Tell us a bit about your organization and what your specialty is in the film and video space.

MidnightReaperProductions started last year in my last semester of taking film classes at Bridgewater State. Me and fiancèe were designing a website for my production company. I realized while we were designing the website that my passion for film will never die. My films have been shown all over the world at so many different festivals. I want my films to inspire people that love movies to pick up a camera . I want them to realize that the camera will tell your story.

What is your organization’s ethos and how does it set you apart from industry competitors?

Our ethos is community, perseverance , and discipline. Without the help and support from our communities me and my fiancèe would’ve never got to where we are today . When you have a great support system from local businesses, professors, and state workers etc anything is possible. Those are the kind of people that make you stand apart from others. You’re building a relationship with the people who are trying to make it from the bottom to the top. They understand what your motivation is and what your goals are. They were once in our position too. Their empathy is so strong. We want to be strong and show up to work everyday the same way they do for us.

How can people join or learn more about what you do?

Don’t be shy to ask for help . Start building relationships and connections now so you can learn as much as you can about the industry. You want to go out into the real world with all the tools you need. Your network is your most powerful tool. Most importantly never forget your small beginnings, they will be your biggest lessons and your most humbling moments.

They can go on my website or they can connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram. I would love to connect with all of you and share my experience with you.

Tell us about your Telly Award winning piece. What’s the story behind it?

The story behind “Suspended Frequencies” is learning how to grow and adapt to new changes in your life. It’s about not being scared to take on challenges where you may fail. In the film, we see two different kinds of music students. One music student who is serious and dedicated to getting good grades and getting work turned in on time. Then we have another student who goofs around and doesn’t get anything done. Zane and Maxxine may not like each other but like most of us in the film and music industry, we learn to accept each other. We come to conclusion that at the end of the day, we are all fighting for the same thing and ultimately want the same goals. Both characters want to make a song that will change their life but they also want to be heard at the same time. Towards the end of the film, we see Maxxine performing a song I wrote called “Direction”. I wrote this song because at the time I was frustrated with how my job search was going. As a director, I feel like I need a sense of direction too. The industry just kinda throws film and music students just in the middle of a battlefield where they have to fend for themselves with little to no experience. Everyone has high expectations of us but yet we lack so much of that experience that they want us to gain in such little time.

What are you most proud of about this piece? What was your biggest challenge during production and how did you solve it?

I am proud of my wonderful cast. They are the ones that deserve this Telly . Your cast and crew always makes the film what it is. Without them, movies would be nothing. I would gladly cast them all again. Directors and writers would be nothing. I’m also proud of the message we sent and how many people were inspired by the song at my University research synopsism. My biggest challenge was casting and budget. I solved this with doing a research grant at my university. I was rewarded $300 dollars and I used the money wisely. I also kept putting out casting ads on Facebook . There was some scenes we had to shoot even over FaceTime . Sometimes you got to do , what you gotta do.

Do you have any advice to other filmmakers based on your career or your team’s approach to work?

When someone supports your creative ideas enough to help accomplish them.

Can you share a behind the scenes story or fun fact about the making of your piece?

Yes! Some fun facts are that we actually shot many scenes In the Berklee College of Music campus. We shot many scenes at local shops on Newbury St and the prudential center. The song took us one day to write and produce. We also spent one day shooting the whole film. Both of the main characters are first time actors.

Tell us about the most memorable response you got from this work.

The most memorable response “I laughed when Zane said is there a leech eating at your brain?” It just meant a lot to me that my film made people laugh.