Severance Day: A Filmmaker's Manifesto
A New Dawn for American Cinema
From Dreams to Severance Day
The Dawn of a Passion
My name is Philippe Gosselin. I’m a 46-year-old filmmaker , and this is my manifesto.
My journey as a filmmaker started as far back as 1982, when, as a young boy, I was glued to the screen watching a little film called Star Wars. At 12, I took it upon myself to learn English to better understand and appreciate movies in their original language.
When I was around 15 years old, I watched 2001: A Space Odyssey, and its awe, horror, and vision not only shook me but also set a benchmark for both the level of quality as well as the kind of impact I wanted my films to have.
From that moment on, every single decision I’ve ever made was in the pursuit of a career as a filmmaker.
Time went on, and I became a self-made man. I launched my own video production company, acquiring skills in cameras, editing, producing, and directing, and continued to hone these skills for decades. I always believed this was the path toward achieving my goal.
Hot on the heels of my second short film, which you can watch below, I decided to develop my first feature-length film, Severance Day. It was important for me to make an ensemble-cast type of film, as each character represents a part of me as I am today, making the film personal.
Now, let me introduce you to Severance Day.
What is Severance Day?
If you love movies like Glengarry Glen Ross, and The Big Short, then you’re going to love my film. It is set on the day right before the first COVID lockdown, as a group of corporate outcasts will try to steal hundreds of millions of dollars from their employer, and perhaps get away with it. However, office politics, social issues, and paranoia will interfere. The clock is ticking though, it is now or never.
Severance Day is a dialogue-driven drama, a prestige film where actors can really shine, letting you enjoy great performances. This film, and its dialogue boldly defies political correctness and challenges the status quo from the ground up, embodying the spirit of resistance and free thought that we desperately need in today's cultural landscape.
Cultural Shift and Resistance
The Great Cultural Woke Takeover
However, as I advanced in my career, I noticed a significant shift in the industry. What was once an environment that valued merit, free speech, and hard work began to change. The rise of woke culture turned the world upside down, squashing these values and instituted blatant discrimination within the cultural institutions at large. Suddenly, these principles were out of fashion, making it increasingly difficult for someone like me—a white male—to progress. Now, it’s impossible.
Case in point: back in 2018, two distinct film producers told me to forget about a career in film because of my race and gender. The same year, I also heard firsthand the same bias is true when applying to Canada’s biggest film school, the Canadian Film Center.
My cancellation didn’t come with fanfare or even a whimper. My dreams, aspirations, and 25 years of hard work were swept away by the faceless managerial class.
To this day, the disdain, blatant racism and sexism remains as rampant as ever within this industry, helping produce the abysmal level of quality we have endured for years.
No more.
Taking a Stand
Today, I stand utterly disgusted at what the woke has done to our culture, but also American Cinema, and the ideological grip they have on them. I unequivocally believe in the principles of a free market, meritocracy, and individual freedom. Severance Day is proof of that.
This project is special to me as it has become more than just a cool flick. It is a means to affect the industry at large, inspire and help young filmmakers to pursue their dreams, and becomes an example to follow for the technicians and artisans of the industry, as well as you, the audience.
How?
Inspiring You
Severance Day isn't just a film; it's an instrument for change. Through its candid, non-politically correct dialogues, my film encourages viewers to speak out, stand their ground, and fight for fundamental principles in their workplace. Severance Day empowers you to break free from the constraints of woke norms, reclaim your voice and champion the values of free speech, meritocracy, and resilience.
Sending a Signal to the Industry
I believe it is time to show people working in the industry they do not have to suffer DEI on sets. There are film crews out there that do not have them, and it’s fine. Severance Day will proudly showcase this by journaling the entire production process and putting it on X, as well as broadcasting all production days live on its website.
