The Black Baptism
Durham, North Carolina | Film Short
Fantasy, Thriller
This afro-futurist fantasy thriller explores themes around redemption, finding the courage to face fear and connecting to the God within using mythological concepts to visualize the protagonist's evolution through a fantasy lens.
The Black Baptism
Durham, North Carolina | Film Short
Fantasy, Thriller
1 Campaigns | North Carolina, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $5,265 for post-production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
89 supporters | followers
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This afro-futurist fantasy thriller explores themes around redemption, finding the courage to face fear and connecting to the God within using mythological concepts to visualize the protagonist's evolution through a fantasy lens.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
You're my prisoner!
The Black Baptism is a short afro-futurist fantasy thriller about a young woman who awakens imprisoned by a mysterious group. The story starts with a flashback of the past struggles that lead to her imprisonment. It becomes obvious she cannot escape her troubles when a woman’s voice informs her that she must pass a series of tests for any hope of survival.
I am The First...
When a phenomenon projects the Prisoner into outer-space she comes face to face with a supernatural being called The First. Illuminated by the moonlight The First teaches the Prisoner what she must do to pass the cryptic trials.
All is Mind...
The story explores themes around redemption, finding the courage to face fear and connecting to the God within using mythological concepts to visualize the Prisoner’s evolution through a fantasy lens. The suspenseful character-driven plot is told from the protagonist’s point of view allowing the audience to connect with her humanity as they experience the journey. The existential concepts explore ideas of oneness as we are all created from the same matter, alternative forms of justice, the good in challenging authority and questions the perceived limits of our power to create reality.
We plan to screen THE BLACK BAPTISM at film festivals in 2020 after which time we will release it to the public online. We also hope to partner with educational institutions and organizations to hold screenings for women and girls experiencing challenges.
Project Status
We are currently in post-production and proud to announce THE BLACK BAPTISM was awarded the Filmed in NC grant in May 2019.
Follow & Share!
Be sure to follow us here on Seed&Spark, but also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Subscribe for updates on our website theblackbaptism.com and encourage your friends to follow us too!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SUPPORTING OUR PROJECT :)
-Stephanie Diane Ford
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
VFX & Color Grading
Costs $1,500
We need to add visual effects and color to set the tone and realize the vision of the film.
Sound Design
Costs $500
Sound is one of the most important elements of the audience experience.
Accrued Production Expenses
Costs $2,000
We need to pay for some accrued production expenses and a pick-up shoot.
Festivals & Distribution
Costs $1,000
We need to pay for submission and distribution fees to get our film out to the world.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Stephanie Diane Ford - Producer / Writer / Director
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6090444/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Stephanie Diane Ford is a Durham-based filmmaker whose credits on commercial and indie film projects established her reputation as a respected producer, AD and script supervisor. After receiving a B.S. in Business Administration from Drexel University in 2005 she relocated to Paris to pursue post-graduate studies in Fashion Design Management. Her interest quickly shifted to working behind the camera after creating a teaser video for her style blog MEin5D (now MEin5D Films). She was awarded the “Filmed in NC” grant from Cucalorus Film Foundation in April 2019 for her debut narrative short, The Black Baptism.
Christopher Everett - Executive Producer
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2802166/?ref_=tt_ov_dr
Christopher is a Durham-based producer and director of the award-winning documentary film Wilmington on Fire. He is the President of Speller Street Films, North Carolina’s premiere film production and distribution company and currently works with Full Frame Documentary Film Festival as the Communications Manager. His notable awards include Best Local Independent Film from Encore Magazine in 2016, Best Documentary Feature at NC Black Film Festival and Best Director First Feature Documentary from Pan African Film Festival in 2017. Christopher is currently filming his next two documentaries, “Wilmington on Fire 2” and “Grandmaster” which looks at the legacy of martial arts pioneer Vic Moore.
Isaac Hughes Green - Cinematographer
Isaac Hughes Green is a cinematographer, filmmaker, and writer. He briefly studied at Duke University before moving to New York to pursue a career in filmmaking through NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. He won the 2014 John Kelly Excellence in Cinematography Award at Fresno Film Festival for his work on ‘Park 51’ and several screenwriting awards for his feature length script ‘Soul City’. As a cinematographer and lighting director, Isaac has worked with Emmy award winning directors on projects for large clients such as Viacom, Converse, and Vera Wang. Isaac is currently an MFA candidate in the Creative Writing Masters in Fine Arts program at North Carolina State University.
Amethyst Davis - THE PRISONER
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8363536/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Amethyst was born and raised in the humble town of Clemson, SC. From a very young age she gained a passion for acting, and always made sure she attained the starring role in her church productions. Her interest in acting continued through high school into college where she was an integral cast member of Skin Deep, a prolific campus based improvisational theater troupe, where she was awarded Best Actress.
Amethyst has been on the Atlanta acting scene for a little over 2 years initially working as a stand-in for Sanaa Lathan on Fox’s Shots Fired series and recently the Netflix Original, Nappily Ever After. Amethyst can be found honing her craft at Drama Inc and is a member of the People of Color Improv Troupe: Crazy, Sexy, Cool at The Village Theatre. Currently, Amethyst is guest-starring on TV One's Fatal Attraction and ATL Homicide as well as starring in various independent films.
