The Oscar qualifying short film, A Real One that filmed in Chicago last summer, came home to make its Chicago premiere last Saturday at the Chicago International Film Festival.
Executive Producer Lisa Masseur of Tessa Films and writer, director McKenzie Chinn collaborated on more than just a simple idea for a short film. In the interview below you’ll hear details of how to think outside the box to connect with grants, revenue sources, and support from peers that make it possible for young creative filmmakers to see their vision become a reality.
Because, sometimes it truly does take a village.
Chinn was chosen as one of eight Bentonville Film Festival Alumni for their inaugural program, which includes professional support from peers, in addition to financial backing.
She not only received the support and a commitment from Sundance for this short film, but also for the making of the feature version that will be Chinn’s vision fulfilled.
The feature version was also just announced as a finalist for the SFFILM Rainin Grant.
Filmed on Chicago’s south side last summer, A Real One is a co-production between Tessa Films and Minnie Productions, with stars Eris Baker (This Is Us) and Ireon Roach (Candyman, 4400) as two friends confronting the fallout when a closely-held secret is discovered amid the final weeks of their senior year in high school.
See how A Real One — that took just two days to film — became the little film that could.
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