At Signs and Wonders, every documentary begins long before the cameras roll. Before the lighting setups, drone shots, interviews, and cinematic sequences, it starts with a story worth telling. Jaryd Boyer's story immediately stood out as one of those stories.
This is the behind-the-scenes journey of filming Arrested, Nearly Killed, No Way Out, a Christian testimony documentary centered around redemption, faith, boxing, mentorship, and transformation through Jesus Christ.
How We Found Jaryd Boyer's Story
The connection to Jaryd happened in a way that almost felt orchestrated.
One of our producers, Allison Evans, was speaking with her aunt about Signs and Wonders and our search for compelling testimony stories to feature in future films. Her aunt immediately mentioned a man named Jaryd Boyer , a boxer with a powerful testimony who had become deeply committed to his faith in Jesus Christ.
When Allison told me the name, I instantly paused.
Wait a minute... I think I went to elementary school with Jaryd Boyer.
Ironically, it was the same Jaryd I had known as a kid. I remembered him having a joyful spirit, always laughing, always fun to be around. Looking back, I never would have imagined the difficult path his life would eventually take.
Growing up in a rough home environment with exposure to crime and street culture through his father, Jaryd eventually became entangled in the criminal underworld himself. Drugs, fast money, jail time, violence, and self-destruction became part of his reality. After repeatedly hitting rock bottom and nearly losing his life, he encountered Jesus Christ and completely transformed his future.
Today, Jaryd mentors young people through boxing, teaches classes in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, and serves as a pastor at a local church.
As filmmakers, those are the kinds of redemption stories that immediately capture our attention.
Developing the Documentary Story Arc
Before filming any Signs and Wonders documentary, I conduct a preliminary interview with the subject. This is one of the most important parts of the filmmaking process.
We met Jaryd at a local restaurant simply to talk.
I wanted to understand:
- the emotional arc of his life
- the defining moments of his testimony
- the visual symbolism connected to his story
- the environments that shaped him.
That initial conversation helps me begin mentally storyboarding the entire documentary.
Rather than improvising everything on set, I prefer building a detailed visual treatment and shot list ahead of time. It allows us to maximize efficiency during production while ensuring every shot intentionally serves the emotional narrative of the film.
One thing became immediately clear during our conversation:
Boxing was the consistent thread woven throughout Jaryd's entire life.
He started boxing around nine years old, and while the sport helped keep him focused and disciplined, it also existed alongside the violence and chaos surrounding his upbringing. Boxing became both an escape and, at times, a dangerous extension of the environment he lived in.
Visually and emotionally, it was the perfect cinematic anchor for the documentary.
Filming at Paul Yankello's Legendary Boxing Gym in Ambridge, Pennsylvania
Jaryd trained at the legendary boxing gym of Paul Yankello in Ambridge, Pennsylvania.
For anyone familiar with the boxing world, Paul Yankello is highly respected nationally as an elite boxing coach. The gym is also deeply connected to Pittsburgh boxing history, including former lightweight world champion Paul Spadafora, widely considered one of the greatest boxers to ever come out of Pittsburgh.
The moment I looked up the gym online, I knew we had to film there.
From a documentary cinematography standpoint, it had everything:
- gritty textures
- old fight posters
- worn boxing rings
- decades of history
- dramatic lighting
- authentic atmosphere
- visual storytelling baked into every corner of the building.
It felt cinematic before we even unpacked a camera.
Old photographs lined the walls, including photos of Jaryd as a child standing beside Paul Spadafora, holding towels during training sessions. The gym carried generations of history inside it, and visually, it became one of the most important characters in the film itself.
Initially, Jaryd tried reaching out to Paul for permission to film there, but after several weeks of phone calls and missed connections, I decided to simply drive to the gym myself.
Sometimes old-school relationships are built face-to-face.
I showed up unannounced while fighters were training. Gloves were hitting heavy bags. Sweat filled the air. The sound of skipping ropes echoed through the gym. As a filmmaker, it was one of those moments where you instantly begin mentally framing shots before even unloading gear.
