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In Transition: Tony Chennault

"In Transition: Tony Chennault" is a Villanova University student-produced documentary that tells the life story of Tony Chennault, once a basketball prodigy in the city of Philadelphia, now a filmmaker looking to inspire young people growing up in situations like his. The film tells the story of Tony's journey from a young aspiring NBA player, to a college graduate looking beyond basketball and hoping to change lives. It chronicles his experiences playing basketball through the tragic deaths of his mother and brother, and his realization that his dreams of playing basketball were over. Tony is now beginning to speak at schools and basketball camps, using his story as a tool to teach kids that while basketball can be a vehicle to an education, that you should be more than a basketball player.

  • Elinore Wright
    Director
  • Andrew Moffa
    Writer
  • Nick Carney
    Writer
  • Matthew Marencik
    Writer
  • Elinore Wright
    Writer
  • Stephen McWilliams
    Producer
  • John O'Leary
    Producer
  • Matthew Marencik
    Producer
  • Tony Chennault
    Key Cast
  • Nicole Williams
    Key Cast
  • Anthony Chennault, Sr.
    Key Cast
  • Carl Arrigale
    Key Cast
  • Jay Wright
    Key Cast
  • Larry Brown
    Key Cast
  • Jay Bilas
    Key Cast
  • George Raveling
    Key Cast
  • John Chaney
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Feature, Student
  • Runtime:
    40 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    December 13, 2014
  • Production Budget:
    0 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes
Director Biography - Elinore Wright

Elinore Wright, 20, is a Villanova University junior from New Canaan, Connecticut. Elinore is a Communication Major with a minor in Business, but her true passion lies within the Social Justice Documentary class that produced this film. This was Elinore's second year as a member of the class' production team, and her first experience as a director.

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Director Statement

As an avid basketball enthusiast, I was elated to be named director for this film. However, I quickly learned that "In Transition: Tony Chennault" is so much more than a basketball story. It is the story of a young man who persevered through adversity time and time again and is now using his story as a vehicle for affecting change. Tony Chennault's story is one of a former Philadelphia basketball prodigy who has now put his community on his back in a new way. It is our hope that this film helps Tony in his dedicated pursuit to bring about change with the youth in his community, as he tries to instill in adolescents the importance of an education as the key to a better future.