URBAN UPTAKE

Logline: After Ayanna gets fired, she stumbles onto a digital world called Urban Uptake, a place for women like her: nonconformists.

Synopsis: Ayanna, an IT professional, walks into work. The unimaginable happens, her boss fires her due to her hair not meeting the company’s professional standard for clients. Upset, Ayanna talks to her best friend, Eesha, who suggests that Ayanna apply for a job on Urban Uptake. At first Ayanna hates the idea because Urban Uptake is a knockoff of Craigslist, but job hunting isn’t fun. She finds a job posting on Urban Uptake and submits an application. To Ayanna’s surprise, after submitting an application, she enters into a digital world called Urban Uptake, which is a place for women like her: nonconformists. Little does she know how close her ties are to the digital world.

WHAT IS IT?

DIGITAL WORLD

Urban Uptake is a futuristic cyberpunk metropolis digital world teeming with life, innovation, and complexity. Nestled within an urban landscape adorned with neon lights that illuminate the bustling streets below, this cityscape pulsates with energy day and night. The city's energy comes from the citizens' hair, which is an extension of their identity, a symbol of strength, beauty, and resilience. Their hair isn't merely strands of protein, but a canvas for self-expression, creativity, and cultural heritage. In this world, the women that reside here are outcasts from the current world. Despite being outcasts, without these women, the current world will be vulnerable to adversaries of other digital worlds. The women of Urban Uptake are fighters, protectors, and warriors for their world and the current world.

CURRENT WORLD

In Urban Uptake, the current world is characterized by technological advancements, globalization, and interconnectedness. As the current world grows, it faces a multitude of interconnected problems spanning various domains, including social, economic, environmental, and political issues. The current world has "ism" i.e. sexism, classism, etc. It is a world that doesn't accept outcasts, citizens of this world must conform.

FROM THE WRITER

“Urban Uptake,” is essentially a proof of concept short film. I wrote the piece from my own personal experiences. I’ve been fired from a job and I’ve had insecurities about  my individual identity. This short explores my larger live-action, animated, and cyberpunk series about a young woman, Ayanna, who is searching for her individual identity in a soul-sucking corporate working environment. Eventually, Ayanna gets fired due to her personal expression through her choice of hairstyle. From this experience, she is catapulted into learning more about herself, her family, and the true meaning of being a hero. 

If we, women of color, don't start creating stories for ourselves; then, we will continue to beg for a place in their stories. We can't rely on institutions alone to protect the values we share. No longer should women of color feel like we need to ask for representation.  We need to create our stories and show them we can be great storytellers, great leads, and great filmmakers. That’s why we’re making this film. Gandhi once said, "You must be the change you want to see in the world." Therefore, we are making that change. We’re bringing marginalized talent and voices to the forefront. By pledging to us now, you're doing more than supporting our film, you're sending a message of unity and acceptance. Let's make a difference together.

CAST

Daja’ Sienna

Daja’ Sienna is an Atlanta based actress that specializes in on-camera acting, voice acting and hand modeling. Born in Los Angeles, California, Daja’ has been passionate about the arts for as long as she can remember. She spent her early years in Louisiana, where her family is from, and booked her first on camera job in New Orleans many years ago. Daja’ eventually moved to Georgia in the second grade and the rest is history. She has had the pleasure of working with companies such as Publix, Kit Kat, General Motors, and more. When she’s not on set, Daja' enjoys spending time with family & friends, eating, reading, hiking, and napping.

Ashley Davidson

Ashley Davidson is an Atlanta native who has a passion and love for storytelling. As a child she was an avid reader and movie enthusiast. Because of her strong support system from her mother and brother, Ashley decided to pursue the arts after graduating with degrees in biology and public health. Her focus is to learn, grow and create as an actor, a writer and a director. She is incredibly thankful for each opportunity that comes her way. Her first film, Litterbug, was screened at the National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY) back in 2009. Ashley also placed 3rd in the 2012 Christian Screenwriter Screenplay Competition. The life of a creative is a glorious gift, and she wants to reach out and touch the hearts of others just as books, movies, and plays did for her while growing up. The love of God and her family are her fuel, and the love of the arts is her direction. She's only just getting started.

If we, women of color, don't start creating stories for ourselves; then, we will continue to beg for a place in their stories. We can't rely on institutions alone to protect the values we share. No longer should women of color feel like we need to ask for representation. We need to create our stories and show them we can be great storytellers, great leads, and great filmmakers. That’s why we’re making this film. Gandhi once said, "You must be the change you want to see in the world." Therefore, we are making that change. We’re bringing marginalized talent and voices to the forefront. By pledging to us now, you're doing more than supporting our film, you're sending a message of unity and acceptance. Let's make a difference together.

We are fiscally sponsored by From the Heart Productions, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that sponsors films that contribute toward society. This means that your donation to this campaign is tax-deductible! Any non-cash donation toward the Wish List is tax-deductible as well.

Our team is fortunate to contribute some of our own money to the project. After all, if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will. Nonetheless, still making a short film isn't an easy task. To make this film possible, we are looking to secure funding to:

• Pay post-production costs
• editing
• coloring
• sound mixing

WAYS TO SUPPORT



If you'd like to aid us on our filmmaking quest, but aren't able to contribute financially, there are many other ways you can still show your support!

• Follow @urbanuptaketheshort on social media for updates
• Share our campaign on your socials and inspire others to donate by posting something like: “Support @urbanuptaketheshort on @seedandspark!"
• Follow us here on Seed&Spark! (it's free!) If we hit 250 followers, we'll unlock creator discounts, products, services, and festival fee waivers for this and future projects, courtesy of Seed&Spark!