“When the masses begin to celebrate the mediocre as great, we as creatives have failed in our duty to inspire them.”
- Christopher Adams
Paradigm Grey is a bold, necessary experiment to re ignite, push forward and shatter the boundaries of what African American cinema can be.
This is the beginning.
“PARADIGM GREY ANTHOLOGY AIMS TO BREAK THE MOLD FOR TEAM OF UP AND COMING BLACK FILMMAKERS”
Inspired by The Twilight Zone and Black Mirror, Chicago based filmmaker Christopher Adams has assembled a like minded team of extremely talented fellow filmmakers, who have created what they hope to be the start of several volumes of genre defying feature length films and television projects, with a focus on spotlighting the African Diaspora in roles you don't typically see them in. Their first project, a science fiction anthology called Paradigm Grey, is unique in many ways that all the participating directors are African American and at least 97% of the production and post production crew is also African American.
"I’ve always hated going to see horror, action or sci-fi films knowing that as soon as you see anyone of color on screen you knew they usually weren't going to survive the duration of the film, or were just added as a footnote. It’s obvious some exec somewhere said we need to put a black person in there, and even then they paint those characters with a stereotypical brush to try and appeal to urban markets" says Christopher, who is the CEO of IMPAKT STUDIO, a production company that has garnered nominations (three Grammy and one BET) for their numerous music video projects. He has worked with a variety of dynamic artists such as Public Enemy, Lupe Fiasco, and Eric Roberson; recently Adams spent considerable time working with controversial boxer Floyd Mayweather for an upcoming project.
Chris, a self taught filmmaker, VFX artist, and cinematographer, built most of the props for the stories in Paradigm Grey, including a six foot tall killer robot. He and his business partner, editor Hana "Blaq" Mitchell, have been bringing their dynamic brand of visual marketing skills to clients for over twenty years. They hope to take their considerable talents to a whole new level with Paradigm Grey.
“It’s time for us to show the world that black directors and black cinema can be just as if not more creative and diverse as other cultures. Just like the tag line says, Welcome to the shift.”, says Chris
WHO WE ARE
Christopher Adams, CEO of Impakt Studio and Brainchild of PARADIGM GREY was born and raised in Chicago’s Roseland area where gangs and drugs were as much a part of the landscape as the homes and storefronts. Self-taught in all of his trades Chris incorporates a variety of disciplines, knowledge and ideologies in his work and strives to push his art far beyond the urban markets that nurtured him believing that art and music are the “only universal truths left in modern society and can reach far beyond their intended audience"
Dave Johnson
In an era where everyone who owns a camera now believes themselves to be a film maker, Dave Johnson has put in over 20 years toward his craft. A self-taught film maker and award winning actor, Dave has overseen the production of several short films, music videos, commercials, webisodes, and other media content. His company, SEI Studios, successfully produced their 2003 movie Severed Ties, which went on to secure both domestic and international distribution. Dave is a “throw back” director who loves horror and thrillers. He patterns his style after such talented names as Brian DePalma and John Carpenter.
Dave Johnson
In an era where everyone who owns a camera now believes themselves to be a film maker, Dave Johnson has put in over 20 years toward his craft. A self-taught film maker and award winning actor, Dave has overseen the production of several short films, music videos, commercials, webisodes, and other media content. His company, SEI Studios, successfully produced their 2003 movie Severed Ties, which went on to secure both domestic and international distribution. Dave is a “throw back” director who loves horror and thrillers. He patterns his style after such talented names as Brian DePalma and John Carpenter.
Hana “Blaq” Mitchell
Editor and Partner at Impakt Studio
In the wrong place a sequence of images can destroy a story and waste the hours put into acquiring them. The editor's job when done right is invisible it doesn't draw attention to itself unless for dramatic or stylistic purpose but for story telling mere frames can make the difference between comedy and tragedy. Hana aka Blaq has mastered and continues to push her craft to explore different methods and techniques to string together and coalesce images for motion pictures, commercials and music videos with beauty and grace.
Self taught Hana has quite the resume from Grammy nominated music videos for Eric Roberson & Lupe Fiasco, feature films, commercials and promo videos for Floyd Mayweather, documentaries and industrial videos. No matter what the subject is she can handle it and make the most mundane into beautiful art.
Hana “Blaq” Mitchell
Editor and Partner at Impakt Studio
In the wrong place a sequence of images can destroy a story and waste the hours put into acquiring them. The editor's job when done right is invisible it doesn't draw attention to itself unless for dramatic or stylistic purpose but for story telling mere frames can make the difference between comedy and tragedy. Hana aka Blaq has mastered and continues to push her craft to explore different methods and techniques to string together and coalesce images for motion pictures, commercials and music videos with beauty and grace.
Self taught Hana has quite the resume from Grammy nominated music videos for Eric Roberson & Lupe Fiasco, feature films, commercials and promo videos for Floyd Mayweather, documentaries and industrial videos. No matter what the subject is she can handle it and make the most mundane into beautiful art.
