Seeds of Change
Chicago, Illinois | Film Short
Drama
In 'Seeds of Change', George Tanner an unyielding, 63 year-old man living in a "former" sundown town in rural Indiana is forced to face his racist beliefs when his 6 year-old biracial granddaughter comes to live with him. Through his eyes, we see the deleterious effects racism has on everyone.
Seeds of Change
Chicago, Illinois | Film Short
Drama
1 Campaigns | Illinois, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $15,070 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
57 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
In 'Seeds of Change', George Tanner an unyielding, 63 year-old man living in a "former" sundown town in rural Indiana is forced to face his racist beliefs when his 6 year-old biracial granddaughter comes to live with him. Through his eyes, we see the deleterious effects racism has on everyone.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Greetings! 'Seeds of Change' tackles the themes of racism, cowardice, separation and healing. It is inspired by my experience of being black in America including a time I inadvertently ended up in a sundown town in the Ohio River Valley area.
It is my hope that this film will give viewers empathy and compassion towards those of us who have to deal with racism, and give viewers hope that America can heal its toxic relationship with racism.
My desire for the future is that a real dialog regarding race will be allowed where both sides feel safe enough to talk honestly about their fears and pain.
Though the eyes of a child, anything is possible. As adults, we sometimes forget about possibilities. It is my hope that this film will remind us.
JOIN us with a PLEDGE. Together we can make a beautiful, impactful film!
- Frances Wilkerson, Writer | Director | Producer
George Tanner is a 63 year-old restaurant owner who lives in a small rural town in Indiana. One evening, he comes home to find his wife, Laura, sitting in the kitchen with their 6 year-old biracial granddaughter Lexi Tanner.
Laura is working feverishly to get custody of Lexi. George is not happy as he feels the child will bring shame upon him and his wife in this small "former" sundown town. Over the next few days, George will be forced to face his demons and his conscience.
RACISM INFECTS EVERYONE - "Racism is a disease that infects everyone in its wake - those who fling it, those who receive it, and those who stand idly by and watch it. Can it be healed? Through the eyes of a child anything is possible." - Frances Wilkerson
SEPARATION AND DISCONNECTION
"When we listen we can understand. When we understand we can empathize. It is only then that we are truly connected" - Unknown
"When one separates themselves with fear and hatred, they lead a life of isolation & pain because they have fenced themselves off from humanity." - Frances Wilkerson
COWARDICE - "There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it is right." - Martin Luther King Jr.
The Impact of Racism on our Team
"Racism is the most common yet difficult thing to talk about here in America. It is ingrained in our history and every day lives, yet sometimes when it is brought up, people want to stay clear of it."
"Racism has impacted me to a point where I don’t feel comfortable in my own skin. I know growing up there were times where I struggled with knowing who I am, how I looked, and how I spoke. I had to switch modes and act a certain way with certain people, so at the end of the day I was left with so many masks I didn’t know who I was. Since I can remember this leaves me to believe that I have to work twice as hard as others, and act a certain way just for the chance to be seen."
"Racism is one of the most unsettling things you can ever experience. It leaves you shocked to your core. It leaves you feeling isolated and disconnected and makes you question, even if for a brief moment, your worth."
"As a child I had many Black and Asian friends and was acutely aware of how differently they would be treated in school and when we were out in public."
"Being able to pass as white gives you a peek behind the curtain. It allows you to see and hear things non-white people may never directly see or hear. I have seen behind the veil of smiles, false sincerity and fake helpfulness. I have been behind closed doors where the veils come down and true feelings are expressed and shared. I can think of nothing more disheartening than learning and knowing these truths."
'Seeds of Change' Takes Place in a "Former" Sundown Town in the Rural Midwest
WHAT IS A SUNDOWN TOWN?
Sundown Towns “…are all-white municipalities or neighborhoods in the United States that practice a form of racial segregation by excluding non-whites via some combination of discriminatory local laws, intimidation and violence.”
