Pros & Cons (Short Film) by Olivia Grace Pearson

It’s a sunny Saturday afternoon in a beautiful Bronzeville apartment, and MONIQUE just took a pregnancy test. Full of anxiety and uncertainty, she lists the pros and cons of having a baby with the help of her fiancé, JACKSON. Jackson presents a pro. Monique presents a con. Jackson’s biggest pro: they would raise their child to be a loving and supportive being. Monique’s con: there is no point in bringing a child into a terrible world.

Pros & Cons is a timely story that highlights young Black people’s fears of having children. Issues like racism, capitalism, and insecurities reflect the reasons why Black women like Monique struggle with motherhood. Told in an intimate setting that serves as the characters' intellectual battlefield, the characters’ vulnerabilities are exposed. Even with opposing views, love and support are what keep them united.

I hope Pros & Cons will initiate dialogue about women’s hesitancy toward motherhood. Some women want kids. Some don’t. Some are still in the middle. Women - single or partnered - should be given the space to change their minds about parenthood. My goal with this film is to facilitate discussions surrounding these topics in a way that can be both enriching and enlightening.

Donations will be used to pay for crew, equipment, meals, and location fees. My producing team is committed to compensating crew members for their labor. Since this will be a one-day shoot, covering breakfast, lunch, and crafty are necessary for a successful production.