Sam Baldoni, Martin Sheen, Erin Cook and Adam Ropp on set during filming of The One. Photo by Zachary Burns
The One starring Martin Sheen, will arrive in theaters Nov. 5.
Guthrie Mayor Adam Ropp is taking on a different role outside city hall, helping bring a faith-based Christmas film to theaters this November, as producer of “The One.”
The film explores homelessness, drug addiction, mental illness and the role faith can play in overcoming life’s challenges. Inspired by Enid’s towering Christmas tree, known as “The One,” the movie combines the holiday season with a message of compassion, hope and God’s grace.
Ropp said he was drawn to the project because it addresses several difficult subjects while delivering an inspiring message.
“I don’t think I’ve ever come across a film that tackled so many difficult subjects while still delivering such an inspiring message,” Ropp said.
Fellow producer Erin Elizabeth Cook approached Ropp about the project, knowing he was an Oklahoma film producer and a person of faith. He joined the team and helped develop the script, cast actors, secure filming locations and oversee other aspects of production.
One of the biggest challenges was coordinating filming around Enid’s Christmas tree, which stands more than 100 feet tall and plays a central role in the story. The production team had a limited window to film while the tree was in place.
“We had to coordinate our cast’s availability, locations, and the entire production schedule around that one window,” Ropp said.
The cast includes Martin Sheen, Jana Kramer, Nick Zano and Olivia Sanabia, along with Ashlyn Tomlin, daughter of Christian music artist Chris Tomlin.
Working on the film also gave Ropp a deeper understanding of the connection between foster care and homelessness. He said research suggests roughly one in three young people who leave foster care may experience homelessness by age 26.
Ropp said he was especially struck by what happens when young people age out of the foster care system at 18. After spending much of their childhood in a system intended to provide care and stability, some suddenly find themselves on their own, without family to turn to or the financial support needed to begin adulthood.
“Imagine being 18 years old, with no family to turn to, no financial support, and being expected to figure out life on your own,” Ropp said. “It’s heartbreaking, and I think it’s something more Americans need to know about.”
He hopes the film sparks conversations about how communities can better support these young adults as they transition into adulthood, rather than leaving them to navigate housing, employment and other challenges alone.
The story also encourages audiences to look beyond a person’s circumstances and consider the experiences that may have led them there.
“It’s easy to judge someone based on where they are in life without knowing what they’ve been through,” Ropp said. “Sometimes the circumstances that led them there began when they were children, through no fault of their own.”
The film does not shy away from the difficult realities of homelessness, addiction and mental illness. Ropp said the production team also made a deliberate effort to preserve the story’s faith-based message.
“We made a conscious decision to stay true to the original story and its message of faith,” he said.
As the film reaches theaters Nov. 5, Ropp hopes audiences leave with a renewed sense of compassion and a better understanding of the challenges faced by people in their communities.
“I hope they walk away feeling like someone finally told their story. That someone understands what they’ve been through and how they ended up where they are. I want them to know that their circumstances aren’t necessarily the result of bad choices or personal shortcomings.” Ropp said. “I hope they walk away feeling inspired, knowing that their story isn’t over and that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”