Severance Day challenges the prevailing norms in the film industry by showing there are alternative production models that has roots in authenticity and integrity. Through complete transparency, the film documents its production process and offers a true alternative to prevalent woke culture on sets. By doing so, Severance Day will inspire industry professionals to seek out production teams aligned with its values, and be free of the working conditions found on woke sets.
Pay it Forward
It’s one thing to inspire current members of the film community, but what about the next generation of filmmakers? I find the pace at which heterodox culture is being produced to be too slow. We need to do more to create a bulk of true culture and support the new generation that’s coming up. That’s why I created a fund, wherein ten percent of every merchandise sale will be deposited into it. Each time the fund reaches $5K, we will hold a contest and award the filmmaker with a cash prize to support their own projects. This contest will be open to all filmmakers who share our values, and winners will be selected based on the merit and creativity of their projects.
Consumer Power
There are people who make movies, and there are those who enjoy them. You, the free-thinking consumer, have tremendous power over the cultural institutions, and it lies in your pocket.
Three years ago, I launched a non-profit that helps free-thinking artists to connect with like-minded audiences. Through it, I have invested personally in promoting our shared values and have connected with countless individuals who share our beliefs.
This experience has taught me something some of us already know: if you give the consumers a better option, they will take it, and Severance Day is the better option.
Your support as a free-thinking consumer is not just about enjoying movies; it's about taking part in the shaping of the cultural landscape from your own home. By choosing to support films like Severance Day, you're sending a powerful message that you value authenticity, integrity, and creative excellence. Severance Day isn't just another film; it's a rallying cry for a new dawn for American Cinema—one that will see empowered creators inspiring audiences and championing the fundamental principles we all hold dear. Your support isn't just about watching a movie; it's about taking your place in a movement for positive, transformative change.
Remember, creating culture takes years, and while Hollywood continues to relentlessly churn out content, we have only just begun to make our mark.
The time for action is now.
Shaping Cultural Dynamics
Before we can attempt to shape our culture, we must get rid of the traps that hold us down. I feel we’ve been stuck in those for too long , and I believe it is time to face reality, acknowledge the following, move on, and become productive.
Inaction…
For years now, we’ve been paralyzed by inaction. Many of us have thought: how can something as blatantly absurd as wokeness survive? Yet, it persists. We must recognize that it won't disappear on its own and take decisive action.
You have to understand that people within the cultural institutions will not stop because of any type of blowback. Remove the grifters, and you are left with people who firmly believe in the righteousness of their actions. For them it is an “over my dead body” level of commitment. They will not go quietly into the night.
I invite you to shift into “action” mode, and supporting a film like Severance Day is a sure fire way of shaking off inaction. Ways in which you can concretely help and support Severance Day are further below.
What about Go Woke Go Broke?
That’s an illusion. No studio has gone broke yet, nor will they. Even if one were to go under, others would likely acquire its assets and carry on. Besides, with favorable currency exchange rates, tax credits, incentives, and behind-the-scenes deals, the true costs of producing movies and series are very often far lower than studios let on.
What about declining ticket sales?
We're gradually returning to pre-COVID sales figures, but with the streaming boom, things have shifted. Now, you don't have to wait ages for a movie to hit your screen. It's just a matter of weeks, giving you the choice between hitting the theater or wait a bit and watch it at home.
While box office numbers were once public, the rise of the streaming age has made these figures internal, leaving us in the dark about the true reach and value of digital releases. My advice to you: if studios maintain their content output, it's safe to assume they're afloat.
Box-office numbers were never the be all, end all most of us think of them. Films also make money through merchandise, licensing, broadcasting rights, and much more. The profit “waterfall” gets its name for a reason, it is a long process.
At the end of the day, even if a film bombs it is still a plus for them, because they continue to fully hold the reins of cultural power.
Cultural Power
Do you know where this meme comes from? I would assume that you do, and that’s the power of culture. However, unlike this example, culture is rarely a big splash, nor is it immediate. Culture is like water, it slowly seeps in our world, always advancing, while spreading the values, ideals, and principals it contains.
