Assist Reggie in making Bahamian History - READ

“Reggie, writing ain’t no real career. You betta pick something different to do,” one of my high school teachers said to me years ago. Most people would’ve done just that… picked something different to do with THEIR life. Thank God I didn’t.

In 2015, I switched from my private high school to a public high school to chase my dream of one day attending college abroad. I hoped that maybe if I excelled academically there, they’d give me a partial scholarship to university. My mom didn’t like the idea at first, but I knew it had to be done, and she supported me through it all. I was laughed at, mocked, doubted, and He showed me my true friends. God. In 2017, with the help of the Public School Scholars Program, I was offered a full scholarship to pursue my bachelor’s degree in Ohio. God.

Believe it or not, I was terrified to start fresh in a new country, but I HAD TO take the risk and jump. It was everything I was praying for! Over the four-year program, I switched majors three times. It was challenging to find out what I wanted to do in college, but I figured it out… or I thought I did. I learned a ton and enjoyed the hard work, and in May 2021, I graduated Magna Cum Laude and became a first-generation college graduate. God. But the most important thing I learned was that I still wasn’t doing what I loved. So, I dug deeper and rekindled my passionate flame for creating meaningful, captivating stories.

“Why don’t you check out film schools?” the career services specialist said. And I was off to college hunt and let my favorite professor know about the great news. I’ll never forget when I needed a recommendation letter to get into film school. The professor agreed to write one for me, but not before saying, “Most people don’t make it in that industry…I’m very disappointed you’re not going to be a journalist.” After that, he disappeared on me. He even read my texts yet refused to respond. That wasn't good, but I knew that I was getting into film school with or without that recommendation letter.

Sure enough, in July 2021, I was finally blessed with the chance to chase my true, creative dreams. I enrolled at Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida, to pursue a Master of Fine Arts in Film Production. God. This journey has been nothing short of amazing. I’m now a film screenwriter and director with ambitious goals of joining the Writers and Directors Guild of America and thriving in the film industry. I’ve written, produced, directed, and even acted in multiple short films. Additionally, I won the Directing Talent Course Director’s Award.

Now, it is time for the biggest film of my academic career – the thesis film! Before graduating, I am responsible for writing, producing, and directing an original short film. It will be submitted to film festivals and pitched to production companies like Netflix, Hulu, HBO, etc.

My family drama film is called ‘Pinky Promise.’ After making a costly promise to her depressed daughter on Christmas Eve, a struggling maid will do whatever it takes to keep it.

Our protagonist is low on funds, but her daughter is low on happiness. She really wants a bike and has been doing fantastic in school. A mom being a mom, wants to turn that frown upside down, if even momentarily. So, she promises that she’ll make everything work out. With an excited daughter and the fear of what’s to come, our protagonist will do her best to overcome the life-changing obstacles creeping her way and still make her daughter’s Christmas.

This particular story is significant for me to share with the world. It will serve as a tribute to all the parents who continuously sacrifice for their kids' happiness. This film will bring families together, and it even has a real “Christmas-y” vibe to it. This will be a short film you can watch to increase your heart rate due to the tension-filled scenes and the fine line between the mom’s freedom and hefty jail time. Most importantly, who doesn’t love Christmas!?

Pinky Promise oozes true love because we know that there’s no love like a mother’s love. Also, this story is so the hustling mothers worldwide could get the “that hits home” feeling right from the comfort of their homes. Additionally, I want to tell a story with substance, authenticity and originality, love, and God. If you ask mothers how they do what they do, many will credit God, for nothing would be possible without Him.

As you may know, making notable films can be costly. I am trying to raise funds for my $2,000 budget. The money will pay for location rentals, props, wardrobe, food for crew and cast, set dressings, and more. I am on the cutting edge of making Bahamian history. Other than the late great Sidney Poitier, no Bahamian has ever made it to the big leagues in this industry. I want you guys to be a part of this milestone!

The names of all donors will be in the film credits, regardless of the donation amount. So, donate if you can/want, but I highly encourage you to share because there are many lessons in this message, especially for my young people. Number one: Keep God at the forefront of your life, man. He’ll fight your battles and pave the way for you even when you don’t see it. Number two: Don’t let people make fun of you and stop you from chasing your dreams. You will only regret it in the long run. Only YOU can control your destiny, so letting someone else derail it is simply a disservice to you. Number three: Don’t be afraid to take risks! Live like you could die tomorrow. Go for the opportunities and never doubt your capabilities. The only person standing in front of your success is most likely yourself. Number four: Don’t be afraid to dream BIG! You can do whatever you put your mind to, but you have to put in the work. It hurts when you’re pushing to succeed, but it also hurts to fail. You might as well hurt trying!

Number five: Don’t pursue a career to make someone else happy. Many people fall into this trap. We want to make our parents proud and do what they did, or we let someone else live their life vicariously through us. Doing this has only proven to make life miserable. During 12–14-hour film shoots, I’m excited the entire time, absorbing as much knowledge as possible while others are grumpy and lifeless. This is why it’s essential to do what YOU love because it’ll never feel like work when you have a passion for it. Number six: BELIEVE. Lack of belief hinders most people. It’s all about mindset! We don’t believe that we can do what these celebrities are doing. We don’t think there’s a spot for us in lucrative career fields, so we settle for common occupations instead of stepping out of our comfort zones. Nothing splendid has ever come from being comfortable! If you’re comfortable, then you’re not even trying. There is a place for you in any high-end field, but the first step is to believe that it can be done.

Number seven: Value your time! Time is one thing we can never get back. If you’re in a place where you don’t want to be and want better for yourself, think about how and where you’re spending your time. How many hours do you spend on TikTok, Facebook, Netflix, etc.? There you go! If you put just two hours a day toward goals that’ll get you to your dream, you’ll arrive sooner than you think. Don’t be afraid to disconnect from people and focus on yourself. You’ve already spent countless hours of your free time on other people. Now is the time to spend some of that free time on yourself!

I could say a ton more, but I have a fantastic film to make it! Remember, it’s not an obligation to donate. Pinky Promise will be made to the best of my abilities regardless. Instead, make it your duty to share this message with someone. This message needs to reach a student with gigantic dreams but little belief. A child too scared to let his parents know that he doesn’t want to be what they want him to be. Someone with filmmaking aspirations with no clue where to start. Share with someone who needs some hope and inspiration from seeing one of their own on the verge of making it. I promised my family that I’ll break the generational curse, and I’m keeping every syllable of my word. But here’s the good news: You can make it, too! And adults, you’re not too old to chase your dreams. I’ve met people in their 60’s and 70’s who attend my university. You can do whatever, and it’s never too late to start! I don’t want you all to say, “I should have this… I could have that… I wish I did this….” No, now is the time. I’ll end on my favorite quote I discovered on October 30, 2015. This quote helped me love my enemies and not fight fire with fire. Don't forget, no matter how much they laugh at you, pick on you, doubt you, “Success is the best revenge.” – Frank Sinatra. Thanks for reading; I pray that this was able to touch at least one person, and I hope to see your name in the end credits.

 

Sincerely,

Reginald A. Gibson