| I CAN is the biggest original project from 29-year-old Director Tyler Sansom. Once a “small and fast” collegiate football player, Tyler’s career in sports ended when he broke his neck. Yet Tyler also had a passion for film and the arts, and God launched him into ministry with plenty of his own I CAN. He became lead pastor this year at First Capital Christian Church in Corydon, Indiana, a non-denominational church serving the town of 3,500 people, just 30 minutes from Louisville, Kentucky. About 1,000 people attend the church – people who love Christ, and the lost, and think way outside the box to reach them.
“We saw a ton of people watching content on their phones,” Tyler said, “and we wondered, why not make things they watch?”
For Katelyn’s Christian parents, I CAN is a story almost too painful for the screen. “The story begins with Katelyn’s parents,” Tyler explains. “They were both young and married to other people when they had an affair – and Katelyn’s mother became pregnant. They divorced their spouses and married because of the child. When Katelyn was born with one arm, her dad, Eric, believed God was punishing him. It’s about Eric as much as Katelyn; Eric wrestled with all that guilt. It’s the story of his redemption, and that God can take our mistakes, and He can make anything happen.”
Katelyn is now a 23-year old college student, with a final year at Kentucky Christian University studying for ministry. She’s on full scholarship playing All American fast-pitch softball as an accomplished centerfielder. “She catches with her right hand, throws off the glove and transfers and throws the ball with the same hand – it’s one of the most amazing things you’ll ever see!
“The actress who plays Katelyn, Danner Brown, is the same height, same build, plays softball, and they look incredibly similar,” Tyler said. And because they are look-alikes, Katelyn is able to play herself on film in the actual softball scenes, fully demonstrating her unusual style of play using one arm.
Tyler initially asked her father two times if they could do a film featuring their family’s story, and he struck out both times. “For them, it was a big deal,” Tyler explained. “They didn’t want their sins exposed on screen.” But following the success of Tyler’s film, A FATHER’S FIGHT (2021) he asked Eric a third time and everything changed. Eric told Tyler: “If I can help one person find and follow Jesus – WE’RE IN!”
I CAN was recently shot over 30 days in June, and funded completely by donation, with over 1,000 volunteer extras and crew, including the Paveys and their two younger daughters. Targeting for theatrical release, Tyler said they are also hoping to partner with local high schools in various states, and softball teams and leagues, to promote the movie as a fundraiser. The various schools and teams will be able to make money bringing audiences to the theater while sharing the inspiring, gospel-advancing message.
Kappa Studios, the post-production home of THE CHOSEN, introduced Tyler to Justin Overlander, one of THE CHOSEN’s producers. Justin joined the I CAN team and now Kappa is positioned to utilize the same post-production team behind THE CHOSEN to complete I CAN.
“I have worked on lots of independent productions,” Tyler added, “and there is just no other post-production house like Kappa Studios.”
I CAN is currently in need of $14,000 to ensure the film is completed with excellence and for maximum impact for the glory of God. We pray you would consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Christian Film Finishing Fund toward the completion of I CAN.
By God’s grace through your partnership, we can continue to impact the culture for Christ through film and television.
Story by Karen Long
Kappa Studios Lead Writer |
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