One year after the suicide of YouTube star Lucas Skyler, he livestreams into his own memorial service. Is this just another publicity stunt, a call for help, or...? Lucas insists that he jumped—but when he returns to NYC, ominous “Dead or Alive” videos appear on his TikTok and bigger questions arise. Who’s posting, who jumped and why? And when our online behavior outlives us, is there hope for redemption?

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An independent TV Pilot that explores the redemption of a fictional YouTube star, Lucas Skyler, #Likes4Lucas aims to help at-risk teens struggling with digital addiction.

 

Currently in production, #Likes4Lucas is designed for release first as a short film and then as the pilot for an eight-part episodic series. 

 

Why is this important?

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Today’s teens spend more time with Big Tech than with schools, parents and peers.  Even worse, according to the Surgeon General AND the American Psychological Association, a mounting body of research shows that young people’s mental health suffers in direct relation to increased use of social media. And this is no accident:  Big Tech is intentional.  Platforms target young people with addictive content; personalized algorithms keep them online; business models encourage polarization.

 

#Likes4Lucas is about our need for human contact, happiness, fulfillment—and how confrontation with truth can help us balance technological breakthroughs with emotional growth.  Our ultimate goal is to help at-risk teens break negative patterns and rebuild self-respect.

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Along with film festival screenings, we plan to bring #Likes4Lucas to In-School Presentations, Mental Health Conferences and Big-Tech Colloquia: events designed to spark conversations, raise awareness and inspire healthier habits. To open minds and save lives.

 

Support the film and its impact campaign with your tax-deductible contribution.  Thank you!

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#Likes4Lucas is a sponsored project of the New York Foundation for the Arts.

 

#Likes4Lucas is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

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