This power has been in the hands of the ideologues for too long, and we know what they do with it and what their end goal is. Are we going to let them continue, or are we finally going to take the opportunity to tell them to take their lies and propaganda and fuck off?
If we don’t do this, our children may very well grow up to worse than the woke of today, as they will be a product of it.
The best way to stop this is to steer culture towards the truth.
The alignment towards truth isn't just a goal; it's our moral imperative. In a world filled to the brim with misinformation and ideological agendas, steering culture towards truth becomes an act of defiance against those who deceive and manipulate. It's time to stand up against this tyranny. By championing truth, we empower ourselves and future generations to live honestly, with integrity, and freedom.
Together, let's give our children a brighter future.
Appeal to Allies
As consumers, we hold significant power to shape our culture by supporting films that align with our values. However, real and true transformation need more than individual actions—it requires collective effort and collaboration. To the groups below, we can greatly amplify the impact if we do it together. Let's harness our collective strength to challenge the woke and pave the way for a new era of authentic, merit-based filmmaking.
To the Pop Critics & Pundits
In recent years, there's been an explosion of pop culture critics, and anti-woke pundits who have amassed increasingly large followings by bashing or endlessly writing about the woke. If you are reading this, I’m sure a few names popped into your head, and even better, perhaps you are one of them. The woke certainly need to be kept in check, and I’m grateful for your efforts.
However, don’t you think we have reached the point of diminishing returns?
How many woke-bashing tweets or videos do we need?
While we are distracted by this we are not producing counter-culture.
What if you took just 10% of your time and used your immense platform to introduce us to new artists? It doesn’t have to be me—pick any artist that rocks your boat and give them some room. Have them on your show, tweet about them, interview them. The method doesn’t matter; the sharing is what’s important.
Take Megyn Kelly, for instance. She fell in love with the work of poet Joseph Massey, and every time she has him on her show, his book sales go through the roof. All it takes is for her to reserve a few minutes of her show for him. Another example is Jonathan Pageau and Jordan Peterson. Professor Peterson has been a patron of Jonathan for many years, and look at how he’s risen. Surely this is not the only reason, but when an artist is truly supported, they can achieve anything.
You have that same power in your deck.
Use it.
If you do, you will become part of the reason why artists break out, letting true culture shine. To directly steer culture is a fulfilling experience. Not to mention, helping defund woke capital is crucial—every dollar not sent to woke film studios is a dollar well spent and invested.
Let's make this shift together. Your influence will help usher in a new wave of genuine culture.
However, consider this a fair warning: many of us see you now as part of the controlled opposition, or worse. If you don't take action and use your platforms to promote real change in a timely fashion, my stance—and that of many others—will not remain as diplomatic.
The time for action is now.
To Conservatives
If we are to create a culture —particularly in cinema— that tackles the current system, we are going to need the support of conservatives as woke Hollywood will obviously never fund it, and they have close to unlimited funding.
Conservatives, you have no idea how your active participation is crucial in this cultural battle. You can make an enormous difference by financially supporting independent artists, providing mentorship, or offering assistance with networking, marketing, and other crucial aspects of their projects. Your involvement will amplify voices that challenge the mainstream narrative and promote principles of freedom, meritocracy, and truth in our cultural landscape. Right now, there is a ton of artists who only want to work and do just that.
Use us.
Before taking the plunge there are two things to remember:
The times demand that centrists and conservatives unite. It doesn’t matter if we don’t agree 100% on a variety of topics, the end goal of creating a competing and truthful culture is what matters most. Don’t be afraid to look outside your circle, or have an open mind when you happen to meet such an artist.
Once you do, regardless of their political leaning, the only reason why you can tell them about your high-end network, or the fact the you’ve helped creative projects before is if you intend on supporting them. If you don’t plan to, then keep that to yourself, otherwise this share will be seen as cruel flaunting.
