Film Independent’s Fiscal Sponsorship program opens the door to nonprofit funding for independent filmmakers and media artists. Donate today and help bring Flash Before The Bang to life.

Logline

In this funny, heart-warming and inspiring true-life tale, an underdog, ragtag Deaf track team and their checked-out coach must overcome their school’s indifference, outsiders’ low expectations and their own self-doubts to make it to the Oregon State Track & Field Championship.

Make a donation to Flash Before the Bang.

Meet the Filmmakers

Jevon Whetter — Writer/Director/Producer

Jevon Whetter earned his MFA in Producing from the American Film Institute Conservatory, where he produced over four different short narrative films in two years; coordinated fight sequences as fight director, and worked on over fifteen short films. Jevon produced a well-received short thesis film, Short On Time, starring Frances Bay.

In addition, Jevon has a Master of Arts in Theatre Arts from San Diego State University with honors. Jevon has also studied under fight director Gregory Hoffman at the Dueling Arts Academy, receiving extensive stage combat training in several weapon-fighting styles.

Jevon’s professional stage experience includes performing with the National Theatre of the Deaf for its Ophelia tour and appearances in Aladdin, A Christmas Carol, and Road to Revolution at the Deaf West Theatre. In 2006, Jevon made his first professional debut as a director with Krapp’s Last Tape at Deaf West Theatre. As a professor at California State University – Northridge, Jevon wrote and directed several productions for the stage: Surds, The Assimilation, Hat In the Sand, The Jumper, and ASL Curse.

Jevon currently works as an educator and continues to work as a producer, writer, and director for numerous stage and film projects in Los Angeles.

Delbert Whetter — Producer

In the past sixteen years, Delbert Whetter, JD, MBA, has served as head of Business Affairs for numerous entertainment, digital, and wireless content providers where he was responsible for drafting and negotiating film, television, and online property transactions, development, talent and production agreements, film financing arrangements, and licenses of intellectual properties. Delbert has worked on Exodus Film Group motion pictures, Igor, a CGI-animated motion picture released globally by MGM in 2008, The Hero of Color City, released by Magnolia Pictures in 2014, and Bunyan & Babe, released by Cinedigm in 2017.

Prior to earning his law degree from the George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C., Delbert served in a clerkship at the Federal Communications Commission, and as a legal assistant for three years at top Washington, D.C. law firm, Hogan & Hartson (now known as Hogan Lovells). Delbert earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management.

John Eraklis — Producer

John Eraklis has worked in the entertainment industry for over two decades raising film financing from private equity and producing television and film projects under various banners. Prior to founding Exodus, John served as vice president of business development, and director of acquisitions & distribution for Galaxy Online and its subsidiary Galaxy Pictures. After successfully concluding production financing for Galaxy, John was tapped to lead its acquisitions arm. In the subsequent two years, he traveled to every major film and television market as a buyer and amassed one of the then-largest libraries of online content outside of a major studio.

In 2001, John formed Exodus Entertainment, which provided visual effects and production services for a number of commercials, features and television properties in its infancy as it acquired properties to finance and develop. John oversaw the financing, development, and production of animated feature films: Igor (John Cusack, Steve Buscemi, Molly Shannon, Sean Hayes) released widely in 2008 to worldwide theatrical distribution; The Hero of Color City (Christina Ricci, Craig Ferguson, Rosie Perez, Wayne Brady) released in 2014 by Magnolia Pictures; and Bunyan & Babe (John Goodman, Kelsey Grammer, Jeff Foxworthy) released in 2017 by Cinedigm.

Make a donation to Flash Before the Bang.

Contact

For inquiries, please contact fiscalsponsorship@filmindependent.org.