We need your help

We're telling an amazing but not very Hollywood story (this is a good thing), so traditional film investors aren't an option. We’re turning to crowd funding to make this beautiful film. Our goal is to raise $43k, and we can do it with your help.

Any amount you contribute will help, and will be immensely appreciated! We've got some awesome perks you'll get in exchange: T-shirts, baseball caps, pre-release copy of the film, even props used during filming. And larger contributions get you a real producer credit on the film and listed on IMDb.com.

We have a beautiful story that’s attracted some jaw dropping talent, filmmakers who normally work on much bigger projects. We're poised to make a very special film that could truly impact the world. How far it goes is beyond our control, but our goal is to make Two Secrets Oscar-worthy. Our sights are high. Please join us and contribute to make this possible.

Secrets you can't share

Two secrets will change 12-year-old Janey's life forever. One, she's never told a soul. The other, her entire family's never told her. Tonight they're going to crash.

Janey's a firecracker whose smile lights up a room, but her laugh catches it on fire. She has a near storybook life, great friends, and extremely loving parents. But she couldn't feel more alone. It's 1999 and the world's a less open place, and Janey has a secret no one can ever know.

What Janey doesn't know, is her parents have also been keeping a secret from her for her entire life. They know if Janey ever finds out, it will change her forever. But they also know, one day they'll have no other choice.

Two secrets... on a collision course.

When Janey discovers this unimaginable dark secret, her entire world is turned upside down.

"This is how the most beautiful girl I've ever met... sees me?" says Janey (Cassidy Mack)

Lives transformed

When was the last time you sat quietly at the end of a film enrapt by what you just witnessed? Others might not have noticed, but you just knew. Something deep inside you had changed.

Two Secrets is a part of Janey's story. But in a lot of ways, it’s a part of all of our stories. The part where we keep things hidden from others. And, where people keep things hidden from us.

Each of us has a passion or a dream or a desire we keep buried inside, afraid the light of day may bring judgment, disapproval, or even ostracism. We play these “what if” games with ourselves fantasizing we have the freedom to just let it all hang out there. We’re advised to “Be Awesome Today!” “Be Your Own Kind of Beautiful!” “Keep Going!” But the world is a scary place, and feeling alone hurts.

In Two Secrets, Janey faces one day that holds the kind of rejection that could break her spirit and her heart. But it doesn’t. This short film is the story of the beginning of her transformation.

It could be yours too. Her story could help you see that only by facing your fears and being your own authentic self, can you truly become whole. You could sit quietly and just know. Something deep inside you has changed.

We are determined to make a short film of Oscar caliber, and yet still be frugal in our approach. Our experience and conviction provides confidence that we can achieve our goal. The funds you donate will be directly used to help us make and share Two Secrets.

With your help, Two Secrets can be a transformational film. For you. For people you love. For so many others.

Cassidy Mack as Janey, a dramatic moment from "I was her sketch" (video above)

True story

What you may find truly inspiring is that  Two Secrets is based on a true story, and a pretty miraculous one.  “Janey" is 27 today and has been in the national spotlight sharing her fascinating background. Her real name is Ali Dolan. She is a courageous and powerful woman, and has already overcome more than most of us will in our lifetimes.

Ali Dolan – story co-writer, producer

"There comes a point where most people ask: where did I come from? What if the answer only leads to more questions, and you realize they will go unanswered forever?"

Ali is a sponsored triathlete and motivational speaker. She is very involved in the not-for-profit, A Safe Haven for Newborns. In February 1987, infant Ali was left in a Budweiser 6-pack amidst a trash strewn alley in the Bronx. Adopted by loving parents, Ali spent her youth in the New York and Pennsylvania suburbs. Her amazing story has been featured on Anderson Cooper Live, Good Morning America, ABC-TV, New York Daily News, Glamour Magazine, and National Public Radio, among others.

