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Director’s statementAfter filming The Falls in 2010, I spent the following two years in the post-production process. With little to no budget and limited prior knowledge about editing, I took my time learning the process and crafting the movie I wanted to make.
With a crew of no more than four people, we were able to shoot The Falls in seventeen days on a budget of less than $10,000. Actors and crew worked for little to nothing during this time to bring the story to life. It seemed that everyone involved cared deeply about this script and in the potential of the story. Ultimately, The Falls was made possible through the collaborative efforts of people who cared about the film and its message.
After much hard work and a successful run of festivals that included screenings in various cities around the world, The Falls was selected for distribution by Breaking Glass Pictures, and released in December 2012.
Following the release, I began hearing from people who were touched by the story of Chris and RJ in The Falls. Many wondered what happened after the tumultous end of the characters’ Mission. After many inquiries, I decided to write a sequel to The Falls. I received emails from all over the world—the United States, Russia, South America, China, to name a few—and was inspired to write. The pace at which we completed The Falls: Testament of Love—seven months from concept to delivery—is a testament to the inspired actors and crew who worked on this film.
The Falls and The Falls: Testament of Love are films about faith, family, and staying true to yourself. You do not need to be a follower of any particular faith, or identify with a specific sexual orientation to understand the film’s message. It is, at its very roots, a story about the transformational power of Love.
Jon Garcia writer / director
Synopsisshort synopsis
The Falls: Testament of Love is a continuation of the story of RJ Smith and Chris Merrill, two Mormon missionaries that fell in love during their mission in a small town in Oregon. The boys haven’t spoken in five years, but when an unexpected tragedy compells them back to the Oregon town where they served, they find themselves, once again, thrust into one another’s lives.
As old feelings begin to surface they find themselves again facing difficult choices. If they pursue their desire to be together, RJ and Chris risk hurting the ones they care about as they embark on a spiritual journey to discover love, freedom, and happiness.
long synopsis
RJ and Chris were raised in the Mormon Church. Both accelerated academically, progressed ecclesiastically, and were eventually deemed worthy to serve their mission. The secrets of their lives were awakened while in the service of their fellow man. The Falls captured the lives of two American teens struggling to make sense of the conflicts between their worlds, their feelings, and each other.
Now five years after their mission, RJ Smith is living in Seattle, and has a long-term boyfriend Paul. RJ is a writer for a Seattle magazine, and making a name for himself as an author of LGBT subject matter. He is no longer a practicing Mormon, yet there is still much about him that is resonant of the Church in which he was raised. Though he is in a healthy relationship with his partner, Paul, he finds it hard to shake the memories of his mission. He finds himself reliving the events in his mind, or through his writing.
Chris Merrill, however, is still living in the Church, though he often thinks of his former Missionary Companion. He is dealing with his separation from the man he loves in a very different manner as he is still a devout Mormon and living what he believes to be an “honorable” life.
When an unexpected tragedy finds them in the small Oregon town where they served their mission—Clackamas Falls—they suddenly find themselves reliving the experiences that brought them together as two young missionaries.
Cast biosnick ferrucci
Nick (RJ Smith) hails from Puyallup, WA, and holds an MFA in Acting from Northern Illinois University and a BFA in Theatre from Southern Oregon University. Nick spent a season at The Oregon Shakespeare Festival and a summer studying with the Moscow Art Theatre in Russia. Testament of Love is Nick’s third film with director Jon Garcia.
benjamin farmer
Ben (Chris Merrill) is an accomplished actor of stage and screen. Having studied at The American Musical & Dramatic Academy in New York City, Ben’s many credits include the TNT series Leverage, the feature film Some Days Are Better Than Others, commercials for Nintendo, and Old Spice, and on stage in plays like Spamalot, and Les Miserables.
hannah barefoot
Hannah (Emily Merrill) was born into a family of performers in Cody, WY. She studied Theatre and Dance at the University of Wyoming, and Theatre Studies at Birkbeck College in London. Her credits are extensive, and include NBC’s hit series Grimm, the feature film The Wilderness of James, and commercial and print work for clients such as Nintendo, Kroger, and Humana.
bruce jennings
In addition to acting, Bruce (Noah Merrill) also runs Jennings Home Design, combining years of experience in design and construction, he focuses on the design of homes and additions. Bruce’s credits include the films Duende: Suit of Lights, and Ambrosia, as well as commercials for NW Natural and Wave Communications.
mercedes rose
Mercedes (Debbie Merrill) is a native Oregonian and works in front of and behind the camera. She has appeared in feature films (What the Bleep Do We Know? and the Train Master series), on TNT’s Leverage, as the voice of Princess Rosalina in several Nintendo games, and serves as a producer at Coat Tale Productions. The Haunting of Sunshine Girl, Coat Tale’s flagship series, co-stars Mercedes and her daughter.
harold phillips
Harold (Tom Smith) has worked professionally in theatre, film, and television, building a reputation as an actor and activist working to strengthen the creative industries. He’s appeared in numerous films, and on TNT’s Leverage. He is the winner of the OMPA’s “Mighty Fine Actor” Award (2011), and the Anchorage Daily News Critic’s Choice Award for Best Actor in a One Act Play (1992).
thomas stroppel
Thomas (Paul) is a London, and Los Angeles based actor. Winner of the Best Actor in a Leading Role at the 2012 Madrid International Film Festival, his work has been seen at the Guthrie Theatre, the Sundance Film Festival, Berlin Film Festival, Annecy International Animation Film Festival, The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, VH1, Seattle Repertory Theatre, The Hallmark Channel, and ACT Theatre.