HOW DID THE NAME ORIGINATE?
The term Sundown Town originates from the signs some of these towns posted at their city limits warning "colored people" to stay away after dark.
VIOLENCE AND INTIMIDATION
Sundown Towns were extremely dangerous for Black Americans. Lynching, beatings and killings were part of the violence carried out in these towns if found there after sunset.
LOCATION OF SUNDOWN TOWNS
Many believe that Sundown Towns existed only in the South, but these towns existed all over the US with a large concentration in the Midwest. Illinois alone has had over 500 Sundown Towns in the state.
DO SUNDOWN TOWNS STILL EXIST?
While some towns have apologized for their role in this type of racist history, many have not, and a number of towns till exude the same Jim Crow racism and prejudice from the past. As a result, there are certain parts of the country the some Black Americans will not travel to today.
ROUTE 66
Many White Americans have nostalgia for Route 66. For many Black Americans, Route 66 was riddled with danger due to the number of Sundown Towns located along this road.
THE GREEN BOOK
A guide called "The Green Book" was created from 1936 to 1966 to help Black Americans stay safe and avoid such towns as they traveled.
SUNDOWN TOWNS IN CINEMA
Sundown Towns have rarely been mentioned or addressed in cinema. For example, 'Hoosiers' ignores the racial reality that was happening during the place and time the film was set in. Recently, however, HBO's 'Lovecraft Country' explored the horror Black Americans faced when caught after dark in a Sundown Town.
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SUNDOWN TOWNS?
Read: Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism" by James W. Loewen
Externally things are idyllic, internally they are not.
Frances Wilkerson's previous films Red, Rosa and Hair have won awards and have been screened at film festivals nationwide. Red, her most recent work, was an official selection at the Orlando Film Festival 2020, the Seattle True Independent Film Festival 2020, the Indie Film Wisconsin Film Festival 2020, the Chicago Southland International Film Festival 2020, Hollywood Independent Filmmaker Awards & Festival 2020 and the FlickFair Film Festival 2021. 'Red' also won The Award of Excellence at Global Shorts 2020 and the Award of Merit at the Best Shorts Competition 2020.
Frances has won awards for her screenplays at the California Women's Film Festival, the Women's Independent Film Festival, the World Series of Screenwriting, and the Hollywood Screenwriting Contest. She was a ‘2nd Rounder’ at the Austin Film Festival and a Short Script Finalist at the Harlem International Film Festival.
Frances is also a member of SAG/AFTRA and has been a theatre & screen actor for over 10 years. She has worked with Steppenwolf Theatre Company and The Goodman Theatre and is an emeritus ensemble member with Eclipse Theatre Company in Chicago. She has several voiceover, commercial, movie and television credits as well, including work for McDonald’s, United Airlines, and NBC’s Chicago Fire.
The 'Seeds of Change' screenplay has been honored with the following awards
We are on track to shoot the film in April of 2022. We are monitoring the progression of Covid-19. If we must halt production due to Covid-19 governmental rules and regulations, we will resume production once it is safe to do so.
While filming, our cast and crew will follow strict protocols as deemed by the government and SAG/AFTRA rules. Our Covid Coordinator has experience in keeping sets safe during Covid-19, she is a treasure to us.
We are a passionate, resilient crew that have weathered many storms before. We are more than equipped to weather this one.
Independent arts formats are important during times like these, as they give people hope that things can get better. It is our desire that this film, when finished, will bring a glimmer of hope to all who see it.
Your monetary contribution goes towards the film's production phase for locations, set decorations, props, wardrobe, hair & makeup, sound/camera/lighting, Covid-19 safety protocol items, food, and cast & crew travel stipends.
STRETCH GOALS
Our $12,500 goal is the amount needed production phase of the film.
- If we raise $16,000: We will use it to cover our post-production costs. This includes: Editing, Color Correction, Sound Mastering.
