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OFF THE BEAT

Vaughn gets stopped and frisked and have to explain this to his older brother, who's an officer.

  • Jahleel Hills
    Director
  • Jahleel Hills
    Writer
  • Jahleel Hills
    Producer
  • Yves Alphonse
    Producer
  • Marilyn Warshawsky
    Producer
  • Amani Kojo
    Key Cast
    "VAUGHN"
  • Aaron Smallwood , Jr
    Key Cast
    "RAY"
  • Jahleel Hills
    Key Cast
    "JAMES"
  • Mason Forringer
    Key Cast
    "TROY"
  • Travis Hipkens
    Key Cast
    "COP #1"
  • Luis Berrio
    Key Cast
    "COP #2"
  • Meredith H Murray
    Key Cast
    "COP #3"
  • Megan Siepak
    Key Cast
    "LAURA"
  • Anastasia Goldberg
    Assitant Director
  • Kai Dakassian
    Director of Photgraphy
  • Lamesa Nashrat
    Casting Director
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    10 minutes 39 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 30, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    4096 x 1706
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Purchase College
Director Biography - Jahleel Hills

Jahleel Hills is a show-style snare drummer and filmmaker. He’s been in the entertainment industry since the age of 11. He has been featured on numerous stages such as Madison Square Garden, Barclays Center, and MetLife Stadium. He’s also been featured in the Netflix show “She’s Gotta Have It”, a Best Buy Commercial, performed at the VFiles Fashion Show, and with Demi Lovato on Good Morning America. He’s also been featured on “Mans Crafted” a web series for the Food Network. Hills recently performed at the historic Pyer Moss Couture Fashion Show, which took place at Villa Lewaro – History of Madame Walker’s Estate. Also recently, Hills performed at the VMAs with Lil Nas X.

Hills is a SUNY Purchase Class of 2021 Graduate, earning his BFA in Film. His junior thesis film, “BLACK FRATSMAN”, earned him the Jesse Feigelman Award and was #3 (out of 126 films) in the NY Lift Off Global Network Film Festival.

Hills’ latest short, “OFF THE BEAT,” premiered in the Socially Relevant Film Festival 2022 NY and won the Jury Special Mention for Narrative Shorts and Best Actor in a Narrative Short for lead Amani Kojo. Additionally, Hills has worked on a documentary with the Westchester Youth Bureaus on youth dealing with the early stages of the pandemic, which he’s a producer and editor on.

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Director Statement

"I wanted to tell a personal story of how situations, that happen to young black men, can effect a family's household."