Two suicidal paraplegic addicts take to the streets of Los Angeles — looking for their next fix, and a reason to wake up.
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In Los Angeles, two suicidal paraplegic addicts — Mickey Cole and Drake Jones — take to the streets as their only legs, scavenging for their next fix and a reason to wake up.
A desperate need for cash drives them through the city's underbelly, where every block brings a new hazard and a fleeting shot at outrunning their addiction — until the streets demand a final price, and the only way out is finding a purpose worth surviving for.
Watch Free in 4KDirected and produced by Tim Gagliardo and Donavon Warren, who set out to shoot a high-quality film with no budget.
The project took 62 days to shoot and was in production for over six months. It cost less than a luxury car. The team had 83 sets and 57 locations, an all-volunteer crew, and sponsors from all around town.
"Without any money, we wanted to make a film that looked like we spent millions. So we spent the only asset we had — time."
Tim lost his apartment, sold his possessions and lived in a friend's office. Donavon sold his car during production and became a medical test subject — eating an apple and a can of tuna a day to play the drug-addicted Mickey. Patrick Hume broke his fingernails with pliers to play Drake, and both actors spent time living on Skid Row in Downtown LA to give the audience a genuine experience.
Donavon Warren dropped 53 pounds for Mickey's drug-induced transformation.
Wheels worked with the United Spinal Association to create an acceptance campaign for people with spinal injuries.
Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Donavon moved to Los Angeles fresh out of high school and spent his first eight months living out of his car. Working nights at the post office and studying acting by day, he wrote Wheels — then founded the production company Loaded Dice Films, and today Loaded.ai.
Born in Boston, Tim's favorite toy growing up was his father's VCR, helping him memorize films frame for frame. He shot his first video at 15, graduated the Emerson College Film Program, and has worked on more than 35 feature films across nearly every crew position. Wheels marks his directorial debut.
It wasn't until Patrick watched Peter O'Toole in Lawrence of Arabia that he considered acting for a living. Creating characters that explore the human condition is what drives him — with stops along the way including Raines with Jeff Goldblum, In Justice, Sons of Anarchy, Justified, Whitney and Key and Peele.
Born in New York City, Diana is an actress, writer and producer, known for Ex-Best (2015), Porthole (2018) and 90210. Formerly an Associate Fashion Editor at Vogue Magazine, she left to pursue her love of film. She attended Cornell and Columbia Universities.
An original orchestral score, recorded live. Watch the scoring session below.
Drake Jones — a larger-than-life homeless paraplegic — took on a life of his own.
"Storytime with Drake" is the official cartoon web series inspired by the character, and the film's own street-art marketing rolled through the city. Patrick Hume broke his fingernails and lived on Skid Row to bring Drake to the screen.
Meet Drake — watch Wheels
Free, in 4K, on Loaded — no subscription, just ads.
Free · No subscription · Just ads