- If we raise $18,000: We will use it to cover film festival fees, distribution and marketing costs to get the film into the world and in front of a wider audience.
- If we raise $25,000: We will be able to increase the stipend paid to current and newly added Team members. They are currently sacrificing pay for their work out of passion for the project and its message. An increase in stipend will help cover more of their incidental expenses.
Partner with us to complete the production phase of this touching film!
How You Can Help!
Help Spread the Word with the Pre-Written Text Below:
Join me in supporting 'Seeds of Change' a short film that explores what it will take to heal racism in this country! @seedandspark: www.seedandspark.com/fund/seedsofchange
OR
I supported a film that I actually want to see! Let’s get 'SEEDS OF CHANGE' - @socshortfilm fully funded @seedandspark:www.seedandspark.com/fund/seedsofchange
It is because of you that we can make this important film!
Thank you for all of your support!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Set Decoration & Props
Costs $700
These items help bring the viewer into the world of the movie.
Location Fees & Permits
Costs $4,000
For renting an authentic rural farm house & restaurant/diner
Costume & Makeup
Costs $750
Each character has a different look & feel. Wardrobe and makeup help accentuate these differences.
Camera/Lighting/Sound
Costs $2,000
For rental of Camera/Lighting/Sound Equipment and the purchase of high speed portable Hard Drives.
Catering & Craft Services
Costs $2,620
Shoot days are 8-10 hours long. It is important to keep the cast & crew well nourished & hydrated
Transportation
Costs $1,130
Rentals are needed to transport equipment, cast & crew to and from set.
Covid-19 PPE
Costs $300
For masks, thermometers, gloves, face shields, bleach, hand sanitizer, paper towels.
Share this update!
About This Team
We are a diverse group of artists who are passionate about telling stories that move humanity forward.
Frances Wilkerson
Writer | Director | Producer
I love to film stories that put humanity on display. My goal with each film is to help the viewer see themselves in the soul of another, and to help them see that we are so much more alike than we are different. My hope is that by opening even a small crack in the viewer's perspective, the world can change for the better.
How Racism has Impacted Me
Racism is one of the most unsettling things you can ever experience. It leaves you shocked to your core. It leaves you feeling isolated and disconnected and makes you question, even if for a brief moment, your worth.
Alex Knightley
1st Assistant Director | Producer
I love the art of storytelling. There are many ways to do so. Whether it’s done orally, written, or even visually, it can touch on the hearts on whoever is viewing it. Filmmaking is one of the ways of storytelling that I have been driven to. I love to see the different steps and components it takes to create a story. I also love working with the many different talents people brought together to create the story as well. We all come from different backgrounds to work together as a team.
As 1st Assistant Director my job is to make sure that every team member has what they need to do their job. I make sure that we stay on track, on time, and to help and solve problems if they arise. There are structures to storytelling, and I believe my job is to help in keeping the structure together.
How Racism Has Impacted Me
Racism is the most common yet difficult thing to talk about here in America. It is ingrained in our history and every day lives, yet sometimes when it is brought up, people want to stay clear of it.
Racism has impacted me to a point where I don’t feel comfortable in my own skin. I know growing up there were times where I struggled with knowing who I am, how I looked, and how I spoke. I had to switch modes and act a certain way with certain people, so at the end of the day I was left with so many masks I didn’t know who I was. Since I can remember this leaves me to believe that I have to work twice as hard as others, and act a certain way just for the chance to be seen.
Alex Gvojic
Director of Photography
My love for filmmaking started at an early age. I was always fascinated by the worlds I was transported to through the cinema screen. As I got older, I focused on how these worlds could be created with camera and lighting choosing to major in cinematography at Columbia College Chicago.
So much of a story can be revealed through the play of light, shadow, and camera movement without the audience even being aware. This unconscious control of a viewer's emotions through the technical manipulation of the cinema screen is what excites me about the craft of cinematography.
