A feature length film is being shot in the San Joaquin Valley throughout the month of July.
The film is inspired by writer/director Erahm Christopher’s personal work with over
500,000 youth throughout the US, Canada and Europe. Erahm is the co‐founder and director
of a film series called TEEN TRUTH, a series that has reached over 6.5 million youth
worldwide. He’s teamed up with Los Angeles based producer, and San Joaquin County
native, Brooke Dooley to make this important film about core issues hitting our schools.
The movie is about moments in our lives where we have an opportunity to actually make a
difference for someone else, and what happens when we miss those moments. Whether it is
bullying, school violence, drug and alcohol abuse, cutting, depression or suicide ‐ the film
puts people in the position to illustrate why it is so important to listen.
Erahm had wanted to film his first feature in the San Joaquin Valley ever since college. His
directorial debut was through the TEEN TRUTH film series, which was a response to the
Columbine massacre in 1999. He realized that the media wasn’t giving youth a voice after
the incident. He took the series on the road, talking to teenagers about bullying and school
violence. After countless presentations, teenagers approached him about their problems.
They all said the same thing, “No one listens to me.” In response to these stories he wrote
this feature film, LISTEN.
Brooke Dooley, originally from Tracy, now resides in Los Angeles and owns a commercial
production company. She has produced commercials for the US Navy, HP and Google. Erahm
introduced the script to Brooke, who saw potential in the project. She felt it was a very
important story that needed to be told, that would touch everyone who watched it. The level
at which everybody has connected to this film has been incredible. The talented cast and
crew, from Los Angeles and New York, are full speed ahead and on track to finish at the end
of this month.
This film wouldn’t have been possible without the support from the community. Associate
Producer Shane Williamson has been contacting local businesses for an opportunity to
partner with the production. Many businesses have been taking advantage of the
opportunity to support the project. Shot locally, it’s a rare experience for local businesses to
gain unique exposure across the country. It’s also a great chance for valley businesses and
individuals to support a positive change that the world needs to see. Local crew has been
infused on set, including teens enrolled in local high schools and colleges. The film is
planned for theatrical release in Spring 2015.
The filmmakers would like to thank their incredible local partners who have made this film possible – Manteca High School,
Manteca Unified School District, University Plaza Waterfront Hotel, Hampton Inn and Suites Manteca, Chase Chevrolet, Holiday
Inn Express & Suites Manteca, Atherton Homes, Starbucks, Diamond Foods, Tony and Mrs. K’s Coffee Roasting, Dave Wong’s,
Perko’s Café on Waterloo Road, Mikasa Sushi in Tracy, Alpine Meats, The Waterloo Club, Rinaldi’s Market, BJ’s Restaurant and
Brewery in Stockton, Yum Yum Donuts, Ernie’s Food and Spirits, City of Manteca, Manteca Police Department, Manteca
Visitor’s Bureau, San Joaquin County Office of Education, Doctor’s Hospital of Manteca, Holy Cross Church in Linden, Father
Silva, Linden Cemetery, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tracy, Stockton Chamber of Commerce, Barbagelata Farms, M & W
Dutch American Bakery in Stockton, Marshall and Leanne Magincalda and Jack Arizcuren, Whittaker RV in Linden, Johnny’s
Restaurant in Manteca, Fagundes Meats.
Film Website: www.listenthemovie.com