It’s been ten years.

Since the first crowdfunding campaign. And the second campaign. And production in Ohio and California, and California again, and the completion of that little 15-minute epic, Twinsburg.

Hi, from Jog Films in Barcelona. It’s Jo Garrity (no e, left silently).

TLDR; There’s a new way to keep in touch on Substack. And for the audiovisual-inclined, scroll down for a video message.1

So here’s the deal:

I want to share more of my projects and processes with the growing community that makes independent creation possible. We’ll do this by looking back at past projects at Jog Films, as well as going behind-the-scenes in real-time on new and future projects.

Let’s hop right into a Q&A:

Why am I reading this?

You may have supported materially and/or spiritually the making of the short film Twinsburg. Or simply watched it. Or it’s on the list. The world has changed, but your interest in independent, original projects may be a fire still burning inside you.

Can I unsubscribe?

Sure. But the fire—

Should I?

Absolutely not.

Wow. Why should I follow and even consider a paid subscription?

It’s a new era. Distribution models are changing. As writers we don’t have to wait for publishers to accept and run our pieces, and as filmmakers don’t have to wait for media empires to make our films. We don’t have to sign away our creative autonomy, only to have that work dumped in a Stream. We can create and share our projects in more sustainable and intentional ways, with and for our creative communities. And you can be a part of that community here at Jog Films, on the Backlot Tram Ride.

Backlot Tram Ride? Is it dangerous?

Backlot. Tram. Ride. Its namesake felt very dangerous in the summer of 1994 at Universal Studios. Essay forthcoming.

Interesting. As Riders, what kinds of things will we be able to read, watch, listen to, and participate in?

You pretty much covered it. Backlot Tram Ride will glide through writing, conversations, videos, and other behind-the-scenes material on:

• Art of Adaptation - Bringing our ideas to the page

• Scene Study - Reading and staging performance

• Visual Storytelling - Research and design to bring worlds to life

• Cutting Room - Refining story and the audience experience

• Multitudes - Essays, poetry, photography, music and other inspirations for projects known and unknown.

Cool. What if I step off the Ride?

You saw Jurassic Park.

Which one?

Never mind. Roll up your sleeves, for paid subscribers there’s also:

• Creativity Labs - monthly online workshops mixing improv techniques with automatic writing exercises for unblocking expression in any medium. Together we’ll practice generating, developing, drafting, and revising our ideas. For all backgrounds and experience levels. Good for the brain and soul.

Are there other benefits of supporting with a paid subscription?

Want to know how an independent feature film is made in 2025? Let’s learn together. Come behind-the-scenes of Jog Films’ first independent feature film, The Pepsi-Cola Addict, based on the 1981 novel by June-Alison Gibbons I first learned about while researching Twinsburg. Paid subscribers will come along for a front-row look at the whole process — from adapting the novel, to development, pre-production, production, post-production, and distribution. Wow.

Wow is right.

Oh, and same goes for the second feature film. And third. Et cetera until circa 2076.

Will there be a Twinsburg feature film?

I believe there will be, with different twins. At the premiere of the short film, I gave a tidy “no” to this question. Over the years, I’ve written on-and-off on the project, coming back to the conclusion it’s likely not a first feature film.

Alright, alright, I don’t want to miss out. How do I climb aboard?

You can subscribe, pledge what you can, and get your all-access pass on a slick metaphorical lanyard right here:

We’re talking Fast Pass line-jumping. Park-hopper. Fright Night. Tuesdays in June bring a vintage 1981 Pepsi can and it’s 50 cents. With the waiver at the park entrance.

Are there other ways to stay in the loop?

Sure. No matter if you’re a free or paid subscriber, you can follow on Substack and still enjoy plenty of offerings. But think about it, for about the price of a fancy coffee each month, you could metaphorically have that coffee dumped on you as the Ride accelerates into New Vistas. The Ride is amazing.

Totally. I’m going to get some water.

Good idea. Think about supporting with a paid subscription, and even sharing with a friend. We’ll be here.