Beauty: Only Skin Deep???

Documentary

Beauty: Only Skin Deep??? explores the ideology of what beauty is considered to be, in the African American community. Both Adolescents and adults struggling with their outer appearance, can find it difficult to compete with a standard of beauty that often exist in society. The demand to have flawless skin, straight hair, big breast, a flat stomach, and a round derriere often seen on television commercials, or in magazines, can trigger one to believe that getting plastic surgery can enhance their looks. This documentary also explores why some women of color feel the need to bleach their skin. The idea that “lighter is better than dark,” has been resonating through the minds of generations from various cultures. Who feel that having lighter skin will open up doors for them socially and economically. I use my own personal struggles with my body image, and self esteem to intertwine, with some of what my subjects; a cosmetologist, an Aesthetic skin care surgeon, and two barbers, states about how vain beauty is in the African American community.

Credits

Director/Editor/Producer – Shakeima Cooks
Additional Editing – Kanokon Sookaram and Karen Moran
DP – Yessica Curiel Montoya
Additional Cinematography – Ian Phillips and Chris Montgomery
Sound Recordist – Lars Fuchs

Cast

Libra Sene – Professional Cosmetologist
Dr. Rosetta Garriers – Aesthetic Skin Care Surgeon

Shakeima Cooks

A graduate film student at The City College of New York, Shakeima Cooks background includes Public Relations and Advertising with a minor in Journalism. In 2012 Shakeima interned for POV a small documentary division at PBS, and has interned at other notable film divisions such as DCTV (Downtown Community Television) founded by John Alpert. In addition to Maysles Films, a film company established by documentarian Albert Maysles. Shakeima in 2009 completed a documentary with a non-profit organization called EVC (Educational Video Center). The film was titled, “The War Within,” Which is a film about youth, in communities of color, dealing with depression. “A House Is Not A Home,” is the second film that she directed, edited and produced. That was where Shakeima and two other women discuss their experiences of growing up in the Foster Care System, and being adopted by both biological and non-biological family. Directing documentaries have always allowed Shakeima to understand the concept of thinking globally and acting locally when it comes to creating films. Diversity is something that Shakeima consider, should be important to any documentarian. It allows the filmmaker to connect with various audiences from different backgrounds who may be going through a similar struggle. Being a filmmaker to Shakeima is not defined by making millions of dollars, it’s about getting into the minds of the unconscious.

Specialization

Writing and Directing Documentary

Quote

The Challenge Is To Be Yourself, In A World That’s Trying To Make You Like Someone Else
___ Renee Locks

Credits

Sound Recordist – “Plus Minus Black”

Contact Shakeima

Shakeima Cooks@gmail.com
646-584-3184

Plus Minus Black

Documentary

Plus Minus Black is a documentary that examines differences, biases, and interracial prejudices between African-Americans, Africans, and Afro-Caribbeans through an oral survey. It is a journey that African-American Filmmaker Frank R. Hooker, Jr. sets out on to open up a discussion amongst members from each region, using New York City as a microcosm of the world, in an effort towards building a bridge towards a Pan-African society. The film will be screened in it’s short format at Cityvisions, as well as cut into a feature length format, an hour long format for TV broadcast, and be promoted as an ongoing web series.

Credits

DP – Frank Hooker
Additional Cinematography – Julian Amaro and Xia Sheng
Sound Designer/Composer – Mike Levine

Cast

Represents African American, African and Afro-Caribbean culture in one-on-one and group interviews.

Frank R. Hooker, Jr

A graduate of City College of New York’s Film Program, Frank R. Hooker, Jr. has been at the cutting edge of guerilla filmmaking for over a decade. As CEO of HarlemWood Entertainment, a multi-media company, he has amassed a large catalogue of work ranging from fictional (True American Love, Arthurputer.com, Lickity Split, Watermelon) and documentary films (Plus Minus Black, Grannies vs. War in Iraq, Out of the Mouth of Babes) to genre breaking music (Frank’s Soul Raunch). His work as a film educator has produced numerous protégé’s who have ascended in the craft, and garnered awards through the NAACP. His themes, which focus on identity, pathos, and nobility in the face of ignorance, serve as templates to relate a multi-cultural society to their commonalities.

