Black Boys Don't Cry (2023)
Dir. Madison Ledyard-King
A Black student has depression.
Production Designer, Set Builder, and Editor
Shot on ARRI Alexa 35
Selected to screen at CIFF48
Directed by: Madison Ledyard-King
Screenplay by Kamodjia Williams
Based on "Not Another Day" by Glenn "Boomie" Robinson and William Hunter-Reay
Director of Photography: Najada Davis
1st AC: Sam Neff and Jason "Jay" Cox
2nd AC: Brandon Peck
Steadicam Op: Tim Figueria
Camera Utility: Nate Carr
1st AD: Nate Shively
Production Designer: Giana Vigliotti
Art PA: Amanda Bergeman
Production Sound Mixer: Jeremy Drazdik
Gaffer: Roman Smith
Set Lighting Technician: Thomas Ziol
Key Grip: Jim Nolan
PAs: Vera Howard, Payton Burkhammer, Dylan Bowe, Joyce Kostakis, and Connor Mutnansky
Editor: Giana Vigliotti
BTS Photo by James Robinson
Ashland Unit
Camera Op: Glenn "Boomie" Robinson
1st AC: Maris Wirt
Set Builder: Giana Vigliotti and Mike Vigliotti
Starring Madison Ledyard-King and Angel Joy
I joined the production team for 'Black Boys Don't Cry' early in the process to begin discussions about character development, plot progression, and visual storytelling through production design.
As production designer, I prepared nine locations for camera over a two day shoot including set decorating, blocking extras, placingprops, and resetting props across takes.
As set builder I worked to build an additional set at Good Deed Productions in order to pull off a practical effect in which the camera appeared to push through the bathroom mirror.
I also created original artwork for the short, most notably the completed house drawing scene at the end of the film.
I helped to stage a lecture hall full of extras, including lifestyle props.
I used set design to create a space that was reflective of Evan's state of mind - cluttered and disorganized - but without distracting from his story and internal struggle.
This space was decorated to ensure that it looked good from every angle as the camera moved in a 180 degree arc to show both characters within the room.
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