UNC, DTH alumna Brittany Hendricks to direct film on teen suicide

Brittany Hendricks didn’t know college students Tyler Clementi and Trey Malone, but their suicides struck a chord for the UNC graduate.

Clementi, who was a student at Rutgers University at the time of his death, committed suicide in 2010. Malone, a student at Amherst College, committed suicide in 2012. Hendricks, who was an editor for The Daily Tar Heel during the 2013-14 academic year, was moved by their stories and decided to make a film about teen suicide, “Lost & Found,” which will be released in February 2016.

Though the film is still in its early stages, the project’s message has already gained support from community members. Hendricks’ former teachers have expressed their relief that teen suicide is being addressed. Facebook comments and supportive emails have boosted Hendricks’ confidence.

Janna Tolleson, a teacher in the Cabarrus County School District, reached out to Hendricks and shared news of Ashlyn Haffner, a teenager from Union County who committed suicide last week.

Haffner went to school in the same county as Janna Tolleson’s daughter, Kayli Tolleson. Though the girls didn’t personally know each other, Haffner’s death shook communities across the state.

“Anytime a community loses a child, it greatly impacts everyone,” Janna Tolleson said.

With an extensive acting background, Kayli Tolleson plays a role in “Lost & Found,” and Janna Tolleson said her daughter is grateful to promote an important message.

Hendricks’ family friend, Tristan Bailey, stars in the film as Austin Wright, a 17-year-old learning to cope with his girlfriend’s sudden suicide. Bailey said this character is the toughest role he has played.

“(Austin) is someone who acts like he has everything together on the outside, but on the inside he’s very broken,” Bailey said. “It’s important for me to play this character because I know that there are a lot of people out there who are in his exact position.”

UNC-Greensboro junior Jenny Chandler-Morris relates to Bailey’s character, as she is learning to cope with the suicide of her longtime boyfriend from about four months ago.

“So many people’s lives are affected by it and after facing it firsthand, I have a greater appreciation for life,” Morris said. “I want to help as many people as possible get through their weak points.”

Filming will begin in May, but the project still needs money. Team members have started an online campaign at indiegogo.com, where they hope to raise $6000 for filming equipment and eventually $15,000 by the start of filming.

“This movie is exactly what the world needs right now — it addresses the touchy topic of suicide and brings attention to it instead of hiding it,” Morris said.

The total budget of “Lost & Found” is $40,000.

Morris said suicide is something that can be prevented and that people should pay attention to the world around them. That is part of Hendricks’ message too — to help people be aware of the signs of suicide and to take action.

“If you see someone struggling, or you see a change in someone’s behavior, reach out to them — speak up and speak out,” said Hendricks in an email.

“When that doesn’t work, go tell someone who can get that person professional help. It’s better to lose a friendship because you cared rather than lose a friend because you didn’t care enough.”

arts@dailytarheel.com