<div>Support "Jukin'" to bring an erased chapter of Black history to life. In a time when marginalized people's stories face censorship and Black joy is revolutionary, this film reclaims our ancestors' resilience and reminds us that safe spaces and authentic self-expression are worth fighting for.
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<div>Mission Statement
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<div>To celebrate the hidden history of Black queer joy in 1950s juke joints, sacred spaces where marginalized communities found freedom, love, and authentic self-expression in the face of oppression. A story of resilience, found family, and the transformative power of safe spaces.
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<div>The Story
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<div>JUKIN' - A Film About Finding Freedom
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<div>To illuminate the hidden history of Black queer joy and resistance in 1950s America by celebrating the juke joint as a sacred space where marginalized communities found freedom, authenticity, and belonging in the face of systemic oppression.
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<div>Core objectives:
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<li>Historical Preservation - Document and honor the often-erased legacy of juke joints as vital sanctuaries for LGBTQ+ people and Black communities during segregation
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<li>Representation &amp; Visibility - Center Black queer voices and experiences in a period piece that reclaims their rightful place in American history
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<li>Transformation Through Storytelling - Explore how safe spaces and found family enable self-discovery and authentic identity expression
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<li>Challenging Binaries - Question the false separations between sacred/secular, saint/sinner, and masculine/feminine that society imposes on marginalized people
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<li>Celebrating Resilience - Showcase not just survival, but joy, love, creativity, and community-building as acts of resistance
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<div>JUKIN' asks: What does true freedom look like when the world says you shouldn't exist? And answers: It looks like dancing, loving, and living authentically, even if only for one night at the Pusswisla.
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<div>THE STORY
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<div>50s. The segregated South. A world of rigid rules, on the brink of change.
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<div>Skip is 17, trapped in pink dresses and Sunday sermons, suffocating under her mother's expectations. But when she catches a glimpse of Elsie, the elegant preacher's wife with a secret, everything changes. On the eve of Easter, Skip follows Elsie to the Pusswisla, a hidden juke joint run by the wise and protective Christian lady named Ms. Ruby. Behind those doors, Skip discovers a vibrant world she never knew existed: Black queer folks dancing freely, drag queens commanding the stage, and couples loving without shame.
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<div>In this sacred space, Skip meets:
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<li>Wooty - a confident masc woman who shows Skip what boldness looks like
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<li>Ms. Darling - a drag queen whose powerful voice reminds everyone that freedom lives in their spirits
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<li>Hattie Mae - a new friend who welcomes Skip into the fold
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<div>Through one transformative night of music, moonshine, and meaningful connections, Skip discovers her authentic self and learns that even in the darkest times, joy is resistance.
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<div>WHY THIS STORY MATTERS NOW
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<div>In 2025, as book bans erase LGBTQ+ history and legislation attacks trans youth, "Jukin'" is a radical act of preservation and celebration.
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<div>Juke joints were real. They were sanctuaries where Black LGBTQ+ people could exist fully—dancing, loving, surviving together. Yet this history has been deliberately erased from mainstream narratives.
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<div>This film: ✨ Reclaims erased history - Honoring the resilience of our queer ancestors
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<div>✨ Centers Black joy - Not just trauma, but celebration and community
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<div>✨ Celebrates safe spaces - Reminding us why they matter, then and now
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<div>✨ Empowers young queer people - Showing them they've always belonged
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<div>THE CREATIVE VISION
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<div>Jukin'" will transport audiences through:
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<li>Authentic 1950s Production Design - From Skip's suffocating floral wallpaper to Pusswisla's liberating sequined backdrop
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<li>Original Blues Score - Featuring live musicians and a capella performances that capture the raw emotion of the era
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<li>Choreographed Dance Sequences - Celebrating the sensual, joyful movement that made juke joints legendary
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<li>Stunning Costumes - From restrictive Sunday dresses to bold, gender-defying fashion
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<li>Period Photography - Slow-motion "moving film photographs" capturing intimate moments of queer love
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<div>THE TEAM
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<div>TIERRA "TT" FROST - Writer/Director
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<div>Tierra is a Black queer filmmaker from Seattle pursuing her MFA at Chapman University's prestigious Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. Her films have screened at festivals including Tag! Queer Shorts, Black August, and Queer Women of Color Film Festival, and aired on Seattle's Emmy-winning Black news network, Converge.
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<div>Most recently, Tierra was selected as a Summer 2025 intern at JuVee Productions (Viola Davis and Julius Tennon's production company).
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<div>Her work explores themes of transformation, identity, and the magic of authentic self-expression—making her the perfect voice to tell Skip's story.
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<div>Previous Films: Lucid (2023), Mars, I Can See the Light (2024)
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<div>MARC STERNBERG - Producer
