The Moment I Said Yes to Myself

There’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately:

Orlando's 5th-grade class photo

At what point did I really start believing in this film?

I’ve worked in film and storytelling for almost two decades. I’ve written scripts, edited interviews, shot promos, and pitched ideas. But somewhere along the way, I stopped letting myself dream too big. I convinced myself that other people got to make their passion projects, not me.

So when I started writing Freedom House, it was never supposed to be a film.

It was supposed to be for me.

Just a way to process what I’d learned about these Black paramedics from Pittsburgh who risked their lives to serve during the 1968 riots. Just a story I wanted to sit with. But the more I wrote, the more I couldn’t let it go. The characters came alive. The history refused to stay quiet. And then something wild happened: people started responding to it. Friends read it and asked when I was going to make it. A few mentors told me, “You need to get this in front of people.” And for the first time in a long time, I started to believe… maybe I could.

That’s how The First Save was born. A short film based on the feature — a way to introduce this world, these characters, and this legacy to an audience. A leap of faith.

And it’s not just a leap artistically. It’s financial. Emotional. Personal.

As of this week, we’re 85% funded, which is incredible. Every single person who’s donated is helping me say “yes” to the version of myself that believes. But if I’m being honest, I’m also doing this for the 10-year-old me. The kid who never thought a career like this was even possible. The one who couldn’t picture making films, much less telling stories this personal. This project is a love letter to him, too. And it’s a reminder to myself that pursuing a passion is not just brave — it’s necessary.

We’ve got about $1,000 left to raise, and every bit of it goes to the people helping me make this film: my crew, my cast, the folks who’ve said “yes” to working hard for this story. If you’re reading this, thank you. I don’t take this support lightly. We’re getting close. And I’m grateful for every step we’ve taken to get here.

— Orlando