Don't Blink
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Courtney AdkissonDirectorLife in Sound with Joey Stuckey
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Courtney AdkissonProducerLife in Sound with Joey Stuckey
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Nora LongDirector of PhotographyLife in Sound with Joey Stuckey, Bloom
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Courtney AdkissonEditorLife in Sound with Joey Stuckey
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Joey StuckeyMusic/Composer
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Joey StuckeyKey Cast
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Jennifer StuckeyKey Cast
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Charles ArnoldKey Cast
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Tom RuleKey Cast
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Nestor JaenzKey Cast
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Project Type:Documentary, Short, Student
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Genres:Music, Drama, Documentary
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Runtime:14 minutes 55 seconds
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Completion Date:May 21, 2021
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Production Budget:1,662 USD
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Country of Origin:United States
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Country of Filming:United States
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital, 4K, 59.95 fps
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Aspect Ratio:16:9
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:Yes - SCAD Atlanta
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Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival 2021Providence, RI
United States
N/A
Semifinalist -
Global Shorts Film Festival 2021Online
United States
November 1, 2021
Finalist Winner, Special Mention -
Paris Film AwardsParis
France
November 12, 2021
Official Selection -
London Movie AwardsLondon
United Kingdom
November 14, 2021
Official Selection -
Midnight Soul International Film Festival 2022Luleå
Sweden
January 22, 2022
Nominated for Best Documentary Short -
Seattle Wine and Film Festival 2022Seattle, WA
United States
August 16, 2022
Official Selection -
Milan Gold AwardsMilan
Italy
February 10, 2023
Official Selection -
8 & Halfilm AwardsRome
Italy
February 10, 2023
Official Selection -
4theatre selectionOnline
March 1, 2023
Online at https://4theatre.com/
Official Selection -
EdiPlay International Film FestivalIle-de-France
France
March 5, 2023
Official Selection -
Lily Indie Film FestivalOdesa
Ukraine
March 4, 2023
Online Ukrainian Premiere
Finalist - Best Documentary Short -
WIFA FEST (World Film Awards)Online
April 27, 2023
Honorable Mention
Courtney Adkisson is a writer, director, and editor for
many short films within her career. She now resides in
Macon, continuing more projects within Middle Georgia.
Growing up in South Jersey, she was inspired by various
means of storytelling through art, music, and filmmaking.
Wanting to strive in an artistic career, she moved out of
state to pursue her dreams.
She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from The Art
Institute of Washington. Within her time in DC, she has
worked on various documentary projects including
USDA’s The Hope for Healthy Soil Campaign in 2015
along with several short story documentaries with The
Smithsonian Center of Folklife and Cultural Heritage. She
strives to create films with compelling stories,
memorable characters and great emotional impact. At
the end of the day, the story is the most important thing.
Finding a purpose with your life can sometimes feel overwhelming. For me, I’ve always struggled with finding my purpose within my skills as an artist, a musician and a filmmaker.
After moving out of my small town in South Jersey, I had to learn to adapt to uncontrolled obstacles. Within life, I had to embrace what I could do in a positive way. What I do is untraditional and very risky. Some people don’t even understand what I do. As the obstacles grew, it became difficult to not lose myself. I’ve cried many times over one ongoing question: why am I an artist and not just something normal? After years of struggling, I took a job offer in a small town called Macon, GA. Something here changed my life, perspectives, and rekindled my pride as an artist. Don’t Blink is a reflection of my personal beliefs that resonates with a man I’ve grown to love. The idea that you can embrace yourself, go against the grain of the world, and still be the best person you can be. Regardless of circumstance, you need to be who you are
born to be. It’s all about your intention that will bring you success in life.
My Don’t Blink documentary focuses on my dear friend Joey Stuckey. At two years old, he suffered an irreversible brain tumor. His parents had to make a choice: watch their son die
from the tumor or keep him alive by a riskier surgery. Miraculously, he survived but at a cost. Blindness and health conflicts that will affect him forever. Even though I don’t understand the health issues as well as he does, Joey’s never-give-up and survivalist mentality truly compels me. He embraces life to the fullest in one of the hardest industries imaginable. What I hope resonates in this film is that it will not only help promote a dear friend’s amazing career, but have people
look at themselves. I want the audience to ask questions. They should be inspired to live their best life looking at Joey.
Don’t Blink is embracing and creating opportunities that may not even exist. It’s about whatever you have to do to achieve your “fullest” life. Audiences should ask, how do we embrace the talents we have? What makes us get up in the morning? What do we love to do that we aren’t doing? I ask myself everyday these questions and it has helped me grow. Not just as an artist, but as a person. At the end of the day, I believe it’s about you being in your own shoes. No comparisons to other people. You live at your own pace and just embracing how God made you.
You should never let yourself, the world, or anything stop you from being who you truly are. Once you embrace that, there is no stopping you from conquering everything in life and
especially in your own world.