The Making of Me

Aim

A rape survivor films her past, turning trauma into art while a crew witnesses the painful reality of her healing journey.

"The Making of Me" documents the challenging production of a film based on a devastating true story. At 18 years old, Tonia was trapped and raped by four college football players. For over 3 decades, she buried the nightmare, building a life on top of unexamined trauma—until she finally began to write it all down.

This short documentary captures the vulnerable creative process behind the camera as Tonia transitioned from a private survivor to a first-time feature director confronting her past in front of a cast and crew. Through candid interviews, the documentary explores:

• The Catalyst: How a sudden, real-life social media notification triggered decades of repressed memories and forced Tonia to face her abusers.
• The Catharsis of Writing: Tonia’s realization that she could only begin to heal from the assault once she put her pain into a script.
• The Emotional Toll: The immense weight felt by the actors and crew as they meticulously recreated Tonia’s lived reality without sensationalizing her trauma.
• The Power of Support: The vital role Tonia’s husband and family played, whose unconditional love gave her the safety to revisit her darkest moments on set.

More than just a standard "behind-the-scenes" featurette, this documentary is a profound exploration of how art can become a mechanism for truth, justice, and survival. It proves that while trauma remains a permanent part of a survivor's history, rewriting the narrative can offer the ultimate path to freedom.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 23rd November 2026 at 12:08pm CST