Fast and Francis

Synopsis

The origin story. Aaron Francis escapes corporate accounting when he types laravel new for the first time. Three years later, he's built a following as a database educator—but when a layoff during paternity leave forces him to choose between playing it safe or betting on himself, he picks up the phone and calls Steve. Try Hard Studios is born.

The Escape

A Big Four accounting firm. Fluorescent lights hum. Rows of cubicles stretch into infinity.

A younger Aaron Francis sits at a desk, drowning in spreadsheets. His computer screen reflects in his glasses: cells, formulas, depreciation schedules.

He looks at a photo from Jennifer on his desk. Then back at the screen.

"I was afraid of what people would say if I put my work out there. But I realized I could either embrace bitterness... or take risks."

His fingers hover over the keyboard. Then—he opens the terminal.

Types: laravel new

Three Years Later

Three years later, Aaron stands before a camera setup at a database startup. Behind him: MySQL logos, database diagrams.

"Welcome back to MySQL for Developers..."

He built a following there. Recording sessions in the studio. YouTube subscribers climbing. Comments flooding in: "I followed you here." Steve in the editing bay, adding "the razz" to footage.

"I knew going in that it was a good platform for me. One of my personality strengths is strategy."

The Call

At home, in the nursery. Two newborn cribs. Two sets of twins worth of baby gear everywhere.

Aaron, exhausted but happy, holds a baby. Jennifer holds another. Two toddlers play nearby.

His phone buzzes. He steps into the hallway. Answers.

"Hello?"

The voice on the other end: "Aaron, we need to talk..."

Aaron's face falls. He comes back to the nursery. Looks at Jennifer. At his four children.

"I was laid off while on paternity leave. With my second set of twins just born."

The Decision

That night. The kitchen table.

Aaron and Jennifer sit across from each other. The weight of the moment hangs heavy. She reaches across. Takes his hand.

"What are you going to do?"

A long pause. "I could find another job. Play it safe."

"Or?"

"Or I could take the big bet on myself."

Jennifer squeezes his hand. Her eyes carry both hope and the full weight of what this means—four kids, uncertainty, everything on the line. A beat passes between them.

"I'll support you no matter what. What do you actually want your future to be?"

Aaron picks up his phone. Dials.

Steve answers, coffee in hand.

"Aaron?"

"Steve. They let me go."

"I know. They got me too."

A long beat.

"I would love to keep the band together."

Steve smiles. "I was hoping you'd say that."

The Beginning

March 2024. Aaron's home office. A video call with Steve, whiteboard visible. On it: TRY HARD STUDIOS.

"Why 'Try Hard'?"

"Because that's what you do. You try hard."

Aaron smiles. "I want to look back on a long life and say I did not leave anything on the table."

He picks up a marker. Adds the tagline: "Making videos developers want to watch."

"I would rather put myself out there than find myself at the end of my career, full of regret."

The TRY HARD STUDIOS logo illuminates.

Cast

• Paul Rudd as Aaron Francis: Our hero. Former CPA turned database educator. Dad to two sets of twins. The sincere poster who's not afraid to try hard.

• Andrew Garfield as Steve Tenuto: Producer and editor extraordinaire. The calm creative eye behind Try Hard Studios.

• Anne Hathaway as Jennifer Francis: The rock. Mother of four, equal partner in every decision. The most supportive, encouraging, and strong woman.

Credits

• Directed by Gustavo Karkow
• Casting by Gustavo Karkow
• Screenplay by Claude
• Edited by Gustavo Karkow
• Character Design by Claude & Gemini
• Story based on real life events from Aaron Francis
• AFCU* Appellation courtesy of Mary Perry

Aaron returns in 2 Fast 2 Francis.