January 22, 2014
NBC Pilot
I spent nearly 10 hours over the weekend filming a pilot about my story with NBC Universal. The documentary will air on the Esquire Network. I would like to thank my mother, former lawyer, Joel Athey, and friends, Steve Chavez and Brad Fullmer for participating. Additionally, I appreciate FBI Agent, and friend, Paul Bertrand for taking the time to contribute to the story.
This interview was a real production. Chris Holt, producer, served as the interviewer. Along with Chris were several crew members who took part in the production. Additionally, my wonderful wife, Sandra, sat alongside me and listened as I opened up about the motives that drove me as a young stockbroker.
I came into contact with the production company, Nutopia, through my close friend, Walt Pavlo. Through my calls with Nutopia I opened up about the mistakes I made and steps I have taken to try to redeem myself. As a matter of transparency and disclosure, I sent all of the materials from my case, and my two books and case study, to Chris and his team at Nutopia.
Much of the interview was enjoyable, however, it is no surprise that opening up in such detail about my crime was difficult. To this day and despite sharing my story hundreds of times I still cringe when I think and talk about some of the forces that helped corrupt my character. Indeed, I always knew what I was doing was wrong, but I did not fully appreciate how every action or inaction could influence the rest of my life.
In prison, my close friend and mentor Michael Santos helped me embrace the concept: tell it early, tell it all, tell it yourself. Opening up to the degree that I do for some seems insane--I have been told this. But their perspective is different. They have not endured the stigma that accompanies a prison term, and do not understand the perceptions people have for those who have been to prison. The journey towards reconciliation is in many ways paradoxical. In other words, the more I open up and talk about the decisions that led to such shame, the better I become. Why? Because in sharing my details, I put a human face on the subject of ethics and how good people can do bad things. As a human being I acknowledge my flaws, but I invite the world to hold me accountable as I take measurable steps to make amends for the pain and shame I brought to so many. Plus, opening up is cathartic, it frees me, and allows me to live with dignity. Too many of my brothers from prison try to live in the shadows, pretending it never happened. I have worked too hard to run from anything. Owning it, as Michael helped teach me, helps me live with purpose and meaning that I can become something more than the bad decisions of my past.
Admittedly, I have been filmed before, but never to this extent. Chris, and his team were true professionals. Chris, I knew, had a tough job to do. That job ensured that I take him through the journey and in so doing open up about some facts that he knew would be difficult for me. Indeed, several times throughout the production I had to break and compose myself. Through it all I knew I could serve the production best if I spoke with both honesty and humility. Even though cameras were around me, and people told me they were inspired by my story, this was still a project of shame, regret. Certainly, I conveyed my feelings of remorse and what had gone wrong with my sense of morality. I also conveyed all of the ancillary consequences that follow a conviction and prison term.
Unlike The Wolf of Wall Street, our objective, as I saw it, was not to glorify my life as a broker or prisoner. The idea was simply to help others understand the consequences of violating the universal code of right and wrong, of succumbing to temptations. At it's root, I would serve as an example of a young man who made bad decisions and had to learn to endure, to develop a sense of perspective and find a way to thrive through the consequences.
While driving home from the production I didn't say much. Perhaps it was because I had just said tens of thousands of words over the prior two days and I was tired. That would make sense, I suppose. The real reason, I knew, was because I needed some time to think, to gain an appreciation of how far I have come since reading the headline: United States of America v Justin Paperny.
I do not when the documentary will air or what portions will gain more attention. Certainly, I can be made to look like nothing but an unrepentant manipulator of the public markets, or a man who took the time to own his misdeeds and is spending the rest of his life proving worthy of the second chance so many have generously bestowed upon me. Time will tell. I do know that Chris understands the whole story, and I believe he will tell it well. The kind message Chris left me before leaving for London meant a lot to me.
I will write more about the project when I learn more.
Justin Paperny
hey Justin,
I hadn’t seen this post until today. I think the film about your life is finally finished, it has been a tricky one to get the tone right and to not, as you say sensationalise and create a ‘wolf of wall street’. I am happy with the finished film and I hope you will be to. We are just waiting for NBC to test the pilot and hopefully sign off on a series.
I really hope you like what has been made, I think you will as it is your story in your words. I am really proud of the work and hopefully once it’s been broadcast we can sit down and have a beer.
I have been over in LA twice since we met, on other projects. I think about you and your life often and wish you and your lovely wife well.
Take care
Chris
Thanks for the update, Chris. I will reach out next month. Some updates to share with you. Send my best to everyone. Justin