My Views on Racism
Throughout my life I have always tried to be an ally to BIPOC. As a child I had many Black and Asian friends and was acutely aware of how differently they would be treated in school and when we were out in public. When we were at the record store shop owners would hover over my black friends while they paid no attention to me. This always upset me and often I would get into confrontations about race.
I have tried to use my white privilege to lend my skills to many artist of color allowing them access to filmmaking tools that they may have not been allotted. It is my responsibility to constantly educate myself and other white people on anti-racism so the systematic oppression of BIPOC can end.
Shannon MacKinnon
Production Designer
I have always enjoyed stories and the efforts and aspects of telling them. Production Design is one of my favorite tools for exploration, having a background in art, directing and video game design as well as working on sets for films and theatre in the past. Over the last few years, I have built up a resume as a production designer and art director for several short films.
Art direction focuses on what’s filmed and it informs the audience the world the story takes place. It’s not just the colors and the furniture. It’s the style, the age, the angles, the costuming, it all informs the viewer to the themes, characters and how they live.
How Racism Has Affected Me
Growing up and every day, I’ve seen a lot of inequality. I’ve seen friends unable to enter spaces because of the color of their skin. I’ve heard of my husband being asked to leave a restaurant because it “wasn’t for him.” He and I have received stares and grumbles from people. His cousin told me of people in a grocery store telling her she “brought the virus here.”
It makes me so sad and it makes me so angry, and I don’t want to make this about me. I am not perfect and I am not the best person to talk about it, but I’ve seen it and it’s there and no one can say it isn’t or that it’s over. It’s not over, and it never will be unless it’s truly addressed.
Tony Mendoza
Sound Supervisor
I am a professional sound designer, sound engineer, sound editor, boom operator, music composer and music producer. I have several years of musical composition, orchestration and production experience, released several studio recordings, worked as a sound designer for several online and offline projects, and worked both on location and in post on several short films.
From a very young age, music and sound have been an ever-present part of my life. From learning music theory and the saxophone at the age of 7, building custom hardware synthesizers in my 30’s, and picking up the piano into my 40’s, I have spent my entire life developing my skills as a musician and audio engineer.
To this day, I remain passionate and driven by the power of sound to shape an audience’s experience.
How Racism Has Impacted Me
As a mixed race (half black/half white) person, my experience with racism is a bit different than most who have been affected by this societal cancer.
Being able to pass as white gives you a peek behind the curtain. It allows you to see and hear things non-white people may never directly see or hear. I have seen behind the veil of smiles, false sincerity and fake helpfulness. I have been behind closed doors where the veils come down and true feelings are expressed and shared. I can think of nothing more disheartening than learning and knowing these truths.
The problem of racism still exists and it will always exist unless we discuss it, and its impact, out in the open with full honesty and sincerity. Through artistic works such as those produced by Frances, we may be able to take a more empathetic and humanistic approach to discussing this difficult but important topic.
Shelly Liu
Music Composer | Social Media Manager
As a classically trained musician, I oftentimes like to think how music truly is a universal language that can connect individuals together. Music has no language, at least in the classical world. Sure, songs have their own language and cultural roots implanted that are specific to each genre, but more often, people listen to the underlying details of the song, like the melody and beat. If we, as humans, can peel off the outer layer of a song to admire its true beauty, why can’t we do the same for appearances?
I discovered my love of music at an early age, playing both the piano and violin. I went on to pursue my Bachelor of Arts in Music Technology with a business minor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
As a music composer, I enjoy the opportunity to reach deep into people’s emotional conscience through the use of various styles and texture within my compositions.
For those of us who are fortunate enough to be blessed with ears and the ability to listen, please understand that music was given to us as a gift. Music heals our soul from sadness, excites us from happiness, and soothes us from chaos. Let us all continue to appreciate music for what it is, regardless of its origin.
