Editor's note: This story was updated to better describe the Netflix project.
Are you a deployed service member? Father of a soon-to-be bride or groom? Worried you might not make it home for the wedding — or that their 400-person reception might just break the bank?
If you answered “yes” to all of the above, you may be just the person Netflix is looking for.
Producers from the popular streaming service are on the hunt for one lucky military family to star in a heartwarming documentary following a service member’s surprise journey home for the big day. The film will coincide with the April 27 release of the Netflix comedy “The Week Of” starring Adam Sandler and Chris Rock as two fathers whose feud over finances leads to a disastrous wedding week for their engaged children.
Netflix is offering to help work with the Defense Department to secure temporary approved leave of active duty for dads who are currently unable to attend their child’s wedding or have only limited time for a quick round trip. They would film — and pay for — the journey home, the family’s surprised reactions, and a full day of father-daughter or father-son surprises. The gig also comes with a makeover and $5,000 to put toward the cost of the wedding, which must take place by May 1.
Think you’ve got what it takes? You’ll need to act fast to be considered.
Send an email to lcarmo@refuelagency.com before 6 p.m. Eastern on Friday, March 16. Along with your name and rank, be sure to include the wedding date and location, a description of your relationship with your son or daughter and a convincing case for why your family’s surprised reaction would make for good TV.
Military Times contributor and former reporter Natalie Gross hosts the Spouse Angle podcast. She grew up in a military family and has a master's degree in journalism from Georgetown University.