SC. 01The Creative CollectiveRoanoke, Texas
For too long, quality family-centered storytelling has been marginalized. Together, we can help renew culture by investing in stories, and the people who write them.
SC. 02The crisis
Today's entertainment landscape is polarized.
Large studios
Polished.
But too often, agenda-driven.
Excellence
or values?
Independent creators
Passionate.
But underfunded and unsupported.
Too often, storytellers sacrifice their
to succeed.
When we lose the hearts behind the stories, we lose something irreplaceable.
“If they won’t write the kind of books we like to read, we shall have to write them ourselves.”
SC. 03The answer
The Creative Collective exists to nurture and protect storytellers so they can create stories that
Inspire
Heal
& unite.
Excellence and values are not an either/or.
We believe stories can be made with excellence and integrity at the same time, without asking storytellers to sacrifice their health, relationships, or values.
We do this through creator development and community, story development and incubation, infrastructure and resources, and visibility and partnerships.
SC. 04The founders
The Creative Collective was founded by Chad Gundersen and Chris Juen of Out of Order Studios, seasoned producers whose credits range from The Chosen to Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.
Why they built it
Having seen the cost of an unsustainable industry firsthand, Chad and Chris recognize the urgent need to intentionally mentor, develop, and protect storytellers early, to ensure a healthy pipeline of family-first, values-centered films created with excellence and integrity.
SC. 05The work01 / 04
I
Craft, character & calling
Workshops, labs, fellowships, mentorships, and advisory support for writers, filmmakers, producers, and students that emphasize craft, character, and calling.
II
Risk without compromise
Seed funding, script development, proof-of-concept projects, pilot initiatives, and protected environments where creative risk can be taken without personal compromise.
III
Excellence, not survival
Shared creative spaces, resources, and administrative support that allow creators to focus on excellence, not survival.
IV
Doors that open with integrity
Strategic showcases, festivals, and partnerships that open doors while maintaining integrity and mission alignment.
SC. 06The pipeline
The goal is a healthy pipeline of family-first, values-centered films created with excellence and integrity.
That pipeline starts with the storyteller. The Collective puts them at the center and surrounds them with mentorship, development, and protection, so they can create stories that inspire, heal, and unite.
Workshops, labs, fellowships, and mentorships that emphasize craft, character, and calling.
Seed funding, script development, proof-of-concept projects, and pilot initiatives.
Shared spaces and support, so creators can focus on excellence, not survival.
Showcases, festivals, and partnerships that open doors while maintaining integrity.
SC. 07Where & when
The Creative Collective launches in Texas, one of the fastest-growing film markets in the country, with operations based in Roanoke.
While our roots are local, our mission and mentorship extend wherever creators need support.
The time is
NOW
SC. 08The ask
Together, we can protect storytellers and shape culture with stories worth telling.
Every gift to the Founding Collective goes to the storytellers at the center of this work, through four areas that nurture and protect them so they can create stories that inspire, heal, and unite.
Choose an area to see what your gift builds
Community
Workshops, labs, fellowships, mentorships, and advisory support for writers, filmmakers, producers, and students that emphasize craft, character, and calling.
Incubation
Seed funding, script development, proof-of-concept projects, pilot initiatives, and protected environments where creative risk can be taken without personal compromise.
Resources
Shared creative spaces, resources, and administrative support that allow creators to focus on excellence, not survival.
Visibility
Strategic showcases, festivals, and partnerships that open doors while maintaining integrity and mission alignment.
Founding Collective investment
$300,000
We are seeking a total of $300,000 from donors to establish a sustainable foundation that protects creators and launches stories with integrity.
This will be the seed that puts all programming and systems in place, continues education, and moves the projects now in development toward completion.
We would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to share this vision, hear your perspective, and explore how you might partner with us in building a meaningful and lasting legacy. The Creative Collective is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (IRS determination effective November 26, 2024). Gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
For the storytellers, and for stories that inspire, heal, and unite.
Tell a friend, a pastor, or a filmmaker who needs to know this exists.
Creators, studios, and industry partners: let's make something together.
Start a conversationJoin the Founding Collective and help build a meaningful and lasting legacy.
Give nowSC. 09Credits
Updates from the Collective on the storytellers, the stories, and what your support is building.
