Private Project

When it Reigns

"When it Reigns" is a short narrative film about a young woman, Reign Bishop, who falls in love unexpectedly, and is forced to choose between romance and dance, when her two worlds collide.

  • Jamaica René
    Director
  • Jamaica René
    Writer
  • David Mahone
    Producer
  • Jamaica René
    Producer
  • Cymiah Alexander
    Key Cast
    "Reign Bishop"
  • Alec Adams
    Key Cast
    "Malcolm Anderson"
  • Whitney Williams
    Key Cast
    "Jazz Mitchell"
  • Gideon McLaughlin
    Key Cast
    "June"
  • Si Rajhadax
    Key Cast
    "Barista"
  • Noah Miller
    Key Cast
    "Company Director"
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama, Romance, dance
  • Runtime:
    17 minutes 6 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 1, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    15,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Savannah College of Art and Design
Director Biography - Jamaica René

Jamaica René is a Director and Producer originally from Oakland, CA. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Spelman College and has a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Film and Television from Savannah College of Art and Design. Jamaica has written, directed, and produced several projects including narrative and documentary films, commercials, and music videos.

As a young Black woman blossoming in this world of self-discovery, celebrating culture, and being unapologetic, it has always been important to her to increase the representation of Black people on screen and broaden the scope of the stories told about people who look like her. Her goal is to create a new standard where she and every person of color coming after her, can see themselves reflected on the screen outside of stereotypes and misrepresentation. Her goal in entertainment is to push the envelope of everyday Black stories.

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Director Statement

"When It Reigns" is a Black woman-driven story that highlights the complexities of having a passion and banks heavily on the beauty that is Black love. 

This film explores the concept of love in three different contexts: romantic love, self-love, and love of art/careers. Throughout the film, the audience will get a peek into Reign's mind, as she's reminded of her journey to becoming the woman she is today. The audience will watch her love for dance grow in her childhood and her love for Malcolm grow in the day, as she inches towards the predicament of them both overlapping.

What makes this film unique, is its' fluidity between art mediums. Though this is a short narrative film, it will also incorporate a few dance pieces throughout, which will temporarily take the viewer's mind out of the story, and into a space to enjoy the art of dance and music.