Adam Simon: 'Man Down' Writer Talks Bankruptcy, Homeless Veterans, & Movie Making With Shia LaBeouf

Charismatic. Talented. Personable. At first glance, Adam Simon comes across as being your archetypal Hollywood mover and shaker. But what many people aren’t aware of is Adam’s incredible journey from his humble beginnings to his present success as a rising actor and screenwriter.

Adam grew up in a blue-collar family in a small desert town on the outskirts of Lancaster, California. Adam encountered considerable challenges during his childhood, including experiencing child abuse at the hands of a relative. These hurdles would, unfortunately, snowball into graver issues during his adulthood. After marrying his wife and having two kids, Adam eventually underwent divorce and was forced to file for bankruptcy. Before Adam knew it, he was homeless.

But Adam didn’t let these tribulations take control over his life. He knew that he could work himself out of the situation. So he picked himself up and moved forward, applying himself doggedly to whatever employment he could find. He exchanged work for acting lessons, he translated suffering to creativity.

One night, in deep despair, Adam decided to write a letter to his son and daughter. Not only did pouring his heart into this letter prove cathartic to Adam, it also inspired him to write a story about a homeless man whose desire was to reunite with his kids. Around the same time, Adam came across a man, who was causing a scene at a local bus stop. After contacting the police, Adam eventually found out that the man was a former veteran suffering from a severe case of PTSD. He was an American hero. Adam continued to meet veterans on the streets. People he admired, people who served our nation, men, women, so many like himself who were also homeless.

And then it hit him. What if he made his main character a veteran on a quest to reunite with his child? And so he did.

Afflicted with PTSD himself, Adam lives vicariously through his character former U.S. marine Gabriel Drummer , the protagonist who searches desperately for the whereabouts of his son in Man Down, a sensational thriller that comes out on December 2 starring Kate Mara, Shia LaBeouf and Gary Oldman. 

I have seen an advance copy and let me tell you, you need to watch this movie. Adam’s film comes from his heart, as he brings awareness to the baggage that many veterans carry throughout their lives.

“I don’t make movies for wine-tasting critics who haven’t been in the trenches to put their everything on the line to make a film ,” he says.

Adam’s story is incredible and there is much more. Hear him tell it in his own words in our recent video interview.

Inspired by Adam’s amazing life journey and vision, I’ve decided to list some financial planning tips and resources for the veteran heroes who have so selflessly served our country.

Tip #1: Use the GI Bill to Your Advantage

Higher education is a gateway to a plethora of attractive careers. Fortunately, the GI Bill provides generous financial assistance to help veterans obtain the education they need to succeed in a wide array of careers. The GI Bill is broken up into two different entities, the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The important point here is carefully deciding between the two, as your selection is irreversible. To learn more about the specific benefits of each program, visit the official U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website. 

Tip #2: Look into the Yellow-Ribbon Program

Depending on the college that you attend, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs may not cover your tuition costs completely. The Yellow-Ribbon Program remedies this issue by reimbursing veteran students the remaining costs not covered by the GI Bill. Although applying for this program does not automatically qualify you for additional funding, this is a fantastic opportunity to minimize your college expenses. To find out if your school is participating in the Yellow-Ribbon Program, check out the site. 

Tip #3: Request Assistance from Veteran Organizations

If you are a veteran who is struggling to make ends meet, there are many organizations out there to help you get back on track. Organizations like Operation First Response are wonderful resources that not only provide financial assistance but also consulting services for circumstances such as eviction. USA Cares is another fantastic organization that strives to keep veterans in their homes, providing guidance on a wide array of problems from foreclosure to PTSD. Whatever your needs may be, there are countless organizations eager to help. 

If you are a former or current member of the military, we salute you for your unwavering courage and commitment to serving our country. We are eternally grateful for all that you have done to defend our nation!