Edward Worthy

Filmmaker Edward Worthy's latest short 'Crescent III' (2017) screened in the market at the 2018 Palm Springs International Shortfest. The film tells the story of African American Adam Lucas (played by actor Aspen Kennedy Wilson) and the challenges he faces after transferring from a majoroty white school to an all black school.

Worthy's other works include his first film 'Witness Monitor' (2013) and TV series currently in pre-production '365 Days' (2018). Worthy is writing, producing, editing and directing. I interviewed him shortly after the Palm Springs International Shortfest about his film. Here is what he had to say:

What inspired this story? Was it based on real events?

EDWARD: The film is inspired by experiences I lived through growing up in Mississippi. As a child, my mom sent me to a predominantly white private school only for me to transfer to an all black school four years later. I had complete culture shock. I was also in the band, so there was a complete difference in styles from a band in a white culture to a band in a black culture. I drew from these experiences and years later, wrote the feature script for "Crescent."

How did you go about casting the film?

EDWARD: I cast the film with the help of Mississippi Film's casting site and they sent out a casting call to everyone on their email list. With me being in Los Angeles, I had to have all of my auditions through facetime or Skype. I never met any of my actors until they arrived on set. I was still able to strike personal conversations with these actors and finding out that a lot of young black boys were still going through this type of bullying transferring from a white school to a black one today. 

After this experience, do you think you will go on to a feature?

EDWARD: This short film is based off of my feature script so I am most definitely using it as a proof of concept to move forward and find financing to the full project. 

Who have been your greatest inspirations in film? 

EDWARD: I draw a lot of inspirations from black directors like John Singleton and Spike Lee and also from directors like Martin Scorsese. The use of camera movement and music from all three of those directors inspires my storytelling. 

How did you begin your career as a filmmaker? 

EDWARD: I first picked up camera when I was 9 and started to film the college band in my hometown. I wanted to act initially. I used to write my own interpretation of "A Christmas Carol," and direct my whole family over the holidays to act it out with me. It was probably annoying but it got everyone together and they joined in. My mom told me I should pursue film because I should learn the business of filmmaking and that can help secure more job opportunities rather than mainly acting. I majored in film in college in Southern Miss and went to film school at Florida State while also shooting promo videos for college fraternities and sororities and here we are today, trying to find financing for 'Crescent'. 

You recently attended PS Shortfest. How was that experience?

EDWARD: PS Shortfest was a lot of fun. We didn't have a formal screening. We only showed at the Marketplace but the networking opportunities and the chance to see so many great films was very rewarding. 

What are you working on next?

EDWARD: I am working everyday to figure out how to get 'Crescent' financed as a full feature film. It's a learning experience. I've never attempted to do anything of that magnitude and with limited resources it can be very daunting. But there is a way to do it and once we figure out how, hopefully 'Crescent' will be showing nationwide in a couple years. 

Actor Aspen Kennedy Wilson

Stills from 'Crescent'

Interview by Vanessa McMahon