Filmmakers fundraising on Seed & Spark to finance film, raise money for firefighter nonprofit and bring issue of first responder mental health to forefront
LOS ANGELES, January 15, 2026–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Christopher Meloni (“Law & Order: SVU, “Oz”) will star in “The Sound it Makes,” a short film that raises awareness of mental health among firefighters and the importance of supporting the wellness of these first responders.
The short film recently launched a fundraising effort on Seed & Spark, a crowdfund platform built for filmmakers. Producers of the film exceeded their $30,000 goal within 48 hours of launch. The campaign will continue for a full 45 days with funds raised over their goal going toward the short film’s festival run and development costs for their feature-length film “Inhalation.”
People wishing to support the film and firefighter wellness with a tax-deductible donation can do so at https://seedandspark.com/fund/the-sound-it-makes?token=e1328095389b60468bcc5db21c89b8e3bd217d4b84db0d147664aa32b775c149.
“We hope this film sheds light on the mental health challenges first responders face,” said Meloni. “Firefighters deal with significant trauma, and we want to raise awareness about the need for better support, both during their careers and after.”
“The Sound it Makes” was written and will be directed by John Lavelle and is adapted from his award-winning play “Inhalation.” It is being produced by Zack Rice and Christine Woods of Feed You Films, co-produced by Jamie Sparer Roberts and executive produced by Marsha Stephanie Blake, in association with Sima Studios. Woods, who will also appear in the film, has a brother who is a firefighter and Lavelle’s father was a lieutenant in the NYFD. The project is rooted in their personal connection to firefighter families.
After a catastrophic injury to Doc Ellis (Meloni), a member of his engine company The Soul Patrol, Lieutenant Boog finds himself at the center of an investigation regarding the mental health of his probationary firefighter. What is revealed are wounds deeper than the flesh, and far more dangerous when left to fester.
The filmmakers have partnered with the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance, a nonprofit organization that provides behavioral health workshops to fire departments and EMS organizations around the world, focusing on behavioral health awareness with an emphasis on suicide prevention and connecting first responders and their families to support resources.
