SOUTH CENTRAL is a gritty yet heartfelt crime drama about an unexpected bond between two strangers. Officer Ben Harris, a cynical, disillusioned cop, meets a rebellious 9-year-old boy named Alex. Harris reluctantly takes Alex on his dangerous job as they search for the boy’s missing mother. The two form an unlikely friendship as they ride together through the streets of Los Angeles.
The Team
Hollywood screenwriter Scott Frank (GET SHORTY, MINORITY REPORT) has praised Eric’s work at the AFI Conservatory as “bold,” and producer Ted Griffin (OCEAN’S ELEVEN, MATCHSTICK MEN) spoke highly of his most recent film, calling it “impressive.” Eric wrote and directed SCREENWRITING: A LOVE STORY, a short comedy for producers Karen Murphy (WAITING FOR GUFFMAN) and Leslie Bohem (Emmy Award®-winning creator of Steven Spielberg’s sci-fi mini-series, TAKEN). His short film, ESTAS SEGURA CONMIGO, was an Official Selection of the HBO New York Latino International Film Festival and Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.
Nikit hails from Kenya, and after living there for 18 years, he pursued an undergraduate degree in film production in Perth, Australia. Most recently, Nikit was co-producer of SILK, directed by Catherine Dent (THE SHIELD), and starring Oscar®-nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo (THE HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG). He has worked on various films in Australia, wildlife photography projects in Kenya and Tanzania, and on two major Bollywood films, OM SHANTI OM (with Shahrukh Khan) and SORRY BHAI. Nikit is currently working with Captivate Entertainment, producers of THE BOURNE TRILOGY, and at MGM, the studio that gave us SKYFALL and THE HOBBIT.
Edward graduated in 2009 from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a B.A. in Film and a Minor in Cinematography. His impressive work at the university earned him an award for Outstanding Achievement in Film. He has worked as director of photography, gaffer, camera operator, and first assistant camera on various shows, from commercials to music videos. In 2012, Edward’s work was featured at AFI Conservatory’s “Visual Essays,” a Kodak and Sony-sponsored annual event highlighting notable achievements in cinematography. His films have been showcased at New York’s ACEFEST, South Side Film Festival, and Urban Suburban Film Festival.
Salman received a B.A. in Film Production with an emphasis in Editing from Cal State University Northridge. While there, he studied and edited under the guidance of AFI alum Donald Petrie (director of GRUMPY OLD MEN, MISS CONGENIALITY), and Michael Hoggan, A.C.E. He also served as a personal assistant intern for Ed Saxon (Oscar®-winning producer of THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS). Salman has spent the last five years working professionally as an editor on the TV show SHOWBIZ INDIA, as an assistant editor on CRIME 360 on A&E, and Discovery Channel’s ONE MAN ARMY.
David’s recent credits include the 2010 World Cup Kickoff Concert, Showtime documentary DAD’S IN HEAVEN WITH NIXON, and the theme for RUN FOR WATER, produced by LiveEarth, the collaboration between former Vice President Al Gore and Emmy® Award-winning producer, Kevin Wall. He also composed music for Warner Brothers’ TV series, HOT PROPERTIES. David’s music has earned placements on ABC, NBC, and HBO. David’s notable trailer credits include X-MEN: FIRST CLASS, THE FLOWERS OF WAR, THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON, VANTAGE POINT, the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
Cast
SER’DARIUS BLAIN
Ser’Darius Blain co-starred as Woody in Paramount Pictures’ 2011 remake of FOOTLOOSE, directed by Craig Brewer (HUSTLE & FLOW, BLACK SNAKE MOAN). He also plays a supporting role in JJ Abrams’ (SUPER 8, LOST) highly anticipated Star Trek sequel, STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS. Ser’Darius’ most recent TV appearance was a supporting role on the hit CW series, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES. He had a recurring role on ABC Family’s JANE BY DESIGN with Andie MacDowell, and has made appearances on shows such as ALL MY CHILDREN and MEET THE BROWNS.
AFI
At the world-renowned AFI Conservatory, a dedicated group of working professionals from the film and television communities serves as mentors in a hands-on, production-based environment nurturing
the talents of tomorrow’s storytellers.
Established in 1969, the two-year Master of Fine Arts program provides training in six filmmaking disciplines: Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design and Screenwriting. Admission to AFI Conservatory is highly selective, with a maximum of only 140 graduates per year.
The AFI Conservatory has earned a reputation as one of the world’s leading film schools. In 2011, The Hollywood Reporter ranked AFI as the #1 film school in the world. AFI thesis films have earned numerous prestigious awards, including Oscar nominations, Student Academy Awards, and the Directors Guild of America Awards. AFI thesis films are typically instrumental in launching the careers of the fellows.
Among the many notable AFI alumni:
David Lynch
MULHOLLAND DRIVE
CLASS OF 1970
DARREN ARONOFSKY
BLACK SWAN
CLASS OF 1992
TERRENCE MALICK
THE TREE OF LIFE
CLASS OF 1969
AMY HECKERLING
CLUELESS
CLASS OF 1974
DRAKE DOREMUS
LIKE CRAZY
CLASS OF 2005
Janusz Kaminski
SCHINDLER'S LIST
CLASS OF 1987
Scott Frank
MINORITY REPORTPATTY JENKINS
MONSTEREd Zwick
BLOOD DIAMONDWally Pfister
THE DARK KNIGHT RISES
Brian Dannelly
SAVED!Todd Field
LITTLE CHILDRENPaul Schrader
TAXI DRIVERJohn McTiernan
DIE HARD
Donate
Donate
In order for us to begin production, we must meet our fundraising goal by May 1st. We are dependent on the support of our relatives, friends, and other third party contributors. Your support of SOUTH CENTRAL is an investment in our futures as filmmakers. Please contribute and be part of an AFI legacy that includes David Lynch, Terrence Malick, Darren Aronofsky, Amy Heckerling and Wally Pfister. Your help goes a long way.
- All donators will be acknowledged in the ending credits as:
FRIEND
$1 - $99SPONSOR
$100 - $249PATRON
$250 - $499BENEFACTOR
$500 - $999PARTNER
$1000 - $4999EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
$5000 and more
PLEASE BE SURE TO SELECT
1326-SOUTH CENTRAL
DONATIONS MAY BE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE
As a non-profit educational institution, AFI holds a tax-exempt status. Donations toward the making of the film may be tax deductible under Section 170 of the US tax code. All contributions will receive a letter of acknowledgment from the American Film Institute that can be used for tax purposes.
MAKE AN IN-KIND DONATION
Any in-kind service donations including: film stock, soundstage rental, equipment (camera, grip, lighting), locations, catering (food and beverage), construction supplies, art department supplies (props, set dressing), post production services (visual effects, digital effects, lab work or coloring), or any other contribution will be gladly accepted and mention of donors will be published in the credits, depending on the donation.
CONTACT
Nikit Doshi, Producer
nikit@southcentralthefilm.com
DONATE BY CHECK
Make checks payable to:
American Film Institute (AFI) (please note “SOUTH CENTRAL” in the memo)
Mailing Address:
SOUTH CENTRAL
C/O American Film Institute
2021 N. Western Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90027