What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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AUGUST 21-27, 2022 WHAT'S UP! 9 wanted to do it, but it wasn't until attending the University of Arkansas and taking an 'African Americans in Film' class when I knew it was possible for me to do it. "'And the Winner Is' talks about Hollywood and media's love and exploitation for Black trauma," he continues. "It centers around a Black film director who finally wins the 'BIG ONE' yet his wife has questions about his victory. It was shot last year in Centerton at a dear friend's home. "Long term, I'd like to see this become a feature film and continue the conversation regarding media and Hollywood's exploitation of Black trauma. I'd be thrilled if we got picked up on a major network, but self- distribution is just as fulfilling." What's next? "A brand new web series titled 'The Sextons,' which addresses parental depression in partners of newborn mothers." It will debut Nov. 27 on DAYVISION's website, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram page. Jason Pitts Film: "Masquerade" Showing at 9:30 p.m. Aug. 27 Jason Pitts has written eight films and directed seven of them, including "Suicide Cafe," "Alone" and "Voorhees: Night of the Beast." "I grew up watching horror films. I was always captivated by their unrestrained creativity," Pitts says. "'Masquerade' is a home invasion/ slasher horror short film. It was a collaboration with the lead actress, Alivea Disney. We developed the character and story together, and I wrote the script. It was filmed at a house in Alma in the spring of 2021. 'Masquerade' is the second entry of a four-film saga called 'The Alone Saga.' At other film festivals, 'Masquerade' has won Best Horror Short seven times, Best Director two times, Best Actress two times, Best Score, Best Special Effects, Best Makeup, and a few more! "The biggest challenge of making films in Arkansas is funding," Pitts adds. "I think that is the biggest challenge anywhere, though. The biggest reward has been building the film family over the past few years. There is a massive amount of talented people, who also happen to be amazing human beings, right here in Arkansas." "Masquerade" is about to be available on Tubi, and its predecessor, "Alone," can be seen on Tubi, Plex and Xumo. What's next? "We have our short film 'When The Stairs Creak' coming out later this fall," Pitts says. "We are filming a short sequel to 'Voorhees: Night of the Beast' in November, and in March we will be filming the third film in 'The Alone' saga, 'Lonely Echoes.'" Lesa Crowell Film: "Patient Justice" Showing at 9:30 p.m. Aug. 27 "'Patient Justice' is my first film," Lesa Crowell says. "I directed, wrote and produced it. I am so proud of this film! When it was accepted into the Arkansas Cinema Society Filmland 2022, I was elated. We won Best Arkansas Made Short at the Hot Springs International Women's Brandon Chase Goldsmith (right) and Clay Pruitt with the River Valley Film Society deliver opening remarks earlier this year at a monthly film series called Borderlands, showcasing some movies screened at last year's Fort Smith International Film Festival. "Borderlands" is also the theme of this year's festival, the second annual event organized by the River Valley Film Society and set to take place Aug. 26-27 at TempleLive. (NWA Democrat-Gazette File Photo/Hank Layton) Lesa Crowell's "Patient Justice" is about a cancer patient who is ex-law enforcement and ex-military and becomes an assassin to pay off her medical debt and leave money for her sons. (Courtesy Photo) In Crystal Woodham's "Ungathered," she says, "a woman who is trapped in an abusive relationship breaks away to walk on an old trail that she used to walk with her mother. When she arrives at an old covered bridge, she is met by a mysterious old man. He very soon shows her that there is more to life and love than abuse." Woodham is pictured second from right during filming. (Courtesy Photo) Jason Pitts' "Masquerade," which he describes as a home invasion/slasher horror short film, is the second in a four-film saga called "The Alone Saga." (Courtesy Photo) See Films Page 37