Take Two | No Right Way
It is time for “take two”—take two of a movie dream of Terrence Gallman. The film-in-process has been a dream of his for over ten years. Thanks to some help from a writing mentor, local media connections and some just plain good luck, Gallman believes this film adaptation of his autobiographical book Finding Me, will soon become a reality. For over ten years, Terrence Gallman has devoted his energy, passion and creative vision to helping reconcile racial conflict and inspiring others. His creative vision is that film and media can show aspects of the better potential of America, of a country that need not be beholden to systemic racism, patterns of oppression, to various forms of conflict and the political divides of right wing or left wing.
Gallman is using his marketing skills and his connections to chase his “dream shot” of making a Hollywood film of his story. He and his production team at Gallman Investment Services recently worked with actor Javon Johnson on the film Justus. That film production is still in pre-production, but this other project has a script and is building some momentum in creative circles. He cannot reveal who, but some A-list actors and actresses have shown interest in the potential film adaptation of his book, Finding Me. Parts of the script are set in Prosperity and Newberry, and Gallman wants to show young people that there are options other than gangs or drugs.
Gallman served twelve years in federal prison for drug charges. He used and sold hard drugs in his youth, and by his early twenties that dead-end path led him to a jail cell and a 27-year prison sentence. He re-emerged determined to become a productive help to society. He shared his story. He helped as a mentor. He got into sales with real estate and sold cars for a bit. He also did some consulting and began to carve out a niche. He met Vincent Coyle, an actor who pursues causes of social justice and racial reconciliation. That partnership led to him helping organize a Day of Racial Reconciliation at the South Carolina State House in 2015 and 2016.
Twenty years ago, he wrote, “as a way to communicate what influences led me to be where I found myself.” He wrote and wrote and then he mailed the pages to his mother. She saved all the writings and he later compiled them into a book. The content is at times raw and unfiltered, as is the writing, but the essence of his narrative is what inspires this film.
Gallman is quick to credit local connections that have supported his success. One source of support was local radio personality Carole Murray. They met in Prosperity at a convenience store and struck up a conversation. Over time, Carole helped promote the Day of Reconciliation at the State House. She and Gallman did some motivational speaking engagements at Mid-Carolina Middle School and Newberry High School. Then years passed. The two remained acquaintances and he remembered years ago how Carole Murray and Coyle and Gallman discussed and pursued an idea of a documentary to share the Finding Me story.
Gallman is appreciative of other local community connections that have helped him over the years. One example includes when he worked with Newberry College and the communications department as part of a community connection to produce marketing materials to raise funds for a possible documentary. Wheels turned slowly.
The COVID-19 pandemic happened. As opportunities slowed or stopped for mentoring and in-person speaking gigs. Terrence still had a story to tell. He had his dream of doing a full feature-length documentary or film some day. Then, he listened to a Stuart Yee podcast. Terrence took a chance. He reached out by email to see if Stuart Yee would look at a script he had been working on. This was during the pandemic so much of LA and the film industry was slowed or shut down. It took a year and a half to get Yee to really look at the script. During that time Gallman worked with mentor Harry Hannigan on a TV sitcom script. They pitched it all back to Yee.
Though he dabbled with ideas for a sitcom or television show, in time Gallman decided to do a project that was more social-oriented and more substantive. “So as part of the networking these folks read Finding Me,” he said. “They saw potential for a film that could defy stereotypes and be a point to lift community up.”
The screenplay and script are written. The writer, Clay Ayers, is well-known within Hollywood. Roger Goff is an executive producer on the project and provides legal advice. Stuart Yee (Rush Hour and Fast and the Furious) is a producer.
Terrence with Hollywood screenwriter Clay Ayers.
The networking possibilities of the venture excite Gallman. In an era when YouTube and social media influencers carry clout with young people, Gallman wants to craft a media narrative of his own. He sees his story as a tool that change agents can use to help influence our county’s young people. And then there’s the mindset of “I shine, you shine, we shine” aspect to his vision. Gallman wants to use the opportunity to elevate the community, and while some of the details of the big-picture particulars are still emerging at this point, he hopes the film will provide some economic and marketing opportunities for our county and for local businesses. Product placement in the film would be one such opportunity. There may be opportunities for crowd funding or sponsorships. He is pursuing some creative funding options and details, he says, will be coming soon.
He does not want the film to be overly pedantic or didactic, but he feels like he can show his story as impactful, purposeful entertainment. He sees this film as a creative funding/investment opportunity for others, possibly with crowdfunding or other means to be determined. There may be sponsorship and investment opportunities. If readers are interested they can contact him at terrencegallman@gmail.com or visit GallmanInvestmentGroup.com/.
Take two is in the works, and it’ll be quite entertaining to see just where this road takes both Gallman and the community he loves.
Stay tuned….
