client: Jon Fishmandate published: Oct 03, 2018 content type: Documentaries
series
When You Are Wild: A Day in the Life of J. Willis Pratt
Documentary, 30 minutes
Partnering with Phish drummer Jon Fishman, we produced a deeply empathetic documentary that shines a light on the raw realities of navigating cancer, beautifully demonstrating how the power of friendship and community can transform an isolating medical battle into a testament to human connection.
Directed by Greg Hemmings
Produced by Stephen Foster and Megan Thelosen
J. Willis Pratt had been homeless for close to a decade, but never gave up on his dream to be a famous rock star. In the 1980s, he befriended the members of the band Phish who were attending Goddard College in his hometown of Plainfield, VT. This friendship led to the drummer of Phish, John Fishman, to help him with his dream by not only playing drums for him when he could, but also inviting him to open for Phish in Albany in front of 20,000 people.
The Challenge
When a member of a close-knit community faces a life-altering cancer diagnosis, the ripple effects touch everyone around them. Beyond the intense physical and clinical battles of the disease, there lies a profound psychological and emotional journey that patients and their loved ones must navigate. Phish drummer and philanthropist Jon Fishman recognized the universal weight of this struggle through the lens of a close friend's diagnosis. He wanted to capture this intimate reality on film, understanding that authentic storytelling possesses a unique power to heal, connect, and drive social impact. The challenge was to create a documentary that avoided the clinical detachment or purely tragic tropes often seen in medical media, instead crafting a narrative that balanced the stark realities of cancer with an uplifting celebration of human resilience.
Our Approach
We partnered closely with Jon Fishman to shape and deliver When You Are Wild, leveraging our shared belief in the power of empathy-first filmmaking.
Empathy-First Filmmaking: Supported by Jon’s vision to honor his friend, our production crew cultivated a deeply safe, trust-filled environment on set, allowing the subjects to share their vulnerabilities, fears, and triumphs openly without the pressure of rigid scripting.
Visualizing the Network of Care: We designed the narrative structure to heavily emphasize the supporting cast of life—focusing deeply on the power of friendship, family, and the broader community. By capturing raw, unscripted moments of joy, laughter, and collective grief, the film highlights how communal bonds act as a vital lifeline during a crisis.
A Balanced Cinematic Lens: We paired intimate, close-up interviews with beautiful, thoughtful b-roll cinematography that mirrored the emotional arc of the journey. The final edit was meticulously paced to ensure that while the audience confronts the devastating realities of cancer, they leave the viewing experience feeling deeply inspired by the enduring strength of the human spirit.
At that moment, I have to say, I almost dropped to my knees.. At that moment I decided, "Yeah, I'll play drums with you for the rest of my life."
The Impact
Our collaboration helped transform a deeply personal health battle into a universally resonant piece of cinematic storytelling. Backed by Jon Fishman's heart for his community and his advocacy for impactful media, When You Are Wild has served as a powerful tool for public awareness, shedding a necessary light on the authentic, messy, and beautiful realities of living with cancer. By choosing to center the narrative on hope and mutual support rather than despair, the film has profoundly comforted patients and families going through similar diagnoses. Ultimately, the project achieved a lasting social impact, proving to audiences nationwide that while cancer is an isolating disease, the absolute power of friendship and community ensures that no one has to walk through the wild alone.