Crew bios JON GARCIA
Writer/director
The Falls: Testament of Love is Jon’s fourth feature film, after Tandem Hearts, The Falls (a prequel to Testament of Love, and The Hours till Daylight. Jon has produced all of his projects under the banner of Lake Productions, his Northwest-based media company. In addition to filmmaking, Jon is an accomplished musician, having contributed music to many of his own projects, and has released two studio albums, his 2006 self-titled debut, and 2010’s The Lake.
CHRISTOPHER J. STEPHENS
Director of photography
Chris has extensive experience in film and television production and post-production. His résumé includes work for companies like NBC, ABC, and Lionsgate. He has produced action sports, documentaries, commercials, music videos and narrative films, as well as providing post-production services such as coloring, and editing. Chris operates his own company, Flip Doubt Productions.
MORIAH BARTH
Line producer
Moriah attended New School University, Eugene Lang College and earned a BA in Creative Writing. She works in production management, having previously coordinated projects for Avenue Films in Seattle, WA. She currently lives in New York City, where she works in television production.
LUIS GARCIA
Associate producer
Luis is an award winning writer, director, and producer, educated at Marist College and SUNY Dutchess. During college he interned for director Lee Daniels (Precious), and went on to work as a casting assistant for television’s Law and Order and films like Rent and The Departed. His first produced screenplay, Closure, dealt with the traumas of childhood sexual abuse, and was featured in FilmMaker magazine. Luis lives with his family in Portland, OR.
Credits BREAKING GLASS PICTURES
AndLAKE PRODUCTIONS
PresentA Film by
JON GARCIA
Directed byJON GARCIA
NICK FERRUCCI BENJAMIN FARMER
Written by JON GARCIA Produced by JON GARCIA Executive Producer RODNEY WASHINGTON Executive Producers RICH WOLFF RICHARD ROSS SUSAN HELFRICH
Associate Producers CARLA OLSON LUIS GARCIA LISA LEPINE
Director of Photography CHRISTOPHER J. STEPHENS Edited by JON GARCIA Production Designer EMILY KERKSTRA Costume Designer SABRINA CAYNE
Line Producer MORIAH BARTH Assistant Director LAUREN POLLOCK
Cast
RJ NICK FERRUCCI Chris BENJAMIN FARMER Emily HANNAH BAREFOOT Noah BRUCE JENNINGS Debbie MERCEDES ROSE Kaylee KAITLYN TAYLOR GRAVES Infant Kaylee MIA WARREN Greg ANDREW BRAY Gloria TRISH EGAN Chelsea STEPHANIE LEPPART KAY Sealer CHARLES WALL Emily’s Mom JULIE MARIE HOWARD Emily’s Dad DENNIS FITZPATRICK Stake President SAM MOWRY Babysitter PAIGE MCKENZIE Aaron KEITH SWALLOW Doris MEGAN CARVER Beauty Essentials Presenter KATIE MICHELS Priest MICHAEL DRAPER Speaker BRYAN BERNHART Nate AARON BRIAN Tom HAROLD PHILLIPS Brenda AUDREY WALKER Paul THOMAS STROPPEL Rodney BRIAN ALLARD Salty’s Waitress SARA ROBBINS
Script Supervisor MICHAEL LIPTON Leadman EMILY KERKSTRA Set Dresser LOREN FELIX KELLY “A” Camera Assistant Camera BRODY WILLIS “B” Camera Operator BRODY WILLIS Gaffer BRODY WILLIS
Best Boy JOHN ELKIN Lighting Technicians JEFF HAMMOND GABE TWIGG Red One MX Technician BRODY WILLIS Make Up Department Head SABRINA CAYNE Sound Mixer / Boom Operator MARK MESEROLL Production Assistants MICHAEL LIPTON NATALIE WALKER Catering / Craft Service EMILY KERKSTRA Behind the Scenes JOHNNY BUELL Graphic Designer JEFF HAMMOND Welfare Worker STACY LEE GRAVES Salt Lake City Photography by GABE TWIGG
Post Production
Assitant Editors MICHAEL LIPTON JOSH STANTON ADAM GRABEL Color by CHRISTOPHER J. STEPHENS Sound Designer JOHN NEFF
Special Thanks To
MyerLisa Lepine
Gloria GarciaRodney Washington
Mary Moore Cassie Skauge
Jay BrannanBobby Chambers
Rod Kempton Lowell Fullmer Goodsell
Marty BeaudetRobert Joseph Greene
Music
“I’m in Your Church at Night”Active Child
“To Wait”James and Evander
“Waterfall”Jon Garcia
“His Light Will Save Me.”Owen Duff
“With My Heart Held up High”Owen Duff
“Waterfall”Rae Olson
“Ecce Homo: Ruminations on a Theology of My Queer Body”by Connell O’Donovan
Grip and Lighting Equipment provided byPacific Grip and Lighting
Red One MX Camera and Nikon lenses provided byBrody Willis
Filmed on Location in Portland, Oregon and Salt Lake City, Utah
The characters and incidents portrayed and the names herein are fictitious and any similarity to the name, character or history of any actual persons living or dead is
entirely coincidental and unintentional.
Property of Lake Productions© 2013
