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Hell of a Child

Young and unnurtured, a child is berated by the ways of the world with a need to survive but is faced with the inevitable defeat.

Director(s): Dominique Draper

Writer(s): Dominique Draper

Producer(s): Yussef Haridy, Mikayah Lee

Key Cast: Camden Randall, Jovon Henry

  • Dominique R. Draper
    Director
  • Dominique R. Draper
    Writer
  • Mikayah Lee
    Producer
  • Dominique R. Draper
    Producer
  • Yussef Haridy
    Producer
  • Camden Randall
    Key Cast
    "BOO"
  • Jovon Henry
    Key Cast
    "LUMP"
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    6 minutes 56 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 31, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    2,300 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - University of Southern California
  • Sherman Oaks FIlm Festival
    Sherman Oaks
    United States
    December 2, 2023
    Programmer's Prize
Distribution Information
  • Sandrine Faucher Cassidy
    Distributor
Director Biography - Dominique R. Draper

Dominique Draper is a Director, Writer, and Producer from Houston, Texas, who is finishing his BA in Film and Television Production at USC this term. While in Texas, Dominique directed and produced his first feature film Trapped  (2014), and worked on several short films and music videos, including Nerdy Nate (2020) and Push (2022). At the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, Draper directed and produced the short documentary "How Boyz Were Made" (2022) on John Singleton. In spring 2023, Draper completed his junior thesis short film "Hell of a Child" (2023), which is loosely based on the life of Robert “Yummy” Sandifer and tells a story of manipulation of a young child who is misguided and hardened by the neglect of his village and community. After completing his internship at VEVO, Draper directed and produced two music videos. Now a senior Draper intends to continue making meaningful relationships during his time as a USC Trojan.

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Director Statement

This drama short film is a story of the manipulation of a young child who is misguided and hardened by the neglect of his village and community. The origins of this story sparked when I first read the September 1994 TIME Magazine article on an 11-year-old killer that read "So Young To Die, So Young to Kill", Robert “Yummy” Sandifer. Hearing his name mentioned in my favorite musicians' music over and over, I had to research for myself on the story. Yummy’s story is similar to many impoverished children living in underserved communities. Many times I have seen this story over and over, and the reality of the situation is that Black children deserve to grow.