Boarding House

Lauren is so involved with her 'Homeless-ness Ends Here' project that she's losing sight of her relationship. Ernest her boyfriend is an adjunct college professor, but spends his money less than wisely, and has come home to a court judgement, to pay or be evicted. Lauren's desperately needing her boarding house to pass inspection, because so many people are depending on her for this shelter. Mrs. Marion MacFarland, the building inspector is making it impossible, but Lauren believes in the humanity of the homeless, and plans to rescue all she can.

  • Amber A. Harris
    Director
  • Amber A. Harris
    Writer
  • Amber A. Harris
    Producer
  • Perry Poussard Jr.
    Producer
  • Starletta DuPois
    Key Cast
  • Teria Birlon
    Key Cast
  • Yohance Myles
    Key Cast
  • Kenajuan Bentley
    Key Cast
  • Braxton Brooks
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes 40 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 9, 2016
  • Production Budget:
    12,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes
Director Biography - Amber A. Harris

Amber A. Harris (Writer/Director/Editor/Producer/Executive Producer) -

Amber A. Harris, born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia (Adamsville), has had a love for the arts since childhood. Being an only child meant that entertainment was a part of her everyday life, constantly performing for her baby dolls and herself. Amber graduated from North Atlanta High Performing Arts and International Studies and went on to study Theatre Arts with a minor in Criminal Justice earning her B.A. from Alabama State University. 2 year experience, M.F.A. (Acting).

Amber has performed in over 30 theatrical productions: Love Lies (June Havoc Theatre/USA Tour), Drums of Sweetwater, Tribute to Motown, First Breeze of Summer, Soul of Nat Turner, Black Nativity, The Trial of One-Short Sighted Black Woman, Naomi in the Living Room, Sins of A Mother, A Taste of Chocolate (Leila Barlow Theatre). Regional Theatre: Speak Truth to Power, The Miser, King Hedley II, 365 Days/Plays, Cocktail, The Heidi Chronicles, Hair “The Musical” (Swine Palace Theatre), Pirates of Penzance, Willful, The African Company Presents: Richard the III (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), The Incredible Deaf Musical (Duke Theatre), God is Trying to Tell You Something (Alliance Theatre).

She has also toured as a featured soloist and performed with legends such as Hinton Battle, Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Brian McKnight and Wynton Marsalis. She's performed in over 35 US states in adddition to Paris, France; Bejing, Shanghai, Xen, Suzhou, China; Zurich, Switzerland; along with film and television credits.

Amber decided to further her knowledge in 2015 of the entertainment industry by attending the New York Film Academy (Los Angeles) as a candidate for a Masters of Fine Arts (Filmmaking). Since starting school, Amber has worked on over 14 films and productions as an Assistant Director, Sound Mixer, Cinematographer, Key Grip, 1st AC, Camera Operator and Gaffer, some of these productions shooting on the Universal Studios Backlots. She's also written, directed and produced 4 short films while matriculating.

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Director Statement

[Boarding House] aka Ernest and Lauren was a passion project for me. I wanted to see a young black couple loving each other and working together to build a community to serve all. To see them freely give of themselves and be limitless in possibilities in being a spring board for those less fortunate.

One day driving through the city, I hear on the radio that the Homeless situation is a State of Emergency. That struck me in a way that deeply disturbed me. To know that 85,000 people sleep on the street every night in L.A. to then find out that 10,000 of that 85,000 is unaccompanied youth under 18 years of age. The statistics blew me away. Especially knowing all of the money that’s here in this city alone. In writing the screenplay, the were moments when I had vivid visions of people lined up for assistance, the same as I saw often when I lived in New York (Harlem).

I’ve always been a giver, to a fault sometimes, but my love for people allows me to push through adversity. To help those who are less fortunate than myself, to go back home to Atlanta and become a BULL HORN for those sleeping on the streets, across the country. I promised myself that this film would become a reality/true story. I want a boarding house to house the homeless, to supply them with social skills and activities that prepares them to go back out into society and live a productive life.

I was recently informed by one of my cousins that she was homeless at some point last year. She would send her three younger children to live with others at night and she would sleep on the streets alone. Now if you know my cousin you’d know her sleeping on the streets made that particular block/corner/street safer. Because I’m positive she could fight a bear and win, trust me, I’ve seen her in action, so if anyone bothered her, there would be hell to pay.

However, knowing that women and children heavily populate the streets of the homeless pull at my heartstrings. I naturally have a nurturing spirit so being able to pull someone up out of the trenches and give them a new lease on life, is more gratifying than any accolade I’ll ever receive.

I’ve had visions of this film becoming a mini-series, so know that this isn’t the last time you’ll see [Boarding House] or Lauren and Ernest.