USD Magazine, Summer 2003

,. -4

IN YOUR OWN WORDS

They Said It Would Never Happen

After several years of rejection, I decided co join the ranks of inde– pendent filmmakers. I decided co make the story I treasured into a movie, no matter what ir cook. The untold story of a desperate people so close to rhe wealth and freedom of the United Scares, and so close co my roots, had co find a voice on the big screen. I raised the money myself, if you can call raking our loans and max–

From a hope, a wish and certainly a prayer or two, what started as an idea has taken form.

John Carlos Frey '85 grew up near the U.S.-Mexico border. He pursued a successful acting and theater directing career, but his dream was to make a film exploring border issues. He felt so strongly about the subject matter in his original screenplay, "The Gatekeeper, " that he financed the entire project himself– directed the film andplayed the lead role. The film has received critical acclaim and awards worldwide. This is how it happened.

ing our credit cards raising money. I put together a group of dedicated individuals who wanted co support my idea. We returned co San Diego, and for $200,000, over 18 days, we made "The Gatekeeper."

Then the fear set in: What did we have? Had I made a big mistake? What next? "The Gatekeeper" was completed in January 2002. We entered the project into film festivals throughout the world with the hope of sparking interest. To dare, the film has been honored with 10 major film festival awards. Ir is supported by Amnesty International and contains music donated by Bruce Springsteen.

The film overcame the next big hurdle, theatrical distribution co rhe general pub– lic, in May 2003. We chose San Diego as our world-premiere city because of my personal history and rhe city's assistance with the film. "The Gatekeeper" initially was released to 15 cities in the American southwest and 10 cities in Mexico. We hope, once again, co gain momentum and release rhe film nationwide and abroad. From a hope, a wish and certainly a prayer or rwo, what scarred as an idea has taken form. The film's success has been gratifying. Bur who I have become as a result of making rhe film is what's truly important. I listen co an inner voice of reason, and cry co nurture my instincts. I rely on myself more than the court of public opinion. I am free co pursue what I find imporranr. I am most at peace when I follow through with my desires. I want co continue finding provocative, untold stories and converting chem into worthwhile projects for the screen. If "The Gatekeeper" attains box office success, I hope to continue to cell stories chat Hollywood is afraid to cackle. The path I have taken che past few years has been difficult, and not without numerous setbacks. I have found a greater resolve from within, but I am convinced chat it has value, and char it assures happiness and true success. For more information, log on to www.gatekeeperfilm.com.

S everal years ago, I had an idea co make a film. In 1985, after I graduated from USD, I moved co Los Angeles with my biol– ogy degree in hand. Although I was a science major, the lure of Hollywood seemed more intriguing. I wrote my first screenplay, "The Gatekeeper," about migrants searching for freedom in America. Ir was a subject close co my heart and mind, because I was born in Tijuana, Mexico, and grew up in southern San Diego, close co the border. Almost on a nightly basis, I witnessed the flood of migrants crossing the border, crying find a better life. I spoke co many of chem, and their stories fascinated me. What must it be like co leave your home country, your family, and come to a foreign country where you don't speak the language, just co find work? "The Gatekeeper," a true-co-life drama depicting the current civil unrest occuring at the U.S.-Mexico border, wasn't an attempt co solve the complex issue of immigration. Its sole purpose was co put a name on the face of chose so desperate co improve their life condition. Bur my screenplay didn't generate any interest. I was cold it was a small story. I was cold ir would never happen. I was cold there was no mon– etary value in celling a story about the migrant struggle.

To share an experience "In Your Own Words, " contact Mike Haskins for guidelines at (619) 260-4684 or mhaskins@sandiego.edu.

42

USD MAGAZ I N E