“Defy the Odds” By Corry Wiens
Amateur race car driver, Bill Lester, is faced with a decision that will upend the stable office life he's trapped in. Based on the true story of Bill Lester, the first black NASCAR driver to win a race in NASCAR's Grand-Am series.
From The Director
“When I read through Bill’s memoir, Winning In Reverse, my initial reaction was: “This is a story that needs to be told.”
Feeling trapped within a job when your heart is elsewhere is something that a lot of us can relate with. Bill’s courage to walk away from his life of comfort to pursue his dreams is truly inspirational.
On top of that, Bill was also up against incredible adversity as he pioneered his way through the predominantly white sport of racing. Bill persevered in spite of these barriers and spent more than a decade competing at the highest levels of racing.
As a filmmaker, I wanted to use my influence to elevate Bill’s story. His determination to choose the hard road, even when the odds were stacked against him, is something that we can all admire and learn from.
We created this film on a shoestring budget and so many talented people came together to help bring it to life. I am incredibly thankful to every single person that contributed to getting this story told!”
—Corry Wiens, Director
Credits
Based on the true story of Bill Lester
Starring:
Bradford Haynes
Tim Mercer
Austin Buck
Prod Co: Gear Seven
Exec Producer: Ryan Atenhan, Kirk Slawek
Producer: Gavin Buckland
Director: Corry Wiens
AD: Courtney Baucom
Dir of Photography: Quinton Brogan
Art director: Tracie Prichard
Set Design & Build: Graeme Morris, Fort Houston
AC: Jacob Cushman, Bennett Self
2nd AC: Quinn Foster
Gaffer: Matt Treager
Key Grip: Erik Kitchens
Grip: Jacob Hart
Grip Specialist: Billy Gomes
Precision Driving: Shift Dynamics
Camera Car Precision driver: Patrick Wilson
Arm Op: Sam Wetzel
Sound: Alonso Cacho
Production Manager: Cody Fisher
Studio Manager: Skylar Galayda
Precision Drivers: Ken Thwaits
LED Volume: Arc Studios
LED Volume content: Meptik
LED Volume Technical Director: Justin Wylie
VFX Supervisor/Grip Swing: Dustin Turner
BTS Photos: Matt Treager, Ryan Green
POST PRODUCTION:
Editor: Corry Wiens
Colorist: Quinton Brogan
Musical Score: Jonny Mendez
VFX: Dustin Turner
Title Design: Gavin Buckland
Sound Design: Ryan Pribyl
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