Down in the Parish (working title) is a feature script about a Chalmette family trying to rebuild their lives in the wake of hurricane Katrina. The script focuses on three generations of women and covers the three days prior to the hurricane, the family’s escape and separation during the hurricane and their struggle to return to their shattered community after the devastation. It’s a film with themes of redemption, rebirth and hope. The film is not overtly political. It is a small family drama told against the backdrop of a large event with international ramifications.
We are looking to partner with a production company based in the region and to begin pre-production in the summer.
The Filmmakers:
Daneeta Loretta Saft was born in Big Branch one month before hurricane Betsy, she rode out the storm with her parents. Growing up she lived in New Orleans, Thibadoux, Paradis and Mandeville. She graduated from Loyola University with a B.A. in Literature and was awarded the school’s top writing honor, The Dawson Gaillard Award for Creative Writing. From there, she received an M.A. in Literature from George Mason University, specializing in post-modern literature and publishing her master’s thesis “Story Truths.” She soaked up the sun in Southern California before moving to Japan in 1993. There she taught English in the Japanese countryside and worked her way to Tokyo in 1995 where she wrote professionally for various English Language publications. She also published poetry. In 2000 and at the age of 35, she moved to London to study at the prestigious London Film School where she graduated with an M.F.A in filmmaking with distinctions in writing and directing. Saft continues to publish creative non-fiction autobiographical pieces with recent work appearing in the award-winning Guardian Newspaper.
Patrick Jackson grew up in Sweden, Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe as a result of his English father being posted abroad. His mother is Swedish. Patrick began shooting short films in high school and, on the basis of his visual portfolio, was accepted to the Cube Art School in Sweden upon graduation.True to his first love, though, he chose to study film at the Brunnsvik Documentary Film School. From there he studied at the Stockholm Film School before making his way to the London Film School where he graduated with an M.F.A. in Filmmaking.
Saft and Jackson met at the London Film School and quickly found common ground in their penchant for story-telling based on autobiographical experience. They begin to collaborate on projects which focused on the strength of family and community. In 2002, they traveled to Tokyo to begin work on their feature documentary “Tokyo Cowboys,” which they co-produced and co-directed. Shot independently, they raised a budget of US$120,000. The film is currently in the last stages of post-production and being prepared for a festival run.
Together, they have produced seven short films and worked on various projects in key roles including features, shorts, music videos and commercials.
Filmography
Tokyo Cowboys
Feature Documentary, 75 min., miniDV, The Elektrik Zoo (2008)
Liza
Short Experimental Documentary, 5 min., miniDV & Super 8, The Elektrik Zoo (2007)
Nominated for Best Short: 21st Stuttgarter Filmwinter (2008)
Nominated for Best Experimental Film: The London Short Film Festival (2008)
Toasted
Narrative Short, 8 min., miniDV, The Elektrik Zoo (2007)
Script Shortlisted: PULSE (Film London) (2006)
Daybreak
Narrative Short, 15 min., S16mm, Rickshaw Productions (2007)
Official Selection: The London Short Film Festival (“Love on the Road” Series)
Fragile
Experimental Short, 4 min., 16mm, The Elektrik Zoo (2005)
Official Selection: L’etrange Film Festival (2006)
My Beautiful Reward
Narrative Short, 10 min., miniDV, The Elektrik Zoo (2004)
This is What it Feels Like
Narrative Short, 12 min., S16mm, The Elektrik Zoo (2003)
Official Selection: Tuebingen Film Festival (2004)
Official Selection: Lodz Film Festival (2004)
Thicker than Water
Narrative Short, 15 min., 35mm, The Elektrik Zoo (2002)
Awarded: Silver Pelican, Nunez Film Festival
Official Selection: Tuebingen Film Festival (2003)
Official Selection: Lodz Film Festival (2003)