My Experience With Racism
As a first generation Asian-American, growing up in a predominantly white neighborhood and school, I was internally challenged on who I really was. I may have looked Asian, but I dressed, ate, and spoke like an American. The self-battle of finding my true colors and sustaining my Asian cultural roots was difficult, especially since I was away from “my people”.
The older I get, I have surrounded myself with similar people with similar situations, but I’ve learned to accept my life the way it was given to me. If anything, learning to appreciate the diversity and experiences from a young age has enabled me to become more open-minded.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Greetings! 'Seeds of Change' tackles the themes of racism, cowardice, separation and healing. It is inspired by my experience of being black in America including a time I inadvertently ended up in a sundown town in the Ohio River Valley area.
It is my hope that this film will give viewers empathy and compassion towards those of us who have to deal with racism, and give viewers hope that America can heal its toxic relationship with racism.
My desire for the future is that a real dialog regarding race will be allowed where both sides feel safe enough to talk honestly about their fears and pain.
Though the eyes of a child, anything is possible. As adults, we sometimes forget about possibilities. It is my hope that this film will remind us.
JOIN us with a PLEDGE. Together we can make a beautiful, impactful film!
- Frances Wilkerson, Writer | Director | Producer
George Tanner is a 63 year-old restaurant owner who lives in a small rural town in Indiana. One evening, he comes home to find his wife, Laura, sitting in the kitchen with their 6 year-old biracial granddaughter Lexi Tanner.
Laura is working feverishly to get custody of Lexi. George is not happy as he feels the child will bring shame upon him and his wife in this small "former" sundown town. Over the next few days, George will be forced to face his demons and his conscience.
RACISM INFECTS EVERYONE - "Racism is a disease that infects everyone in its wake - those who fling it, those who receive it, and those who stand idly by and watch it. Can it be healed? Through the eyes of a child anything is possible." - Frances Wilkerson
SEPARATION AND DISCONNECTION
"When we listen we can understand. When we understand we can empathize. It is only then that we are truly connected" - Unknown
"When one separates themselves with fear and hatred, they lead a life of isolation & pain because they have fenced themselves off from humanity." - Frances Wilkerson
COWARDICE - "There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it is right." - Martin Luther King Jr.
The Impact of Racism on our Team
"Racism is the most common yet difficult thing to talk about here in America. It is ingrained in our history and every day lives, yet sometimes when it is brought up, people want to stay clear of it."
"Racism has impacted me to a point where I don’t feel comfortable in my own skin. I know growing up there were times where I struggled with knowing who I am, how I looked, and how I spoke. I had to switch modes and act a certain way with certain people, so at the end of the day I was left with so many masks I didn’t know who I was. Since I can remember this leaves me to believe that I have to work twice as hard as others, and act a certain way just for the chance to be seen."
"Racism is one of the most unsettling things you can ever experience. It leaves you shocked to your core. It leaves you feeling isolated and disconnected and makes you question, even if for a brief moment, your worth."
"As a child I had many Black and Asian friends and was acutely aware of how differently they would be treated in school and when we were out in public."
"Being able to pass as white gives you a peek behind the curtain. It allows you to see and hear things non-white people may never directly see or hear. I have seen behind the veil of smiles, false sincerity and fake helpfulness. I have been behind closed doors where the veils come down and true feelings are expressed and shared. I can think of nothing more disheartening than learning and knowing these truths."
'Seeds of Change' Takes Place in a "Former" Sundown Town in the Rural Midwest
WHAT IS A SUNDOWN TOWN?
Sundown Towns “…are all-white municipalities or neighborhoods in the United States that practice a form of racial segregation by excluding non-whites via some combination of discriminatory local laws, intimidation and violence.”
HOW DID THE NAME ORIGINATE?
The term Sundown Town originates from the signs some of these towns posted at their city limits warning "colored people" to stay away after dark.
VIOLENCE AND INTIMIDATION
Sundown Towns were extremely dangerous for Black Americans. Lynching, beatings and killings were part of the violence carried out in these towns if found there after sunset.
