When the Road Fights Back

Over the past month, I made a decision: stop talking about making a film and start doing it.

Since then, Exiled has gone from an idea to a living project — casting calls launched, actors auditioning, crew coming together, and real momentum building.

And then this week happened.

If you’ve ever tried to build something from the ground up, you know the feeling: the moment you commit, the road pushes back.

A car issue suddenly demanded time and money I hadn’t planned for.

A routine repair turned into a frustrating back-and-forth that ate up hours meant for production.

Technical issues locked me out of my casting platform in the middle of responding to actors.

Messages stalled. Auditions paused. Momentum slowed.

Meanwhile, I’m waiting to hear back from key cast members, coordinating schedules, and pushing forward through the thousand moving parts that come with independent filmmaking.

For a moment, it felt like the universe was testing how serious I really am about this.

But here’s what I’ve learned:

Obstacles don’t show up to stop you.

They show up to ask how badly you want it.

Because even with setbacks, progress didn’t stop.

Actors are still submitting.

Crew members are stepping forward.

Locations are being explored.

People are connecting with the story.

And the project is moving forward — one decision, one message, one small victory at a time.

Independent filmmaking isn’t glamorous. It isn’t smooth. It isn’t easy.

It’s problem-solving. Persistence. Continuing to push when momentum slows and uncertainty creeps in.

And it’s worth it.

Exiled is a story about isolation, resilience, and the human need to be seen.

In a strange way, the process of bringing it to life is echoing those same themes.

This past week reminded me that progress doesn’t mean perfection.

It means continuing forward when things get messy.

So if you’re building something — a business, a dream, a creative project, or a new path in life — and the road feels rough right now:

Keep going.

Momentum isn’t lost.

It’s being forged.

No matter what obstacles appear, this film is getting made.

And I’m grateful to everyone following the journey.

— Matthew

M.T. Grave Studio