Over the past few weeks several people have asked me what I thought about 23 Blast? How did it feel having a movie made about my life? And What this whole experience has been like? So, I thought I would put my thoughts in a blog post. Hearing or typing the words “a movie made about my life” is something I am still having trouble wrapping my mind around. The one word that best describes my thoughts on the situation is “bizarre.” This entire experience from the first time I was contacted about the project, to meeting Dylan and Gary in the fall, to my first night on the set, to hanging out and having dinner with the cast, has all just been a bizarre experience. In many ways it just does not seem to be real. It is like I am living in a dream and I am going to wake up at any point. The experience while bizarre has also been incredible. The cast and crew have been extremely nice and easy to talk with. They have all put up with my many questions and have been a joy to get to know. I am extremely excited to see how the movie turns out.
I really want people to understand what this movie is, and what it is not. This movie is not “the Travis Freeman story.” It is a story inspired by the events of my life. This means that some things happen in the movie that either did not happen in real life, or maybe happened in a different time frame from that depicted in the movie. Having been around the cast and crew, I know that they want to capture the spirit and many of the events of my life’s story. I am confident that they will achieve this goal. I am pleased with what I have been able to see so far, and have no doubt that I will be pleased with the rest of the movie.
So, what do I hope comes out of this process? First, I hope the movie is a success and has a wide distribution. I know how hard the cast and crew have worked, and they deserve to have a successful product. Second, I hope people take it for what it is and do not expect a play-by-play of my life. It is an adaptation of my life and not a documentary. Finally, I hope that this movie opens up many doors for me to be able to share the deeper story of my life. How I was in spiritual darkness and God brought me into the light. How I was a sinner destined for a sinners Hell, but God in his mercy rescued me from that fate. I want people to know that without the hope of living for something greater than myself I would have never accomplished the things I accomplished. Living for God’s glory and the hope of Heaven gave me the strength to face the many struggles in my life. If it had not been for this hope, which came from the grace of God, there would have been no football and then no 23 Blast.
I do want to personally thank all of the cast and crew for their tireless work on this project. I am honored that you think my story is one that deserves to be told.