Announcements (Production)

Los Angeles, California | Film Short

Drama

D'Angelo "D'Lo" Louis

1 Campaigns | California, United States

Green Light

This campaign raised $25,050 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.

105 supporters | followers

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Your support helps bring a vital story to life, shedding light on the devastating impact of youth violence. By backing Announcements, you’re not just funding a film, you’re giving a voice to those silenced by tragedy. Together, we can ignite change and offer hope where it's desperately needed.

About The Project

  • The Story
  • Wishlist
  • Updates
  • The Team
  • Community

Mission Statement

Announcements is a powerful narrative that explores the harsh realities of youth violence, emphasizing empathy, resilience, and community. By drawing on real experiences, the film urges viewers to confront these issues and engage in a dialogue for change. It's not just a story it's a call to action.

The Story




A Bay Area transplant fights to survive in a Los Angeles high school where announcements often signal tragic farewells, caught between gang violence and forbidden attraction.


Announcements draws on real-life events to unravel the complex world of teenagers navigating high school amid widespread community violence. The film opens with an all-too-familiar announcement from BROOKLYN HARRIS, the poised student body president of Crestview High. She soberly informs the school about the tragic death of JOSHUA STILLS, a fellow student caught in the ongoing crossfire of East and West side gang violence in Los Angeles.



Announcements explores TEDDY GIBSON, a new student from the Bay Area who quickly becomes entangled in territorial conflicts and personal vendettas. Teddy's attempts to adapt have escalated confrontations with local students, particularly Brooklyn's brother and his friends DAYTON “DAY DAY” HARRIS and MELVIN “DOONIE” JEFFERSON.


Interwoven with the main storyline are some very touching moments in Teddy's counseling sessions at school, where he engages with MS. CRIMSON, a grief counselor, who challenges him to confront his feelings about his new life and the violence that has followed him. In these sessions, Teddy confronts deep-rooted trauma and struggles with aggressive impulses that threaten to consume him. As tensions boil over during a school function, personal grudges culminate into a devastating confrontation, demonstrating the dire consequence of unresolved anger.


In the film, school announcements serve as chilling reminders of the normalcy of tragedy in the lives of these students. In its final announcement, echoed by the collective grief of the community and the disturbing reality that such violence is now an integral part of adolescence, amplifies the urgent message for change.



THE HARD TRUTH

The facts show why Announcements is an important and timely story. Between 2017 - 2021, while only being 14% of the population in the U.S., Black people account for 60% of those killed by guns each year. The numbers become more painful as Black children ages 0-17 are over 13.6 times more likely to die by guns than their white peers. The statistics increase to 19 times more likely for folks ages 18-24.**


Announcements sparks dialogue about the recurring patterns of community violence and its deep impact on future generations. We are actively connecting with social impact partners through local and national organizations that focus on educating, empowering, and mobilizing communities to come together for real change and safety.


**SOURCE: Brady (www.bradyunited.org)



Empathy

is at the heart of Announcements, a film that explores how violence affects young people and shows why understanding and support are crucial

in our communities.


Resilience | Awareness | Community | Understanding | Compassion | Advocacy

Announcements explore the harsh realities of youth violence, drawing on personal experiences to highlight themes of empathy, resilience, and community. The film urges viewers to address these issues, creating a dialogue for change.

It's more than a story; it's a call to action against youth violence.


Announcements

Announcements depicts a school coping with routine, tragic news of student deaths from gang violence.



Our Production Timeline


PRODUCTION START

(November 2024)

  • Principal photography.
  • Capture Production stills for marketing and promotional use.
  • Capture key cast and crew interviews.


POST-PRODUCTION/MARKETING

(December 2024)


  • Finalize the film for distribution.
  • Mark and build a social presence with behind-the-scenes content and teasers of our short film.


WRAP PARTY AND RED CARPET SCREENING

(January 2025)

  • Wrap party for select guests and campaign contributors to celebrate the completion of filming.
  • Private red carpet screening for cast, crew, and select guests including brand and sponsors.


DISTRIBUTION & FESTIVALS

(February 2025)

  • National and international festival submissions and premieres.
  • Host private screenings and conversations with the Director, D'Lo, in collaboration with our social impact partners to build awareness in the public school system and non-profit organizations.



