Private Project

Roadside Assistance

Paul is just about to retire from the police force when he meets Susan at his family’s legacy bench. Unbeknownst to him, she is a ghost and the victim of a police shooting. Their difficult conversation may be the beginning of a solution to the broken relationship between the African American Community and the Police Force.

  • Tiffany Yvonne Cox
    Director
  • Tiffany Yvonne Cox
    Writer
    Commune
  • Tiffany Yvonne Cox
    Producer
    Commune
  • Tiffany Yvonne Cox
    Key Cast
    "Susan"
    Space Force, Grey's Anatomy, Dead To Me
  • Sean Bolger
    Key Cast
    "Paul"
    The In Between, Co-Habits, Single Long
  • Dionne Audain
    Key Cast
    "Woman"
    S.W.A.T., Snowfall, I Love Dick
  • Raul Salazar
    Key Cast
    "Technician"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 44 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 29, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Tiffany Yvonne Cox

Tiffany Yvonne Cox is a 1st generation Trinidadian actress, producer, writer, and director. She began her professional career interning at The Milwaukee Repertory Theatre. This launched her into the Chicago Theatre scene where she worked with companies such as Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, The House Theatre, and The Goodman. After her first TV role on Chicago Fire she decided to move to LA where she has worked on shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, Dead To Me, and several films and national commercials. When not on screen or stage, Tiffany volunteers with non-profit organizations such as CSH Speak Up! where she supports those who have experienced homelessness to share their stories with legislation. She realized bringing minority stories to the forefront was something she could easily create through her art. She began producing her own creative work beginning with the Digital Series COMMUNE. Followed by her directorial debut of a short film called ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. You can continue to follow Tiffany’s work at www.tiffanyyvonnecox.com

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

This story is based on a real conversation I had with a police officer while we were stuck on a bus for an hour in NYC. It was 2 months after the death of Philando Castile and I was ready to go to bat with this white man who I just knew had no experience living in a black body.

It ended up being the first positive interaction I had ever had with a cop.

We disagreed on a lot, saw the depths of each of our experiences, and eventually found empathy through our conversation. Both of us felt seen in that moment and thought we may have found the solution to the discord between our two communities; communication.

This project speaks to me because it is a chance to be honest with what black people deal with when encountering police officers. It is the dinner talk that police officers and black people have in their own separate circles. This time the characters are having this dinner talk with each other.

What I hope to share is the ability to communicate, empathize, and see the humanity in people. I will be taking this short film to precincts where people of color have not had conversations with police officers outside of being arrested. The goal is to create community engagement between police officers and people of color in underrepresented communities. I hope these conversations will bring the empathetic solutions that my conversation with a police officer did.

In January, I successfully wrote, produced, and acted in a 6-episode digital series. I then began to be approached to direct work for my colleague’s. I am directing a one woman show at the beginning of 2020 about generations of black women and their offspring. Directly after that, I am directing a short film about at-risk youth being drafted into the military.

I am finding that my voice is one of an advocate and activist who builds community through untraditional means. I hope to change minds by visually showcasing scenarios from a different angle than audiences have seen before.