This is how it happened...

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RECON was inspired by a story about my husband and his father. They both loved fishing, however when my father-in-law was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, it was a reality that took time to understand. We researched and learned so much about Alzheimer's because we wanted to provide my father-in-law a life of quality and normalicy, or at least what seemed normal to him. One article I read really stood out to me as it discussed about being in 'their world.' My mother-in-love, she was such an inspiration to me, once told a lady with dementia who was waiting for her husband to come home, that he was dead and that her kids were all grown up. It horrified me that she said that, because I immediately realized that this woman who had dementia truly believed her husband was coming home and her kids would be returning from school. That's when I started paying attention to my father-in-law's world.  If we spoke to him as he believed the world really was, he was much more compliant, open to talking and happy. RECON is a reflection of this revelation. It's about using memories to reconnect with those who have Alzheimer's Disease. And the simplistic message is, make memories with your loved ones, it's how we connect with others when words are hard to find.

RECON gave me the opportunity to work with Chase Wainscott who was 11 at the time of the production. I love working with children because, for me, it is one of the most rewarding and inspiring activities of directing. Chase's attitude was great and he showed a great deal of focus and determination for getting the emotion I wanted.

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Larry Herring and Alpha Trivette had chemistry from the beginning.  It's an interesting story as to how I cast them. We had already put out the casting call and had several talented actors lined up to audition for old Ryan and old Dad. But as I went through the head shots, I wasn't seeing the characters. So I started trolling the internet and ran across Alpha Trivette's information and his reel. After I watched it, I KNEW I had to cast Alpha. So I facebook messaged him , sent him a script and asked if he would be willing to come in for an audition. In the meantime, I ran across Larry's information. I sent him the script through facebook and asked if he would be come in for an audition. Soon after that message, I received a message back from Larry saying he loved the script and would I consider reaching out to Alpha Trivette. Of course I was elated and let him know that I had already reached out to Alpha and I was waiting to hear back from him.  Within a couple of hours, the two messaged me back and requested that they audition together at the same time. I agreed.  They were my last team to come in and audition.  After going through the auditions, I had a couple of people that could play the role, but it still didn't feel right.  Then in came Larry and Alpha.  Their audition lasted about 10 minutes. I thanked them for their time and let them leave. I turned to my casting director and asked her if it was unprofessional of me to run out after them and tell them I want them for the roles? She laughed as I darted out the door. They had already left the building, but as you now know, they both accepted and their chemistry really shows on the screen. Off screen they are just great together. I really want to write another script just for them.

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Charlton Hoag was another interesting audition. He came in prepared and when he was auditioning he was playing the character so much more differently than I had planned, but I LOVED it!  I asked him change the character up and give him direction of how I had planned that character to behave, and when he played it out, he did a good job...but I still liked his interpretation of the character. He and Chase together were really great to work with and their talent is well reflected in this film.

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Deborah Childs played a small but very important role in this film.  I had to find an actress that could show compassion yet be stern in her speech. Deborah did a great job with this in her scene with Larry. She had worked with Alpha before which made the time on set so much fun and light, especially when the topic and setting could be a bit dreary.

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The entire cast and crew worked very well together. The collaboration, excitement and hard work paid off. I hope I get the chanced to work these talented people again!