The Nearly Forgotten Incident – POC

Written by Kyle Marra on March 30, 2025

Genre: Espionage, Mystery, Adventure, Thriller
Created by: Kyle Marra, Lief Thomason, James McTague
Director: Kyle Marra
DP: Lief Thomason

POC Logline: When a brilliant scientist arrives under cover of fog to deliver a world-altering invention, he must choose between handing it over to shadowy government agents—or destroying it himself, in a fight to protect the future from his own creation.

The POC Story

Dr. Archojah Okoro arrives under cover of fog, burdened by the weight of his own invention—“Candy Cane,” a device with the power to reshape the future. When ordered to hand it over to shadowy government agents, he faces a painful reckoning: trust the system or destroy what he created. As betrayal looms, Okoro must confront the terrifying cost of his own brilliance in The Nearly Forgotten Incident.

Thematic Depth and Social Relevance:

The Nearly Forgotten Incident is more than a Cold War thriller—it’s a meditation on moral responsibility, systemic corruption, and the resilience of conscience. Set during a time of intense institutional distrust, the story explores the tension between innovation and ethics, power and purpose, and personal integrity versus blind allegiance.

While the film is packed with suspense and genre-driven energy, its heart lies in the internal conflict of Dr. Okoro—a man wrestling with whether to trust his creation to the very system that seeks to exploit it. His friendship with Harrison grounds the story emotionally, providing a quiet contrast to the chaos around them, and reinforcing themes of loyalty, redemption, and courage.

The Look & Feel

The film opens on an eerily foggy night in 1967, set in a desolate small town shrouded in mystery. Espionage, intrigue, and shadowy figures lurk around every corner. The images below capture the mood and visual tone of this opening sequence.

The Feature Film

Logline: In a town gripped by bizarre disappearances, a group of unlikely allies stumble upon a sinister candy company whose dark secrets threaten everything they hold dear.

This short serves as the proof-of-concept for a feature film, where the story expands to explore family legacy, corporate manipulation, and the dangers of unchecked technological progress. It also uniquely integrates food as a thematic symbol—”Candy Cane” itself—and teases a larger commentary about what we consume, who controls it, and the hidden costs behind everyday indulgences.

The Cast so far

*Conphidance (Honk for Jesus, Save Your Soul, Little America, American Gods) is set to play Dr. Okoro a conflicted scientist whose recent discovery could change the world in dangerous ways.*

Benjamin Staley (When Pigs Fly, Wayward: The Road Ahead, Home of the Brave) stars as the young and naive Stooge #3. an idealistic agent desperate to prove himself to his cold, commanding superiors. His naïveté brings a volatile tension to the crew, especially as loyalties are tested in the fog of night.

*John Crosby (Ozark, The Resident) stars as Pilot. Dr. Okoro’s last hope of escaping his pursuers.*

Additional cast members to be announced at a later date…

The Crew

**Kyle Marra – Director/Writer/Producer**

Katie Marra – PA/AC

**Kevin Rego – Stunt Coordinator:** Kevin has worn many hats, including roles in safety, directing, and coordinating. His diverse experiences span a wide range of budgets and locations, from urban environments to remote jungles. Known for his expertise in executing complex stunts, particularly falls and fight scenes, Kevin has become a versatile and respected professional in the entertainment industry.

***Tom Downes (Right) – Armorer*** Tom brings over two decades of tactical law enforcement experience, having served 21 years on the Tampa Police Department’s SWAT team with specialized training in firearms and scenario-based operations. As a certified firearms instructor, he spent 12 years at the police academy leading comprehensive training sessions for Florida law enforcement. Tom has also taught close-quarters combat through Hillsborough Community College, lending his deep expertise in weapon safety, tactical instruction, and realistic simulation to agencies across the region. Known for his practical, safety-first approach, Tom is a trusted authority in firearms handling and training.

Additional crew to be announced at a later date…

The Locations

Root and Branch Films and Odd!Life Studios have partnered with the Clermont Mainstreet Program to bring the production of this proof-of-concept short to downtown Clermont. Its historic charm will be instrumental in bringing this POC to life. Additional locations include a residence in Brooksville, FL with access to a private airstrip.

*Downtown Clermont’s Monstrose Street, the setting for the opening of the film.*

*The perfect setting for a back alley struggle.*

*A runway tucked away in the wilderness.*

*A rural hanger the only structure in sight. The ideal location for a discrete getaway or final standoff.*

The Vehicles

To sell the 1960’s aesthetic, a 1964 Ford Falcon, a 1963 Studebaker Lark, and a 1958 Bandicoot have been selected. The cars are owned by the production company and will be blacked out for a government/espionage look. The plane, provided by one of the cast members, appears in the climax of the 15-minute proof-of-concept.

Props

Additional visually striking props are being acquired to establish the 60’s setting.

*A vintage Halliburton, perfect for transporting Dr. Okoro’s mystery creation.*

*A vintage walkie talkie for discrete communications.*

*A replica Walther PPK to pay homage to one of the most famous spies to exist: 007.*

Supporters

The Nearly Forgotten Incident has garnered meaningful support from both community and organizational partners. Key sponsors include Clermont Main Street, which is supporting our downtown filming with both logistical and financial resources; Live Oak Theatre Company, providing wardrobe and creative collaboration; and Herbert Sherbert, whose product plays a central role in the narrative of both the short and feature. These partnerships reflect the film’s strong community roots and help bring its 1960s setting to life with authenticity and character.

In addition, our acceptance into the From the Heart Productions Fiscal Sponsorship Program has expanded our fundraising potential, allowing us to pursue a broader range of funding sources. The program also offers valuable education in fundraising strategies, equipping our team with tools to secure support for this and future stages of the project.

How to get involved

The Nearly Forgotten Incident – Proof of Concept has been officially accepted into From the Heart Productions’ Fiscal Sponsorship Program!

This partnership opens up incredible opportunities for our team. Since From the Heart is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we’re now able to:

Apply for a wider range of film grants reserved for nonprofit organizations
Offer our supporters the benefit of making tax-deductible donations, whether financial or in-kind

As with most fiscal sponsorship programs, From the Heart retains a small percentage of contributions to help sustain their mission of supporting independent filmmakers like us.

If you’d like to support the film, you can make a tax-deductible donation using any of the methods mentioned below:

FOR PAYPAL DONATIONS:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=3D367MJ2NAZNG

FOR CRYPTOCURRENCY DONATIONS:

Follow this link: https://platform.engiven.com/give/1193/widget/1065

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO:

From the Heart Productions, Inc.
1013 Harbor Blvd #53
Oxnard, CA 93035

No matter which donation method you choose, please be sure to write “The Nearly Forgotten Incident – POC” in the memo line to ensure the funds get where they need to go.

FEES

6% for Checks and Wire Transfers
7% for Credit Card Donations via PayPal or Allyra
1% fee for all donations from outside of U.S.

These fees cover our legal, administrative, and accounting costs for From the Heart Productions.

For those interested in getting involved in other ways, we’d love to hear from you! Reach out at [email protected].

Thank you for being a part of this journey!