In the Black

"In the Black" is an anthology web-series based around intimate moments in a singular character's life. Each episode literally starts ...in the black... and is then followed by a character-driven monologue.

  • Sofia Shappell
    Director
    The Thescon Monologue
  • Andrew Tennison
    Director
    Trapped
  • Jamie Zurzolo
    Director
    Lucia
  • William Fitts
    Director
    Lucky Break
  • McKenna Cook
    Director
    For the Chickens
  • Andie Dilley
    Director
    Brainwashed
  • Sofia Shappell
    Writer
    The Thescon Monologue
  • Jenica Felix
    Writer
    Trapped
  • Janet Reyes
    Writer
    Lucia
  • Ian Sim
    Writer
    Lucky Break
  • McKenna Cook
    Writer
    For the Chickens
  • Andie Dilley
    Writer
    Brainwashed
  • Rachel Barreth
    Producer
  • Miguel Branas
    Producer
  • Todd Smith
    Producer
  • Toby Smith
    Producer
  • CU Denver Film and TV Department
    Producer
  • Phil Venti
    Key Cast
    "Dominic"
    The Thescon Monlogue
  • Tyler Borkowski
    Key Cast
    "Francis"
    Trapped
  • Priscilla Martinez
    Key Cast
    "Lucia"
    Lucia
  • Luke Schmaltz
    Key Cast
    "Atticus"
    Lucky Break
  • Katina Nikou
    Key Cast
    "Angie Waters"
    For the Chickens
  • Lindsay Sparks
    Key Cast
    "Angie"
    Brainwashed
  • Project Type:
    Student, Television
  • Genres:
    Drama, Comedy
  • Runtime:
    4 minutes 57 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 16, 2019
  • 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:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes
Director Biography - Sofia Shappell, Andrew Tennison, Jamie Zurzolo, William Fitts, McKenna Cook, Andie Dilley

Sofia Shappell: Sofia is a junior pursuing a double degree in Film Production and Creative Writing. Her love for storytelling and art led her to filmmaking because it allows her to combine both of those passions into one amazing creative endeavor. Her ultimate goal is to be a Screenwriter/Director for feature films, but for this web series, she’s excited to focus Production Design and create the little details that bring the series together. When she’s not on set, Sofia enjoys watching movies, working with the CU Denver Student Government, knitting, and walking around bookstores.

Andrew Tennison: Andrew Tennison is a filmmaker whose work has been screened at the Denver Film Festival, Emerging Filmmakers Project Festival, EFPalooza Festival, and Cinefest. In 2017, he earned a Best Original Screenplay award for his short film "Flushed", which he wrote and directed. In 2018, he released his second short, "The Sear", which was screened at the Emerging Filmmakers Project festival, and is currently shooting his third short, "Down".

Jamie Zurzolo: Jaime Zurzolo is a film student at the University of Colorado, Denver. She is directing the episode, “Lucia” for In The Black. She believes that stories are made to be told. From hard
times to peaks of mountains, everyone has a story to tell about their life. As a Writer-Director, she shows nuances of the human condition through the lens of a camera, seeking to capture
that which makes our time here unique.

William Fitts: William Fitts is a junior aiming for a BFA in Film Production. With twin career goals in directing and writing, William has a rounded interest in film, television, literature, and other mediums. He hopes to be involved in their creation in the future. Otherwise, William is well versed in many other technical aspects of the film industry and what he does not know, he is quick to learn. William wishes to bring his own creative spin wherever he can.

McKenna Cook: McKenna Cook is a lover of music, watcher of movies, and editor of videos. Her work focuses on capturing the diverse lives of women and all of the emotion that that entails. Currently, she is working on her BFA in Film and Television at CU Denver.

Andie Dilley: Andie Dilley is an award winning filmmaker from St. Petersburg, FL. She has a background in the arts, studying music and theater performance prior to discovering her passion for filmmaking. She is currently a student at the University of Colorado Denver and has gone on to direct two shorts, The "Weeping" and "Unorthodox". Most recently she is the director for the In the Black Episode, “Brainwashed”. She has an appreciation for films that are stylistically unique and hopes to find a career in directing or production design.

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Director Statement

Sofia Shappell: "Thescon Monologue" is about a boy, Domenic Arbor, using performance to deal with his parents’ impending divorce. The idea comes from my own experience with theater and my parents’ divorce. I wanted to have an honest conversation on screen about the emotions and questions that come up during a divorce. My hope is that the audience connects with Domenic’s struggle of self-blame and they see how he faces his emotions.

Andrew Tennison: When I read Jen Felix’s script for “Trapped”, an episode of the In the Black series, I was struck by the plain honesty expressed by the main character, Francis, who is unsure about staying in a relationship or leaving it altogether. The details about Francis and his backstory are scant, which allowed me, the director, to explore a myriad of possibilities with Tyler Borkowski, the actor playing Francis. Both of us recalled our own experiences in relationships, and how
they warp your sense of self, in a way. I asked Tyler to act as if his girlfriend just received a big job promotion, which makes Francis feel like she’s exceeding him, inciting self-doubt, shame, and a blow to his ego. Francis may be prioritizing a validation of self-worth over his girlfriend, which creates another layer of guilt. By the end of the episode, Francis starts thinking about his long-term prospects in life and wonders if he’ll ever 'be happy', whatever that actually means. For Francis, you hope that he finds that meaning for himself.

Jamie Zurzolo: I made the film "Lucia" because it tackles a relevant issue in today's society. It advocates for minorities and shows the humanity within them. I want the audience to empathize with Lucia and make them think about what words actually do to people. It’s easy to post something racist on the internet and not feel the repercussions. It’s easy to outlaw people because you just don’t like them and not feel bad. With Lucia I wanted the audience to know these are actual people with actual emotions. There’s no more need for hate within American society.

William Fitts: "Lucky Break" was made to share the story of a man projecting all of his innermost anger and misfortune into the world he occupies. I wanted to create a visual world that would complement the build-up, the breakdown, and the coping of a man that does not realize that despite all of his talk about the unfair and unfortunate conditions he endures, that he himself is responsible for much of his own misery and that despite his stance on those who are unlucky, he is truly the most unlucky man of all.

McKenna Cook: "For The Chickens" is what would happen if someone with social anxiety had no filter. This came from my own struggle with anxiety and how it often manifests itself into word vomit. I want the audience to cringe, laugh, and turn red with embarassment. We can all relate to saying too much.

Andie Dilley: "Brainwashed" focuses on Angie’s inner turmoil with her routine of shaving. I’ve actually found myself spouting off this rant in the past, so the ideas for Brainwashed come from a lot of my own personal frustrations with femininity and beauty standards. I wrote this with the hope of sarcastically shedding a little light on the ridiculous nature of the things women are expected to do to live up to current beauty standards and the effect it can have psychologically. I want women to be able to relate and say, “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve felt that way”.