Our team may be small, but we are deeply rooted in a shared mission to impact and touch lives every single day. Led by visionary director D'Lo Louis, we are committed to his story that reflects the realities we’ve lived and witnessed, particularly in communities affected by violence and injustice. We believe in the power of storytelling to educate, heal, and inspire change, and we approach every project with the goal of leaving a lasting mark. Day in and day out, we’re dedicated to amplifying the voices of the unheard and creating content that transforms lives and sparks meaningful conversations.

We would love for you to be a part of what we are about to make history.


Thank You


Announcements is proudly sponsored by Film Independent, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to championing creative independence in visual storytelling and fostering a diverse community of artists driven by innovation and a unique vision. Through this exciting partnership, your contribution to our Seed & Spark campaign is tax-deductible!



Thank you so much for your support and for showing interest in the Announcements short film. Our team believes passionately in this project, and we can't wait for you to see how your contributions inspire and spark change for our youth. Don't forget to follow us for updates! If you're interested in joining our team or have any questions, please don't hesitate to email us at Announcements[email protected].


Wishlist

Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.

Cash Pledge

Costs $0

Equipment

Costs $2,950

Quality equipment is key to capturing our story with the clarity and precision it deserves. Help us create a visually compelling film!

Locations

Costs $7,250

Locations are vital in bringing our story to life, setting the tone, and adding authenticity!

Wardrobe

Costs $1,000

Help us create a realistic school environment with school shirts and wardrobe!

Meals & Crafty

Costs $4,500

We gotta eat! Your contribution to our meals and crafty (snacks) will make sure we keep the team fueled to tell this powerful story!

Insurance

Costs $3,000

Your support helps cover essential insurance costs, ensuring our project stays on track and keeping our crew and cast safe on set!

Cast Wages

Costs $11,300

Your donation helps us fairly compensate the talented actors who bring our story to life. Every dollar makes a difference.

Cash - pick your dollar amount

Costs $1

You pick how much you want to drop on Announcements!

About This Team


Meet The Team


D’Angelo "D'Lo" Louis, Writer, Director & Executive Producer


D’Lo Louis's journey from Richmond, California, to Hollywood is a testament to resilience and transformation.  Growing up in a city where survival demands resilience, D’Lo faced financial hardships that led to a decade-long imprisonment. It was within the confines of California’s Correctional system that D’Lo discovered his creative spirit, encouraged by a friend to dive into writing. Released in August 2018, he quickly transitioned into the film industry, thanks to the same friend who offered him a chance to work on major projects like "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" and "Space Jam: A New Legacy." As a Creative Executive at Proximity Media, D’Lo has contributed to films such as "Judas and the Black Messiah" and "Creed III," earning an Associate Producer credit. His multifaceted career also spans directing music videos, commercials, and artist management. D’Lo's remarkable journey underscores his capacity for growth, showcasing how adversity can lead to profound creativity and success.



Yhá Mourhia Wright, Executive Producer


Yhá Mourhia Wright is a bicoastal, multi-hyphenate artist from San José, CA. In 2016, she graduated with an MFA in Acting from the Actors Studio Drama School. Upon graduation, she founded her production company, YháWright Productions, and developed the company’s first original series, #LoveMyRoomie, now streaming on Amazon Prime Video. During her time as the Senior Video Producer for MadameNoire, she simultaneously produced three short-form digital shows: Listen to Black Women, In This Room, and Healthy Her. Yhá Mourhia has had the pleasure of interviewing beloved talents such as Fantasia Barrino, Kim Fields, and Robin Givens.


In 2019, Yhá Mourhia became a published author in the anthology, Purpose to Passion: A Journey to Self-Care, in which she shares her journey of recovering from sexual assault and transforming her pain into a testimony. She served as the Programs Director for the Black TV & Film Collective from 2021 to 2023. During her time with BTFC, she had the honor of securing partnerships with Netflix, Aspire TV, Urbanworld Film Festival, and Delta Airlines.


Her short film, Don’t Be Desperate, starring D. Woods (Broadway’s For Colored Girls…, ALLBLK’s STUCK WITH U, Danity Kane), was nominated for Outstanding Music at the 2023 Micheaux Film Festival (Los Angeles, CA). Don’t Be Desperate made its national television premiere on Aspire TV in October 2023. This year, Yhá Mourhia returned for the second consecutive year as the Production Supervisor for Black Girls Film Camp, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that creates a safe space for Black girls to build critical media literacy skills and share their stories with the world through film.