Ali Dolan today + as a young girl, the film is based upon her life as a 12-year-old

CAST

We've been on a nationwide search, but the response to our initial casting call took us completely by surprise. Something about the story captured the imagination of the acting community, and we were overwhelmed by the number and calibre of actors wanting to be in our film. We've looked at thousands of actors. Actors with major film and TV credits, lead characters in TV series, and actors from as far away as New Zealand all vied for roles. It became clear we would have to turn down some extremely talented actors to find exactly the perfect one for each role. And find the perfect ones we have.

Cassidy Mack – Janey Duncan

“I hope to inspire others to stay true to themselves.”

"With a strong circle of love surrounding you, your heart is protected and the tree of life attaches its roots and grows stronger."

We looked at 2,000 actresses to find Cassidy. We found some brilliant ones, but we kept coming back to her. And you won't believe this, she was the first one we auditioned. Cassidy's depth as an actress seems unfathomable. What she brings to Janey is a true understanding of her challenges, and an intense passion to portray her in the most real way. Spending her early years in the Foster Care system, Cassidy joined her forever family by adoption at the age of 6. A Hollywood up-and-comer, her credits include Zoey to the Max, Chilly Christmas, and Zombeo & Juliecula, among many others. Charity work is important to Cassidy, and she is the founder of Love Gives Chances, a non-profit foundation to empower foster youth.

Cassidy Mack (Janey Duncan), we looked at 2000 actresses to find her + she was the first

Katie Burgess – Stephanie Roebuck

“Janey is lost. She doesn’t know where to go or who to turn to.”

We auditioned a lot of actresses for Stephanie, and Katie was perfect. As writer/director Charles Dye says, "Katie's delivery of Stephanie's lines is so much better than I ever heard them in my head. She brings Stephanie alive in ways we couldn't imagine. She's amazing." Katie started acting at 7 and booked her first commercial at 9. Her credits include Object Eleven, Self-Delusion and Other Obstacles, The Lamp, and This Christmas.

Katie Burgess (Stephanie Roebuck) brings Stephanie alive in ways we couldn't imagine

CREW

Our powerful story has brought together an experienced team of filmmakers who normally work on much bigger projects. They've made films with Jessica Alba, Luke Wilson, Isabelle Fuhrman (Hunger Games, Orphan), and Joel Courtney (lead in Super 8). And our composer has scored multiple projects for Pixar, Disney, Fox, Warner Bros, and EA. See bios below.

Charles Dye – writer, director

"Who are you in your head? Who are you in your heart? For most of us, these are in conflict. But for Janey it's at a transformational time… her coming of age."

Charles wrote and is directing Two Secrets, because he believes this film can make a difference in the lives of the audience. He doesn't want to entertain them, he wants to impact them forever. He's also a Grammy-winning, multi-platinum, engineer, mixer, producer who mixed the #1 song for Ricky Martin Livin' La Vida Loca, and whose work with Jon Bon Jovi, Shakira, Aerosmith, Jennifer Lopez, Lauryn Hill, Julio Iglesias, and Gloria Estefan, has appeared on records selling over 90 million copies worldwide.

Charles Dye (writer/director) makes films that truly connect with people + transform their lives forever

Jay Riggs – producer

“When Charles told me the story, I was awestruck. If someone can do that. What can I do?”

Charles says, "There's no one I would trust more to partner with on this project than Jay." Jay is the founder and Executive Director of the Will Play For Food Foundation, a national charity working with the entertainment, sports, and for-profit corporate industries to end childhood hunger in North America. He's a singer/songwriter, producer, and the former Director of Operations for Fifty-Fifty Entertainment where he worked with multi-platinum, Grammy, Emmy, and Oscar-winning talent.

Jay Riggs (producer) founder of Will Play For Food, their goal: end childhood hunger in US, with former client Jay Leno

Meryem Ersoz – producer, script co-writer

“We don’t have that many stories, especially films, which explore the interior world of young girls. We need more. I’m glad to be a part of the team that's bringing this story to life.”

Meryem's devotion to this project has single handedly turned  Two Secrets into a real movie. She came on board as an advisor, but was so taken by the story that she became a co-writer and producer. And we couldn't be more honored. Meryem is one of Colorado’s top feature film producers. Her credits include Dear Eleanor (Jessica Alba, Luke Wilson), Mind's Eye (Dean Cain, Malcolm McDowell, Natalie Distler),  The Legacy of the Tengu (Louis Mandylor, James Lew), among others. Meryem comes to producing by way of cinematography. She has shot for NOVA, Versus, Comcast Entertainment Channel, and has worked on national campaigns for major brands such as Conoco and Audi/Ducati.

