Morehouse grad to debut comedy pilot ‘FreeLance’ at Sundance Film Festival

Last year, Columbus, Ohio-based writer and producer Julien Turner wanted to create a television show that reimagines the values of his alma mater, Morehouse College.

He and his younger brother, Justen, were already successful, producing and directing award-winning commercials for Nike and Beats By Dre, but they wanted to pursue another creative venture.

The brothers gathered friends, current Morehouse College students, alumni and actors on Memorial Day weekend to shoot a pilot episode on a small budget inspired by their journey as young Midwestern filmmakers.

The siblings realized brotherhood, self-sufficiency and humor are essential to their filmmaking, which leads to their work seen by diverse audiences.

“There aren’t a lot of TV shows or projects that are ensembles of Black men, so we wanted to tell a story about how we’re finding our way in this new era and utilizing our resources to achieve goals in a world that’s constantly changing,” Julien Turner, 27, said.

Julien Turner, the 27-year-old writer and co-director of "FreeLance," is a graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta. (Courtesy of DreadHead Films)

The Turner Brothers are co-directors of “FreeLance,” a sitcom about a young independent filmmaker who lives in the same home with four creative, ambitious friends. It makes its world premiere as an official selection at Sundance Film Festival on Tuesday in Park City, Utah.

“FreeLance” is one of three scripted programs chosen for Sundance’s Episodic Pilot Showcase. The film festival, which connects independent filmmakers with major studios, begins Thursday and ends Feb. 1.

Julien Turner, who studied marketing, hopes “FreeLance” is well-received by viewers and film executives.

“We’re trying to find a partner that will allow us to tell stories with the same authenticity it took to get it done. We wanted to showcase our writing, capacity to produce, shoot at a quality you’d see on television, and build a community where we’re at,” he said.

Editor Justen Turner, who studied marketing at Ohio State University, said he’s there to network.

“We’re coming in eager to learn as much as we can, hear what other filmmakers have to say about their processes and establish ourselves as a legitimate voice with fun stories to tell,” Justen Turner, 23, said.

Justen Turner, the 23-year-old editor and co-director of "FreeLance," is the younger brother of Julien Turner. (Courtesy of DreadHead Films)

In 2012, the Turner Brothers developed an interest in filmmaking as kids watching their dad record family home movies. Their parents gave the brothers flip cameras and access to their mother’s iMovie editing software on her MacBook.

The brothers turned regular trips to the movies into homework.

“We took notes like it was film school, and we tried to make films anytime we were on Christmas or summer breaks,” Julien Turner said.

Justen Turner said they became confident in their storytelling. “We would run around the neighborhood, cast our friends, shoot fake movie trailers, short films, emulate the action and superhero stuff we saw on TV. We took it seriously, so our peers took it more seriously, and we grew our village,” he said.

From left, actors Bernard "B Nard" Cook, Elijah Cooper, Spence Moore II, Lou Ratchett and Lou Young III in a scene from "FreeLance." (Courtesy of DreadHead Films)

In 2014, the Turner Brothers started their production company, DreadHead Films. The entrepreneurs started out capturing local sporting and community events around their home base.

Years later, the Turner Brothers were directing commercials for Cheez-It and Under Armour. The brothers’ collaboration with street wear brand Social Status on its short film, “Free Lunch,” earned a Webby Award in 2023.

Julien Turner said filmmaking involves trial and error.

“We want to make really good stuff that people resonate with. It takes working overtime, getting shut down to learn there are permits needed or going to film festivals to understand there are levels to this,” he said.

Actors Rene Vaca (left) and Spence Moore II in a scene from "FreeLance." (Courtesy of DreadHead Films)

The Turner Brothers are working on producing a full season of “FreeLance” and a script for a sci-fi project. Heading to Sundance makes them optimistic that they’ll get studio support to complete it.

“There are endless ideas based on our journey, which we’re still going through. It hasn’t always felt realistic to follow our dreams, so it makes us excited to get the show off the ground,” Justen Turner said.

Julien Turner hopes his Sundance debut inspires talent in Ohio to pursue creative ventures in their state.

“It feels like that door is opening so we can join those conversations with filmmakers that we love. We wanted to create a show that illustrates what those lessons are,” he said.