LOCATION OF SUNDOWN TOWNS
Many believe that Sundown Towns existed only in the South, but these towns existed all over the US with a large concentration in the Midwest. Illinois alone has had over 500 Sundown Towns in the state.
DO SUNDOWN TOWNS STILL EXIST?
While some towns have apologized for their role in this type of racist history, many have not, and a number of towns till exude the same Jim Crow racism and prejudice from the past. As a result, there are certain parts of the country the some Black Americans will not travel to today.
ROUTE 66
Many White Americans have nostalgia for Route 66. For many Black Americans, Route 66 was riddled with danger due to the number of Sundown Towns located along this road.
THE GREEN BOOK
A guide called "The Green Book" was created from 1936 to 1966 to help Black Americans stay safe and avoid such towns as they traveled.
SUNDOWN TOWNS IN CINEMA
Sundown Towns have rarely been mentioned or addressed in cinema. For example, 'Hoosiers' ignores the racial reality that was happening during the place and time the film was set in. Recently, however, HBO's 'Lovecraft Country' explored the horror Black Americans faced when caught after dark in a Sundown Town.
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SUNDOWN TOWNS?
Read: Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism" by James W. Loewen
Externally things are idyllic, internally they are not.
Frances Wilkerson's previous films Red, Rosa and Hair have won awards and have been screened at film festivals nationwide. Red, her most recent work, was an official selection at the Orlando Film Festival 2020, the Seattle True Independent Film Festival 2020, the Indie Film Wisconsin Film Festival 2020, the Chicago Southland International Film Festival 2020, Hollywood Independent Filmmaker Awards & Festival 2020 and the FlickFair Film Festival 2021. 'Red' also won The Award of Excellence at Global Shorts 2020 and the Award of Merit at the Best Shorts Competition 2020.
Frances has won awards for her screenplays at the California Women's Film Festival, the Women's Independent Film Festival, the World Series of Screenwriting, and the Hollywood Screenwriting Contest. She was a ‘2nd Rounder’ at the Austin Film Festival and a Short Script Finalist at the Harlem International Film Festival.
Frances is also a member of SAG/AFTRA and has been a theatre & screen actor for over 10 years. She has worked with Steppenwolf Theatre Company and The Goodman Theatre and is an emeritus ensemble member with Eclipse Theatre Company in Chicago. She has several voiceover, commercial, movie and television credits as well, including work for McDonald’s, United Airlines, and NBC’s Chicago Fire.
The 'Seeds of Change' screenplay has been honored with the following awards
We are on track to shoot the film in April of 2022. We are monitoring the progression of Covid-19. If we must halt production due to Covid-19 governmental rules and regulations, we will resume production once it is safe to do so.
While filming, our cast and crew will follow strict protocols as deemed by the government and SAG/AFTRA rules. Our Covid Coordinator has experience in keeping sets safe during Covid-19, she is a treasure to us.
We are a passionate, resilient crew that have weathered many storms before. We are more than equipped to weather this one.
Independent arts formats are important during times like these, as they give people hope that things can get better. It is our desire that this film, when finished, will bring a glimmer of hope to all who see it.
Your monetary contribution goes towards the film's production phase for locations, set decorations, props, wardrobe, hair & makeup, sound/camera/lighting, Covid-19 safety protocol items, food, and cast & crew travel stipends.
STRETCH GOALS
Our $12,500 goal is the amount needed production phase of the film.
- If we raise $16,000: We will use it to cover our post-production costs. This includes: Editing, Color Correction, Sound Mastering.
- If we raise $18,000: We will use it to cover film festival fees, distribution and marketing costs to get the film into the world and in front of a wider audience.
- If we raise $25,000: We will be able to increase the stipend paid to current and newly added Team members. They are currently sacrificing pay for their work out of passion for the project and its message. An increase in stipend will help cover more of their incidental expenses.
Partner with us to complete the production phase of this touching film!
How You Can Help!
