Turner Brothers' 'FreeLance' Pilot Brings Fresh Midwest Perspective to Sundance
With their independent pilot "FreeLance," starring Spence Moore II, sibling filmmakers Justen and Julien Turner aimed to capture the authentic "bottom-up perspective" of young creatives striving to break into the entertainment industry. The duo meticulously crafted this comedy project by drawing inspiration from their own real-life experiences and the unpredictable journey of freelance work.
A Serendipitous Submission Story
When the Turner Brothers submitted their comedy pilot "FreeLance" for consideration at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival last year, they believed they had covered every detail. However, they overlooked one crucial element: their contact information. "It's a funny story," Justen recalled. "When we submitted, we didn't have any of our personal or contact information on the submission."
Being relatively new to the festival submission process, the brothers were uncertain about how Sundance would reach them if selected. Justen turned to online forums for advice and double-checked their submission, yet the missing details nearly jeopardized their opportunity. Fortunately, in late November, they received a pivotal phone call—though not directly from the festival.
"They ended up reaching out to our mom first, because her number is on our website, and she called us," Justen explained. "She was like, 'Call this number right now, it's Sundance.'"
Julien added, "We were on the phone when our mom told us to call back. We merged the call, and a programmer said, 'We just wanted to let you know that we want ["FreeLance"] to premiere at Sundance.'" The brothers reacted with composed excitement, but privately, they were elated. "We muted our phones, and I started running around outside in circles," Julien shared with a laugh. "It was definitely surreal. For the rest of the night, we were on cloud nine."
An Ode to the Creative Hustle
Selected for Sundance's episodic pilot showcase, "FreeLance" follows Lance, an aspiring filmmaker from Ohio played by Spence Moore II, as he documents his quest to make his first movie after moving in with a group of creative friends. This tight-knit, inexperienced crew of twenty-somethings navigates today's oversaturated creator market, taking on unconventional gigs to build their brands and support their dreams.
The series features a talented ensemble cast, including comedians and internet personalities such as Lou Young III, Lou Ratchett, Bernard "B Nard" Clark, René Vaca, Mel Mitchell, Christianee Porter, Kyle Flood, and Jaren Bretz, with Elijah Cooper and London Arrington also starring.
It's noteworthy that a comedic, Black-led project like "FreeLance" found a place at Sundance, a festival traditionally known for indie dramas and documentaries. Focusing on Gen-Z and Zillennial experiences, particularly those of young Black and brown creatives, the pilot stands out in this year's lineup. "It means the world," Justen said, to present such an unconventional story that aligns with Sundance's mission of uplifting independent voices.
"It very much matches the ethos of Sundance in terms of uplifting independent creators," he emphasized. "In this new world, where it can feel really lonely, and there's so much saturation in the market, it's easy to lose yourself in the crowd. We just wanted to show other creators that they are seen and heard, and there is levity to the situation."
Rooted in Midwest Realities
Unlike many industry-centric shows set in major cities like New York or Los Angeles, the Turner Brothers deliberately placed "FreeLance" in their hometown of Columbus, Ohio. "You typically see Gen-Z ensemble stories in New York, Los Angeles, or Atlanta," Julien noted. "But we felt like there's a huge market in the Midwest that no one's really tapped into."
Justen added, "Us setting 'FreeLance' in Ohio provides a base point for a lot of people all over the U.S. who can relate to not being in one of those big hubs and trying to figure it out when opportunities seem scarce."
Co-directed through their DreadHead Films banner, the pilot serves as a "roadmap" of the brothers' journey, transforming the unpredictable nature of freelance work into rich comedic material. "It's written based on our experiences," Justen said, highlighting the challenge of weaving personal anecdotes into a cohesive narrative.
Collaborative Spirit and Future Aspirations
The project resonated deeply with executive producer Kevin "KevOnStage" Fredericks, who was drawn to its "fresh, honest take on the creative hustle." He reflected, "The deadlines, the uncertainty, taking jobs because you love them but not getting paid yet—that was my entire early career."
Lead actor Spence Moore II, also an executive producer, connected with the story's portrayal of dedication and friendship. "I completely relate to how committed my character, Lance, is to making his dreams come true," he shared. Having promised to collaborate with the Turners after meeting at a college workshop years ago, Moore II finds it especially meaningful to debut at Sundance together. "Justen and Julien are what's next," he affirmed.
Looking ahead, the Turner Brothers hope to secure a distribution partner who "sees the vision" and can help bring the full season to life. They aim to amplify the show's message to inspire aspiring creators. "I hope it makes people feel less alone," Fredericks said. "I want 'FreeLance' to feel like a mirror and a beacon for creatives—a reminder that this messy, uncertain phase is part of the process."
"FreeLance" premieres at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on January 27, marking a significant milestone for the Turner Brothers and their heartfelt tribute to the creative journey.
