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Say Nothin' But a Word

Set in 1980's America, Say Nothin' But a Word looks at the life of two accomplished black artists, Jeremih Simmons and Denzel Onai. While leaving an art club one night the two men undergo a stop and frisk conducted by the city's police. Their interaction with the policemen becomes tense when the officers mistake their sign language for aggression. The film’s protagonist, Jeremih, a shy talented artist, becomes a shining example of how our experiences shape our artistic voices.

This film sheds a light on the fear that is often felt by many black and disabled individuals, when dealing with law enforcement. The serious moments of the film are surrounded by heavy themes of community, activism, and perseverance through adversity. The film aims to encourage self-discovery and confidence in the face of injustice.

  • Chantay Taylor
    Director
  • Chantay Taylor
    Writer
  • Jessica Calvin
    Producer
  • Tava Kessler
    Cinematographer
  • Savannah Johnson
    Production Designer
  • Isaiah Moore
    Key Cast
    "Jeremih Simmons"
  • Casemi Childress
    Key Cast
    "Denzel Onai"
  • Will Raver
    Key Cast
    "Officer Moore"
  • Elliot Master
    Key Cast
    "Officer Henderson"
  • Cashmere Jones
    Key Cast
    "Charles Taylor"
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes 33 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 1, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    7,027 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    American Sign Language
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - San Diego State University
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Chantay Taylor

Chantay Taylor is an independent filmmaker, writer, and freelance editor. Raised in both San Diego, CA, and in Kanagawa, Japan, she has a diverse outlook on life and when it comes to visual storytelling. With a Bachelor of Science in Television, Film, and New Media Production and a certificate in Entertainment Management, she has nine (9) years of professional experience in narrative and documentary filmmaking. She hopes to continue a lifelong career producing stories that are are character-driven, emotionally complex, and socially thought-provoking.

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Director Statement

In 2020 I wrote "Say Nothin' But a Word" to pay homage to the beautiful African-American community who sign in Black American Sign Language (BASL). With such a rich history and culture, I wanted to shed light on an American Sign Language (ASL) dialect not many people are familiar with.

Although the story is unique in nature we believe that the audience will discover that this film is a true attestation of the human condition. This story that takes place in the 1980’s, almost seems to transcend time and reality as we can compare the events that occur in the film to the tragedy and brutality that is now recorded on camera phones today. We hope that audiences will remember the vibrance and the artistry of the 1980’s, but also how the societal conditions were for minorities and the disabled.

"Say Nothin' But a Word" aims to rewrite the narrative of how black men were historically seen on-screen and illustrate the beauty in diversity and art.