A Documentary Film
The life, the music, and the memory of Jacob “Hella Sketchy” Thureson — a gifted young artist gone far too soon, and the honest conversation his story prompts us to have.
A Documentary Film
The life, the music, and the memory of Jacob “Hella Sketchy” Thureson — a gifted young artist gone far too soon, and the honest conversation his story prompts us to have.
The Film
A tribute, and a courageous look at what too often goes unspoken.
“Two Weeks Notice: The Departure of Hella Sketchy” is a powerful and emotionally charged documentary film that delves into the life, struggles, and untimely passing of Jacob “Hella Sketchy” Thureson. This film serves a threefold purpose, aiming to honor Jacob’s memory, initiate an open dialogue about mental health, and address the issue of substance abuse.
The documentary unfolds as a tribute to Jacob, affectionately known as Hella Sketchy, a talented young artist whose life was tragically cut short. Through interviews with friends, family, and collaborators, the film paints a vivid portrait of Jacob’s journey, both as an artist and as a young person grappling with his inner demons. It showcases his immense talent, dedication to music, and the impact he made on those who knew him.
However, “Two Weeks Notice” transcends being a mere biography. It courageously confronts the stigmatized issues of mental health and substance abuse. Jacob’s struggle with these issues is explored with sensitivity, shedding light on the difficulties he faced and the inadequacies of the support systems available to him. By doing so, the documentary aims to destigmatize these topics, fostering understanding and empathy among viewers.
His Story
Before the world knew him as Hella Sketchy, he was Jacob.
A restless, deeply creative young artist who turned feeling into sound and built a devoted following from the ground up — one track, one honest moment at a time.
This is the person behind the music: his talent and his humor, his heart and his warmth, and the weight he carried when the world wasn’t looking. His story is why this film exists.
Jacob Thureson · January 11, 2001 – June 27, 2019
Born
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California.
Age 6
Identified as gifted.
Age 10
Taught himself to program.
Age 12
Proficient in guitar and music production.
Age 13
Moved to Austin, TX, and sold his first beat online.
Age 15
Diagnosed with clinical depression and anxiety.
Age 17
Signed to APG / Atlantic Records.
2019
Passed on June 27, at eighteen — gone, but not forgotten.
Director’s Statement
“June 27, 2019 was the date of my worst nightmare coming true. That was the day I lost my eighteen-year-old son Jacob to an overdose, after a two-week coma in the ICU. He was a signed hip-hop artist with Atlantic Records and had a bright future ahead of him. Despite his success, and having everything he wanted, Jacob struggled with clinical depression and anxiety. When medically supervised treatments failed him, he took matters into his own hands. Which is how we ended up here.
I wrestled with God for the first three days in the hospital, wanting nothing more than for him to walk out of that place. The morning of the third day, I surrendered to whatever the outcome was, knowing he was in God’s hands, and that it would be for the greater good. Spirit said, “steward your suffering well.” This film is my obedience to that call.
— Erik Thureson · Director & Father
Why This Film
To celebrate Jacob’s life and the art he left behind — and make sure he is remembered as more than a headline.
To talk about mental health honestly and without shame, so that fewer people struggle alone in silence.
To confront addiction with compassion and understanding, not judgment — for everyone still fighting it.
Our Team
Executive Producer · Director · Writer
Jacob’s father. Three decades in programming and production — Disney, the Oscars, Fox Sports, GSN, and the NFL — turned toward honoring his son’s legacy and removing the barriers that keep people from talking openly about mental health and addiction.
Cinematographer · DP
A Phoenix-based cinematographer with a film degree from FSU and more than a decade behind the camera on music videos, short films, and documentaries. A father himself, he connects deeply to Jacob’s story.
Film Editor
A video producer and Latin Grammy–nominated musician with 25+ years across concert films, music videos, animation, and documentaries — blending visual storytelling with a lifelong devotion to music.
Line Producer
Twenty-plus years across live production and logistics, on both sides of the line. She thrives in the midst of chaos and brings people together for an experience of excellence — with a heart for honoring those around her.
Music Supervisor
A Phoenix recording and mixing engineer with 18+ years in the industry. His work has been heard on ESPN’s College GameDay and on records for Gavin DeGraw, Lecrae, Cory Wong, and Cody Fry.
Production Sound Mixer
An audio engineer who started as a musician, with 22+ years across touring, studio, church, and corporate work — thousands of live concerts and hundreds of albums. He loves being part of a great story told through sound.
Producer · Animator
A VFX artist and animation producer who sees animation as a medium for profound stories. A friend and fan of Hella Sketchy, he set out to honor the depth and diversity of Jacob’s life through his work for Cupid Soldiers.
Executive Producers
Consulting Producers
Field Experts
Why It Matters
1 in 5
youth aged 12–17 had a major depressive episode in the past year
50M
U.S. adults are living with a mental illness
59.8%
of youth with major depression received no mental health treatment
1.6M
youth reported a substance use disorder in the past year
Source: Mental Health America
You Are Not Alone
If you or someone you love is struggling, help is here — right now. Reaching out is not weakness. It is the bravest thing a person can do. These lines are free, confidential, and available 24/7.
See The Film
A first look at Jacob’s story — and the conversation this film hopes to open.