Experiencing Interruptions?

The Take Away

Logline:
Sing your soul. The world's listening.

Cassandra Berry brings music to public park stages, to worshiping congregations, to neighborhood bars and to many places in between. Her family's legacy of song knows no boundaries, no racial divide or no age that's too young or too old. Mother Jerusha Smith wraps every day and every person in prayer. Together they sing out and the take away? The world listens.

  • Susan Carol Davis
    Director
    Al on Earth, Mack Minded, Mack Minded: Humanly Possible, Story Town with Weldon's, Living Art: Jo Williams, Retno's Refusal
  • Claire Blakeney DeJarnett
    Director
    Al on Earth, Lookouts
  • Susan Carol Davis
    Producer
    Al on Earth, Mack Minded, Mack Minded: Humanly Possible, Story Town with Weldon's, Living Art: Jo Williams, Retno's Refusal
  • Claire Blakeney DeJarnett
    Producer
    Al on Earth, Lookouts
  • Cassandra Berry
    Key Cast
  • Jerusha Smith
    Key Cast
  • Claire Blakeney DeJarnett
    Director of Photography
    Al on Earth, Mack Minded, Mack Minded: Humanly Possible, Lookouts
  • Katie Rose Crosswhite
    Second Camera
  • Susan Carol Davis
    Second Camera
  • Madison DeJarnett
    Second Camera
  • Katie Rose Crosswhite
    Audio Recordist
  • Susan Carol Davis
    Audio Recordist
  • Madison DeJarnett
    Audio Recordist
  • Matt Farmer
    Lead Editor
  • Claire Blakeney DeJarnett
    Second Editor
    Al on Earth, Cuban Earth, Mack Minded, Mongolian Chronicles, Crossed, The Suspensionists
  • Matt Farmer
    Sound Design and Mixing
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    16 minutes 27 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 17, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States, United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1080HD 24fps
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Denton Black Film Festival
    Denton, Texas
    United States
    January 28, 2024
    World
    Best Texas Documentary Short - 2024 DBFF Virtual People's Choice; Finalist, Best Documentary Short
  • Zepstone International Film Awards
    Salt Lake City, Utah
    United States
    September 9, 2024
    Utah Premiere
    Best Documentary Short Film
  • Thin Line Fest
    Denton, Texas
    United States
    April 26, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Topaz Film Festival
    Dallas, Texas
    United States
    October 19, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Lone Star Film Festival
    Fort Worth, Texas
    United States
    November 1, 2024
    Official Selection
  • CARE Awards Film Festival
    Parkersburg, West Virginia
    United States
    November 9, 2024
    Southeastern US Premiere
    Women in Film Award, Redemptive Short Film Award
  • Southside Film Festival
    Bethlehem, PA
    United States
    July 10, 2025
    Northeast USA
    Official Selection
  • Rock 'n Roll Film Festival
    Nairobi
    Kenya
    January 1, 2025
    African
    Official Selection
  • Five Continents International Film Festival
    Puerto la Cruz, Anzoategui
    Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
    January 4, 2025
    South American
    Best Female Director - Documentary Short / Special Mention
  • StoryMode Independent Short Film Awards
    Pueblo, CO
    United States
    March 20, 2025
    Colorado Premiere
    Official Selection and Nominee, Best Documentary Short
Director Biography - Susan Carol Davis, Claire Blakeney DeJarnett

Susan Carol Davis is CEO of Curious Dog Creative LLC. Davis diversifies as film/stage director, producer, actress and arts educator. She serves as President of Artists Enclave of Denton County and Juror for the Thin Line Fest. Susan is an active member of Women in Film-Dallas, SAG/AFTRA and Actors' Equity Association.

Claire Blakeney DeJarnett is Manager of Creative Services for Pinnacle Live. Additionally DeJarnett is Director of Film Programming for Thin Line Fest. Claire was formerly an adjunct faculty member of the University of North Texas Media Arts Department in Denton, Texas with her MFA from that same institution.

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Director Statement

Cassandra Berry and Mother Jerusha Smith were inspired and inspiring choices when it came time to select the artists who would be the subject of a third short film in a series titled "Living Artists" developed by Curious Dog Creative. Both directors had worked with Cassandra on creative projects in film and theatre. We knew that the family's lineage of talent, their love for humankind and strong faith were authentic and abundant. What better time than now to share a story like Cassandra and Jerusha's with audiences everywhere.