Next Monday we will review Roberto Mighty’s latest project Wildfire, inspired by a documentary he completed several years ago.
LOGLINE:
Around the Civil War, an orphaned African/Native American girl grows up in poverty, survives a brutal mob attack, joins a group of expat lesbians, becomes an internationally celebrated sculptor, earns a fortune, dies in obscurity, and is rediscovered in the 21st century by a troubled art historian. Based on a true story.
A LITTLE BACKGROUND ON THIS PROJECT (FROM ROBERTO):
The project, WILDFIRE, is based on the true-life story of Mary Edmonia Lewis (1844-1907), a celebrated sculptor whose heyday was in the Civil War era. Although her artwork is today universally admired by serious art critics, her social status as a woman African-American/Native-American of questionable gender orientation led to heartbreaking ups and downs during and after her lifetime.
I first learned about Edmonia Lewis during my artist residency at Mount Auburn Cemetery, 2014-2016. I made a short documentary about her then. I’ve been working since that time on expanding that into a feature or possible series.
I’m fortunate to have found powerful allies in historical/art/African American and Native American communities. This project dovetails with my 18-month filmmaking/multimedia artist residency at Harvard (2011-2012) concerning Native Americans and Puritans; and studies toward my MFA from Lesley University. As a minority artist myself, I personally feel some of the same pressures that Ms. Lewis endured.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Roberto Mighty is a Writer, Producer, Director and Multimedia Artist.
He is wrapping up a historical documentary about Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott King.
He made a documentary short about Edmonia Lewis in 2016, and began research for his Wildfire TV series immediately afterward.
Currently, Roberto is shopping comedy, drama, historical fiction and nonfiction projects about urban immigrants; outsiders; worldwide cemeteries; aging; and nature.
Roberto has written and produced top-rated primetime TV specials; directed over 50 audiobooks for major publishers; and his 2016 debut short, Peach Pie, was an official selection at film festivals in Hollywood and Atlanta.
Roberto’s artist residencies, fellowships and exhibits include Harvard, Mount Auburn Cemetery and Truro Center for the Arts. His custom-built 4K production studio and interactive screening room is in Boston’s Fort Point Channel arts district.
LOCATION: 66 Winthrop Street, Cambridge, MA
TIME: 7:00 – 9:00 PM
COST: $20.00 payable in cash or check.
Join us after the meeting for drinks, snacks and great conversation at the nearby Russell House Tavern.
Intrigued by the script but don’t have a copy? Join HSSW by writing to info@hsswriters.com. New members are always welcome!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: