

ABOUT THE FILM
Over the past fifty years, boys and young men have steadily disengaged from school, work, and broader society. They’re falling behind academically, struggling with loneliness and isolation, and facing rising rates of substance abuse and suicide.
This 45-minute documentary draws on the influential work of Richard V. Reeves’ “Of Boys and Men”, illuminating these challenges through powerful data and compelling personal stories. Many of us have experienced these issues first-hand, but it can be difficult to talk about them. It’s not an either-or choice: caring more about boys and men does not mean caring less about women and girls.
Set in rural Vermont, the film brings national data to life with engaging animation accompanying lived experience featuring young men, educators, mentors, and trailblazing programs that are working to re-engage boys and young men in their communities and reshape their futures.



UPCOMING SCREENINGS
Community Hosted Screening


HOST A SCREENING
Thank you for your interest in hosting a community screening for Gone Guys!
Fill out the form below to let us know a bit more about yourself and we will be in touch.
Or send us an email with your other questions: [email protected]


Press
Download Press Kit“Vermont film gives voice to ‘quiet crisis’ facing boys and young men.”
VT Digger July 9, 2025
"Eye-opening, data-driven, and deeply human."
Making Media Now Podcast July 26, 2025
gives boys, young men, and those working directly with them ... the chance to speak.”
Rutland Herald July 26, 2025
"Gone Guys will help people feel ‘a little less lonely.’"
Seven Days August 6, 2025
"Making movies in Vermont."
Vermont Edition (VT Public) July 17, 2025
"Will both spark dialogue and help Vermonters find solutions to complex problems."
The Bridge July 28, 2025
Kevin Ellis with the Director of the Film "Gone Guys", and State Treasurer Michael Pieciak
Kevin Ellis and Chad Ervin, film director.
What Matters This Week: Lauren Curry and Dan Smith
The philanthropic charge to 'do good on behalf of society' …to create a productive space to hold a conversation about the challenges facing boys & young men.
Jay Craven: New Offerings Enliven Catamount Arts Film Scene
Digs into Vermont dimensions of the national dilemma of cultural disconnection by too many boys and men.
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MEET THE TEAM

Chad Ervin Producer / Director
read moreChad has worked in a variety of roles on around thirty-five documentaries, including films for PBS’s Frontline and American Experience. As a lead film editor his films have premiered at South by Southwest and the Toronto International Film Festival and won Emmy, Peabody, Polk, and DuPont Columbia awards. “Coal’s Deadly Dust,” (co-producer / editor), was nominated for Emmy and Peabody Awards and was featured as a question on “Jeopardy!” His storytelling strives to explore complicated issues with compassion for the human impact behind the statistics. He co-owns Well Told Films in Montpelier and works on film & media project for clients in Vermont and nationwide. He is a co-founder and president of Vermont Production Collective and also serves as Secretary of the board of directors of ORCA Media and on the Steering Committee for the Vermont Creative Network.

Angela Snow Producer / Line Producer
read moreAngela has over 15 years of experience as Production Manager and Producer in Docu-Reality TV for networks such as Sundance, Discovery, and NatGeo. Shows include Beat Bobby Flay, Deadliest Catch, the 2008 Democratic National Convention and Inauguration, and Academy Awards. As Director/Producer she has completed two feature documentaries, which filmed around the world and released at film festivals, internationally on VOD platforms like Hulu, and through educational distribution. Recently after returning to her home state of Vermont, she has created content with sponsors such as ThinkVT, VT Dept of Labor, and others. As a self proclaimed creative organizational nerd, she enjoys bringing all the complicated pieces together to tell a meaningful story in a unique way.

SPENCER CHUMBLEY Director of Photography
read moreAfter a decade working in different roles of news and documentary production, Spencer specializes as a cinematographer and a director of photography. Chumbley has filmed documentaries in over 20 countries including Libya, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Ukraine, South Sudan, Gaza and more. He has worked extensively with correspondents and presenters while filming hosted documentary series, but is no stranger to single camera vérité coverage. His work behind the camera has won a Webby, Digital Publishing Award and has been nominated for several News and Documentary Emmys, a Prix Gémeaux and a Canadian Screen Award.

MYLES DAVID JEWELL Director of Photography
read moreMyles is a freelance film and video maker. He runs Pennington Productions and works independently on both feature documentaries and narrative films. He has directed and produced his own work since 2008, including film festival laurels for both his short and feature documentaries. His scholarship focuses on the tension between fiction and non-fiction and is rooted in Ethnographic approaches to media. He believes firmly in the ethics of representation and collaborative approaches to media production. His interdisciplinary approach crosses many areas of interest, including but not limited to values based documentary, co-collaboration and creation, as well as community media access. He is a Lecturer at the University of Vermont and earned a Master of Arts in Cinema Studies from New York University and an Advanced Certificate from The Program in Culture and Media.