Eventually Paul returned, and we introduced ourselves.
I explained that we were producing a cinematic documentary film about Jaryd's transformation and his faith journey. Paul was incredibly kind but understandably protective of the legacy of his gym.
He explained that in the past, people had inaccurately represented their affiliation with the gym or used its image in misleading ways. In boxing , just like filmmaking , reputation matters.
I respected that completely.
I assured him that we would portray the gym with honesty and respect, and I promised him that both he and his wife would receive the final cut before release to ensure everything aligned accurately with the legacy they had built.
As promised, we later sent them the completed film for approval, and they graciously gave us the green light.
Bringing in a Professional Cinematography Crew
This documentary was also significant for another reason:
It marked the first time I brought on a dedicated Director of Photography and grip team for a Signs and Wonders production.
Both were recommended by one of my close friends:
- Ryan Sanderson (Director of Photography / Cinematographer)
- Ryan Mickey (Grip)
Working with them elevated the production tremendously.
Ryan Sanderson is genuinely one of the most talented cinematographers I've worked with, not just in documentary filmmaking, but across feature film productions I've been involved with as both an actor and producer.
Beyond their technical skill, both Ryans also deeply understood the heart behind the project. Since they shared our Christian faith, there was an immediate alignment in vision and purpose that made the collaboration incredibly natural.
We arrived roughly an hour and a half before Jaryd's call time to fully prep the gym:
- lighting setups
- camera placement
- movement planning
- interview framing
- environmental shots.
By the time Jaryd walked in, we were fully ready to shoot.
Starting Production with Prayer
One thing we do before every Signs and Wonders production is pray together before filming begins.
For us, these films are more than content creation. They are deeply personal stories involving real trauma, redemption, faith, and healing.
Jaryd led us in prayer before production started, asking for guidance, protection, and clarity throughout the filming process.
From that point forward, the entire shoot flowed remarkably smoothly.
No major setbacks.
No technical disasters.
No production chaos.
Just an incredible sense of peace throughout the day.
As filmmakers, you learn very quickly that smooth productions are never guaranteed. This one felt covered in grace from beginning to end.
Filming Jaryd Coaching Young Fighters in Sewickley
After wrapping production at the boxing gym, we broke down the set, grabbed lunch, and regrouped later that day at the Sewickley Community Center, where Jaryd teaches boxing classes for local youth.
Watching him in that environment added an entirely new emotional layer to the documentary.
There were around 30 to 40 young men and women there training under him. What stood out most wasn't just his boxing ability , it was the way he led.
Jaryd coaches with discipline, authenticity, encouragement, and compassion. His mentorship is deeply rooted in his Christian faith, and he openly prays over the students he teaches.
You could clearly see how his painful past had been transformed into something purposeful.
That contrast became one of the strongest emotional themes in the entire film:
A man once consumed by destruction now helping guide the next generation away from it.
Cinematic Documentary Production Details
The documentary was filmed using:
- Sony FX7 cinema cameras
- Professional Aputure lighting rigs
- Cinematic interview setups
- Documentary-style handheld and environmental coverage
The goal visually was to create a grounded, emotionally immersive documentary aesthetic while preserving authenticity and realism throughout the film.
Why Stories Like This Matter
At Signs and Wonders, we believe some of the most powerful stories are not about perfection , they're about redemption.
Jaryd Boyer's testimony is ultimately a story about transformation:
- from violence to mentorship
- from incarceration to ministry
- from chaos to purpose
- from hopelessness to faith in Jesus Christ.
Producing Arrested, Nearly Killed, No Way Out reminded all of us why cinematic documentary storytelling matters.
These stories give people hope.
And sometimes hope is exactly what someone needs to hear.
Watch More Signs and Wonders Documentary Films
Signs and Wonders creates cinematic Christian testimony documentaries focused on redemption, faith, transformation, and the power of God working through ordinary people.
If you have a powerful testimony story or would like to partner with our mission, we'd love to hear from you.
