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# Documentary delves into the world of debt
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/documentary-delves-into-the-world-of-debt/
- Published: 2007-09-21T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T02:54:51.000Z
- Author: Melody Hanatani
- Tags: Education, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*Exposing debt crisis BY MELODY HANATANI I Daily Press Staff Writer*

CITYWIDE Debt knows no boundaries.

Trisha and Janne, both mothers of college students, sit at a dining room table with solemn faces facing a lone camera, speaking about how their children amassed thousands of dollars in credit card debt.

They also share another thing in common — their children committed suicide.

The two Oklahomans are featured in a documentary examining a growing debt crisis currently gripping the nation. The average American household owes more than $9,000 in credit card debts according to experts.

“Maxed Out” is directed by Santa Monica resident James Scurlock, a part-time filmmaker who made his living as a business investor until 2001 when he moved to the west coast from Philadelphia and produced his first documentary, “Parents of the Year.”

In the documentary, which will be screened at the Landmark Theatre in the Westside Pavilion next weekend, Scurlock takes the audience on a trip around the country to hear stories of how some Americans have fallen victim to debt. The documentary also features interviews with attorneys and financial experts.

“The common denominator was people are always drowning in debt,” Scurlock said.

The film was released in 15 cities this spring — around the time of the subprime meltdown, which caused companies like Santa Monica-based Fremont General Corporation to sell its subprime lending business.

“Two years ago, people didn’t even know what a subprime mortgage was,” Scurlock said.

Scurlock conceived the idea for the film nearly three years ago, intrigued by the topic of debt because it is one of the two most popular New Year’s resolutions besides losing weight. He originally intended to take a comedic approach similar to “Super Size Me,” but the film took on a serious, darker tone.

Out of 100 scheduled interviews, some of which were canceled by the subject because they were uncomfortable about disclosing their personal financial struggles, only 20 made the final cut.

“We would fly out somewhere and find out they didn’t want to do an interview,” Scurlock said. “There is so much shame wrapped around this subject.”

The film crew made a trip out to Norman, Okla. where Trisha and Janne were interviewed. The women were once strangers, now united in their effort to protect students from credit card companies. Trisha’s daughter owed more than $2,000 in debt.

Janne speaks of when she accompanied her son when he moved on campus at a Dallas university, noticing the strong presence of credit card representatives. She figured her then 18-year-old son would not be swayed, believing there was no way a kid with no job could be approved for a credit card.

“He got to the point where he had gotten 12 credit cards and he was still making minimum wage,” she said in the documentary, listing some of the cards which included two Master Cards, a Visa, a Discover and even a Neiman Marcus store card. Her son owed approximately $12,000.

The intent of the film is to not lay the blame on any one entity but rather focuses on how behavior has changed during the past few decades. While the behavior of the consumer has remained the same over time, that of the credit card and banking industries has changed, Scurlock explained One of the biggest reasons why society has accumulated such a large debt is consumers often find spending money as a form of therapy, going shopping and alleviating the pain with the swipe of a credit card, Viecco said.

It’s not just reckless spending as even the most frugal person can fall on hard times with a trip to the hospital for a medical emergency.

“We’re consuming well beyond our means,” he said. The film will be screened at the Landmark Theatre on Sept. 29\. To reserve a seat at the screening, contact 1-888- 940-3222 or online at www.debtandcreditadvisors.com

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 21, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/092107.pdf?ref=smdp.com)