Agoraphobia: extreme or irrational fear of entering open or crowded places, of leaving one’s own home, or of being in places from which escape is difficult. “HomeBound” is the story of Jamie Rockwell, a woman burdened by severe agoraphobia. After losing her therapy dog, she must muster the courage within, not only to find her dog, but ultimately, to find herself.

Director’s Vision for ‘HomeBound’

I wrote this script (pre-COVID) to shed new light on a paralyzing condition that burdens over 4 million American souls. I was inspired by the trials and tribulations, and ultimately the perseverance, of a close friend who suffered from (and overcame) a severe case of agoraphobia. Telling this story from the inside out felt important, and presenting the film in a visual style that allows the audience to experience the debilitating nature of this condition felt like a challenge I needed to undertake.

I didn’t realize, of course, that only weeks after production would wrap, the entire country (and the world) would find itself grappling with a similar fate: a fear of the unknown and a distrust of life beyond one’s own front door.

The experience as a whole impacted everyone involved, the responsibility was huge, and the need to be authentic was weighing on every creative spirit on set. It was imperative to treat this film with the respect that the subject, and ultimately, that the human condition deserves. The team, myself included, came out the other end of this with a heightened level of compassion and admiration for every human fighting battles that no one but themselves can necessarily see.

I am extremely proud of this film, and this has certainly been a stand-out experience for me as a filmmaker, a storyteller, and a human being.