A Dagger Film Production

DON'T TAKE
ME BACK.

Currently in Pre-Production Short Film Coming 2027

Written and directed by Dustin Stinson. A psychological grief drama rooted in naturalistic Appalachian realism.

Enter the Production
Current Project

THE
STORY.

Genre
Psychological Grief Drama
Tone
Naturalistic Realism
Location
Bristol, Virginia
Release
Coming 2027

After returning to his struggling hometown following a stint in rehab, a recovering addict tries to rebuild his life while reshaping his relationship with his exhausted mother. When a chance reunion with old friends leads to a devastating car crash, he is forced to confront the guilt, grief, and addiction he thought he had left behind.

Director's Note

WHY THIS
FILM EXISTS.

“

I wanted to make a story that felt doable because life itself is often more devastating than anything we could exaggerate. Don't Take Me Back is about addiction, but it is equally about the people standing around it—the mother who keeps carrying, the friend who never fully understands what changed, and the person trying to live with what cannot be undone.

The film does not ask the audience to excuse Peyton. It asks them to sit with him. To recognize the guilt, grief, and ordinary damage that continue after everyone has decided who deserves the blame.

Dustin Stinson — Writer / Director
From Script to Screen

IT BEGAN
ON PAGE ONE.

A quiet road. A prescription bottle. A man trying to stay present. Before there were locations, storyboards, or posters, there was a blank page and the first image of Peyton driving home.

Opening screenplay page · Development draft
Opening screenplay page from Don't Take Me Back
Visual Development

THE FILM
BEFORE THE FILM.

The visual language is planned around stillness, observation, reflection, and the feeling that the world continues moving even when Peyton cannot.

Previsualization

STORYBOARDS

Shot design, lens language, emotional intention, and blocking are developed before principal photography begins.

Scene 9 drained pool storyboard

SCENE 9 — DRAINED POOL

Reflection · Isolation · Stillness
Scene 14 bridge storyboard

SCENE 14A — BRIDGE

Release · Memory · Distance
Location Scouting

STORYBOARD → REALITY

The production does not hide its current stage. These are the actual places being considered and shaped into the world of the film.

Actual motel pool location scout
Location Scout

MOTEL POOL

Potential location for Scene 9 · Bristol area

Storyboard concept for motel pool
Previsualization

THE INTENDED FRAME

Green water, distance, and the reflection Peyton cannot face directly.

Actual bridge location scout
Location Scout

BRIDGE LOCATION

Scene 14A · The place where memory becomes physical.

Bridge rail detail
Detail Study

BRIDGE RAIL

Texture study for the P + J engraving.

Concept Artwork

POSTER
EXPLORATIONS.

These are not presented as finished marketing assets. They are visual explorations of the film's atmosphere, recurring locations, and emotional center.

Minimal bridge concept poster
Motel room concept poster
Driving concept poster
Pool concept poster
Bridge composite concept poster
Production Status

WHERE THE
FILM STANDS.

The page will evolve with the project. Nothing is being presented as completed before it exists.

SCRIPT
Complete
VISUAL DEVELOPMENT
Complete
LOCATION SCOUTING
Active
CASTING
In Progress
PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Upcoming
POST-PRODUCTION
Upcoming
RELEASE
2027
Follow the Production

COMING
2027.

Production updates, first stills, casting news, and eventual release information will be added here as the film moves from script to screen.

Contact Dagger