grist
Hannah ends a three-year on-again, off-again "situationship" with Roman due to irreconcilable world views that have potentially serious ramifications. But it wasn’t “all a wash.”
Interview with Writer/Actor/Director/Producer Shannon Harris
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
"grist" is the second in a planned three-part series of shorts based on idioms. (My first short "THREE birds" is the first!) I wrote the third script in the fall of 2019 with the intent of shooting it by the fall of 2020. When the pandemic closed down the film industry in early 2020, I shelved the third script (title withheld for now) because it is at least twice the scale of my both of my first shorts. As the fall of 2020 approached and with uncertainty about the entertainment industry as a whole, I chose to write a 3-2-1 (three pages, two actors, one location) script that would be COVID-friendly to shoot.
I had notes scribbled for a film based on the idiom "grist for the mill;" and I drew from personal experience as well as known experiences of family and friends and my knowledge of prominent themes in the film like sex positivity and intimate partner violence to write the script. The seven-member team, one day, net 10-hour shoot for "grist" took place at my apartment in December 2020.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
First and foremost, as with my first short, you want to see it because it is a well-executed, compelling and concise story.
Beyond that, you'll want to see it because it centers a free black woman making a tough (in some ways) decision for her overall best interest. Many women who've seen the film told me that they relate to the protagonist and the situation (pun intended) that she's in.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Prominent personal and universal themes in the film include women empowerment, feminism, hookup culture, "situationships," sex positivity, and intimate partner violence.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
(I address this in the earlier question "Why did you make your film?")
What type of feedback have you received so far?
For the most part, the feedback has been positive. Many women relate to the protagonist and the situation (pun intended) that she's in.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I expected more pushback that I received. I know that the issues raised in the film are touchy, and I figured that my POV might ruffle some feathers. I only had one person respond to me strongly in an adverse way - a male family member with whom I had a lengthy and "lively" conversation after an early screening.
I would not be surprised if the film got more responses like that from bigger and/or broader audiences. Some people's responses have not been as wholly enthusiastic as the many women who have responded favorably. Likewise, I wouldn't be surprised if some people hold back regarding objections they have about the film, particularly when speaking to me directly - even though I intentionally and sincerely request candid feedback.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
As with "THREE birds:" As an emerging filmmaker, one of the main goals of being profiled on a platform like WeAreMovingStories.com is exposure. I want to get as many eyes on my work as possible. As an artist, that is first and foremost - I want to share my work with the world.
The exposure ideally facilitates me having a reputation for doing good work. Ideally, that exposure will translate into concrete distribution and sales opportunities for my completed work and fundraising support for my future work. In particular, I will likely be crowdfunding for the first time to produce the third film in the planned three-part idiom series of which "THREE birds" and "grist" are the first and second.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Multiple people who watched "grist" recommended it as an advocacy / teaching tool and resource for prominent themes in the film, especially intimate partner violence. I am interested in both general distribution opportunities and targeted opportunities in the education / advocacy space. Along with and/or beyond that, I’m open to a conversation(s) about selling it.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
As an artist, first and foremost, I want the film to be appreciated for its intrinsic value as a work of art.
That said, the film has an intentional strong POV around women empowerment - how we as women (represented by the black woman protagonist in the film) unapologetically have power and agency in our lives. Based on responses that I've received, especially from many women who've seen the film, that theme resonates. I hope it, likewise, inspires, affirms, and empowers anyone who needs to know and/or be reminded of their power and agency not just in relationships but in life at large.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
When I shared early cuts of the film with them, one of my friends relayed to me what I already knew: that "grist" would be a "conversation piece." I look forward to more space(s) where the film will be screened for an audience(s) that doesn't skew heavily towards Hannah's (the protagonist) POV, which seems to be the case to date. I would like to hear from more people who are ambivalent or who don't agree with her and observe and/or take part in robust and ultimately productive discussion about the issues raised.
That said, questions that might be good jumping off points are:
"How important (or not) are shared values in a 'situationship?'"
"What about in (committed/bonafide) relationships?"
"How should red flags be handled?"
Would you like to add anything else?
"grist" won Best Cast in the 2022 NYWIFT Online Shorts Festival and Best Narrative and Best Actor (Stephen Cofield, Jr.) in the 2021 Mott Haven Film Festival. The film has also screened in nine other festivals: 2021 Hip Hop Film Festival (World & NYC Premiere); 2022 Pan African Film Festival (LA & West Coast US Premiere); 2021 CineOdyssey FF; 2021 Imagine This Women’s IFF; 2021 Afrikana Independent FF; 2021 Coney Island FF; New Faces New Voices Fall 2021; 2021 Newark Short Film Awards; and 2021 MVAAFF Virtual.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
"grist" remains active on the festival circuit. The third film (title withheld for now) is written, and I'm aiming to shoot principal photography this fall (2022).
As an actor, when I'm not working or prepping for my next gig, I'm auditioning. The key creatives in both of my films are all working professionals in front of and/or behind the camera. Their names are listed on the film's poster. You can find us on social media to stay abreast of what we're up to!
Interview: May 2022
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
grist
Length:
5:00
Writer/Director/Producer
SHANNON HARRIS is an award-winning actor and independent filmmaker. She founded Tricoastal Productions in January 2019 to produce her first film, narrative short "THREE birds," which she also wrote, directed, and in which she leads the diverse cast.
Shannon’s two award-winning films “THREE birds” and “grist,” the first and second in a planned three-part series of shorts based on idioms, have been official selections at over 15 local and national film festivals.
Key cast:
Shannon Harris (Hannah), Stephen Cofield, Jr. (Roman)
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/tricoastalprod
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/tricoastalprod
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/tricoastalprod/
Hashtags used:
#gristfilm #intimatepartnerviolence #feminism #blackfeminism #womanism #casualsex #hookup #hookupculture #ghosting #blackwomen #relationships #situationship #dating #datingviolence #domesticviolence #ZoraNealeHurston #TheirEyesWereWatchingGod #sex #sexpositivity #idiom #gristforthemill
More info:
"grist" is currently available until May 22nd to watch in MiniShorts Block 1 & 2 on 30th Anniversary PAFF Virtual Festival (https://watch.eventive.org/paff2/play/6276a5343d8d9800527d4062/6274e75b63983e00372a682b)