What is Penalty?

I founded Penalty in 2018. We are a studio committed to bold, innovative, and meaningful stories that honor the spirit of independent cinema. The company’s masthead is a representation of our take in film as well as the industry: independence and solidarity. 

With streaming dominating the mainstream, and big budget films creating the majority of market value for the industry, it’s our intention to continue and contribute in a unique way to the landscape. We want to make an impact without catering to norms of regular film genres. We make original content produced and distributed in house. In 2023, looking back over twelve years, it’s hard to believe how much content I spearheaded as a budding director. Now with our company being in Los Angeles, CA it’s exciting to see the progress that is being made to garner these types of stories that artists like me want to see be made and funded.
The key to making things happen isn’t waiting for the perfect moment; it’s starting with what you have, where you are. Big goals can feel overwhelming when viewed all at once, but momentum builds through small, consistent action. Whether you’re working toward a personal milestone or a professional dream, progress comes from showing up — not perfectly, but persistently. Action creates clarity, and over time, those steps forward add up to something real.

You don’t need to be fearless to reach your goals, you just need to be willing. Willing to try, willing to learn, and willing to believe that you’re capable of more than you know. The road may not always be smooth, but growth rarely is. What matters most is that you keep going, keep learning, and keep believing in the version of yourself you’re becoming. For me, it started with a deep-seated and indelible passion for storytelling. I was sitting in my home gym in northern Michigan in 2014 - watching a blizzard - I started to envision two characters fighting each other, creating tension and conflict between them. I remember the exhilaration, the process of articulating the sequences, and shooting the film on a shoe string budget. The film premiered to my family and friends, and left me with a desire to explore more of my artistry through this medium.

The Penalty led me to a decade long pursuit as a filmmaker working independently with limited resources to achieve meaningful stories that I found compelling. There’s something profoundly satisfying about creating art that changes hearts and minds. I wanted Penalty to reflect that belief. That artists don’t just want to entertain, but they want to speak to the essence of our humanity and who we are. I believe stories have the power to accomplish that.

My debut as a director sparked a desire to pursue filmmaking as well as build a brand. I created Penalty out of a rebellion, an intentional effort to focus on artists that didn’t need permission to do great work - they just do it. Our logo, the ‘P’ that’s shaped like a pistol, reflects the iconic feel of the American West. It symbolizes more than the American cowboy, it’s also a deep reflection on how we feel about independent artists and rebelling against the larger film industry.

Since 2014, I directed seven films: Strangers (2015), Deception (2016), Charlotte (2017), A Night to Remember (2017), Everything’s Not Lost (2018), John, Do Your Will (2019), To See and To Be Seen (2019). After this string of short films, I wanted to cement my style as a filmmaker. I remember wanting to make a western, but not in the traditional sense. I envisioned creating a cowboy that was more modern and urban. I worked with a writer that created the character and we built the story around that. We called the film, At Noon. I wasn’t planning on starring in the film until the head writer suggested I play the lead. 

I began to find my footing in 2020 shortly after Amazon acquired At Noon. It’s a short about about an urban cowboy who is blamed for committing a murder from his past and concealing it. I directed and starred in At Noon, and the experience was eye opening. Up to that point, I really didn’t know who I was as an artist, but I loved the urbanization and new look that we gave this character. The main character, Silas, was written to be intense - he suffers quietly which results in him wrestling with an inner turmoil reminiscent of popular films by Clint Eastwood. I always had a fascination with tragedy; I found it compelling and cathartic to experience a character’s journey. These kinds of character arcs don’t sell in the box office as often anymore, but can still be found in the independent realm of film with studios like A24.

It’s our hope that Penalty stories will stand the test of time - lasting generations to come.