An Education

I thought we could make a film in under a year.

Call me uneducated or hopeful, it’s just not how it works.

I thought making a documentary would cost less than $20K.

Since I’ve joined the nonfiction community, I’ve heard the same saying: “The reward lies in making the story you have to tell, the story only you can tell.”

I thought my film would be without controversy.

I’ve always been honest about my logline: A filmmaker returns to her storied high school to explore the roots of her struggles with racial identity, however, after interviewing her former classmates, things take an unexpected turn. It’s difficult for some to accept their high school wasn’t perfect especially when it looked perfect. It’s hard to admit there was bullying, traumatizing bullying. I didn’t set out to make a film about high school bullying and at its heart, State Champions is not a film about bullying, it is a film about identity. Most of us identified as champions, some didn’t. We believe everyone deserves to tell their side of the story.

I thought telling my story would be difficult.

I was right. My way of thinking was more than immature when I was in high school, it was highly distorted and psychologically damaging. I believe someone can learn from my mistakes. Exposing yourself isn’t easy, but there is beauty in education.