To Other Artists
This is not a call to action just for filmmakers, but to all free-thinking artists. I’m a film director, and I need lots of funding to make my art. But if your main tool is a typewriter, an instrument, a brush, or a chisel, then do your thing.
Work as hard as you can, and flood the market and the spaces with your output. The more it is out there and the less woke culture will be consumed, and there’s nothing the woke establishment can do about this. Let’s start to offer a true alternative.
It doesn’t matter if you are part of a platform, or have clout on social media, just do your thing and let it go. Merit has a way to make the cream rise to the top.
Part of the Team
I am one man writing his own manifesto, but I’m not alone. I raised close to $75K to develop this project, not through bootstrapping, but pure hustle and countless cold calls. Thanks to this effort, we now have a company, a script, a budget, and a short film/teaser.
When you browse the package, you will see the incredible team I have assembled. These are folks who believe in my vision and want to contribute their skills, including Emmy and Grammy winners.
While I already have a great team, it is far from complete. If you are an artist or technician and wish to join Severance Day, then reach out to me. One of the goal of this film is to hire aligned individuals across the board so that we have a film production that fuels on merit, and become and example to follow. Don’t be shy and reach out to me, or share this with someone you know who might be a great fit.
Selling Out
Is the goal to defund woke capital or to help it? Unlike other heterodox studios that claim to be part of the fight only to sell their work once the woke come knocking with a check, I can tell you right now that Severance Day will never sell to them.
I’m making Severance Day for you.
How Can I Help?
There are many ways for you to support Severance Day. If you have the means, you can invest; the $26K price tag is quite affordable for those with play money to spare.
If you don't have those means, there are other ways you can contribute:
Dive into the Details: Familiarize yourself with the specifics about this film. You’ll find it’s incredibly cool and compelling.
Spread the Word: Share the film's vision and details throughout your personal and professional network.
Follow and Subscribe: Join the film’s X account (link below) to stay updated and show your support.
Amplify on Social Media: Share our updates on your X feed and be sure to tag us to increase our reach. #SeveranceDay
Severance Day is more than just a film; it is a cultural experience. You can take an active role in it by sharing it, watch as it is being made, participate in the various activities we’ll hold, and enjoying the film when it’s ready. Imagine the pride you’ll feel on the day of release, knowing your efforts are a key reason this film exists. Your help and support will make it happen.
It doesn’t matter how involved you become in Severance Day—from a simple retweet to actively sharing or even investing—every bit helps. In the digital age, it has never been easier to spread the word on something you are passionate about.
Conclusion
Aren’t you tired of the constant frustration, and endless woke bashing?
Wouldn’t you prefer to stand for something rather than against?
You may have been waiting for the perfect project to come along, but Severance Day is here, ready, and as high-grade and impactful as any project could be. There’s no need to wait for a bigger or better opportunity—this is it. I completely believe Severance Day will achieve all its goals and then some. Your support now can make a tangible difference, and I’m inviting you to do the same and embrace Severance Day wholeheartedly.
Together, let’s give the finger and sever our ties with the establishment by supporting Severance Day, a project that stands for truth and integrity. By doing so, we will not only create a film that reflects our values but also make way for a broader cultural movement.
Get ready; it’s going to be a mighty fun ride.
Philippe Gosselin
Here you can watch the Severance Day short film, which take place the day before the main story. Ardeth, one of the co-conspirators, ruminates on the plan, what it means to them, and the tremendous cost they may have to pay.
Next, you can watch my latest short film, Final Exam. I believe you will find I am fully capable of making high grade drama. What’s also special about my film is I chose Mena Massoud to play the student, against the wishes of my casting director. Six months later, he was chosen by Guy Ritchie and became Aladdin.
Finally, here’s the deck for Severance Day which expands upon what is discussed here, and provide with all the details needed to understand my vision behind it. You can save the document to your device.
If you don’t want to spoil the film, do skip the story section!
