Documentary

I somehow forgot to post this to the main film account… My dad has always been there for me… Including indulging my child-brain dreams of staging a totally-not-Power-Rangers-ripoff “martial arts” scene in my bedroom, in which my baby sister wanted to participate, so she’s a cat.. for some reason. My father, despite being forthright, practical-minded and also very serious, has always been willing to be silly when it makes his children happy. To this day, he does his very best to put a smile on my face, and make me laugh, even when it’s initially unintentional. Despite his physical limitations, he fights every single day to make things better for his family and his children. Even with these limitations, he’s been able to traverse the most difficult terrain when it’s called for. Still working on the documentary @yearneardeathofrichardreisfilm slowly but surely. I hope to make you proud, Dad. Shot and cut by: @byron112667 Music by: @limerencelongingmusic

Putting together more footage to hopefully have a working short documentary as a proof of concept for further funding by the end of the year. I’ve been blessed to spend more time with my family this year, and have immortalized some of it on film. My dad continues to soldier on, bolstered by my ever-unyielding mother @lindaareis3 It’s important to reflect on the past and live in the present, while being mindful of the future. Shot and cut by: @byron112667 Music by: @limerencelongingmusic

Inspired by my father’s triumphs and struggles, my sister has elected to pursue a career in physical therapy, where she is able to assist those with TBI and other conditions of varying severity. Here, she speaks candidly, with a doctor’s observant eye and a daughter’s caring insight into my father’s disability and his ability, as well as his continued doggedness and determination, despite the difficulties aging brings. I’m again continuing to build sequences of this documentary @yearneardeathofrichardreisfilm and hope to have some sort of proof of concept at the ready soon. Music: @limerencelongingmusic

My father remains tenacious and spry well into his 60s even as he begins to slow down. If you’ve ever attempted to engage in one on one ping-pong combat with him, you would know he is a force to be reckoned with. I’m continuing to build sequences of this documentary @yearneardeathofrichardreisfilm and hope to have some sort of proof of concept at the ready soon. Music: @limerencelongingmusic

Having upgraded some equipment, I was finally able to mess around with some of my previously unwieldy 4K footage for @yearneardeathofrichardreisfilm. Posting some tests for the next phase I’m working on. Music: “Head Empty” by @limerencelongingmusic

In the summer of 1974, in the small town of Woodland, California, the life of a teenage boy would change forever. A single moment in time, at a routine baseball practice, would alter his life forever. Richard Reis, 17 years old, would be struck in the temple by an errant hardball. After suffering a traumatic brain injury, spending weeks upon weeks in a coma, and nearly dying, all before his 18th birthday, Richard, my father, would eventually return to everyday life, but walk and talk a bit differently than most other people. Over the past three years, I have conducted hours upon hours of interviews with my father and those who know him best: My mother, my sister, our extended family, and his lifelong friends. My dad has been an absolute trooper throughout this process, allowing me to observe and document intimately the ways his disability continues to advance as his body ages, never uttering a single complaint… (Well, almost never) His struggles with mobility are an ever-present part of his everyday life, but he soldiers on, never letting it get the best of him. His insurmountable, indomitable and indefatigable spirit inspires me endlessly. Merry Christmas, Dad! Music: “A Touch Which Both Heals and Torments” by @limerencelongingmusic “The Agonist” by @limerencelongingmusic Shot and Cut by: Brian Reis @byron112667 “The Year of the Near Death of Richard Reis”. @yearneardeathofrichardreisfilm Coming in the near future.

In the summer of 1974, in the small town of Woodland, California, the life of a teenage boy would change forever. A single moment in time, at a routine baseball practice, would alter the course of his life significantly. Richard Reis, 17 years old, would be struck in the temple by an errant hardball. After suffering a traumatic brain injury, spending weeks upon weeks in a coma, and nearly dying, all before his 18th birthday, Richard, my father, would eventually return to everyday life, but walk and talk a bit differently than most other people. Over the past three years, I have conducted hours upon hours of interviews with my father and those who know him best: My mother, my sister, our extended family, and his lifelong friends. My mother has been an essential part of my dad’s everyday management of his disability, and a constantly mindful partner who keeps him in check, supporting him emotionally, mentally and, most importantly, physically, attending to his posture and doing her own small part to right the ship, as it were. Solidarity and support from others is so very important in all facets of life, but especially in my dad’s case, and my mother has been there for him to lean on, metaphorically and literally, and shall remain an ever-present, watchful presence he can always rely on. Fellas, find you a lady who looks out for you like my mother does for my father. Love you, Mom and Dad. Music: “A Touch Which Both Heals and Torments” by @limerencelongingmusic “The Agonist” by @limerencelongingmusic Shot and Cut by: Brian Reis @byron112667 “The Year of the Near Death of Richard Reis”. Coming in the near future.

the summer of 1974, in the small town of Woodland, California, the life of a teenage boy would change forever. A single moment in time, at a routine baseball practice, would alter the course of his life significantly. Richard Reis, 17 years old, would be struck in the temple by an errant hardball. After suffering a traumatic brain injury, spending weeks upon weeks in a coma, and nearly dying, all before his 18th birthday, Richard, my father, would eventually return to everyday life, but walk and talk a bit differently than most other people. Over the past three years, I have conducted hours upon hours of interviews with my father and those who know him best: My mother, my sister, our extended family, and his lifelong friends. It has been an immense challenge assembling these interviews and conducting this investigation into the history of my father's multifaceted, lifelong disability. But, inspired by his own indefatigable resolve, I have begun to make progress on assembling something that, hopefully, will do his story justice. This Christmas season, partially as a gift to my father, and as my own small way of making good on the promise of this project, I will be releasing various small montages that, eventually, will provide the basis for a short documentary that I can expand into something greater. It's a small step, but like the necessary physical therapy required to manage physical and mental trauma, every small step is a necessary process toward improvement. My father’s story is a reminder that, with the love and support of family, with grit and resolve, and through solidarity with others, we all can “keep fate from being fate." Love you, Dad. Music: “The Agonist” by @limerencelongingmusic Shot and Cut by: Brian Reis @byron112667 “The Year of the Near Death of Richard Reis.” Coming in the near future.