The screenplay for REACH was developed over the course of two and a half years. It was the brainchild of co-star Johnny James Fiore. The concept was inspired by an experience Fiore had in high school, where he decided to include a known social outcast in a group project, which sparked a strong friendship thereafter. Fiore later learned that this student had intended to kill himself the same day the project was assigned, but decided not to thanks to Fiore's small gesture of kindness. Fiore was developing the concept with writing partner (and co-star) Grant Harling when he was cast in a commercial by producer Maria Capp. Fiore shared the idea for REACH with Capp, who found a personal connection with the material as the mother of three kids who experienced bullying in school and as an acting teacher with students also affected by abuse. She joined REACH as producer and also brought her talents to fleshing out the script. After multiple revisions and table reads, the screenplay was complete and the film was shot over the course of twelve days in April 2017.

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With a multi-talented cast and crew at the helm, it is worth noting that a central component of REACH is the musical score by 15-year-old actor and composer Rio Mangini, who also has a small role in the film. In speaking about the score's placement in the film, Maria Capp said, "Music is such an integral part of being a teenager, and as such, it plays an extremely important role in REACH. The music and songs beautifully mesh with the film and its message."