The Story
As a resident of public housing, I am making this film to show the deteriorating state of public housing and its effects on the health of residents. I have seen how the lack of funding negatively impacts the living conditions. Everyday residents are fighting to preserve long term affordable, sustainable public housing and with this project we will be joining their fight.
The story is about Ana, a young girl living in a dilapidated apartment. Her mother (Carmen) has been unwell and Ana does not know why. She meets a resident (Lee) who explains neighbors have been turning into zombies, due to bad housing conditions. Ana must go with Lee in order to save herself and her mom.
Why this film?
Public Housing Z or PHZ has come about as a call-to-action to public housing buildings. This continues to be a serious issue where residents are becoming sick from horrible conditions. Studies have found a direct link between childhood asthma and household mold.
Writer/Director Christy is a resident of public housing, who has also been a complainant of mold. “At annual public housing conferences and community meetings, I listened to residents share their illness due to the inadequate housing conditions. Mold is one of the many issues in public housing. I learned that mold was the leading cause of asthma in many children living in public housing. Children are the most vulnerable to mold, this is why I chose to focus the film on a child.”
What about us?
We are six people from different backgrounds who have come together to make this project:
Charysse (Producer) is a London-based, award-winning filmmaker and CEO of Xplore the World, a documentary production company. Arilyn (Producer) is the Founder and Director of Latino Film Market, she is an entrepreneur, educator, and filmmaker from Puerto Rico. Shirley (Producer & Casting Director) is the co-host of Geekettes Chat, a film, tv, and book review podcast. Eugenia (Director of Photography) is an artist that lives and works in New York. Mendy (Editor) is a New York-based artist and filmmaker. Joliz Maria is a makeup artist and beauty influencer from Queens, NY. Kisori (Sound Mixer), originally hails from Hong Kong, she is a New York-based video editor, sound designer, and horror aficionado. Christy (Writer & Director) is the co-host of Geekettes Chat, a film, tv, and book review podcast.
Our ask of you
Funding any film is not easy, but with passion, determination and support, it is possible! You may be a resident of public housing or know someone who is. We hope that you find the project interesting enough in which you talk to others about it and also support those who live in public housing.
We want to do justice to this film, and with your help, we will be able to cover the cost of:
Cast & Crew
Meals & Snacks
Costumes & Props
Equipment & Transportation for Equipment
Location, Permits, & Insurance
Editing & more
Yes, any contribution will help, but we also know even giving $1 is not possible. Please share the page, retweet/repost/like what you see on social media. Money is not the only way to make this film get made!
Thank you, we are grateful for your support!
The happenings
We have the script. We have done the script breakdown. The storyboard is complete (image below)
We held an audition in April 2023 (image below, L-R: Eugenia (DP), Shirley (Casting Director), Christy (Director/Screenwriter) - and was able to find our cast! Our editor, Mendy, is waiting to do his job, as well as our art director, Christian, who will be designing the poster.
What to expect during the journey?
Now with casting behind us, we are moving forward to shooting the film this September 2023. Between the casting and the production, we have assembled our below-the-line crew and are rehearsing with the actors.
