos and Amazon's A Million Miles Away.His depth and intensity bring a grounded weight to this story.

Victor Morris will be with us as Pastor James. Victor brings decades of experience across film, television, and voice work, with credits that span network television, studio films, and nationally recognized voice campaigns. He has worked alongside major directors and talent throughout his career, and his range allows him to carry both authority and vulnerability on screen. His steady presence and emotional depth anchor the spiritual center of this story in a way that feels grounded and believable.

Our Co-Producer and Entertainment Attorney Scott Maucere will also be in Portland. Scott has built a respected career representing filmmakers and entertainment companies, helping shepherd projects from development through distribution. Having him on the ground as we move toward production ensures both creative alignment and legal strength as we finalize this next phase.

We’ll also be working with world renowned photographer Levy Moroshan, whose portrait work carries a natural, restrained quality that fits the tone of this film perfectly. The character photography we capture during this trip will serve both development and future crowdfunding efforts.

And we’re excited to sit down with Collin Hegna, who will be composing the score for Wretch Like Me. Collin is a musician and composer known for his work with the band Federale and for creating cinematic, emotionally textured music that blends atmosphere with melody. His sensibility is restrained, grounded, and haunting in a way that fits this story beautifully. This trip includes our first filmed interview with him about the heart and direction of the score.

Beyond our core team, we’ve received incredible local support in Portland. A number of talented local actors are stepping into the script read, helping bring the story fully to life in the room. Hearing it embodied this way is essential as I prepare the final revision to officially lock the screenplay.

That generosity is humbling.

Why This Stage Is So Important

This trip allows us to:

• Lock the final draft of the script

• Align tone across acting, cinematography, design, and score

• Capture interviews and character photography for crowdfunding later this year

• Strengthen investor materials

• Prepare for our final funding push

  
  

In January, we officially formed the film’s LLC, opened the dedicated bank account, and finalized our investor agreement. That marked the true beginning of this project in a structural and legal sense.

As of now, we have raised nearly half of the production budget. We are no longer in the idea stage.We are building something tangible.

This Portland trip closes out development and positions us to move directly into pre-production while pursuing the remaining budget needed to bring this film to life.

Why This Story Matters

Wretch Like Me is not a safe story. It steps honestly into darkness. It wrestles with helplessness, doubt, generational weight, and the limits of human strength.

But it does so with the conviction that redemption is not sentimental. It is costly. It is hard-won. And it is real. The light of Christ breaking through the darkness so many people carry every day.

We believe there is a hunger for stories that take faith seriously without softening reality.

If you have been praying for this project, thank you.

If you have been watching and discerning, thank you.

And if you have been considering stepping in financially, know this:

The structure is in place. The team is aligned. The momentum is real. We are stepping into the next phase with clarity and conviction. God is leading the way.

More soon from Portland.