LOG: He searched for freedom in the skies - he found it in a prison cell. A triumph of the human spirit over devastating odds, this true story of one man’s journey to make a difference in his life unleashes forces that change his life and the lives of countless others.

SYNOPSIS: When there’s nowhere left to hide, hide in plain sight. Take an alias. Stay safe. Protect the kids. A Matter Of Time is a true story of an American Dream gone wrong, a nightmare of a man’s journey through hell as he descends from all-around good guy, decorated military pilot, father and entrepreneur into the depths of despair in the brutal federal prison system. Running from the law and the mess he’s made of his life, Don becomes Gary Ryan, a high school friend killed in a car accident.

Don/Gary is a war veteran who suffers PTSD nightmares and the stress of living under another name, hiding from his past. He knows he's a wanted man.
 

As Gary, he moves his two sons and fiancee to Sedona, Arizona, starts an investment business and re-creates his version of the American Dream. When his past catches up five years later he’s arrested and forced to face the consequences of his crimes.

The arrest reveals his betrayal, and the crimes shock his community, business partners, friends and family. Prison is beyond brutal. In custody while waiting trial, Don is extorted, threatened and charged with crimes he didn’t commit. A former fugitive, he’s placed in solitary confinement for four months, triggering his PTSD that nearly kills him. Confusion, disorientation, fear and loneliness become his daily routine. Thoughts of his children are his only relief.

Physical incarceration is a constant. But his mind is his own. He finds a mentor, and learns to meditate. In order to survive, he must find the courage and self-respect to overcome terror and adversity. When all seems lost and hopeless, he finds purpose and meaning in his life by helping others. Seeing how many inmates can't read or write, and have no plans for their lives after prison, he starts teaching them, which leads him to create a prison reform curriculum. At his trial, the crimes which carry a higher prison term are dropped. He's now facing only six years, instead of 25 under the RICO Act governing syndicated crimes.

Don helping his fellow inmates learn to read and write garners attention at the federal level with the U.S. Parole Board. He's out in two-and-a-half years and reunited with his children. His proposal and ideas are still in use today. Be cool. Stay Calm. It’s just a matter of time.

Post Script:

Finally free, Don Kirchner returned to Sedona where he founded The Society for Return to Honor
and co-founded two community programs to facilitate re-entry of former offenders. He conducts workshops in prisons and jails and his efforts brought attention to criminal justice reform. Don’s latest book, Beyond the Chaos, an Amazon best seller, was published in 2023.
 

Writing Team:

David Wisnievitz (story by) has a producing track record of 40 plus years. Among his 17 producer credits, he co-produced Marvin’s Room, Sliding Doors, Training Day, and Searching for Bobby Fischer, and  Executive Produced A Civil Action.

Hester Schell, MFA (co-writer) author, playwright, optioned and produced screenwriter. She is the author of CASTING REVEALED: A Guide for Film Directors. A retired Professor of Film and Theatre, she lives in Portland, Oregon. Optioned screenplay, INVISIBLE, another co-write, is in preproduction. http://hesterschellcreative.com/?page_id=46

Jose Huguez* (co-writer) worked on an early first draft. He lives in Kansas City.