SANTA

A FEATURE DOCUMENTARY

& SOCIAL ECOSYSTEM TREATMENT

Christmas, Family, and Kindness

synopsis

“Santa” is a heartwarming documentary that follows Tim Burger—a former Marine, father, a national parks employee, and full-time Santa Claus—not just during the holiday season, but in the quiet, everyday moments where his true spirit shines.

Inspired by the Dr. Seuss quote, “Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas means a little more,” this film invites us into Tim’s world, where kindness isn’t a seasonal costume, but a way of life.

As Tim prepares for the Christmas season—cleaning his boots, tending to his beard, booking appearances—we see how every gesture, from a smile to a moment of listening, is an extension of his deeply held belief: that kindness has the power to change the world. Through his example, he reminds us that Santa isn’t just someone you meet in December—it’s something we all carry inside us.

STYLE + TONE

Authentic, reverent, and warm—but not overly polished or performative. This is a portrait of a man whose small, daily actions echo louder than any sleigh bell. The documentary will blend quiet observation with reflective interviews, capturing Tim in the moments that might otherwise go unnoticed: helping a neighbor shovel snow, comforting a nervous child, or listening intently to a stranger.

The tone leans grounded and human—never saccharine. Any emotional moments will emerge organically, just like Tim’s kindness. This is not about creating magic; it’s about revealing that it already exists.

STORY + TIMELINE

Everyday Santa
We meet Tim in his day-to-day life: a federal employee overseeing construction at U.S. Public Parks. He walks job sites with calm authority, greets people by name, and leads with compassion. Subtle moments show us he’s already embodying Santa—long before the suit ever comes out.

The Kindness Blueprint
We dig into Tim’s belief system. In interviews, he speaks not just about what he does—but why. His family, friends, coworkers, and the people he visits all describe a man guided by empathy, not ego. Tim reflects on his time as a Marine and how service reshaped his understanding of leadership and care.

Becoming the Symbol
As the season approaches, Tim begins his physical transformation—but the film resists the cliché makeover montage. Instead, it treats the rituals (trimming the beard, repairing his suit) with reverence. These aren't about pageantry—they’re about stewardship. He’s preparing himself to serve.

Santa in Action
We follow Tim into homes, hospitals, and community centers. What we see isn’t performance—it’s presence. He slows down, gets on a child’s level, and connects. He gives time, not toys. One moment might feature a child who just lost a grandparent. Another might show Tim speaking to a veteran, not as Santa, but as a fellow Marine.

A Little More
As Christmas nears, the visits become more frequent. The pace picks up, but Tim remains steady. We intercut between his busy calendar and quieter family time. Christmas Eve brings a quiet scene—maybe Tim, alone, writing cards or reflecting on the season. The film closes not with spectacle, but with simplicity: Tim wishing someone a “Merry Christmas” in the middle of a grocery store aisle—because Santa never clocks out.

Social Content Strategy

Social content serves two purposes. It introduces Tim as a person, not a performer, and it establishes kindness as an ongoing practice rather than a seasonal gimmick.

Core Social Series

  1. What Do You Want for Christmas
    Tim meets children in public settings and asks what they want for Christmas. We know the answers ahead of time. Select stories culminate in meaningful surprises, ranging from simple toys to family level support such as paying down burdensome bills or providing essential items. The emphasis is always on listening first, not gifting.

  2. Everyday Santa
    Short observational moments of Tim helping neighbors, comforting strangers, or quietly showing up in moments of need. These clips reinforce that Santa exists year round.

  3. Letters and Reflections
    Tim reads letters from children, veterans, or families and reflects on the responsibility of being a symbol people trust. These pieces skew slightly older and deeper, ideal for YouTube.

Sponsorship and Merchandise

Sponsorship is values aligned and carefully curated. Brands are integrated as enablers of generosity rather than center stage participants. Merchandise remains symbolic and minimal, reinforcing meaning over volume.

Release Strategy

Filmed during Christmas 2026. Festival premiere targeted at Telluride 2027, followed by a transactional release during Christmas 2027. Social Phase 3 sustains audience engagement year round.

Key Timing Framework

Target Release: Christmas 2027
Festival Target: Telluride 2027

  • Vertical Development
    Q2 2026
    Access, story framing, and planning for holiday production

  • Social Phase 1
    Q3 2026
    6 to 8 weeks of kindness driven storytelling to prime audience

  • Premium Content Development
    Q3 2026
    Narrative structure and production logistics finalized

  • Premium Content Production
    December 2026
    Filming during the Christmas season

  • Social Phase 2
    December 2026 to Q1 2027
    Behind the scenes and reflective moments

  • Premium Content Post Production
    Q1 to Q3 2027
    Edit and finishing with festival readiness

  • Sponsorship and Merchandise
    Q4 2026 and Q4 2027
    Heavily weighted toward holiday season

  • Premium Content Release
    December 2027
    Transactional release aligned with holiday viewing

  • Social Phase 3
    Q1 2028 onward
    Evergreen kindness content