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THE BREAKDOWN with AWD Atlanta and Dui Jarrod
May 14, 2020 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT
Free
THE BREAKDOWN with AWD Atlanta is a script to screen analysis and discussion series. We’ll sit down with directors to talk about realizing their vision, unique challenges, and the collaboration process for bringing their projects to life.
Join Alliance of Women Directors Atlanta for an evening of conversation between Dui Jarrod (Writer/Director) of the digital series, King Ester, and Monique Younger (moderator). All attendees are encouraged to watch at least episode 5 of the series, prior to joining the discussion.
REGISTER FOR THE BREAKDOWN HERE.
King Ester is the story of Ester, a trans woman struggling to find her path in New Orleans during the week before Hurricane Katrina. In the face of an evacuation order, she is forced to make a choice that will impact her future forever. Will she get out on time?
Written and directed by Dui Jarrod (Brooklyn.Blue.Sky. on BET.com), this short form scripted series explores the intersection of race, class, and gender in a uniquely NOLA context. Starring Janet Hubert (Fresh Prince of Bel-Air), Angelica Ross (Pose, Her Story), and introducing Rowin Amone as Ester.
ABOUT THE GUEST:
Dui Jarrod is a storyteller. His life has been a reflection of that since he made his first film about Noah’s Ark at 11 years old in his hometown of White Hall, AR. While the project was no masterpiece, the effort did fortify his belief that cinema can be used delicately and progressively. His focus: Move the narrative forward for marginalized communities. After having lived most of his life in rural Arkansas, the creator found the self-will to find his way into the industry through hard work and humility. That effort has been rewarded with numerous accolades that have positioned Dui to follow his dreams from Arkansas to Los Angeles, where he has become one of the exciting new voices in film and television.
Jarrod’s most recent success comes from the dramatic digital series “Issa Rae Presents ‘King Ester,'” which takes a close look at the life of a transwoman in Pre-Katrina New Orleans. The series was screened at some of the top festivals including Frameline 43, American Black Film Festival, and Catalyst Film Festival. The haunting period piece picked up numerous awards along the way with wins in the Best Director and Best Cinematography categories. The series was named Best Web Series of 2019 by Black Talent TV, where they noted Jarrod by saying, “Unsurprisingly, Jarrod created a masterpiece, with exquisite cinematography and a truly moving story.”
In 2018, Jarrod wrote and directed BET’s “Brooklyn.Blue.Sky.” which was the first acquired series for the emerging digital arm of the network. The digital series follows two Brooklyn-based writers on the search for the value of their work and their previous relationship. The series won Best Web Series at American Black Film Festival in 2017 and the Bronzelens Film Festival the same year. BET’s “Brooklyn.Blue.Sky.” was selected at one of the top web series by several publications, including Refinery 29. Jarrod was named to “Cassius” Inaugral Creative Class in 2018 because of his vision with the series.
The creator currently resides in Los Angeles and set to release his third digital series entitled BRIC TV’s “Sauce.” The series premiered at the highly-noted Seattle International Film Festival and was a finalist for Best Digital Series at the 2019 Urbanworld Film Festival.
Professionally, Jarrod continues to create powerful connections through his public speaking. He shared his insights on race, creativity, and digital content creation with various organizations, including IFP, Airbnb, JP Morgan Chase, and several colleges and universities.
Jarrod is currently working on an original pilot entitled “Last Name Unknown,” which follows several youths in a homeless shelter. He also seeks to carve out a lane for himself in TV directing. In 2019, he served as a visiting director on the set of HBO’s “Insecure” under the direction of Kerry Washington.
You can find out more information about filmmaker Dui Jarrod at www.duijarrod.com or follow him on social @duijarrod across all platforms.
Photo by Dexter Fletcher for DFP Studios in Los Angeles, CA.
ABOUT THE MODERATOR:
Monique Younger is an Atlanta based producer, director and costume supervisor. Nadiri Creative Media is Monique’s boutique multi-media production company, focused on producing short films, web-series, podcasts, documentaries & videos. Monique is currently in production on Only Way Out, a narrative web-series about budding investigative journalist, Linda Santos, chasing the story of the decade. Did Hollywood “it” girl turned convicted child star, Genna Gold, murder her producer husband in cold blood? Or is there more to the story? Linda’s pursuit of the truth will reveal an ugly world of violence & domestic terror that hits closer to home than she’d ever imagined.
Younger is an alumni of Howard University (B.A. Film and Television) and Full Sail University (M.S. Entertainment Business). She is a member of IATSE Local 479, Alliance Women Directors, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. You can find out more information about Monique at www.nadiricreativemedia.com or follow her on Twitter @cinemomo or IG @mpyounger.