Help Spread the Word with the Pre-Written Text Below:
Join me in supporting 'Seeds of Change' a short film that explores what it will take to heal racism in this country! @seedandspark: www.seedandspark.com/fund/seedsofchange
OR
I supported a film that I actually want to see! Let’s get 'SEEDS OF CHANGE' - @socshortfilm fully funded @seedandspark:www.seedandspark.com/fund/seedsofchange
It is because of you that we can make this important film!
Thank you for all of your support!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Set Decoration & Props
Costs $700
These items help bring the viewer into the world of the movie.
Location Fees & Permits
Costs $4,000
For renting an authentic rural farm house & restaurant/diner
Costume & Makeup
Costs $750
Each character has a different look & feel. Wardrobe and makeup help accentuate these differences.
Camera/Lighting/Sound
Costs $2,000
For rental of Camera/Lighting/Sound Equipment and the purchase of high speed portable Hard Drives.
Catering & Craft Services
Costs $2,620
Shoot days are 8-10 hours long. It is important to keep the cast & crew well nourished & hydrated
Transportation
Costs $1,130
Rentals are needed to transport equipment, cast & crew to and from set.
Covid-19 PPE
Costs $300
For masks, thermometers, gloves, face shields, bleach, hand sanitizer, paper towels.
Share this update!
About This Team
We are a diverse group of artists who are passionate about telling stories that move humanity forward.
Frances Wilkerson
Writer | Director | Producer
I love to film stories that put humanity on display. My goal with each film is to help the viewer see themselves in the soul of another, and to help them see that we are so much more alike than we are different. My hope is that by opening even a small crack in the viewer's perspective, the world can change for the better.
How Racism has Impacted Me
Racism is one of the most unsettling things you can ever experience. It leaves you shocked to your core. It leaves you feeling isolated and disconnected and makes you question, even if for a brief moment, your worth.
Alex Knightley
1st Assistant Director | Producer
I love the art of storytelling. There are many ways to do so. Whether it’s done orally, written, or even visually, it can touch on the hearts on whoever is viewing it. Filmmaking is one of the ways of storytelling that I have been driven to. I love to see the different steps and components it takes to create a story. I also love working with the many different talents people brought together to create the story as well. We all come from different backgrounds to work together as a team.
As 1st Assistant Director my job is to make sure that every team member has what they need to do their job. I make sure that we stay on track, on time, and to help and solve problems if they arise. There are structures to storytelling, and I believe my job is to help in keeping the structure together.
How Racism Has Impacted Me
Racism is the most common yet difficult thing to talk about here in America. It is ingrained in our history and every day lives, yet sometimes when it is brought up, people want to stay clear of it.
Racism has impacted me to a point where I don’t feel comfortable in my own skin. I know growing up there were times where I struggled with knowing who I am, how I looked, and how I spoke. I had to switch modes and act a certain way with certain people, so at the end of the day I was left with so many masks I didn’t know who I was. Since I can remember this leaves me to believe that I have to work twice as hard as others, and act a certain way just for the chance to be seen.
Alex Gvojic
Director of Photography
My love for filmmaking started at an early age. I was always fascinated by the worlds I was transported to through the cinema screen. As I got older, I focused on how these worlds could be created with camera and lighting choosing to major in cinematography at Columbia College Chicago.
So much of a story can be revealed through the play of light, shadow, and camera movement without the audience even being aware. This unconscious control of a viewer's emotions through the technical manipulation of the cinema screen is what excites me about the craft of cinematography.
My Views on Racism
Throughout my life I have always tried to be an ally to BIPOC. As a child I had many Black and Asian friends and was acutely aware of how differently they would be treated in school and when we were out in public. When we were at the record store shop owners would hover over my black friends while they paid no attention to me. This always upset me and often I would get into confrontations about race.
I have tried to use my white privilege to lend my skills to many artist of color allowing them access to filmmaking tools that they may have not been allotted. It is my responsibility to constantly educate myself and other white people on anti-racism so the systematic oppression of BIPOC can end.
