My Father The Queen Film
My Father The Queen—the Black, LGBTQ+, mental health, historical drama you never knew you needed!
Project Description
My Father The Queen (MFTQ) is a three-year project now ready to be told! The film explores the relationship between a closeted gay Black man and his daughter, Kelly. The relationship turns cold after Walter is exposed by his wife Carolyn. Kelly is desperate for validation and approval and compromises herself to get it. And Kelly has a secret she's keeping closeted too.
The two are forced together during the pandemic when Walter catches COVID and lists Kelly as his next of kin. The film spans the 70s, 80s, 90s, and current day.
“Highly Dramatic”
“Kelly’s conflict with her personal life and past comes across in a creative and textured fashion, as one understands her commitment to remain a self-sufficient woman and her adamancy towards keeping this status in her conscience. It is a rather humane story and it’s presented in a way that may be relatable for a wide audience through its highly dramatic value.”
-Blake Alm, Head of Development, Scriptmatix
Meet the Team
These are the amazing people who said, "YES" to this project!
Artistic Statement
 | Writer, Director, Producer Dad—a son's first hero, a daughter's first love. Well, until |
I didn't want the characters to fall into the typical tropes I kept running across. The most common was that "men don't talk that much." The men I know, do. And I wasn't willing to let these beautiful and complex characters fall victim to stereotypes.
Because of the sensitive nature of the subject matter (domestic violence, drug use, sexual content), I'm choosing to use shadows and low-light shooting techniques to tell those parts of the story when it makes sense. I want to give the suggestion of violence without showing all the gory detail. That's not the film I want to make. I trust my audience to fill in the blanks.
If you grew up in the Black church, there are certain things that are common to us all. Music is one of them and this music is very much the backdrop to our lives. Using familiar gospel songs (or creating something similar) from the 70s will give insight into our character, Carolyn and hopefully bring back fond memories to the viewer. I'm using key songs that contradict what the view is seeing and elude to the faith that we're supposed to hold onto in times of trouble.
As a PK (preacher's kid) who married a PK and worked in ministry for lots of years, I KNOW the inner workings of the Black church—even across denominations. I was able to write realistic scenes and dialogue because I've seen and heard it all.
I've lived it.
“Compelling”
The most appealing or significant aspects of My Father the Queen are its unique character perspectives. The narrative presents a candid portrayal of Kelly, a woman navigating her encounter with the truth and the shattered pieces of her dysfunctional upbringing. Moreover, her shifting perspective when learning the reason behind her father’s estranging process provides hope through a kind message that holds forgiveness as a compelling centerpiece in the story.
-Atlanta Screenplay Awards
Representation Matters
“Great job creating a world in which people can feel represented whether it be a situation where they were rejected themselves due to their identity or they lost a loved one due to the cultural/familial complexities of another time.”
-Coverfly
“Emotionally Engaging”
“A really well-rendered and emotionally engaging series of moments.”
-Coverfly
Why We're Seeking Funding
Check out the FAQ section for how we'll use your donations!
Rewards
Oooo, we have some nice giveaways in return for your generous donation! Know that we all thank you in advance!
Thank you!
If you made it all the way to the end, thank you! I appreciate your support and belief in this project. I am certain that it will positively impact lives so thank you again! If you're able to donate, know that I will never forget your kindness! If you're unable to give right now...I promise it's okay! But if you share with your network of friends, family, and coworkers, that would be equally appreciated!
See you on the red carpet!
Updates
The Campaign FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions:
Funds will be spent on the following:
- SAG-AFTRA Fees - This will be a union film. Fees and insurance costs add up, so your contributions will help with these costs.
- Equipment - Camera, lights, special lights for effects, boom for sound, GoPro camera, car rig, and more.
- Crew - Hiring a team of professionals to operate cameras, sound, and various other equipment. This cost goes towards their "day rate", also known as the work they put in on set, each day.
- Cast - Hiring a terrific cast of actors can be expensive, but it's necessary to make a great film.
- Props - We have a few house scenes on the stage, two headstones for our cemetery scenes, and not to mention recreating a hospital.
- Costumes - With parts of the film set in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, in addition to clothes, shoes, and accessories we'll need things like choir robes and minister's robes.
- Make-Up and Hair - Nykema is my D9 sister and all, but she still requires payment! This Alpha Kappa Alpha loves her Sigma Gamma Rho sisters!
- Craft services - food and coffee so the cast and crew are nourished and have the energy to bring their A-game.
- Locations - Churches, houses, the airport baggage claim area, and a sound stage, will need to be rented.
- Music - Music is pivotal to this movie. There are songs we need licenses for, we'll create our own music. Singers and musicians will need to be hired. We're prerecording the vocals in the studio because trying to capture what's equivalent to a concert while shooting a scene is not the best use of time and resources.
- Name Talent - Films get more exposure when a name talent is attached to it. This cost will go towards his or her day rate.
- Post-Production - Post-production costs usually include editing, color correction and grading, and sound. This will go towards hiring an editor, and composer. Your contributions will go towards these additional costs, in order for the film to feel as real as possible.
- Marketing - These costs will go towards marketing the film, in order to get the word out and expose it.
- Film Festivals - Film festivals have an entrance fee that all filmmakers must pay in order for the film to be screened, in order to be considered for acceptance.
Just Because I Care
Our most heart-felt thanks shared among our social media pages!
Get access to our Behind the Scenes (BTS) photos before they're made public!
Show your support with our My Father The Queen t-shirt!
Be the first to get the movie sound track!
Lisa will print and sign a copy of her script (or send an electronic file if you prefer)! This could be worth something one day!
You'll receive a t-shirt, the sound track and the signed script!
Your name on the big screen! You'll get EP credit at the end of My Father The Queen!
Not only do you get executive producer credit, you get to spend one day on set! Travel and overnight hotel stay provided!
You get the luxury treatment with this reward! Travel and overnight hotel stay for the premiere of "My Father The Queen", where you'll mix and mingle, then walk the red carpet with the cast and crew! It'll all be worth it when you see your name in the credits as an Executive Producer after a fabulous evening amongst the stars.
Rewards
Just Because I Care
Our most heart-felt thanks shared among our social media pages!
Get access to our Behind the Scenes (BTS) photos before they're made public!
Show your support with our My Father The Queen t-shirt!
Be the first to get the movie sound track!
Lisa will print and sign a copy of her script (or send an electronic file if you prefer)! This could be worth something one day!
You'll receive a t-shirt, the sound track and the signed script!
Your name on the big screen! You'll get EP credit at the end of My Father The Queen!
Not only do you get executive producer credit, you get to spend one day on set! Travel and overnight hotel stay provided!
You get the luxury treatment with this reward! Travel and overnight hotel stay for the premiere of "My Father The Queen", where you'll mix and mingle, then walk the red carpet with the cast and crew! It'll all be worth it when you see your name in the credits as an Executive Producer after a fabulous evening amongst the stars.