We all cry. Someone must answer.
Telling stories to stimulate change.
We are native southern filmmakers who created a scripted short film that has already screened in over 50 festivals around the world and won over 30 awards! It’s our goal to shine a light on the inequality towards people of color and the poor in southern states by for-profit prison systems, and hope that these stories stimulate authentic conversations so that our communities can find ways to encourage and facilitate permanent criminal justice reform.
We have other scripts and projects in development. We now have a fiscal sponsor so donations are tax-deductible! *** DONATE NOW***
A Cry for Help Short Film
When a man of color is convicted of a crime he did not commit,
his life and death hang in the hands of a woman too afraid to stand for truth.
Project Overview: A CRY FOR HELP is an intimate look at the destructive power of white privilege and the impact of white silence on black incarceration told in a dramatic short film format. Lensed in black and white, reminiscent of classic films like TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, it’s an American tragedy right out of the headlines. A cautionary tale that shines a sad light on the tragic destruction of an American family by the fear and indifference of an otherwise caring witness to a crime that never really happened.
Take a peek behind the scenes of our short film shoot in Shreveport, LA in March 2020.
Hear from two of our producers, Shanna Forrestall & Escalante Lundy.
Here some snippets from some of our real life interviews….
Meet some of the team who helped us shoot the scripted short film in Shreveport.
Steven Esteb, Director
Steven Esteb is an award winning filmmaker that has worked as a Hollywood screenwriter and has directed features, commercials, music videos and documentaries. He is the founder of the Louisiana Screenwriters Boot Camp, and also currently a professor at Loyola University New Orleans teaching film and screenwriting. His recently completed film, Hate Crime, starring Amy Redford, John Schneider and Kevin Bernhardt, has gathered awards at film festivals all over the world.
Escalante Lundy - Producer, Lead Actor
Was born and raised in New Orleans. Moved to California in 2000 after a career with local government while in New Orleans. In 2005, was introduced to the entertainment industry by a friend. Even though after investigation, was not initially interested. Later was exposed to theater and film by producers of Falkon Kwest Productions. Was brought on as a producer because of project management experience while working for California Department of Transportation in Sacramento. Because of a no-show of another actor, was initiated into the performance world and life was changed since. Was involved in several stage productions in Las Angeles and Las Vegas before moving back to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina to assist family.
While in New Orleans, became involved in the local acting scene. Began studying with Anthony Bean Community Theater. Made his New Orleans stage acting debut as the “Papaya Man” . After several theater productions, the film world was next. Over the past 12 years, participated in over 50 film/television/theater and commercial projects. Has worked on cable television, “Queen”; network television, “NCIS New Orleans”; feature films,”Django Unchanged”; and national commercials, “Pampers”. Over the past few years, have gotten more involved in producing and writing. His goal is to continue working and full time film making
Shanna Forrestall - Writer, Producer, Lead Actor
Shanna Forrestall has been involved in storytelling since she was a little girl playing dress-up with her siblings and friends. She’s always been captivated by unique real-life stories, and lured by the power of fables and myths to teach life truths.
Shanna has been working in film and TV since 2007 as a professional actress and has over 100 credits, and is a busy Creative Producer in the areas of film, fashion and music. Learn more about Shanna * See Shanna’s IMDB
Crystal Woodford - Producer
Crystal Woodford, a Shreveport, Louisiana native, is a celebrity hair stylist. After Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana, Crystal became one of Shreveport's first young African American women to break into the film industry doing hair and make-up on feature films.
Crystal has worked as a celebrity hairstylist or head of hair department on over 100 projects including TV shows, films, reality shows, commercials, music videos, plays and operas. In the course of her career she has worked on quite a few notable projects such as The Great Debaters, Olympus Has Fallen, Get On Up, Left Behind and the Oscar winning movie Pitch Perfect 2 (as well as Pitch Perfect 3).
Crystal Woodford has always been a positive influencer and role model, and has helped many people from her hometown of Shreveport break into the entertainment industry. She enjoys producing and believes in the power of story to change lives.
John Paul Summers, Director of Photography
A child of foreign missionaries from the heart of Acadiana in southern Louisiana, John Paul Summers brings a bold naturalism to his work. He's shot multiple narrative feature films, has earned a Vimeo Staff pick for his documentary work, and lensed more than a dozen short films which have played festivals around the world. He's shot commercial content for major brands on a national stage and has shot music videos for artists like Paul McCartney and Owl City. His style is shaped deeply by his passion for story and character, his lighting and camera work are always motivated by the emotions of the characters he's capturing. He is fluent in Spanish and has traveled to more than 20 countries around the world, and lived in Mexico and Micronesia. A naturalistic approach to camera movement and lighting imbues his films with an honest and human tone.
RACHEL WHITTLE, 1st AD
Rachel Whittle got her start in film as an actor. She loves film production on all levels and works behind the camera as often as she can. She has experience as a production manager, 1st assistant director on smaller projects, and 2nd 2nd assistant director on larger projects. She has also recently started dabbling in directing, and looks forward to learning from every director she works for. She is an experienced actress, and also played a key supporting role in the film.
LJ Beckius, Production Designer
L J Beckius is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana. Her love for movies began as a child, visiting a local cinema that had $1 features. Her Grandmother would drop her off and she would watch films all Saturday. She has done extra work early on and that would lead to working more hands on. The Louisiana Film Prize was created and in the early years helped to promote and facilitate festival events. Now she has worked on multiple film prize projects as well as feature film with creative services.
She is very excited for another year of great film.
REX DAVEY, SOUND RECORDIST
Baton Rouge born Rex Davey claims to be a filmmaker. He also claims to be a person of note. A person of good standing in society. This is false.
His love of Australian Grindhouse, Micheal Bay, and Star Trek cement him as a well-rounded, self possessed, pretentious hack. Likening himself to the renaissance men of yore, he will jump departments at the mere utterance of "pay bump." Is he an Editor? Sound Recordist or AC? All of that and more? He loves to think so. I for one don't believe his lies.
But, they are interesting lies, and, in the end, isn't that what really matters? The answer is... no. — Bio written by Rex Davey