Shannon MacKinnon
Production Designer
I have always enjoyed stories and the efforts and aspects of telling them. Production Design is one of my favorite tools for exploration, having a background in art, directing and video game design as well as working on sets for films and theatre in the past. Over the last few years, I have built up a resume as a production designer and art director for several short films.
Art direction focuses on what’s filmed and it informs the audience the world the story takes place. It’s not just the colors and the furniture. It’s the style, the age, the angles, the costuming, it all informs the viewer to the themes, characters and how they live.
How Racism Has Affected Me
Growing up and every day, I’ve seen a lot of inequality. I’ve seen friends unable to enter spaces because of the color of their skin. I’ve heard of my husband being asked to leave a restaurant because it “wasn’t for him.” He and I have received stares and grumbles from people. His cousin told me of people in a grocery store telling her she “brought the virus here.”
It makes me so sad and it makes me so angry, and I don’t want to make this about me. I am not perfect and I am not the best person to talk about it, but I’ve seen it and it’s there and no one can say it isn’t or that it’s over. It’s not over, and it never will be unless it’s truly addressed.
Tony Mendoza
Sound Supervisor
I am a professional sound designer, sound engineer, sound editor, boom operator, music composer and music producer. I have several years of musical composition, orchestration and production experience, released several studio recordings, worked as a sound designer for several online and offline projects, and worked both on location and in post on several short films.
From a very young age, music and sound have been an ever-present part of my life. From learning music theory and the saxophone at the age of 7, building custom hardware synthesizers in my 30’s, and picking up the piano into my 40’s, I have spent my entire life developing my skills as a musician and audio engineer.
To this day, I remain passionate and driven by the power of sound to shape an audience’s experience.
How Racism Has Impacted Me
As a mixed race (half black/half white) person, my experience with racism is a bit different than most who have been affected by this societal cancer.
Being able to pass as white gives you a peek behind the curtain. It allows you to see and hear things non-white people may never directly see or hear. I have seen behind the veil of smiles, false sincerity and fake helpfulness. I have been behind closed doors where the veils come down and true feelings are expressed and shared. I can think of nothing more disheartening than learning and knowing these truths.
The problem of racism still exists and it will always exist unless we discuss it, and its impact, out in the open with full honesty and sincerity. Through artistic works such as those produced by Frances, we may be able to take a more empathetic and humanistic approach to discussing this difficult but important topic.
Shelly Liu
Music Composer | Social Media Manager
As a classically trained musician, I oftentimes like to think how music truly is a universal language that can connect individuals together. Music has no language, at least in the classical world. Sure, songs have their own language and cultural roots implanted that are specific to each genre, but more often, people listen to the underlying details of the song, like the melody and beat. If we, as humans, can peel off the outer layer of a song to admire its true beauty, why can’t we do the same for appearances?
I discovered my love of music at an early age, playing both the piano and violin. I went on to pursue my Bachelor of Arts in Music Technology with a business minor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
As a music composer, I enjoy the opportunity to reach deep into people’s emotional conscience through the use of various styles and texture within my compositions.
For those of us who are fortunate enough to be blessed with ears and the ability to listen, please understand that music was given to us as a gift. Music heals our soul from sadness, excites us from happiness, and soothes us from chaos. Let us all continue to appreciate music for what it is, regardless of its origin.
My Experience With Racism
As a first generation Asian-American, growing up in a predominantly white neighborhood and school, I was internally challenged on who I really was. I may have looked Asian, but I dressed, ate, and spoke like an American. The self-battle of finding my true colors and sustaining my Asian cultural roots was difficult, especially since I was away from “my people”.
The older I get, I have surrounded myself with similar people with similar situations, but I’ve learned to accept my life the way it was given to me. If anything, learning to appreciate the diversity and experiences from a young age has enabled me to become more open-minded.