Private Project

Survivor Soldier Sinner Savior

Having grown up in an abusive home, in an unforgiving urban environment, James finds a way out through service to his country. Despite the structure and distance from his
home life situation, the inherent violence of war carves deeper emotional wounds into the young soldier.
Upon returning to the states, James finds solace in the job of high school counselor where he emulates the father figure who guided him to the military. Finding a modicum
of peace and stability in the service of others, James’ struggle with PTSD is managed, despite it being a constant presence in his life. When he encounters a teen, Yamil,
exhibiting the telltale signs of abuse, James seizes the opportunity to utilize his own experiences to aid the youth.
However, James has had to return home to care for his floundering, addict mother; a strain that forces him to relive the trauma of his past on a daily basis. The growing
stress begins to dwindle away his resolve, the aid being offered to Yamil, the teen, becoming more and more personal and internalized.
As their three lives begin to spiral out of control, one pushes another over the edge, one breaks, and the third has to find meaning in it all.

  • Vincent Singleton
    Director
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 47 minutes
  • Country of Origin:
    United States, United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.35:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Vincent Singleton

I hold an MFA in Film Directing from Columbia College Chicago and a BA in Psychology with a Spanish minor from Knox College. Since earning my degrees, I have taught film and design at Northwestern University, Loyola University, Columbia College Chicago, North Park University, Westwood College, the Second City Training Center, Chicago Filmmakers, Kankakee Community College, and the Harold Ramis Film School and SC Film School. I have recently accepted an appointment as Full-time Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Film and Digital Media in the School of Communications at Loyola University Chicago where I plan to continue my scholarship in film production and share my experience with my students to help them develop into industry colleagues.

While working in academia, I have remained an active member of the Chicago film community winning an HBO/Kodak Film Award, screening in notable festivals including Palm Springs and Chicago Black Harvest. My short films have aired on the nationally syndicated "African-American Short Films" program, produced by Badami TV.

Our documentary, “Taking Park City,” and docu-series “Keeping Success Pure,” aired on PBS, the latter on a regular weekly schedule. The award-winning documentary that I shot and directed, produced by Dr. Eric Winston, entitled “Taking Israel,” is currently available on Amazon Prime. Our documentary entitled “The Correct Thing: Palmer Memorial Institute,” has been accepted to festivals and has enjoyed its premiere at the Charlotte Hawkins Brown Historic Site in NC. I served as co-producer and cinematographer of the documentary “The Light of Truth: Richard Hunt’s Monument to Ida B. Wells,” which won the Audience Choice Award for Best Documentary at the 60th Chicago International Film Festival. Principal photography has concluded on my narrative fiction feature directorial debut entitled “Survivor, Soldier, Sinner, Savior” is currently in postproduction.

I’ve secured fellowships with Kartemquin’s Diverse Voices in Doc program, the Illinois Consortium for Educational Opportunity, the Ronald E. McNair program, and have been the recipient of Part-Time Faculty Development Grants throughout my filmmaking/teaching career. I love working with actors, seeing ideas manifest into reality, and sharing my experiences in a teaching setting for the betterment of my students, and in a filmmaking capacity for the betterment of my cast, crew, and story. One of my favorite places in the world to be is on set, in production.

(Pronouns: He, Him, His)

Fun Facts: I’m a pilot and love aviation. I was also State Champion in the 110mm High Hurdles.

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Director Statement

Mental health disorders caused by trauma are invisible afflictions that millions struggle to manage every day. This film explores one man’s attempt to do good in the life of a young person, and the challenges that arise due to the state of his mental health.

PRODUCTION BACKSTORY:
My brother is currently a Colonel in the U.S. Army. He is a West Point grad, recipient of four Bronze Stars for “heroic service and meritorious achievement in a combat zone,” wears the Silver Wings of the Green Beret/Special Forces on his uniform, and was a special guest at a selective White House dinner with President Obama. One day he called me and, because I've taught film for 15+ years, asked me for a screenwriting lesson. We spent a couple of hours on the phone that day discussing the basics of screenwriting and a week later, he had written an 84-page script! Though it isn’t autobiographical, the story touches on emotional truths drawn from his experiences in various wars and back home. Over the last year or so, my wife/producing partner and I have done re-writes and polishing, had it reviewed by two credible script consultants, and have sent it to some key department heads and received great responses. A former president of the ASC said the script was "terrific" and expressed his enthusiastic interest in joining the production as cinematographer. It is so important to me to tell this story in a way that accurately reflects the truth of my brother’s experiences and creates the same feeling in the audience that I felt when I read that first, visceral draft of “Survivor, Soldier, Sinner, Savior.”