True Stories Project
The True Stories Project was formed in April 2004 to create movies like Inlaws & Outlaws, our first feature film. Conventional wisdom has it that "talking heads" movies are boring and 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 the most powerful medium available for entertaining, educating, empowering and energizing us all. We're not reinventing the wheel. We're simply going back to basics — strong stories and believable characters.
It's amazing what you'll find when you take the time to listen.
"Only connect." — E.M. Forster
Project Team
Drew Emery - Filmmaker
Drew began building the Hearts + Minds Campaign in early 2006 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 recruited a home team, rebuilt the website and been working tirelessly to raise the funds necessary to launch the Campaign on a national level. 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, despite being from all walks of life, they all have one thing in common: they’re the loveliest people ever.”
Lindsay Martin - Producer
Originally a native of Boulder, Colorado, Lindsay moved to Seattle upon completing the Film, Animation & Video Program at the Rhode Island School of Design. She joined the True Stories Project team in July 2006 as a marketing intern and, since then, has applied her broad range of skills on innumerable marketing materials and dozens of successful screening events. Now as the Marketing & Events Coordinator, she is the Project’s lead designer, edits video for the Campaign and has helped coordinate outreach to the faith community, among others.
Lindsay is also an accomplished painter and collage artist. One of her originals is now in the collection of Former President Bill Clinton. She hopes to take her experience at the Project into a career making her own documentary films.
Michael Cutts - Webmaster
Not taken to many movies as a child, Michael is now an avid film buff & film festival-goer. His work experience runs the gamut from livestock insurance to environmental consulting. Michael's passion for creative projects has included web & database design, proposal & document production, photography (including most of the images on this site), and image and video editing. This is Michael's first feature film.
Darcey Zoller - Community Outreach Intern
Darcey is a queer organizer originally from Long Beach, California and has always dreamt of living in the Seattle area, the ideal space to make creative change. This past fall she moved here to work with a number of projects that endeavor to create a wave of positive change. Now she’s thrilled to have the opportunity to land with the Hearts + Minds Campaign. Now as the Community Outreach intern, she is responsible for grassroots outreach and networking across the nation for the Campaign. Prior to the Campaign, her passion for the LGBTQ community was fostered through the Gay-Straight Alliance Network where she sat on Board of Directors, as well as the Southern California Youth Council. In her free time, she enjoys exploring, creating mixed media art, and playing her cello. She also enjoys watching the sunrise with a cup of tea.
