I have a bone to pick with the word REBEL. Being from the South, it’s more often than not associated with the rebel flag and a non-inclusive conservative mindset. That’s the last connotation I’d ever want to be associated with. The South is so much more than that, but it’s also an element of our society that can’t be ignored.

The election and immediate aftermath have given me renewed inspiration to look at the script for Electric Bleau with a more minority-forward eye. Our story, set in the 1980’s New Orleans punk scene, touches on both the expectations of the entertainment industry and Southern culture at large. The family in focus is of Creole descent, with varying shades of skin color. I think there are ways to refine the script further to demonstrate greater rebellion and obstacles. No more easy way outs, no more giving our lead characters a break, as that’s not the way of the real world. I want our audiences to see the extraordinary challenges that being a female, much less one of color, presents when attempting to conquer a dream.

While in the middle of heavy development for my first feature film Electric Bleau, I'm beginning to realize more and more every day the importance of having roots in indie film. Here's why: