Whirlpool
by Imani Mitchell

Imani Mitchell
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Whirlpool
by Imani Mitchell
Imani Mitchell
Follow
Lies. Betrayal. Love. Redemption. This film revolves around secrets and the lengths people go to maintain them.
Lies. Betrayal. Love. Redemption. This film revolves around secrets and the lengths people go to maintain them.
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Story
Mission Statement
My vision is to inspire others to write stories and create films that speak to the communities they represent. We're proud that Whirlpool features a leading cast of Black, Sacramento-based actors, is directed by a woman and has a crew compromised of people of color who love film!About The Project
Whirlpool is a compelling drama that follows the life of Malik Johnson, a complicated man with a deep secret that threatens to destroy his family at any moment.
After suffering from a traumatic and haunting accident from his youth, Malik struggles in his adulthood to live a normal life that is not riddled with guilt.
Within time, he reunites with an old friend from high school who persuades him to take part in an event that has life-altering consequences for all involved.
From IMANI MITCHELL (Producer/Writer/Director): On April 1st 2016, my father, Darrell Mitchell, passed away. He was an avid lover of films and through the years, he would periodically and adamantly tell me to write a screenplay. For most of my life, my experience with the industry had been as an actor but I always longed to be behind the scenes and manifest my own ideas.In August 2018, I sat down to write a script and within a month I had completed the first draft of Whirlpool. It had many re-writes, but the main storyline of the film remained the same.
This film, although fictional, has bits and pieces of my life woven into it. I was deliberate in choosing Sacramento as the location for the film because it is my hometown. Also, I wanted an all-Black cast for the film and longed to create narratives and characters for Black actors that were dramatic and nuanced.
In my growth and journey, I have learned that people are complicated. People can be messy and people make mistakes. In Whirlpool, we learn the choices that Malik makes are informed by the trauma he experienced as a child. I wanted to create a compelling and intriguing story where there are no villains or angels. Not everything is in black or white. The audience may be conflicted with the choices these characters make, but my hope is everyone will see some part of themselves in the film.
CRAIG STOKES Malik Johnson
KIARA DOWNS Camille Johnson
TAYLOR VAUGHAN Jo Johnson
JAMES ELLISON III Faizon Ortiz
MOSHIU T. KNOX II Wayne Sams Jr.
COURTNEY MCKINNEY Renee Moore
O-NAJE Amir RichardsBJ NASH Lisa Moore
ROB ANTHONY GRAY Bruce Johnson
ALANA MATHEWS Charlene JohnsonKALEB ROBERTS Young Malik
CHAYA BOYD Young Talise
Incentives
$10
Social Media Shout Out
We're so thankful for your support!
This package includes:- a social media shoutout on I AM Studios Facebook page
$25
Social Media Shout Out + Digital Postcard
Thank you for your generosity!
This package includes:
- a social media shoutout on I AM Studios Facebook page
- a personalized digital postcard from the writer and cast of Whirlpool
$50
Private Streaming Link + Google Hangouts Session
This package includes:
- a social media shoutout on I AM Studios Facebook page
- a personalized digital postcard from the writer and cast of Whirlpool
- a private link to watch the film
- an invitation to a LIVE Q&A session on Google Hangouts with the director/cast of Whirlpool
$100
Official Whirlpool Poster
This package includes:
- all of the items from above
- a printed copy of the official Whirlpool poster
$250
End Credits Thank you + T-Shirt
Ever wanted to see your name on screen? Now is your chance!
This package includes:
- all of the items from above
- your name featured on the end credits of the film
- a limited-edition official Whirlpool t-shirt
$500
Associate Producer Credit
Congrats! You're in the big leagues now! In addition to being given a credit, you will also receive a chance to attend the pirvate screening as well as everthing from the packages above!
This package includes:
- all of the items from above
- Associate Producer credit for Whirlpool
- two tickets to attend a private screening of the film
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$10
Social Media Shout Out
We're so thankful for your support!
This package includes:- a social media shoutout on I AM Studios Facebook page
$25
Social Media Shout Out + Digital Postcard
Thank you for your generosity!
This package includes:
- a social media shoutout on I AM Studios Facebook page
- a personalized digital postcard from the writer and cast of Whirlpool
$50
Private Streaming Link + Google Hangouts Session
This package includes:
- a social media shoutout on I AM Studios Facebook page
- a personalized digital postcard from the writer and cast of Whirlpool
- a private link to watch the film
- an invitation to a LIVE Q&A session on Google Hangouts with the director/cast of Whirlpool
$100
Official Whirlpool Poster
This package includes:
- all of the items from above
- a printed copy of the official Whirlpool poster
$250
End Credits Thank you + T-Shirt
Ever wanted to see your name on screen? Now is your chance!
This package includes:
- all of the items from above
- your name featured on the end credits of the film
- a limited-edition official Whirlpool t-shirt
$500
Associate Producer Credit
Congrats! You're in the big leagues now! In addition to being given a credit, you will also receive a chance to attend the pirvate screening as well as everthing from the packages above!
This package includes:
- all of the items from above
- Associate Producer credit for Whirlpool
- two tickets to attend a private screening of the film
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
THE CREW
Imani Mitchell (Producer/Writer/Director)Imani Mitchell is a mother, writer, actress and activist. She was born and raised in Sacramento, CA and received her Associates degree in Theatre Arts from Sacramento City College. Imani began working in entertainment as an actor and grew frustrated with the lack of diversity that she often encountered when auditioning or being cast in productions. She enjoys the many intersections of her identity and finds ways to express her activism through her art and create a dialogue around the representation of people of color in media.
Will "BJ" Colston (Director of Photography)
Craig Stokes (Producer/Lead Actor)
Aurora Love (Production Manager)
Kellie Davis (Editor/Script Supervisor)
Jennifer Castillo (Camera Assistant/Audio Technician) -
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