A fallen NBA star walks into high schools and changes everything—no pep talks, just raw truth.
Chris Herren, former professional basketball player, author and wellness advocate, has shared his story of recovery with over 1 million people nationwide. The First Day film chronicles this journey revealing Herren’s vulnerability and his profound connections with high school students who, in turn, have shared their stories of struggle and strength. Through the power of storytelling, The First Day addresses issues that school systems, communities and people across the country are impacted by, directly or indirectly, each day including substance use, other harmful behaviors and mental wellness.
Direction
Hock lets silence land like a gut punch.
Writing
Herren's monologues feel improvised, not scripted.
Production
Gymnasium aesthetics that reject documentary polish.
Director
Jonathan Hock
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Herren's 2011 ESPN '30 for 30' (Unguarded) covered similar ground, but this classroom-focused pivot reflects post-2016 shifts in documentary ethics—centering subjects as participants, not just subjects.
Director Jonathan Hock spent three years embedded with Herren before filming, rejecting traditional vérité in favor of staged 'encounters' that students knew were being recorded.
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