THE TOKEN
THE TOKEN:
The only person(s) of color in a specific group of people, usually portrayed in media.
THE COST OF BEING BLACK FAMOUS
THIS PROJECT IS TO TELL THE STORIES OF WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE THE ONLY ONE REPRESENTING THE BLACK CULTURE IN A SPACE THAT IS TELLING PRIMARILY WHITE STORIES. I WANT TO OPEN PEOPLES EYES TO THE EXPERIENCE OF NOT JUST BEING THE ONLY ONE ON CAMERA, BUT ALSO BEHIND THE SCENES. FROM MAKEUP, TO HAIR, TO WARDROBE, OUR STORIES AND OUR CULTURE WAS NOT MADE TO BE IMPORTANT OR SEEN.
The token gives you a look into the experiences of our beloved black characters in TV and film who had no one to share their experience with.
"The Token" is a full length documentary that will tell the stories of the actors and artist who knowingly and unknowingly helped to represent the black culture in TV, Film, and Stage. It will show how they we're impacted by it positively and negatively.
Viewers will learn the behind the scenes stories about their favorite stars experiences, good and bad. We will deep dive into subjects such as Payment differences and Micro aggressions. Some well-known tokens throughout our history includes Trina McGee - Angela (Boy Meets World),
Kim Fields - Tootie (Facts of Life) and Lamorne - Winston (New Girl). In addition to brand new interviews, the documentary will feature archival footage, as well as testimonies from fans who were positively impacted by the talent to help amplify the documentary.
T H E F O R M A T
CONFIRMED
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GARY L GRAY
EVEN STEVENS, FAIRLY ODD PARENTS, ROCKET POWER
BRYAN HEARNE
ALL THAT SEASON 7-8
GIOVONNIE SAMUALS
ALL THAT SEASON 7-9, SUITE LIFE OF ZACK AND CODY
CHESTER GREGORY
BROADWAY PERFORMER TARZAN, SHREK
POTENTIAL
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Jermaine Williams
'The Jersey'
Caleb McLaughlin
'Stranger Things'
Dijon Talton
'Glee'
Monique Coleman
'High School Musical'
Andrea Lewis
'Degrassi'
Amber Riley
'Glee'
Thank You For Your Attention
Presented By: Gio Johnson
The interviews in the documentary will help to highlight the firsthand accounts of what it was like being The Token. The guest will range from talent from various decades. We will hear there personal takes on how it impacted their lives, and the lives of those watching. We will be able to see the difference of those who experienced it through the eyes of scoial media, and those who broke into the industry without it. We will also interview fans who we're positively impacted by thr
representation they saw on screen.
Documentary By: Gio Johnson
This vulnerable and probing documentary will deep dive into the behind the scenes stories of what it’s like to be the only that looks like you. Featuring archival footage, and never before seen stories of the good, the bad and the ugly.
These stories will highlight the beauty of being a star but also shine a light on the darkness, and the weight that comes with it. The documentary showcases stories of determination and the trials that almost broke them. Ultimately, exploring how their pasts shaped their present.
POV:
In this segment we will hear from the actors what their personal experience was while working on their various TV shows and how being the only person of color made them feel.
BTS:
This will look into the things that weren’t seen behind the curtain. The lack of hair and make up artist for black people, the micro aggressions, and the lack of care when it came to writing for characters of color.
THE IMPACT:
This segment will let the artist share their experience, or lack there of with fans and media, whether good or bad. We will also include interviews from fans and supporters that will share how seeing someone that looked like them positively affected them.