# PRE-PRODUCTION UPDATE | I Was Happy Yesterday LLC

- Canonical URL: https://wefunder.com/feed/332210
- Entity ID: wefunder:feed_item:332210
- Published at: 2026-06-05 14:18:58 UTC
- Updated at: 2026-06-05 14:21:31 UTC

## Author
John Mathis

## Subject
I Was Happy Yesterday LLC

## Content
Hello,It’s John Mathis here, writer and director of I Was Happy Yesterday. I’m writing to you from London, where I’ve just landed to premiere our next film, The Devil Whispered My Name, at the Raindance Film Festival.I wanted to give you a quick update on what my team and I have been working on behind the scenes. As I'm sure you're aware, making a feature film is a massive undertaking with countless moving parts. Thankfully, I have an incredible team who are giving it their all while also balancing their day jobs, no nepo babies here!Right now, we're deep into several key areas of pre-production as we prepare to begin filming in October and November.First, we're in the thick of casting. Our team is reviewing hundreds of auditions as we search for the perfect actors to bring these characters to life. We're thrilled to have officially locked in Nick Stahl as our lead character, Brenner, a grizzled detective at the heart of the story. Nick brings a wealth of experience and has appeared in some of my favorite films, including The Thin Red Line, Sin City, and Terminator 3. With Nick on board, we've already set a high standard for the caliber of talent we want throughout the cast.Second, we're hard at work defining the visual language of the film. My cinematographer, Sam, who shot my last two feature films, and I are currently shot-listing the entire movie. This process involves mapping out every shot in advance and leaving as little to chance as possible. It's all about creating a clear visual blueprint for how each scene will look and feel on screen.We're drawing inspiration from films such as Taxi Driver, The French Connection, and Prisoners. The goal is to create a gritty crime film that feels raw, grounded, and lived-in. Imagine your favorite crime thriller from the 1970s, but with time travel. That's the world we're building with I Was Happy Yesterday.We're also interviewing a number of production designers, as the film's design elements will play a critical role in bringing this world to life.Finally, we're locking down locations. The film will be shot in Buenos Aires, Argentina, a city I fell in love with almost immediately and knew was perfect for this story. It's a massive, sprawling metropolis that feels like a blend of Berlin, Paris, and Madrid. Its unique character lends itself perfectly to the gritty sci-fi setting our story inhabits.There's still a tremendous amount of work ahead, but we're making great progress every day. I look forward to sharing more updates with you as we continue the journey toward production.When you invest in this film, you become part of the journey. My team and I will be documenting every step of the process, from pre-production all the way through distribution, giving you an inside look at what it truly takes to make a feature film. You'll have a front-row seat as we navigate the challenges, celebrate the victories, and bring this story to life.Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, for supporting us and believing in what we're creating. Your support makes this film possible, and I'm grateful to have you with us as we embark on this adventure together to make something truly thrilling, meaningful, and unforgettable.Long live cinema!– John Mathis (Director/Screenwriter)