Cindi Davis - THE FIRST
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7365925/
Cindi has always had a passion for acting and the performing arts. She began honing her skills at Landstown High School while participating in theater and chorus. Shortly after, Cindi earned a performance-based scholarship to attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. She has performed in various plays and musicals and most recently played the lead role of Ida B. Wells in a production called “The Ladies Car.”
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
You're my prisoner!
The Black Baptism is a short afro-futurist fantasy thriller about a young woman who awakens imprisoned by a mysterious group. The story starts with a flashback of the past struggles that lead to her imprisonment. It becomes obvious she cannot escape her troubles when a woman’s voice informs her that she must pass a series of tests for any hope of survival.
I am The First...
When a phenomenon projects the Prisoner into outer-space she comes face to face with a supernatural being called The First. Illuminated by the moonlight The First teaches the Prisoner what she must do to pass the cryptic trials.
All is Mind...
The story explores themes around redemption, finding the courage to face fear and connecting to the God within using mythological concepts to visualize the Prisoner’s evolution through a fantasy lens. The suspenseful character-driven plot is told from the protagonist’s point of view allowing the audience to connect with her humanity as they experience the journey. The existential concepts explore ideas of oneness as we are all created from the same matter, alternative forms of justice, the good in challenging authority and questions the perceived limits of our power to create reality.
We plan to screen THE BLACK BAPTISM at film festivals in 2020 after which time we will release it to the public online. We also hope to partner with educational institutions and organizations to hold screenings for women and girls experiencing challenges.
Project Status
We are currently in post-production and proud to announce THE BLACK BAPTISM was awarded the Filmed in NC grant in May 2019.
Follow & Share!
Be sure to follow us here on Seed&Spark, but also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Subscribe for updates on our website theblackbaptism.com and encourage your friends to follow us too!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SUPPORTING OUR PROJECT :)
-Stephanie Diane Ford
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
VFX & Color Grading
Costs $1,500
We need to add visual effects and color to set the tone and realize the vision of the film.
Sound Design
Costs $500
Sound is one of the most important elements of the audience experience.
Accrued Production Expenses
Costs $2,000
We need to pay for some accrued production expenses and a pick-up shoot.
Festivals & Distribution
Costs $1,000
We need to pay for submission and distribution fees to get our film out to the world.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Stephanie Diane Ford - Producer / Writer / Director
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6090444/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Stephanie Diane Ford is a Durham-based filmmaker whose credits on commercial and indie film projects established her reputation as a respected producer, AD and script supervisor. After receiving a B.S. in Business Administration from Drexel University in 2005 she relocated to Paris to pursue post-graduate studies in Fashion Design Management. Her interest quickly shifted to working behind the camera after creating a teaser video for her style blog MEin5D (now MEin5D Films). She was awarded the “Filmed in NC” grant from Cucalorus Film Foundation in April 2019 for her debut narrative short, The Black Baptism.
Christopher Everett - Executive Producer
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2802166/?ref_=tt_ov_dr
Christopher is a Durham-based producer and director of the award-winning documentary film Wilmington on Fire. He is the President of Speller Street Films, North Carolina’s premiere film production and distribution company and currently works with Full Frame Documentary Film Festival as the Communications Manager. His notable awards include Best Local Independent Film from Encore Magazine in 2016, Best Documentary Feature at NC Black Film Festival and Best Director First Feature Documentary from Pan African Film Festival in 2017. Christopher is currently filming his next two documentaries, “Wilmington on Fire 2” and “Grandmaster” which looks at the legacy of martial arts pioneer Vic Moore.
Isaac Hughes Green - Cinematographer
Isaac Hughes Green is a cinematographer, filmmaker, and writer. He briefly studied at Duke University before moving to New York to pursue a career in filmmaking through NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. He won the 2014 John Kelly Excellence in Cinematography Award at Fresno Film Festival for his work on ‘Park 51’ and several screenwriting awards for his feature length script ‘Soul City’. As a cinematographer and lighting director, Isaac has worked with Emmy award winning directors on projects for large clients such as Viacom, Converse, and Vera Wang. Isaac is currently an MFA candidate in the Creative Writing Masters in Fine Arts program at North Carolina State University.
Amethyst Davis - THE PRISONER
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8363536/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Amethyst was born and raised in the humble town of Clemson, SC. From a very young age she gained a passion for acting, and always made sure she attained the starring role in her church productions. Her interest in acting continued through high school into college where she was an integral cast member of Skin Deep, a prolific campus based improvisational theater troupe, where she was awarded Best Actress.
Amethyst has been on the Atlanta acting scene for a little over 2 years initially working as a stand-in for Sanaa Lathan on Fox’s Shots Fired series and recently the Netflix Original, Nappily Ever After. Amethyst can be found honing her craft at Drama Inc and is a member of the People of Color Improv Troupe: Crazy, Sexy, Cool at The Village Theatre. Currently, Amethyst is guest-starring on TV One's Fatal Attraction and ATL Homicide as well as starring in various independent films.
Cindi Davis - THE FIRST
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7365925/
Cindi has always had a passion for acting and the performing arts. She began honing her skills at Landstown High School while participating in theater and chorus. Shortly after, Cindi earned a performance-based scholarship to attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. She has performed in various plays and musicals and most recently played the lead role of Ida B. Wells in a production called “The Ladies Car.”