Specialization

Writing and Directing Documentary

Quote

I am dedicated to tapping the creative powers of each individual that I influence through my knowledge and experience as an artist and educator, as well as instill a professional and masterful attitude towards success. Being an Arts Educator for nearly a decade, I have taught all age groups and learning styles how to own their perspective voice and educate the world.

Credits

Production Coordinator – “Tom in America”
Consulting Producer/ Assistant Cameraman – “Atramentous”

Contact Frank R.

Frank R. Hooker, Jr, CEO
HarlemWood Entertainment
940 Saint Nicholas Ave, Suite #4H
New York, NY 10032
frankrhookerjr@gmail.com
http://plusminusblack.wordpress.com/

Joanna

Short Short

A stranger on the street disturbs Joanna’s life routine.

Credits

Writer/Director/Cinematographer: Xia Sheng


Production Sound Mixers: Alexandru Leu, Jeanette Sears, and Sha Huang

Editor/Colorist: Niav Conty

Sound Editor: Alexandru Leu

Cast

Yina Qiao as Joanna
George Korsak as Robert

Xia Sheng

Xia Sheng is a screenwriter and film director currently studying at City College. Before coming to the United States, Xia worked as a documentary director, music video director, and post-production coordinator for TV series in China. He is now preparing his first feature film.

Specialization

Cinematography

Credits

MINISCEONGO – Cinematographer
PLUS MINUS BLACK – Cinematographer
OUTWORLD – Camera Assistant
FADED – Camera Assistant
SMALL TALK – Key Grip
i live IN LIFE – Production Sound Mixer
FUTURE PERFECT – Actor

Contact Xia

xiasheng85@gmail.com

On mark

Short Short

A model gets her picture taken, amongst other things.

Credits

Director: Chris Montgomery
Assistant Director: Liam Billingham
Assistant Camera: Jeanette Sears

Cast

Laura Baranik
Sara Montgomery

Chris Montgomery

Chris Montgomery is a filmmaker and photographer. Originally from Rochester, NY he moved to NYC to study film theory at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Following his undergraduate studies, he worked a number of odd jobs before settling in on photography, and recently became serious about filmmaking.

Specialization

Cinematography

Contact Chris

www.chrismontgomery.com
chrismontgomeryphoto@gmail.com

Kisses & Hugs, Mom

Documentary

Myong Yon followed her American husband to the United States to raise their first child twenty six years ago. Instead of assimilating to this new culture, she tightly holds onto her Korean identity causing a feeling of misplacement. Her English worsens, she cannot fully connect with her American family, and she emerges herself with her Korean Church to seek familiarity. Now that her children have grown and her husband has retired, Myong Yon struggles with the idea to stay or return to her first home.

Credits

DP – Jessica Amal Rice & Heidi Mueller
Producer – Chih-Hsin Lee
Editor – Cristina Cordero
Story Editor – Ian Phillips
Color – Julian Amaro
Sound Designer – Frank Huang

Cast

Myong Yon Mueller

Heidi Mueller

Heidi Mueller received her Bachelor of Arts for Film Studies at the University of California Davis. The film department faculty invited two of her documentaries to be showcased at art festivals and film events throughout her college career. After graduation, she worked for Mob Scene Productions, the producers of shows like First Look: Avatar, Scorsese on Scorsese, and Life After Film School. Heidi currently lives and works in New York City.

Specialization

Writing and Directing Documentary

Quote

“An image after an image after an image is power.”

Credits

MAINLAND: Producer
SMALL TALK: Assistant Director | BTS Camera
KISSES & HUGS, MOM: Writer and Director
LONGING: Sound Recorder

Contact Heidi

heidimariemueller@gmail.com