Talk Black
Greenville, South Carolina | Film Feature
Comedy, Drama
Talk black is about fighting against those internal and external voices that try to marginalize you. Mahogany is talented yet socially awkward black engineer and when the pressures of her job become too much, she has a breakdown. All of that pent-up ratchetness manifests itself as Liquida!
Talk Black
Greenville, South Carolina | Film Feature
Comedy, Drama
3 Campaigns | South Carolina, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $8,065 for pre-production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
25 supporters | followers
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Talk black is about fighting against those internal and external voices that try to marginalize you. Mahogany is talented yet socially awkward black engineer and when the pressures of her job become too much, she has a breakdown. All of that pent-up ratchetness manifests itself as Liquida!
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Talk Black is a comedy about one woman’s struggle to find out who she really is despite the marginalization she experiences from cultural and professional belief systems. It's a comedic expression of what happens when a person can no longer repress the urges to behave recklessly. After the climactic split of Mahogany’s psyche, her restrained emotions and desires become embodied in a human form. Mahogany must “do life” alongside her boundless alter ego, Liquida, and will learn valuable lessons about herself and the way that the world views her.
The lead character, Mahogany, is a re-imagining of myself. She’s inside of her own head, afraid to step out and proclaim who she is. One harsh statement her brother makes to her is; “You’re not black enough to be entertainment and not white enough to fit in” and this is the epitome of the way I’ve always felt.
When the perfect cocktail of workplace stresses, a pre-existing mental condition, and unexpressed sexual desires are all mixed up, Mahogany develops a split personality; Liquida. She’s a hallucinogenic reflection of Mahogany’s subconscious [a split personallity] who expresses her inhibited desires in wild, zany, and liberating ways.
Throughout the film, Mahogany will be torn in opposing directions. The central questions her circumstances seem to pose is whether she’ll be white or male enough to succeed in her career and whether she’ll be black enough to “do it for the culture”.
What I’ve realized during my own, real-life, character arc, is that everyone has a restrained self hiding inside of them. I feel that in order to enjoy this short life we’ve been given, we have to walk in our truth. As a black female engineer myself, I have experienced much of the sexism and racism Mahogany faces but I have overcome it along with the self-conscious nature I possessed in my youth. I have wanted to do things I shouldn’t do and have done things that I definitely regret, but this is human nature and any story worth telling is one that expands upon an existential crises of the human state.
This story is not only about the identity crisis of a quirky black woman, but it is also about the restraints most of us place on our “other selves”, or the person inside of us that has no regard for the feelings of others, the consequences of our actions, or the way we are being perceived. The often frustrating hilarity that I have experienced inspired the story of Talk Black.
Once the film is complete:
FESTIVALS - Talk Black is currently in the second round of consideration with Sundance's development program. Regardless to if it's chosen or not, we will be entering the film in an array of film festivals. These festivals include, but are not limited to, the Atlanta Film Festival, Marietta Film Festival, Reedy Reels Film Festival, Charlotte Black Film Festival. These are all local to the filmmakers and we will be able to be in attendance during potential screenings.
THEATRICAL RELEASE - We have been in conctact with several theaters that are open to independent film screenings. We will have one official red carpet premiere in which the cast and crew are able to get dressed up and enjoy a fancy night as they watch the fruits of all their hard work on screen in front of a live audience.
STREAMING - We are currently shopping distributors for the final film. Once we've locked into a quality agreement, we intend to stream "Talk Black" on online platforms for a small fee, under $10.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Script Consultation
Costs $1,000
In order for Talk Black ito be just as amazing as it possibly can be.
Set design
Costs $2,000
The atmosphere sets the tone. Interior decorating is key in creating a beautiful production.
Preproduction Meetings - Travel & Lodging
Costs $1,800
Measure twice. Cut once. Planning is key for a smoothly ran production.
Entertainment Attorney Fees
Costs $700
To make sure this production has dotted all of its I's and crossed all of its T's.
Story Boarding
Costs $1,000
Story boards help relay the director's vision to the rest of the crew.
Location Permits
Costs $500
We have to make sure the location is ago before we unload our gear and our talent at the site.
