THIRDY Documentary
SO8.2020
To future time travelers,
Today I received my second rejection letter for a documentary titled, ""THIRDY." My journey, my purpose, has always been to find a way to push my ideas in the most independent way possible. Hence, the reason this site has been created. Nipsey Hussle has been an inspiration in the way I move as a creative. All Money In, No Money Out. Forget the middle man.
I conceptualized the idea for THIRDY back in 2016, prior to any talks of a satirical battle rap film titled "Bodied." Although I owe most of my apprenticeship phase to the practice of film and broadcast production I sustained while at the University of Florida, I consider my rookie year as a filmmaker to be 2016. This is the year I purchased my own equipment. I entered the game with a GH4, a 12-35mm (24-70mm equivalent), and a nifty fifty. I immediately grabbed a few filters. I purchased my camera from B&H and they threw in a Rode Mic Pro. Over time I purchased smart, to phone, lav mics and an 18-35mm Sigma Art Lens (with speedbooster) to get a 35mm eq. frame/depth of field.
I didn't enter a film festival to get an award. I entered it so I didn't think what if years later. My research brought me to the same conclusion; The number one regret filmmakers have when they don't enter a film festival is the constant thought of what if?
If entering a festival with no inside connects does nothing for you, it will at least help you meet a deadline. This year I entered three festivals: (1) SXSW (2) Gasprilla Film Festival (3) Full Frame Documentary Film Festival. With the Full Frame Doc as the only festival I'm still waiting to hear back from, I feel good about the final leg of this documentary.
This one was for us. They say when you start off with a camera, you should shoot what you know. Your first project should be something you can easily take command of as a director. I've been around hip-hop and the art of emceeing my whole life. It only felt right to bring an audience to such a niche culture which has kept Hip-Hop alive and exciting for so many years, behind the scenes.
My original intention was to only follow Dropz. We met in a coffee shop in 2016, I pitched the idea to him. I let him know I went to school for this and he understood if anyone would tell his story I would do it justice. Dropz and I go way back.
As he plugged me into the culture we started to realize the potential in the niche documentary we were presenting to the world.... Low key no one has done a cinematic feature documentary on battle rap. Time was going to be dedicated to have a sequence in the battle rap documentary that went beyond the battle rap arena. This was the main glue for my documentary. I wanted to see how the element of Hip-Hop kept people doing positive things in this environment.
This documentary became an opportunity to first (Round 1) give the audience background on the local battle rap scene booming in Miami, and the new talent emerging in the South Florida movement. Amongst it all, I gave the audience a quick backstory on the history of online battle rap and how Florida cemented it's place in the online culture of battle rap. Second (Round 2), was to show how battle rap has become a platform which is utilized beyond the battle rap community. It has become a revolving door for artists to express themselves and gain an audience outside and within the culture. For this round I had reached out to Dumbfoundead, Queen of the Ring, the host of Champion, and a few others.
The third (Round 3) aspect was to dig deeper into the Why. Due to time constraints and schedules, I was not able to get more from some artists, and I was not able to connect with certain artists who would have brought some issues we are dealing with as a society to the forefront (mental health, addiction, etc..). I wanted to show how much impact the platform has had on the artists; this way for people to escape, and express themselves. I have tons of footage, and interviews I recorded (ex. No Coast interviews/content) that didn't make the cut.
I want to thank everyone who gave me an opportunity to tell their story, especially Dropz. Without Dropz this was not possible. He was the first one to trust my vision. I also want to thank AYNT for the score of this documentary, without the score the documentary has no life.
Advance Screening: Feb 1st - 3rd.
Update 2/4: Advance screening is now closed. World Premiere set for 08/10/20. Film Notes. Director: RETRO1920 Producer: RETRO1920
Film Score: @AYNTJTC , additional score credit by Syndrome Consultancy: Shaydrian Jackson, Jazmine Mickey Interviewees: Dropz, Bruce "Ooops" Franks Jr., Goddie Lumenati, LOSO, Jonny Storm, Drect, Wrekonize, GullyTK, Lush One, Killahsiz, Quis, and Don Marino.
Safe travels,
- MCMXX