ABOUT CREAM MAGEC

Growing up both Black and White in a republican dominant, white-fueled, conservative town, my Blackness was hidden. I learned how to assimilate into a culture that wouldn't accept me regardless of what I did, because there was no changing who I was. You can take that sentiment and run either way with it — to hide or not to hide? 

Or do you just change to fit the image more authentically? 

In his poem, To Elsie, William Carlos Williams toys with the exploitation of the American Icon. The tried and true American Dream. We’ve come to learn this dream as a concept, but what is it personified? The icon. The hero. The King.

The Elvis Presley. 

But what happens when the person you adore doesn’t act like you? Talk like you? More importantly, isn’t the same race as you? CREAM MAGEC follows Stevie Dixon — a young Elvis devotee  — over the course of one day, his obsession with the American Image leading to an obsession with lightening his skin. As he tries to emulate his idea of a King with bleaching cream, he brings himself closer to insanity, trying to battle an ever-increasing identity crisis.

 If an impersonator dies on stage will anyone hear it? Or is it just part of the act?


VISUAL TREATMENT


FORMAT & SHOOTING STYLE

This film is an oncoming panic attack. A fever dream you feel yourself slipping into, but haven’t made it all the way there yet. Our visuals will represent this teetering on the edge of a mental breakdown. 

By keeping a lingering, voyeuristic POV on our lead, Stevie, we will allow the viewer to keep guessing. We want to be surprised by what he does next. We will be using handheld camera movement, along with a sparing use of zooms to emphasize his fading grasp on reality.

Shooting on 16mm will give the grainy, organic mood necessary to capture Stevie’s range of emotions. We want to see the colors of his world as clearly as possible, even if he cannot.


LOCATIONS

References


To be Rented for Shoot:


CAST


SO WHO'S PUTTING THIS ALL TOGETHER?


*For portfolio and more information visit Nikki Milan Houston 's website*


Annie Bailey is a 22 year old experimental filmmaker and editor currently based in Boston, where she practices video editing at  Invasion/Righteous Babe Records.

Naomi Petit was born in CT and raised in Paris. She began Photography at the age of eighteen, shooting for large brands like Julius, Jean Louis David, Sjoír, and events such as Paris Fashion Week.  Shortly after, she moved to NYC to study Acting at the Stella Adler Acting Studio. 

She moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting, and became wrapped up in producing short films. Her last project, a feature (Tramp) is still in development. 


*For portfolio and more information, visit John Jadkowski 's Vimeo*


*For portfolio and more information, visit Zola Anderson 's website*

CREAM MAGEC, although small, couldn’t be further from a small task. This GoFundMe was created to help support our team of artists as we work through this time — one that exists with the looming presence of an uncertain world. Sometimes, it is important to support the causes that can help fuel your sense of escapism and acceptance. 

Anything helps, and your contributions especially will with:

- Super 16mm film and processing

- Location rentals & permit fees

- Transportation around Los Angeles (as we all know how that can be)

- Equipment/Insurance Fees

- Production Design and Costume

- Festival distribution

With your donations, come perks! We'd love to show our thanks for supporting crews during this difficult time in any way possible. 

- $10 - Personal Thank You E-mail
- $50 - Mini Poster for Film and Thank You E-mail
- $100 - Special Thanks in the Credits
- $250 - Executive Producer Credit

With your help, we hope to fully realize this vision and share it with others.  Please stay tuned for more updates on the film, the team, and behind the scenes, as we all continue to learn who Stevie Dixon is.

Thank you!