RLH Productions: Support Inclusivity in Film & TV

Hi! My name is Regina and I am the Founder and CEO of RLH Productions, an independently owned production company specializing in Film, TV, and Digital. I'm an artist and filmmaker currently working between the Chicagoland area and Los Angeles. I’ve been doing what I do for a while now - either independently as a freelancer or with an old LLC, however RLH Productions, LLC is the first company for which I am the sole owner.  Since its founding in 2018, my company has already been on quite the filmmaking journey, and I’m looking to keep the momentum going!


I believe diversity to be more than just a buzzword and shouldn’t be something that is simply checked off on a to-do list. Diversity essentially means telling stories that highlight NORMALCY and this is what sets RLH Productions apart in actively normalizing diversity:

**Geography:
We are uniquely situated. Although we have produced in both New York and Los Angeles, RLH Productions was founded in Chicago’s south suburbs. Historically, production companies have highlighted stories from more affluent, north side communities, oftentimes at the disadvantage of the Chicago Southland. Yet from Chicago Heights, to Homewood, to Dolton, Richton Park, Olympia Fields and so many more neighborhoods, this unique yet routinely overlooked landscape for film production offers a rich an untapped cultural demographic. With over 450,000 residents, the south suburbs deserve equal access to opportunities for storytelling - and RLH Productions is committed to providing that.

**Influence:
We highlight the work and stories of those in underrepresented communities, particularly amplifying Black voices, using art as a catalyst in some cases, regularly collaborating with those who have historically sat on the outskirts of art and media both in front of and behind the camera. By collaborating with and providing resources to underrepresented storytellers, RLH Productions is investing in on-screen and off-screen talent for the long-term. We seek out stories from independent artists who work with lower budgets and limited resources, amplifying voices and normalizing diversity in the film industry.

**Ownership:
Offering a different perspective. RLH Productions is a millennial, Black, and woman-owned business. According to a 2017 article issued by the Washington Post , though the demographics of the population are rapidly changing, the demographics of those in positions of power are not necessarily reflecting said change. Reports have shown that 80.2% of small business owners are white and 64.3% are male. Other reports have also put the average age of small business owners at around 50 years old. An extensive study on the State of Entrepreneurship provided by the Kauffman Foundation stated that Black entrepreneurs rely the most on credit cards to fund new companies out of any other demographic. They also found that many Black entrepreneurs do not seek additional financing despite needing it because the majority believe they would not be approved for a business loan.


Which leads me here! I strongly believe that if anyone has an important story to tell, money should not be a hindrance. In order to continue providing this critical lens of storytelling, your financial support will assist RLH Productions in the following ways: 

**Recouping Budget:
Full transparency, our recently produced short film Adullam was entirely self-funded and to this day, some personal debts acquired from the project remain. As many may know, short films are often used as a tool to open doors for more opportunities creatively and monetarily. Your generosity would enable us to financially recover from all expenses related to Adullam so that we can continue to pour more energy into focusing on putting our current projects out there and venture on to making newer projects, specifically ones that are both important in message and representation as well as more likely to garner us a financial return.

**Distribution Related Expenses:
Most film festivals are now postponed or taking place virtually due to COVID-19, though getting projects like Adullam out there remains a huge goal. We are looking to partner with reputable platforms when it comes to releasing our current projects and though some festivals will be taking place virtually, we would like to see to it that our projects find somewhere solid to live for a while. For some festivals, we remain obligated to send in film materials such as DCP's, hard drives, and DVDs whose creation and shipping costs can truly begin to add up. Another major expense that falls under this category is legal fees. When it comes to working on any given project,  legal fees come with having our attorney read, draft, and review contracts that ensure a legally protected film release.

**Marketing & Advertising:
People can't support what they haven't heard about! This particular funding will be majorly allocated to all fees associated with PR as well as putting out some of our own digital ads.

As RLH Productions continues to build in these first couple years of existence, this campaign will be ongoing, open to all who want to support us reach our goal. There are so many people that I am grateful for in this journey and would not have anything to show for without them. Thank you!

Join me in the journey to more inclusive storytelling on screen and behind the scenes as we strive to emphasize normalcy in our tv/film industry. 

Much Love, 
Regina Hoyles

You can learn more about RLH Productions and stay updated by visiting www.rlhprod.com .