Duane Peterson III Editor
read moreAs a film and video editor I help bring projects from concept to completion for a wide variety of clients, from independent filmmakers to international sports organizations.
Growing up in Vermont, I arrived at video production through skateboarding and skiing. After high school I interned as a full time editor at a TV station in Cape Town, South Africa, a formative experience where I learned about the power of editing and discovered my unique ability to craft stories in post. From there, I studied Film and Digital Media at the University of California, Santa Cruz where my thesis film won the Critical Vision Award, the film department’s highest honor. After college I worked as a freelance video editor for clients in the cycling industry and moonlighted as a pedicab operator before returning to Vermont with my wife Jennifer. In 2019 I helped create the Climate Action Film Festival, the first festival of its kind focusing on solutions to the climate crisis. I now specialize in short form marketing content for web and social channels, as well as short and medium length documentary films.
In addition to my editing work, I’m the programming director at ShortsBlock, a new platform built to connect powerful short films with engaged audiences at in-person screenings, while compensating filmmakers.

Laura Page Associate Producer
read moreLaura is a Vermont-based producer and photographer with over 15 years experience turning creative chaos into organized, meaningful productions. She spent nearly a decade in Los Angeles working on large-scale commercial productions for brands like Hulu, Nike, and AT&T, before returning home to Vermont for more trees, less traffic, and the chance to work on projects that matter. Since then, she’s produced branded and documentary content for companies like Ben & Jerry’s, Cabot Creamery, and Seventh Generation—embracing the all-hands-on-deck nature of New England production. Also an experienced photographer and a graphic design student in RISD’s Certificate Program, Laura brings a strong visual sensibility to her work—built on the belief that strong imagery can elevate meaningful stories.

P. ANDREW WILLIS Composer
read moreA Boston based composer who’s been crafting original music for pictures for two decades. His scoring work includes documentary, Citizen Sleuth which recently premiered at SXSW, the dark comedy, Uncle Nick featuring comedian Brian Posehn, several projects for American Experience Films, including The Mine Wars, Mr. Tornado, and American Oz, as well as contributing music to many projects by Academy Award winning director, Errol Morris, including First Person, Tabloid, and The Fog of War. Besides working with instrumentalists from the Boston Symphony Orchestra and others, Andrew enjoys performing elements in his scores and has a growing collection of unique instruments and noise makers. When not scoring for films and TV, Andrew is composing and performing experimental and improvised music, and is currently playing bass and synthesizer with Trinary System (ex Mission of Burma).

Mark Lopez Animator
read moreMark is an Emmy-nominated Animation Director who specializes in illustrated 2D mixed-media storytelling that shines a light on forgotten corners of society. He was the Animation Director for the feature-length documentary about community connection, “Join or Die”, which premiered at the 2023 SXSW Film Festival and can now be seen on Netflix. Mark’s short film, “Segregated By Design”, was a Vimeo “Best of the Year” nominee, “Best of Fest” at the 2020 Better Cities Film Festival, winner of a Motion Award, and was featured in many other film festivals around the world. Mayors, Professors, Libraries, Real Estate Agents, Corporations, churches, and community organizers around the country have all hosted screenings of “Segregated By Design”. It is now included in many University and High School curricula. Mark also won a BDA World Gold Award while a student at Savannah College of Art and Design. Silkworm is Mark’s studio practice.

WELL TOLD FILMS Production Company
read moreWell Told Films provides full-service video production & post-production services.

The Tarrant Foundation Presenting Partner
read moreExecutive Producer: Lauren Curry
Since 2005, The Richard E. & Deborah L. Tarrant Foundation has invested heavily in Vermont, supporting innovative education strategies, grassroots non-profits, and local communities.

The Vermont Community Foundation Presenting Partner
read moreExecutive Producer: Felipe Rivera, Vice President for Strategy and Communications
The Vermont Community Foundation serves as a catalyst for social and economic progress in Vermont, supporting initiatives that build stronger communities and expand opportunity for all.

Resources
Gone Guys examines the challenges faced by boys and young men in the United States today through the lens of experience in rural Vermont. The cascade of impact is not felt by boys and men alone. As we talk more in communities and at kitchen tables about what’s happening, a variety of thoughtful, thorough, and innovative perspectives on root causes, related topics, and potential solutions can be helpful.
Featured videos
Dig deeper into the programs and themes explored in Gone Guys in these expanded portraits of the people and places featured in the film. Watch extended videos from Richard Reeves’ visit to Vermont in 2024, including his full keynote address and a panel discussion event.
READING LIST
Consideration of the issues facing boys and men is not a new phenomenon. There is a large and growing genre of books and reporting on the topic, as well as active new research. We’ve included here a selection of the works we found helpful in making this documentary. Some are data focused, others explore philosophical perspectives. Because we believe stories can add powerful context and connection, we’ve included works of fiction that seek to embody and personalize the experience of boys and young men today.