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Chelsea’s Light: A Brother’s Journey
When Chelsea King was murdered a light sparked to prove even in darkness we must embrace hope. This documentary is her redemption. This project is unique, heart wrenching and inspiring.
Other details about the film:
- Kickstarter Campaign Successful: 763 Backers and $68,496 pledged of $50,000 goal
- New York Daily News Article about the doc: http://nydn.us/1m8j63O
- Running Time: 32 minutes
Tyler King was just 13 when his teenage sister, Chelsea King, disappeared after setting out for a run in a community park in broad daylight. Law enforcement and thousands of volunteers searched for days, until they finally found her body in a shallow grave just off the trail she was running on. Chelsea was the victim of a horrific crime committed by a convicted sex offender who repeatedly violated parole and plead guilty to taking Chelsea’s life—a heartbreaking reality that would send Tyler on a soul searching mission for answers.
Tyler envisioned telling Chelsea’s story from his own point of view, while also giving the audience needed information to protect children. Tyler, knowing that this quest would be therapeutic, connected with Bruce Caulk, a two-time Emmy award-winning director who was moved by the King’s ability to find hope in the darkness of such a devastating tragedy.
Recognizing that sexual violence against children is rampant in the U.S., this film demonstrates that the biggest challenge we face to address this problem is a lack of awareness – people don’t realize the magnitude of the issue. Together, Tyler and Bruce have examined the criminal justice system through film, hoping to make change one viewer at a time.
Tyler King (Writer, Producer): This is Tyler King’s debut film and he is now the same age as his sister Chelsea when she was murdered. Tyler wrote, produced and appears in this documentary to tell his story as well as help stop crimes against children and the predators who commit them. He is executing a vision that will protect kids for generations to come. Tyler and his family are Naperville residents.
Bruce Caulk (Director, Producer): Bruce Caulk is a two-time Emmy award-winning director, a member of the Director’s Guild of America and currently serves as the president of Intelliscape Films. His background includes a BA degree from the University of Southern California School of Cinema and Television as well as studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, London. He has been hired to direct films for clients ranging from The Royal Family of Saudi Arabia to the Reno Air Races. Currently he is completing a white-collar crime drama entitled “Minkow” with James Caan and Ving Rhames.
Synopsis
Tyler King is now the same age as his sister Chelsea when she set out for a run over four years ago, and never returned. She was the victim of a horrific crime committed by a convicted sex offender, who later confessed and plead guilty to taking her life. Shortly thereafter, Chelsea’s Law was conceived and passed in California. Chelsea King’s story is known nationally as both a tragedy and source of inspiration.
Tyler King was compelled to tell Chelsea’s story and has completed his first documentary,”Chelsea’s Light: A Brother’s Journey”along with two-time Emmy award-winning director, Bruce Caulk. The process of grieving, healing, and evolving will be seen from King’s perspective and through the eyes of others who share the experience of losing someone they love to a sexual predator. The film is designed to raise awareness of the devastation inflicted by child predators and to highlight the fact that laws intended to protect children are not strict enough.
The documentary highlights victims’ families (Amber Dubois, Jonathan Sellers, Kathlynn Shepard) as they tell their heartbreaking stories and unite together to make a difference. We conducted interviews with both the San Diego’s District Attorney and Sheriff’s Offices, authorities who are able to put Chelsea’s case into the context of the criminal justice system. We also take the audience back in time and share home videos of Tyler and Chelsea that illuminate their special bond. Chelsea’s radiance and the light she spreads have been captured in this footage, proving that a picture, or video, can be worth more than a thousand words. Chelsea’s memory continues to bring people together to focus on a brighter future.
Through this film, Tyler King and Chelsea’s Light have set out to ignite a spark to make a massive change in our society. The documentary is the first step in inspiring our nation to rise up, as one powerful voice, to ensure we protect our children.
FROM TYLER KING: WRITER/PRODUCER
When Chelsea was murdered I had to fight overwhelming sadness and depression to get up in the morning — my sister was my touchstone. I needed a way to heal and through this documentary, I am able to give victims of sexual violence a voice. The project is told from my perspective, through my eyes. About two years ago, I set out to learn everything about the system that failed my sister. My quest to tell the world has been cathartic, but what I uncovered in the process demands that a spotlight be shined on this issue that is often swept under the rug.
FROM BRUCE CAULK: DIRECTOR/PRODUCER
There are not many projects in our business that can literally save lives. When I met the Kings, I was struck by how driven they were to make a difference in Chelsea’s name, true optimism. I thought the rape and murder of Chelsea would cast a dark shadow — it was just the opposite.
Chelsea will always be missing in Ty’s life, but somehow her presence also shines through him. I have strived to capture that in this project through his writing, his on camera dialogue and in the visuals. Some of the most powerful moments of the film are when Tyler works through his emotions on camera.
Our goal is to raise awareness on the destruction that convicted child predators inflict on teens and children after being released for sexual felonies. Sexual predators know no boundaries and we’ve traveled the country to show that.