She is a producer for Chocolate with Sprinkles, a short film written and directed by Sundance Award-winning producer Huriyyah Muhammad. Chocolate with Sprinkles made its world premiere at the 2024 American Black Film Festival (ABFF) and won the highly lauded HBO Short Film Competition award. She is currently the Manager of Learning for the CBS Leadership Pipeline Challenge and in her free time, she hosts the Inside Out Podcast, which can be streamed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and Amazon Music



Michelle A. Daniel, Executive Producer


Michelle A. Daniel, an award-winning executive producer and screenwriter, boasts over 15 years of experience in independent film. Her diverse writing and producing credits include shows such as "Between Women," "Build-A-Boo," "Young & Married," and "I Am Not Charlotte." Michelle has led many productions to success at prestigious film festivals like the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) and BronzeLens Festival and spearheaded multiple SVOD platforms, mentoring Hollywood's emerging filmmakers. Additionally, as the Director of Video for TV One, she executive produced for networks like Bossip, Headline Heat, Cassius Life, iOne Digital's Creative Class, and MadameNoire. She has also collaborated with major sponsors including AT&T, Ford, Comcast, and Wells Fargo. Known for her ability to reveal the 'bigger picture,' Michelle has executive produced over 250 pieces of content, consistently dedicating herself to projects that explore deep human emotions and guide aspiring creators toward success.



Jamari Perry, Producer


Jamari Perry is an Emmy Award winning filmmaker from the Bay Area, CA. Her films focus on popular culture and community empowerment. She has produced and directed several works of various genres including web interactives, documentary, media campaigns, and narrative films.


Her experiences range from teaching as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts, Executive Producing ColorCreative’s Find Your People Program to producing award winning films, including an Emmy Award winning web interactive for PBS Frontline which examines a federal effort to investigate more than 150 cold cases that date back to the civil rights era. 


Jamari graduated with a MFA in Film and Television Production at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts in 2013 and is currently working as founder and producer of a minority owned production company Hush Harbor Media. Hush Harbor Media creates high quality digital content for nonprofits and social justice organizations in order to amplify the work they are doing in their communities. This has been a through line in Jamari's career as she strongly believes in bringing humanity to the forefront of storytelling.


When Jamari is not spending time with her biggest accomplishment to date (her son, Makai) she is continuously developing and pitching digital content, episodic, and feature films with her companions and business partners.


Jamari lives by the quote that her father has instilled in her: “Great things can be slowed down but never stopped.



David Hunter, Jr, Producer


David Hunter, Jr, is an actor, writer and producer with a desire to tell stories that impact, inspire, educate and entertain. He is a proud graduate of Hampton University and was part of the inaugural cohort for the Identity School of Acting in LA. David has voiced campaigns for Blavity, Google, Samsung along with a variety of commercials, video games, podcasts and animated projects as well as a new exhibit at the Freedom Theatre in New Orleans. He also served as the "Voice of God" for the theatre staff at the Dolby Theatre (formerly Kodak Theatre) for the Oscars for over 10 years. In addition to creating and producing projects for his own production company (Made For More Entertainment), David has also worked as a producer for Amy Aniobi (Insecure) and her company SuperSpecial  helping to produce 2 short films which are currently in post production. He most recently teamed with Proximity Media Creative Exec D'Angelo Louis to help produce his short film Shoebox which is in the midst of a festival run in 2024 and currently prepping for their next project, Announcements slated for 2025.


David is also the host of Post In Black which is a podcast/talk series that focuses on highlighting African Americans who work behind the scenes in Post Production. Some of their guests have included the Emmy Winning Editing team from A Blacklady Sketch Show (Stephanie Filo & Taylor Joy), the composer of  Transformers, (Jognic Bontemps) and the editor of, The Woman King, Twisters and Love & Basketball, (Terilyn Shropshire.)


Having worked in a variety of positions in entertainment both in front of and behind the camera, David's knowledge of the industry is expansive and allows him to connect and relate to others in a unique and authentic way. He is a member of SAG-AFTRA and has a Master's Degree - Organizational Leadership & Behavior (Azusa Pacific University) 


Most recently, he just completed acting in his 6th show TRUE STORY written and directed by Matthew Law.




If you're interested in joining our team or have any questions, please don't hesitate to email us at [email protected].

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