Help finish a film about flooding in Charleston

I'm a writer and filmmaker from Charleston, SC. I received my BS in Sociology from the College of Charleston in 2016 and his M.Ed. in Leadership and Organizational Performance from Vanderbilt University in 2022.

I began my love of the arts with poetry and theatre, but recently I've become fascinated with filmmaking. I've worked as a Production Assistant and Creative Director on other people's projects, but I'm finally taking a leap of faith by making my first film this summer called, 'High Water', my love letter to Charleston and a contemplation about rising sea levels, land development, and gentrification.

After his brother's death, Peter Rock comforts his forgetful mother, Florine, in the South Carolina Low Country. Throughout the short film, we see Peter Rock travel through Remley's Point (the historic Scanlonville community), visiting friends he grew up with and his ancestors at their burial grounds, all while picking up small jobs to make sure he can support his mother. In the end, he'd conflicted after land developers constantly call him to purchase his mother's property.

Environmental scientists predict Charleston could be underwater by 2050.

In 2017, months before I moved from Charleston, there were news reports from NASA officials and climate change advocates raising alarm over a new coastal phenomena - “King’s Tide”, a high tide that typically happened 2-3 times per year.

If you're from Charleston, you know it's "normal" for people to walk (or kayak) through knee deep waters on a sunny day, but let's be honest, this is not normal.

Months before I moved from Charleston, I collaborated with Enough Pie on their AWAKENING V: King’s Tide, a full month of programming raising awareness around rising sea levels. I organized a poetry open mic and published a limited zine called “THE WATER NEXT TIME” with a few poetry homies. It was a beautiful contribution, but almost seven years later, local officials have allowed an increase in land development resulting in increased flooding.

I've spent the last several years refining my craft as a writer, taking classes and participating in fellowships. Over the last four years, I've immersed myself in film and directed a few short form projects, attended film festivals and conferences, and gained hands-on experience as a Production Assistant for a few independent films.

Joshua Parks will serve as the Director of Photography (the person responsible for the film's look and feel). He is a graduate of Howard University, completed his Master's in History at the College of Charleston, and is trained as a public historian at the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture. He specializes in social, political, and cultural histories of the African Diaspora.

(Fun fact: Josh and I taught together at William M. Raines High School when I lived in Jacksonville.)

Every cast and crew member has direct ties to Charleston and the Low Country. Each person involved has read the script and provided the feedback, ensuring that we are telling the most authentic and impactful story.

The current budget for our four day shoot of 'High Water' is $15,000.

We will have a 5 person crew - 1st Assistant Camera, gaffer, and three grips. It is important our team to be paid, especially since they will be taking time out of their schedules to support our vision.

Ensuring Josh has the equipment that aligns with our vision:

We will be hiring Jared Major, a Charleston native and TV/Film professional experience in costume design and styling.

Last, but not least - bug spray. The gnats in Charleston this summer will be intense. All jokes aside, we want to make sure everyone is comfortable on set, so a portion of the donations will go towards miscellaneous items like food, water, snacks, fans.

With this amount, we are confident that cast and crew will be taken care of and the production of 'High Water' will be able be of quality.

Filming is slated to start mid-August and will last four days. Post-production is anticipated from September to December 2024.

When the film is complete, we plan to:

My hope for 'High Water' is to preserve the cultural memory and traditions of Gullah Geechee people and to honor my family, living and dead (fun fact: Florine is named after my paternal Great Grandmother).

Not only is this film personal, but it is urgent. If I wait any longer, in two decades, Charleston will be underwater and I will miss out on the opportunity to show the beauty and joy of the Gullah Geechee people.

No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or returns on investment are offered in exchange for any donations made to this GoFundMe.