While the script for "Two Steps From Hope" was written by Justin Landis, the story itself was a collaborative effort of the students of Gaffer Media. The class initially broke into three focus groups & developed three unique stories. Each group produced a teaser trailer for it's proposed film, and the trailers were screened at a public community event where viewers were able to cast votes on which film they wanted to see. After "Two Steps From Hope" (originally called "Two Doors Down") won the vote contest, the class unified, and, through multiple creative group sessions, wrote the story. "Two Steps From Hope" is a film written by teens, for teens.
In 2014, Gaffer Media co-founders Kevin Stirratt, George A Johnson, and Matt Moore met to discuss launching a summer film school program for teens that would allow students to learn how to communicate their faith to their peers through short films. By 2016, the vision had transformed into a one of a kind film school where students produce a feature length movie & release it in theaters. Production for the company's first feature length film, "Two Steps From Hope", began on July 11, 2016.
Gaffer Media students worked in virtually all positions on the set of "Two Steps From Hope", except for directing (George A. Johnson) and cinematography (Anthony Griffin) but students shadowed those jobs as well.