Get a LicenseTrue Stories Project
The True Stories Project was formed to create movies like Inlaws & Outlaws, our first feature film.
Conventional wisdom has it that "talking heads" movies are boring and informational, that folks simply won't sit still for a film that doesn't overwhelm the senses or manipulate our emotions.
But we believe that people are hungry for the truth.
We believe that folks are starving for some hope.
And, we believe that the true story, well told, is still the most powerful medium available for entertaining, educating, empowering and inspiring us all. We're not reinventing the wheel. We're simply going back to basics — strong stories and compelling storytellers.
"Only connect." — E.M. Forster
True Stories Team
Drew Emery - Filmmaker
Drew began building the Hearts + Minds Campaign when interest in Inlaws & Outlaws from Ohio, Oklahoma and elsewhere inspired the idea of making the film available to the grassroots via our website. 
Since then, he's been building partnerships with community groups large and small across the country, bringing the film to nearly 400 communities thus far. Drew's most proud of the relationships he's built with dozens of volunteers from all over — an Outlaws Posse of deputies who are working to create change in their communities and see a role for Inlaws & Outlaws in making that happen. "They're my heroes and they're from all walks of life. But they all have one thing in common: they all believe in love. And they're the loveliest people ever."
View Drew's Film Bio | Email Drew
Nadja Dee Witherbee — Field Producer
After serving as Assistant Director and Archivist for the production of Inlaws & Outlaws, Nadja Dee continues to work on film & video projects (Valentines Day) and has facilitated media education and awareness workshops with Camp Ten Trees (a non-profit camp for LGBTQA youth). 
In 2010, Nadja will be a mentor with the Reel Queer Youth project and lead a media literacy workshop with a group of young film students. In addition, she is embarking on the launch of an education seminar centered on the history of GLBT characters in commercial advertising and film media. Most importantly, Nadja and her husband David have been with the Hearts + Minds Campaign from the start, both as indispensible volunteers and stalwart supporters of our mission.
Now Nadja’s back on board as our Field Producer, facilitating great collaborations with our partners in our Outlaws Posse. "For twelve years, I had a big-studio career in L.A., yet this is the film I'm most proud to have worked on!"
View Nadja's Film Bio | Email Nadja
Allysa Piraino — Digital Media Intern
Alyssa is a senior at Fairhaven College at Western Washington University where she has designed a concentration in communications through a social justice lens. She has been involved with filmmaking, especially sound design, since 2006. Currently she directs, edits and anchors a segment on WWU's TV show, VTV, called Club Spotlight. At the True Stories Project, Alyssa is creating a video short on bringing Inlaws & Outlaws to campuses.
You can see some of Alyssa's work here and here.
Can Li — Campus Outreach Coordinator
As an exchange student at the University of Washington, Can Li is a new arrival in the United States. Her undergraduate years were spent in her native China and in France, where she majored in French language and French literature. At the age of 16, she entered Sun-Yat-Sen University in Canton where she witnessed the establishment of the first gay organization in China, the Rainbow Association of Sun-Yat-Sen University. As an ally, Can LI was involved in Student Union before transferring to Jean-Moulin in Lyon, France. There her activism has further blossomed, including volunteer work through both her church and the International GBU organization in France. Meanwhile, She is a member of the 2010 Chinese Future Leadership project. After finishing both her university degrees, Can Li was determined to spend one year in an English speaking country. Now she is studying comparative literature and film studies in UW. With her multi-cultural background and great interest in communication, activism and film, Can Li is excited to join the True Stories Project team and eager to gain more precious experience.
Would you like to bring Inlaws & Outlaws to your campus? Email Can Li
