The Down downs: Jena

As writer and Co-Director of Jena, the journey for me actually began when I met the writer of The Down Downs, Jaque Gochett. I was looking material that would make for an excellent adaptation. Jaque allowed me to read a copy of her book, and I knew that this was the material that I was looking for. The novel as a whole story or feature was beyond my financial means, but I knew I had to make something to help spread the word about this book that sheds light on many social issues, and cultural differences in the African American community. We decided on Jena because it seemed like a fitting opening to the series of stories in the novel, and we knew that her story was so powerful it couldn’t be denied. Once we got the ball rolling it was a whirlwind ride. From casting to principal photography, we had a blast bringing this story to life, despite the serious nature of the film. It was so important to have people that took their roles serious on set, but also knew how to relieve the tension on set during some of the more difficult scenes. We worked with several relatively unknown actors. Many of them came from the local music scene, so they had some familiarity with being in front of the camera. However our star Nichelle Curry, who was 21 at the time had never been on camera or on a live set before. We all have worked very hard to bring you a film that is a powerful and poignant representation of the lives that many young woman living in poverty face today. We hope to entertain you and educate you, and possibly change the way you see people facing these struggles in America today.