Casting
Costs $3,000
I need to find the perfect actors to bring this story to life.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
My team and I have worked on over a dozen film projects together and through the many mistakes and successes that we've had, we've learned how addictive this whole process is! We love the experience of watching a movie or a TV show and feeling all of the emotions that come along with a well crafted piece of art. No matter the video quality or the budget, we know that the most important aspect of any motion picture is the story. Amazing editing, cool shots, or even high class special effects can not substitute for a story that reaches out into the audience and touches them on a deeper emotional level. My team and I have worked tirelessly to bring great pieces of writing to life and we know that with struggle comes a beautiful thing; wisdom. This wisdom and these depths of emoitons are what we strive to bring to the screen with Talk Black and with all of our future films.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Talk Black is a comedy about one woman’s struggle to find out who she really is despite the marginalization she experiences from cultural and professional belief systems. It's a comedic expression of what happens when a person can no longer repress the urges to behave recklessly. After the climactic split of Mahogany’s psyche, her restrained emotions and desires become embodied in a human form. Mahogany must “do life” alongside her boundless alter ego, Liquida, and will learn valuable lessons about herself and the way that the world views her.
The lead character, Mahogany, is a re-imagining of myself. She’s inside of her own head, afraid to step out and proclaim who she is. One harsh statement her brother makes to her is; “You’re not black enough to be entertainment and not white enough to fit in” and this is the epitome of the way I’ve always felt.
When the perfect cocktail of workplace stresses, a pre-existing mental condition, and unexpressed sexual desires are all mixed up, Mahogany develops a split personality; Liquida. She’s a hallucinogenic reflection of Mahogany’s subconscious [a split personallity] who expresses her inhibited desires in wild, zany, and liberating ways.
Throughout the film, Mahogany will be torn in opposing directions. The central questions her circumstances seem to pose is whether she’ll be white or male enough to succeed in her career and whether she’ll be black enough to “do it for the culture”.
What I’ve realized during my own, real-life, character arc, is that everyone has a restrained self hiding inside of them. I feel that in order to enjoy this short life we’ve been given, we have to walk in our truth. As a black female engineer myself, I have experienced much of the sexism and racism Mahogany faces but I have overcome it along with the self-conscious nature I possessed in my youth. I have wanted to do things I shouldn’t do and have done things that I definitely regret, but this is human nature and any story worth telling is one that expands upon an existential crises of the human state.
This story is not only about the identity crisis of a quirky black woman, but it is also about the restraints most of us place on our “other selves”, or the person inside of us that has no regard for the feelings of others, the consequences of our actions, or the way we are being perceived. The often frustrating hilarity that I have experienced inspired the story of Talk Black.
Once the film is complete:
FESTIVALS - Talk Black is currently in the second round of consideration with Sundance's development program. Regardless to if it's chosen or not, we will be entering the film in an array of film festivals. These festivals include, but are not limited to, the Atlanta Film Festival, Marietta Film Festival, Reedy Reels Film Festival, Charlotte Black Film Festival. These are all local to the filmmakers and we will be able to be in attendance during potential screenings.
THEATRICAL RELEASE - We have been in conctact with several theaters that are open to independent film screenings. We will have one official red carpet premiere in which the cast and crew are able to get dressed up and enjoy a fancy night as they watch the fruits of all their hard work on screen in front of a live audience.
STREAMING - We are currently shopping distributors for the final film. Once we've locked into a quality agreement, we intend to stream "Talk Black" on online platforms for a small fee, under $10.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Script Consultation
Costs $1,000
In order for Talk Black ito be just as amazing as it possibly can be.
Set design
Costs $2,000
The atmosphere sets the tone. Interior decorating is key in creating a beautiful production.
Preproduction Meetings - Travel & Lodging
Costs $1,800
Measure twice. Cut once. Planning is key for a smoothly ran production.
Entertainment Attorney Fees
Costs $700
To make sure this production has dotted all of its I's and crossed all of its T's.
Story Boarding
Costs $1,000
Story boards help relay the director's vision to the rest of the crew.
Location Permits
Costs $500
We have to make sure the location is ago before we unload our gear and our talent at the site.
Casting
Costs $3,000
I need to find the perfect actors to bring this story to life.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
My team and I have worked on over a dozen film projects together and through the many mistakes and successes that we've had, we've learned how addictive this whole process is! We love the experience of watching a movie or a TV show and feeling all of the emotions that come along with a well crafted piece of art. No matter the video quality or the budget, we know that the most important aspect of any motion picture is the story. Amazing editing, cool shots, or even high class special effects can not substitute for a story that reaches out into the audience and touches them on a deeper emotional level. My team and I have worked tirelessly to bring great pieces of writing to life and we know that with struggle comes a beautiful thing; wisdom. This wisdom and these depths of emoitons are what we strive to bring to the screen with Talk Black and with all of our future films.