Last to Ask

Last to Ask is a short documentary I produced, directed, and edited for WEDU PBS, born from an open-ended commission around the topic of mental health. Research and community conversations led me toward a corner of that subject that doesn't get much coverage: the mental health crisis inside the first responder community. The film follows Chris, a long-tenured firefighter who nearly lost everything to a hidden alcohol addiction, and weaves his story together with local subject matter experts to create something that is both information-rich and deeply human.

The subject matter required earning trust quickly, and that shaped everything from the interview approach to the edit. Working with subjects navigating vulnerable and rarely discussed experiences, the goal was to create something that felt safe enough to be honest in, and compelling enough to reach people outside the community. The film aired on PBS and went on to win a Suncoast Regional Emmy Award for Health/Medical coverage, an IAFF Media Award for Best Feature Broadcast, and a NETA Public Media Award for Content.