Brief Exchanges follows a day in the life of Tanya, a new-New-Yorker, as she navigates the difficulties of the city all while confronting the intersectionality of being Black and a woman. A harsh encounter with a drunken stranger lands her on the same corner as Troy, an earnest young Black man. As they continue along, Tanya experiences poignant moments, "brief exchanges” if you will, that reveal the racism and sexism she must traverse daily, intertwined with the delicate and heartwarming beginnings of Black Love.

 

Little Black Girl from the Bay Productions was created to give a platform for stories that illuminate the modern Black Woman experience.

It is of the utmost importance that the working environment of Little Black Girl from the Bay Productions reflects the world we see. We are passionate about creating a space for women, particularly of color, to shine and share their artistry.

In the spirit of Our Mission, Little Black Girl from the Bay Productions has pledged to work exclusively with a Black Female identifying Cinematographer and a BIPOC Film Editor to best bring authenticity to the production of Brief Exchanges, and to increase representation in fields that are least occupied by BIPOC talents in the film industry. 

Brief Exchanges is a story of modern Black Womanhood in the face of today’s patriarchal pressures. As the debut work of Little Black Girl from the Bay Productions, this film will be the first in our oeuvre to feature the full spectrum of the modern Black Woman Experience. We feel a responsibility to influence present and future generations through filmmaking. We aim to add to the canon of familiar film genres with narratives that rebrand Black womanhood, thus de-tokenizing and expounding upon the concept of "Black Girl Magic," in cinematic storytelling. By supporting us, you will be promoting the works of Black artists in a reclaiming of their own narrative in cinema. Brief Exchanges is the first step in that mission. 

Inspiring young minds, cultivating conversation, and strengthening ally-ship are some of our goals with this film, but most of all, we want to bring this refreshing “meet-cute” to life for all to enjoy. 

Ashley Versher - Writer/Director
Ashley Versher is a multi-hyphenated creative. She is a series regular on the award-winning digital series Love My Roomie now on Amazon Prime Video. She has also appeared in the Emmy-nominated, now Cleo TV series, Tough Love. Her recent theater credits include Dracula (Dame Bat) in association with the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and Much Ado About Nothing (Claudio) with Shakespeare in the Woods. Ashley has worked behind the scenes, contributing to the short-film Spot: A True Period Piece as Associate Producer, which was accepted into the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival. She has also had the pleasure of working as a Guest Director with Creative Direction on their latest series Pillow Talk, now on BET+.

Caitlin Kilgore - Producer
Caitlin Kilgore is a producer, writer, and actor who believes the power of storytelling lies in its ability to illuminate the endless and complex nature of humanity. Some of her favorite credits include: Much Ado About Nothing (Leonato) at Shakespeare In the Woods, Little Women (Beth), When the Rain Stops Falling (Gabrielle York), Criminal Hearts (Ata Windust). As a graduate of USC Theater School, she has used her expertise to tell stories from both in-front of and behind the camera.

Michelle Clementine - Cinematographer
Michelle Clementine is a cinematographer with an eye for the sublime, raw, deconstructed visuals to draw audiences in for layered storytelling. This Bronx native brings a unique perspective to any project. With 15 years experience working in camera for celebrated filmmakers like Spike Lee and Barry Jenkins, Michelle has weaved her way through film festivals with her short films and is a rising auteur in cinema.

Ronelle Thomas - Assistant Director

Ronelle Thomas is an experienced AD as well as an up and coming Video Editor. She has worked in the industry for over 10 years in multiple areas including, but not limited to Reality TV, Film and Digital. As for acting, things are not necessarily standing still. Ronelle recently wrapped up Season 1 of the hit Web Series Pillow Talk by Creative Direction. Pillow Talk was Emmy Nominated in the 47th Annual Daytime Emmys and is now on BET+. Ronelle has recently assistant directed and produced the short film Unapologetic. 

 

Gerrard James - portraying the role "Troy"

Gerrard James is a New York-based actor and recently graduated from The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art receiving an M.A. in Classical Theater. He is a proud recipient of the 2019-2020 Fulbright John Wood LAMDA Award. He received his B.A. in Finance at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia.  Before switching career paths to attend The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, he worked at JP Morgan Chase as a hedge fund trade analyst. Some of his theatre credits include: King Lear, Funnyhouse of a Negro, and Detroit ‘67. His film and television credits include:The Lion’s Den, Blackout Cake, Amazon Prime’s Love My Roomie, and most recently, Pillow Talk, now on BET+. Gerrard also graduated with his M.F.A. from the Actors Studio Drama School in May 2017.

 

Claire Ganshert - portraying the role "Karen"

Claire Ganshert’s television appearance on BROAD CITY (Comedy Central), is followed closely by her indie film work in BENJI THE DOVE (Fulton Street Productions), and LILY (Dir. Anna Loyd Bradshaw). Ganshert is a founding member of LAS New York City Collaborative Movement Company. She has appeared again and again on stage including award-winning play AMONG THE FURIES where she was awarded Best Actress at the New York Theatre Festival, and shortly thereafter revived her role for the New York Fringe Festival. Claire is a graduate of Maggie Flanigan Studio, with a BA in Theatre Performance from the University of Wisconsin. www.claireganshert.com

 

Oriana Sophia - Costume Designer and Makeup Artist

Oriana Sophia is a costume designer/stylist and actress based in NYC. She earned her BA in Theatre and Creative Writing from Hunter College and later spent two years training in the Meisner technique at the Maggie Flanigan Studio. Oriana has always been interested in human behavior and how people express themselves through clothes both as individuals and as a society. She has taken credit courses at FIT and Altos de Chavon School of Design. Some of her credits include Birthday in the Bronx (Designer, The Tank) The Time of your Life (Designer, Lowe Theatre) Othello (Desdemona, The Davenport). Check out her website orianasophia.com, where you can view her latest project "Ay Fefa, Where is the Wind?"

 

Andre Wilson – Music Editor

Andre Wilson is a producer, writer, composer and artist. He was born into music — his mother is a writer and his father is a musician — but for Andre, it all started with the piano, and grew from there. He is a producer and member of Kaviar, a modern R&B and Hip-Hop music group. Andre attended of Musician Institute in Los Angeles, California completely their Independent Artist program. Andre has been playing music since he was in diapers! 

 

Krystal Rowley – Production Coordinator

Krystal Rowley is an actor and writer living in New York City. She is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire with a degree in Theater, followed by the two-year conservatory program at Maggie Flanigan Studio. Some of her favorite credits include: Picnic (Transport Group), From Silence (Theatre for a New City), and Love’s Labour’s Lost (Huntington Theatre Company). She is also a proud member of Hero Theater Company. Krystal’s most recent endeavor is writing. She is currently working on her 1 Woman Show!

 

Tanja Konwinski – Production Coordinator

Tanja Konwinski is a New York-based artist, actor, and producer. She is a proud graduate of Maggie Flanigan Studio and UCLA with a B.A in Cultural Geography. Tanja was a producer on the Dumb Theater production of Twelfth Night, a stunning performance outside at The Old American Can Factory in Brooklyn. Additionally, she has produced several concerts to raise money for Earth Justice, Sea Legacy, and more. Tanja recently launched Rose Hollow Design, offering limited edition art prints, with cards coming this Fall.