“Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.” ― James Dean
Driven To Immortality
About the Film
James Dean's Last Drive is a captivating feature-length documentary that explores the annual memorial cruise dedicated to Hollywood legend James Dean. This film delves into the crash that turned an unknown into an icon but also showcases the passionate community that keeps his memory alive.
About the Film and cruise
The Director
Shannon Wafford was born in Seattle and raised in Southern California. He grew up watching Speed Racer, Susie the Blue Coupe, Speed Buggy, Wonderbug and Knight Rider. In high school he played in a band, worked at a full service gas station and wrote his first book about becoming a stuntman while taking 4 auto shop classes and learning how to build guitars. His "day job" since 1990 has been building custom cars. His nights and weekends were spent doing freelance and independent film and production work which included working at the Super Bowl for NBC and producing his own music videos and local TV show called "Drag Race San Diego."
Before his Dad passed away he got the idea to do a memorial cruise retracing James Dean' last drive. With help and encouragement from his dad Jack he put together an annual memorial cruise and began filming and researching the crash and the mystique that brings Dean fans together from around the world.
From The Director
"It’s amazing how many people have lost loved ones who introduced them to James Dean. I believe being involved in anything related to James Dean, whether collecting, researching or taking part in James Dean events, makes them feel closer to their loved ones that have passed away.
I always think about my dad now when I make the Drive because he helped me get it started. It’s another way that all of us can relate to James Dean and the sadness and loneliness he must have felt growing up knowing he could never get his mother back. I think you can see why James Dean fans, myself included, are so fascinated by this event."
The Annual Cruise
The James Dean's Last Drive (JDLD) Annual Memorial Cruise was started by Shannon Wafford in 2015 with help from his dad Jack. He wanted to finish the drive from Hollywood to Salinas that James Dean began in 1955. There have been other cruises but it was important to do a free community event that everyone could take part in no matter what they drive or what their background was. We all have different lives and beliefs but we share the belief that we can chase our dreams just like a small town kid from Indiana.