Jonathan Woods
So there he was. Jonathan Woods a twelve year old with lots of promise and curiosity. Listening to music was his passion. Then, there was that moment. While looking at the panoramic landscape of an Earth, Wind and Fire album cover showing past, present and what is yet to be he saw something that you don't see in Oakland. Pyramids. Yeah Pyramids. Jon had lived in many places. He'd lived in Oakland California, Aurora Colorado, New Hampshire and Homewood a suburb of Chicago and the punchline was always the same, no Pyramids. And while we are at it there weren't any Star Destroyers, Tie Fighters or Death Stars, so Jon would have to make some for himself.
Jonathan Woods
So there he was. Jonathan Woods a twelve year old with lots of promise and curiosity. Listening to music was his passion. Then, there was that moment. While looking at the panoramic landscape of an Earth, Wind and Fire album cover showing past, present and what is yet to be he saw something that you don't see in Oakland. Pyramids. Yeah Pyramids. Jon had lived in many places. He'd lived in Oakland California, Aurora Colorado, New Hampshire and Homewood a suburb of Chicago and the punchline was always the same, no Pyramids. And while we are at it there weren't any Star Destroyers, Tie Fighters or Death Stars, so Jon would have to make some for himself.
LOMAI
WRITER/ DIRECTOR
Lomai is a Chicago based writer/director who has begun to build an extensive and impressive list of credits, working on short films, videos and independent features, including his own debut film, the sci-fi /fake documentary “Proven”. Lomai has also written (under his real name, Tommy Sigmon) an impressive array of screenplays, including the thriller “Sin Verite”, which placed in the top twenty percent of all screenplays that were accepted into the Nicholl Fellowship script contest, and the sci-fi fantasy adventure “The Kid-Verse Adventures”, which is currently being developed with David Waite of Jupiter Films as a potential tent-pole release
Ted Crowder
His environment influenced his strong appreciation for a diversity of ideas. As his neighborhood was being changed by large political and economic upheavals, questions about Race, Class, Politics, the Arts and Sciences were argued and regularly dissected by his family as he grew into adulthood. He grew to appreciate "Cause and Effect" as strong determining factors for his community's condition. This environment cultivated his "Art that Influences" strategy, his career path in Advertising and one of the sparks that inspired the formation of the BrightSeed Collaborative - a Catalyst of Creativity in the Black Community.
Ted attended University Of Illinois Chicago for less than a year and a half, electing to start a career sooner than later. Focusing on Advertising and Media Production he bartered his way into a television Post Production Company by the name of "Cinema Video Graphics of Chicago". That company became a springboard to “Astro Video,” another Post Production Company. The Lee Hill Advertising Agency, Playboy Enterprises, Draft World Wide and finally Leo Burnett were to follow in succession. Ted’s interest in the arts and sciences gained momentum as his experiences in the fields of Commercial Media Design and Computer Graphics grew. Working as a Designer and Creative Director, Ted has been responsible for crafting the identities of McDonalds, Burger King, Proctor and Gamble, Philip Morris, Sprint and United Airlines to name a few. Ted, along with his partners in the BrightSeed Collaborative are currently changing the world.
Harold Dennis
Harold Dennis lives in Chicago. He's a man working at mastering his abilities in life and as a talent. Of the 19 years in the business he's accumulated 17 of them training and preparing for that moment when his intentions are met. Harold's screen presence is radiant and obvious. He enjoys doing the work and it shows. The outcome his work is touching, moving and inspiring. This is a life long odyssey which is understood and accepted. He's credited with over 100 films thus far and plans to someday triple that number. Look for Harold Dennis.
Coco Elysses,
a modern day renaissance woman hails from Robbins, Illinois and is a producer, musician, actress, voice-over artist, screenwriter and poet. Coco completed her MFA in creative writing and was a published poet before graduation. During their second season she was a featured musician in the critically claimed FOX drama Empire. In 2014, Coco was a semi-finalist in Lifetime Television Unscripted Development Pipeline. Coco’s voice can be heard at the Adler Planetarium in the permanent instillation, Skywatchers of Africa. Coco’s voice can also be heard on spots for BET, BlackVoices.com, McDonald’s, Nike, IN and OUT Burger, Saint’s Row video game, EverQuest II and Watchdogs. Coco has performed as an actress in several Chicago theatres.
Nicole Reed
Actress/Writing
Nicole Reed is a refreshingly new talent who brings a Higher Standard of Excellence to the Entertainment Industry. Finding acting as a catalyst to enhance her modeling, little did she know that it would soon take the leading role in her career goals. Nicole has been in Chicago Fire, Randy to the Rescue, U and Me in the Morning, multiple appearances on the Steve Harvey Show, and numerous other television shows.
