By Nigel Boys
Former full-time photographer, Tommie Ingram, has finally made it into the predominantly male dominated film industry, in her directing of the short film “Trespassers,” starring Carl Anthony Payne, about a controversial issue constantly in the news.
In an interview with Rolling Out, the African-American Chicagoan, talked about her film, which was created for Atlanta’s 48 Hour Film Festival and was released on YouTube at the end of July.
According to Ingram, she worked on a few documentaries for Michael Baisden, radio personality and host of his own show, which was heard by around 8 million listeners daily. She added that once she got into the movie industry, she was bitten, has never looked back since, and has now worked with actresses Jane Fonda and Wendy Raquel Robinson and recording artists, such as Usher, Brandy, Cee Lo Green and T.I.
In the short film, produced by Sharon Tomlinson of Studio 11 Films and Lyft Off Productions, Ingram directs a story about several unsuspecting young boys being abused by an untrustworthy pastor who gains their confidence.
However, instead of being sent to prison for his crimes, the unscrupulous pastor is freed of all charges and let right back into the pulpit to preach to other unsuspecting youths, said Ingram.
Ingram went on to tell Rolling Out that idea for the story came from the out of court settlement by Bishop Eddie Long, leader of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, who was accused of s*xually assaulting five Georgia men in 2010. She adds that Long continues to preach to this day, is in the media again, accused of doing things he has no right to be doing, but denies all allegations concerning the previous cases and any wrongdoing today.
Why people still believe ministers who have obviously led them astray and let them right back into the pulpit to lie to them again, is anybody’s guess, according to Ingram. She adds that they still do it and it will probably continue, as long as there are predatory preachers out there.
As far as making it into an industry that is dominated by males, Ingram said there are still many challenges to face, but she has confidence that things will start to change.
While females, especially black ones, are still passed over in the film industry in favor of males, Ingram believes that women such as Angela Bassett, directing the life story of Whitney Houston, will change the film trade’s male domination.
SOURCE
You can support and watch Tommie’s new film here.
