In this Microfilm Series from Edge Studios, writer and director Saphia Suarez proposes three tenets for people of color in the nonprofit sector. In the first microfilm installment, an overstepping funder is tried in a reparations and restoration trial. In the second, a group of friends discusses how people of color are raising the standard. In the final microfilm, a young production assistant is met with the unlikeliest of workplace environments: a space committed to a culture of generosity.
Nia
Michaela! I’m so glad you found us okay! Welcome. What do you think?
Michaela
I think it’s amazing. I’ve never been on a film set before.
Darren
You haven’t? Well, then I have to give you the tour. Sasha, this is Michaela. She’s our newest production assistant. Michaela, this is Sasha Sobel.
Michaela
Of course, hi! I love your work. It’s such an honor to meet you.
Sasha
Pleasure’s all mine. I’m so glad you’ll be joining us.
Nia
Let me introduce you to our lighting designer, Darren. He’s the only Black person to have ever won an Oscar for lighting design.
Michaela
Wow.
Nia
Darren, this is Michaela. She’s joining us as a production assistant.
Darren
Awesome. Nice to meet you, Michaela.
(To Nia) What do you think of this?
Nia
For the final confrontation? I think it looks good. You know I love everything you do.
(To Michaela) This is for our new short. It’s going up at the Whitney next spring.
Michaela
It looks amazing.
Nia
Oh, I almost forgot to introduce you to Cass.
(To Cass) Cass, this is Michaela, our new P.A.
(To Michaela) Michaela, this is Cass. She’s my intern for now, but she’s off to do some crazy awesome things. She’s an animator.
Michaela
Oh, awesome! So nice to meet you.
Cass
You too! Would you like a lunchbox?
Michaela
Sure.
Nia
We don’t really ask around here. We just assume everyone’s hungry.
Cass
And after a 12-hour shoot, it’s usually a safe bet.
Nia
I forgot about the time. Let me tell you a little bit about the job before you get started next week.
Michaela
Oh, yes, please. I’ll take all the knowledge I can get.
Nia
Well, it’s pretty simple. For Monday’s shoot, I need you to help out Irene, our main actor. I’ll give you her call sheet morning of, and that’ll have everything you need to know. Your job is to get her where she needs to be on time. Budgeting in an hour for hair and makeup top of day, 20 minutes for costume changes, and at least for Monday, 30 minutes to an hour for transportation from location to location. Does that sound okay?
Michaela
Yeah, it sounds great. That’s simple enough.
Nia
Awesome. It’ll be clearer when you see the call sheet. I really just called you down here so you can meet everyone.
Michaela
No, I really appreciate it, thank you. It was amazing to see what you’re working on and to get to meet the team.
Darren
Oh shit, I’m late.
(To Sasha) Sasha, we gotta get on that call.
(To Michaela) But, let me walk you out first. Let me know if you have any questions between now and Monday. You have my number?
Michaela
Yes, I do.
Darren
Awesome. See you next week.
