Higher Ground Documentary

HIGHER GROUND WEBSITE LINK 



THE FILM

Supported and backed in part by the University of Southern California, the top ranked film school in the country, “Higher Ground” is a social justice documentary from USC's Uprising Film Lab. "Higher Ground" highlights the often-overlooked civil rights movements throughout conservative South Carolina, through the lens of African-Americans from the Silent Generations (1925-1939) Baby Boomers (1946-1964), Gen X (1965-1980) and Millennials (1981-1996). Aiming to build a bridge that acknowledges and connects their lived experiences, we will uncover their thoughts on the state’s controversial past, and explore how the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor sounded the alarm for justice around the world. Have we reached Higher Ground in the state of South Carolina or is there more work to be done?


THE PURPOSE

This documentary will educate, open your eyes, start conversations, and serve as a voice for those who experience first hand an on-going evolution of social and racial injustice in our society over seven decades. Additionally, the documentary will allow the viewers to learn about South Carolina’s Black history and the community’s work towards change.



Filming will include the Low Country, Midlands, Pee Dee, Upstate and Washington, DC. Our team most recently returned from Washington, DC where we witnessed the historic 57th Anniversary of the March on Washington, led by Rev. Al Sharpton and Martin Luther King III.


PRODUCER/DIRECTOR

The film will be produced and directed by Whitney Anderson, 2nd year MFA graduate student in the Peter Stark Producing for TV and Film Program at the University of Southern California. Prior to Stark, she worked in entertainment marketing for companies including Nickelodeon, TBS, Turner Classic Movies, Rolling Out magazine and Aspire TV, touching campaigns for the critically acclaimed film Straight Outta Compton, Emmy award winning late night show Conan and the preeminent American Black Film Festival. She currently works as a full-time Producer’s Assistant to fellow South Carolina native and USC alumni, Stephen “Dr” Love. Prior to working for Love, she served as a Development Intern at LeBron James’ Springhill Entertainment where she managed the social media campaign for the launch of their Madame CJ Walker Netflix series. This summer she joined NBCU’s inaugural virtual intern class as a part of the Television Studios Group. Whitney is a proud native of Loris, South Carolina and as an independent producer, she aspires to give a platform to underrepresented voices across tv and film. She truly believes that you cannot be what you cannot see. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts from Clemson University and is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She was most recently selected for Effie Brown's Wide Angle Lab for the Higher Ground documentary.


THE TEAM

Whitney Anderson - Director/Producer       

Soleighta Fortune - Co-Producer

LaRhonda Mabry - Associate Producer

Keiona Eady - Associate Producer

Courtney Sims - Production Assistant

Stephanie Jones - Writer

Madison Haynes - Writer

Karen Anderson Crummy - Researcher

Qualashan Hemingway - Public Relations 

Raven Simon - Production Accountant

India Y. Ali, Esq. - Business & Legal Affairs

Production Assistant - Ashley Alston

Music  - Karen Anderson, Whitney Mitchell



THE GOAL

To date, this project has been solely funded by our team out of pocket and we are reaching out to our community to help us meet our goal of $15,000.

We will use this film as an educational tool throughout the state of South Carolina and for our larger work regarding race relations throughout the country. We hope you’ll help us make a difference as we forge ahead to carry the torch of justice that has been tirelessly passed along by our ancestors and activists that came before us. 



WHERE THE MONEY GOES

-Production Equipment (cameras, grip and electrical, sound, etc.)
-Location Fees
-Craft Services 
-Post Production 
-Music 
-Marketing/Publicity 
-Travel & Lodging
-PPE
-Licensing Fees (archival footage, photos, news clips)



There are several different ways you can support this project:

Contribute ANY monetary amount! Every bit goes a long way!

Make it known if you want to see the documentary. As the consumer, you have the power to demand what you view on tv, streaming platforms and in theaters

If you have any connections or would like to donate equipment, your services, want to write a story about the project  - we’re in! 

Share the project with your networks. Tell a friend to tell a friend. This timely story gives you the power to help make history. Spread the news and help us reach our goal. 

We cannot wait to share this project with you. Together, we will tell this story!