Meryem Ersoz (writer/producer) with her crew producing Mind's Eye starring Malcolm McDowell + Dean Cain

Sarah Bartels – producer, casting director

“Ali's struggles are an inspiration.”

Sarah is the force behind our talented cast. She is truly making magic happpen with the actors she's finding for us. Sarah is a very talented voice actress who appears as the lead role in numerous telenovelas dubbed into English. Her voice can be heard as Dana in Where is Elisa?, Elena in Elena's Ghost, and Natalia in The Clone. Sarah earned her B.A. in Theatre from Florida International University and is currently pursuing a career in Speech Language Pathology, while also working with children on the autism spectrum.

Sarah Bartels (producer/casting director) voices the leads for many English language versions of telenovelas

Laffrey Witbrod – director of photography

"I like to blur the line between reality and the surreal, this film offers exciting opportunities for me to explore this ambiguity.”

Laffrey is a great director of photography, but he's on the project because of how deep into the story his mind goes. Before he was ever hired he already made three amazing suggestions that changed the script. That's investment. Laffrey's recent projects include cinematography on feature films, work on the Jason Mraz music video 93 Million Miles, and ABC’s 20/20. He has shot in countries around the world and has experience on narrative films, documentaries, television, and music videos.

Laffrey Witbrod (director of photography) on set studying script for recent feature film project

Michel F. April – composer

Michel was so excited by the project, he literally started composing Janey's Theme before he finished reading the script. Michel is a talented composer, arranger, and producer who constantly seeks innovation, distinguishing himself by the human touch he brings to his work. He has produced and co-written twenty albums and composed the scores for more than twenty-five films and television series, scoring multiple projects for Pixar, Disney, Fox, Warner Bros, and Electronic Arts.

Michel F. April (composer) scoring a project at George Lucas' Skywalker Sound

Alexx Calise – featured artist

Alexx is a talented artist and songwriter with an amazing voice, and we're honored to have her performing a song featured in a pivotal scene of our film. Superproducer Warren Huart (Aerosmith, The Fray, James Blunt, Ben Harper, Augustana) is producing her next album. Alexx's hit song Cry (see video below) tore up the iTunes rock charts after being featured on Dance Moms. And her music has appeared on many other shows like  Last Call With Carson Daly, The Voice, and One Tree Hill, and the upcoming feature film, LA, I Hate You starring Malcolm McDowell and William Forsythe.

Alexx Calise "Cry" video, she's writing + performing a song featured in a pivotal scene of the film

Dustin Lawrence – editor, production assistant

"This story is the kind that will teach a generation about identity, and self discovery."

Dustin has tirelessly, and almost single handedly, made the two videos on this page a reality. He's amazingly committed to this project. Dustin has been involved with over 15 short films in Colorado and Kansas. His background includes working as a production assistant on Dear Eleanor (directed by Kevin Connolly) and commercials for internationally-branded products such as Dominoes, Mazda, and the NFL.

Dustin Lawrence (editor, production assistant) is a powerhouse of getting things done

Kathi Brown Wright – director of marketing

“There’s an elemental need for compassion in the world today. This film could help us realize how important it is not to judge ourselves and others.”

We're thrilled to have a world-class marketing talent heading up how we reach our audience. Kathi has expertise spanning consumer and business goods and services on a global level for companies such as Wells Fargo and Microsoft, as well as small and mid-sized businesses and not-for-profits. She has developed and managed marketing and communications plans and strategies encompassing brand development, social media, advertising, digital, public relations, and direct and channel marketing.

Kathi Brown Wright (director of marketing) knows how to reach the world with a powerful message

Please help us make a difference

Please take a look at all the perks we want to share with you as you help us make a difference. Each and every contribution will be greatly appreciated and put to good use. We and all our other contributors thank you!

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