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<div>Marc brings 20+ years of global business leadership and extensive production experience to "Jukin'." Currently pursuing his MFA in Producing at Chapman University and an MSc in Change Leadership at Oxford/HEC Paris, Marc has produced 200+ commercials and multiple documentary features.
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<div>As founder of Son of a Botanist Productions, Marc champions stories from underrepresented communities, including:
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<li>Take Another Look (Civil Rights docuseries)
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<li>Cowgirls: Women of Western Art (Gender equity documentary)
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<li>Out of the Box: Thomas Blackshear II
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<div>Marc is a Fulbright Specialist committed to creating platforms for marginalized voices.
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<div>CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY THESIS FILM
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<div>"Jukin'" is Tierra's Graduate Thesis Film at one of the nation's top film schools. This means:
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<div>✅ Chapman University funding support ($20,000 base budget)
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<div>✅ Professional-grade equipment (cinema cameras, lighting, sound)
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<div>✅ Experienced crew (award-winning cinematographers, editors, designers)
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<div>✅ Expert faculty mentorship throughout production
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<div>✅ Post-production facilities for color grading and sound design
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<div>✅ Festival distribution support from Chapman's industry connections
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<div>Your support amplifies Chapman's investment, allowing us to:
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<li>Hire talented actors who embody these characters authentically
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<li>Create stunning period-accurate costumes and sets
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<li>Feed our cast and crew properly during our 6-day shoot
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<li>Secure the perfect juke joint location
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<li>Produce original music with live musicians
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<li>Submit to major film festivals
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<div>PRODUCTION TIMELINE
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<li>2025 - Pre-production, casting, location scouting
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<li>January 2026 - Principal photography (6 days)
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<li>February-May 2026 - Post-production (editing, sound design, color)
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<li>May 2026 - Chapman University Thesis Premiere
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<li>Summer/Fall 2026 - Film festival circuit
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<div>Shooting Dates: January 23-30, 2026
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<div>HOW YOUR SUPPORT HELPS
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<div>Every dollar goes directly to bringing Skip's story to life:
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<li>Cast &amp; Talent - Compensating our actors fairly
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<li>Costumes - Authentic 1950s wardrobe for 15+ characters
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<li>Location - Securing and dressing the perfect juke joint space
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<li>Catering - Feeding our hardworking cast and crew ($10/person/day)
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<li>Music - Hiring live musicians and composers
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<li>Production Design - Period-accurate props, set dressing, signage
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<li>Transportation - Moving equipment, cast, and crew
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<li>Grip &amp; Electric - Additional lighting to create that magical atmosphere
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<li>Festival Submissions - Getting "Jukin'" seen by audiences worldwide
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<div>FESTIVAL &amp; DISTRIBUTION GOALS
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<div>With your support, we aim to submit "Jukin'" to:
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<li>Sundance Film Festival - Championing independent voices
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<li>SXSW - Celebrating bold storytelling
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<li>Outfest - World's leading LGBTQ+ film festival
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<li>BlackStar Film Festival - Centering Black cinema
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<li>NewFest - New York's LGBTQ+ film festival
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<li>Inside Out Toronto - Canada's premier queer festival
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<li>BFI Flare - London's LGBTQ+ film festival
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<div>Our goal: Get this story in front of the audiences who need it most.
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<div>WHY CROWDFUNDING?
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<div>While Chapman provides essential support, thesis budgets don't cover everything needed to tell this story with the excellence it deserves.
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<div>Your contribution ensures:
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<li>Actors are compensated for their artistry and time
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<li>Crew members receive meals during long shoot days
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<li>Production value matches our ambition - no compromises on quality
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<li>The film reaches festivals - submission fees add up quickly
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<li>This history is preserved with the care and beauty it deserves
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<div>Every supporter becomes part of film history—helping ensure that stories like Skip's are never erased again.
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Shayaan Ahmed

Megan Ackerman

Anonymous

Barbara Patrizzi

Liz London

Tsering Lama

Alison Segar

Patrick Dielubanza

Michael Houston

Jade Abston

Janessa Thrasher

Azriel Crews

Jerrica Long

Jazmine Troutt

Courtney Land

Lindsay Roiko

Edith Martinez

Makenna Roiko

Sydney Mulkey

Help Bring Jukin' to Life: A Story of Resilience

Help Bring Jukin' to Life: A Story of Resilience

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