Ashley A. Woods
Born and raised in Chicago, Ashley A. Woods is an illustrator who got her start through self-publishing her action-fantasy comic series, “Millennia War”, while attending the International Academy of Design and Technology. After earning her degree in Video and Animation, she traveled to Kyoto, Japan where she presented her work in a gallery showcase called, “Out Of Sequence”. After returning to the states, her work from her comics were included in the “Black Comix” compilation table top book which was used in college courses at various universities internationally. When Ashley isn’t working, she enjoys playing video games and studying Japanese.
Hannah Bonecutter
Hannah grew up in the Chicago suburb of Oak Park and has many close ties with her beloved city of Chicago. She attended college at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and received her B.S. in Elementary Education with a Concentration in Mathematics in May 2013. Since graduation, Hannah has worked on her acting aspirations and achieved several roles in Chicago film projects. Recent credits include Gail Smith in Bloodlines (Showcase Entertainment Inc.), Elonda Cortez in Chiraq TV Series (Genesis Network Entertainment), and Allison in Camp William (MAA Studios). Outside of being an actress, Hannah is a licensed teacher at Bright Horizons and the founder & owner of her professional organizing business BoneClutter – We Organize to the Bone. While Hannah keeps a busy lifestyle, she still manages to spend time with friends and family doing some of the activities here in Chicago that she loves most. Some of her favorite past times include watching movies, swimming, multicultural dancing, and international travel.
Jeffery "BUK" Robinson
BUK OF PSYCHODRAMA 1/3 of the legendary Chicago rap group PSYCHODRAMA. He has held the title of the "MOST ANTICIPATED SOLO ARTIST" on the underground music scene for the last 20 years. Lending his signature voice and flow on more than 10 major label releases, most notably:
LUPE FIASCO Tetsuo & Youth (2015)
TWISTA Adrenaline Rush(1997)
TWISTA Category F5 (2009)
DO OR DIE Picture This (1995)
DO OR DIE Back to the game (2003)
CAMRON Purple Haze (2004)
8BALL Lost (1998)
APLUS Hempstead High (1999)
THE WOO movie soundtrack (2000)
and many more... it's ridiculous seriously.
including features on over 100 mixtape and indie releases. When people speak about Chicago Hip Hop, the unique lyrical style of Buk of Psychodrama is a primary topic. Respected by industry insiders and artists alike,with the release of his new album "THE DEEP END" BUK of PSYCHODRAMA continues to set trends and has set a goal to transform the landscape of the music, entertainment and business world.
Cassandra Bell
Cassandra Bell is a woman who lives life dancing to the beat of her heart coined “The Directoress”. She has worked professionally with an array of industry professionals. She is a devoted mother, mentor, friend and servant of God, Cassandra Bell was born to Delois Bearden and Walter Lee Clark in the mountains of Colorado, Springs Colorado.
Her love of the arts was cultivated by the late Jimmy (Car Wash) Spinks while attending “Lafollette Park” on the Westside of Chicago. Cassandra advanced her love for performance by attending college becoming intermixed with the Music Industry. Cassandra also worked for such notable labels as: EMI/DEF SQUAD, JIVE RECORDS, SONY550 ARISTA RECORDS AND ARISE RECORDS.
Cassandra won; The 2013 Black Theater Alliance awarded her for her rendition of Fat’s Waller Classic, “Ain’t Misbehavin” winning the Oscar Brown Jr. Award for Best Director of a Musical/Revue, also the Director Circle Award 2014, 2017 Awarded The Game Changer Award by Gobal Mixx, Recipient of the Inspire Of Youth Award 2017 by Industry Buzzz, Game Changer Award by Sibs Breakfast Club, Woman of The Year Award 2017 by Cook County Probation Department.
Cassandra herself is an accomplished writer/director/producer who has been featured on NBC, ABC, WGN and FOX NEWS, her brand of energy driven productions is making her one of the most sought out artists. She is a community advocate and has won several awards for Community Outreach service and programs inside the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center and her own 501C3 NFP SAVE ME 2 LIVE. Cassandra Bell Studios has arrived, bringing forth this renaissance woman, who recently added filmmaker to her title, September Rayne premiered to a packed house on September 16, 2017. Cassandra’s commitment to her community never wavers. With the onset of her Save Me 2 Live Foundation NFP, an anti-violence program, she uses Musical Theater to combat grief, anger and anxiety in our youth. Life for Cassandra is simply stated, “I am inspired by life, humbled by living, driven by vision and blessed to be able to have an outlet in which to express my creativity.”
Gabriel Marroquin
J.
j. is a makeup artist, men's groomer, and creative director w/ a knack for both clean beauty and the oddly peculiar.
CLIENT LIST INCLUDES...
at&t . sperry topsider . ikram . chicago mag . steppenwolf theater . the chicago reader . god's mag . steiner electric co . the limited co . nike . second city communications. the erickson institute . cintas . sears . hurley . accenture . atlantic records . converse .
