What We'll Never Know and more! September 2023 - Newsletter
It’s been awhile since you’ve heard from me in a meaningful way. And today I’m hopeful you’ll continue reading an update on a couple of important things happening at Forever Ready Productions.
What We’ll Never Know
Last week we released our award winning short documentary “What We’ll Never Know”. The film tells the story of 17-year-old Oshay Sims who falsely confessed to murder in 2018. The law keeps us from knowing what police did to get his confession. It wasn’t recorded, because there is no law that requires law enforcement to record the interrogation of a child.
Like most of the stories we tell, we are hoping to inspire change. We’ve tried to make that easy by giving you the opportunity to contact lawmakers at the link above.
At the very least, we’d like to see a law change that requires a child interrogation be recorded. We believe it would provide protection for both police and children.
Thank you to Jon Quinn, Natalie Linney, Mary Gunning, Katey Perkins from the Forever Ready team for helping shoot, edit and provide perspective for the film. Special thanks to Kamilah Turner, Janika White, Mike Working and Cheryl Smart who worked on the case and agreed to do interviews with us.
This all came together thanks to the heart and vision of Kamilah Turner, who contacted me in early 2021 about producing a documentary. It turned into a passion project that spanned over the course of a year. The story resonated with people across the country as the film ran in Tennessee, Iowa, Indiana and Alabama.
You can watch the video here.
Congrats to Charlie Grant & Allison Wong
You read that right! Last weekend our Executive Producer & Director of Photography in our Chicago office tied the knot!
Charlie & Allison were married in Dubuque, Iowa (the town where they met and Allison grew up). We are so excited for them and thrilled for them to begin their adventure as husband and wife!
Tennessee Heart Health Network
Collaboration is a core value here at Forever Ready Productions which makes our current partnership with the Tennessee Heart Health Network (THHN) a joy! We have been telling stories about their work across the state.
For those who aren’t familiar with THHN, they are a statewide network of primary care providers, health systems, and academic centers committed to identifying, developing, and implementing patient-centered approaches to improve quality of care and outcomes for Tennesseans with heart disease. Their overall goal is BIG; to move the needle on heart health in Tennessee and beyond.
Personally, our team has been inspired by the stories we’ve told and the people we’ve met; making changes in our lives too.
You can watch some of the stories by subscribing to their YouTube channel.
Center for Enriched Living Friendships
Meanwhile in Chicago, our team worked with the Center for Enriched Living for the fourth year in a row! We met them in the heart of the pandemic with events were all being held virtually. Through the years, we’ve had the chance to tell the story of their impact at their annual Chefs’ Night fundraiser.
This year was extra special though, as we showed how CEL members experience life’s possibilities together, all while making long-lasting and meaningful friendships. It’s a video that they’ll be using throughout the year to share their story and mission! Watch it here!
Welcome Natalie Linney
Welcome Natalie Linney back to the Forever Ready team. Natalie first joined us as an intern when she was in high school, later worked for us over the summer of 2021 and joins us now as a Client Manager & Video Producer in our Memphis office.
Since she’s no stranger to our team, it kind of feels like a homecoming! She played a major role in helping us move forward on the “What We’ll Never Know” documentary and she was the lead editor on a project we did with the Memphis Library Foundation to celebrate their 20th Anniversary.
Given how busy we are this fall, Natalie will be working with our clients to plan projects and support our team on-location as a producer. Welcome back Natalie!
We’re on Broad Avenue!!
In March of 2022 we quietly moved into our new office space on the corner of Bingham and Broad Avenue.
The *new* the office includes a studio space, equipment room, offices and desks, a small kitchen and a prime spot for us to travel to and from shoots with our partners.
Upcoming Events
Center for Independence - 25 Years of Success, September 22, 2023 - The Center for Independence is celebrating 25 years of empowering children and adults with developmental disabilities! We worked with them to create a truly powerful and moving video that shares the story of current Center kids, teens and adults.
Room In The Inn-Memphis EMPTY to ENOUGH Documentary Pre-Screening - Join us October 17th from 6-8 pm for a special pre-screening of a new mini documentary highlighting issues of homelessness in Memphis and how people just like you can help through Room in the Inn's Congregational Shelter program.
This special event will be at Crosstown Concourse's East Atrium (at the top of the red staircase). We'll begin with gathering time, followed by the pre-screening of the 12-15 minute film and a panel discussion. This film is produced by Forever Ready Productions.
Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy Annual Conference, September 27 - October 1, 2023 - Tour beautiful Frank Lloyd Wright homes and other meaningful architectural sites in Minneapolis with the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy. It all culminates in a gala and silent auction, featuring videos edited by the FRP Chicago team.
Celebrate CJE, October 18, 2023 - CJE SeniorLife’s annual fundraiser will feature appetizers, drinks, a mentalist performers, and three videos made by our FRP Chicago staff.
Indie Memphis Film Festival - October 24-30th - This year Forever Ready Productions is sponsoring Indie Memphis Film Festival. We’ve spent the last few months documenting the story of Indie Memphis and their impact on filmmakers and beyond. You can support their work by purchasing a festival pass or tickets to individual screenings. Take a look at the schedule for a look at hometowner films being featured in the festival.
Follow Use On Social Media
You can keep up with us in between these updates by following us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you’re on LinkedIn, we’re there too! While you’re at it, consider subscribing to our YouTube channel too!