It's 2021, the beginning of the second term after the most anticipated Presidential election in 2016. The 13th and 14th amendments of the U.S. Constitution no longer exist

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Candice Vernon

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

The project came about last year in October. I woke up one morning and read a NY Times article highlighting Trump canvasing in Pennsylvania and his speech per usual was filled with xenophobic and supremacist undertones. Quite frankly I was tired of it and wanted to do something about it, in my own artistic way. So I wrote this film in a few days and shot it 10 days later on October 29, 2016, before the US Presidential election. I had a feeling Trump would be the victor and wanted to make a statement, an extreme one, of what the country could look like in the future.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

You should watch this film because it's incredibly relevant to US politics today and it's aftermath, however as it's a satire the information is given in a comedic nature. The film will take you through different emotions all within 12 minutes but you walk away wanting to see more.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Every character has a tad bit of me in their character makeup. The film is from my personal experiences and feelings of a torn America. But there are also universal themes that anyone who is ever been stereotyped or made to be feel less than can relate to.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

The final film is very close to the script, except for a few lines here and there. I love giving actors the freedom to do a bit of improv or takes where they really make the lines their own and add onto it should they wish. But again the final film is almost a mirror image of the script.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

I've received lots of positive feedback and the film

Has been in 7 festivals thus far. I received a fair amount of press (The Hollywood Reporter, Decider, Chicago Tribune). Every festival and screening has garnered audience applause and standing ovations. However this film is not for everyone as there are some hard truths and statements that will make some people uncomfortable at times.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I would say neither but can admit that I was a tad nervous on how it would be received but after the first screening those jitters went away.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I just want to keep telling stories that matter as well as continue forging ahead as a female director. With my film being visible on your platform more film lovers will get to see my work and know that there's another female filmmaker out there not afraid to use her voice.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

I would love to connect with Sales Agents, Producers, and Distributors as I'm developing Make America Great into a feature film as well.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I hope people in America will pay more attention to politics in our country especially as it concerns local communities. Our voices do matter but when we don't use them the powers that be render us silent and do as they please. On a global level my hope is that minorities feel empowered and secure in who they are and not change themselves to fit a majority standard or an expectation of who the majority deems them to be.

All around the world we as minority groups feel that White is right or better, while I understand that its systematic and remnants of history, we need to embrace our uniqueness and not try to fit the mold. In the film one of my favorite quotes comes from a character who has an identity issue who says "People see you as an object not a person, and they project those expectations on you. Sooner or later you start to live up to those expectations". This goes for any race but we often start to become the person society tells us we should be. I hope to break that mold with this film for anyone feeling pressured to be something they're not.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

The main question that always sparks a conversation about the film is "Do you really think Trump will be in office for 2 terms"?

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I'm working on developing Make America Great into a feature film as well as in pre-production for a feature titled Social Experiment.

Interview: May 2017

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. 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

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Make America Great?

It's 2021 and the 13th and 14th amendment of the US Constitution has been revealed.

Length: 12 mins

Director: Candice Vernon

Producer: Candice Vernon

Writer: Candice Vernon

Key cast: Cheryl Francis Harrington, Steven Barrington, Karnell Matthews, Ernest Pierce, Shannon Foster, Chawla Savino, and Chris Triana.

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):

Facebook:C.S. Vernon

Twitter: see_es_vernon

Instagram: see_es_vernon

Where can I see it in the next month? the Human District Film Festival