RECLAIMING THE LIGHT: The Life & Times of Lewis Latimer
Are you into period dramas? Do you want to see folks who look like you in costume dramas? Imagine the year is 1881 and you are walking along the Rue Saint Paul in Montreal at night. You see a well dressed African American Man who has a pleasant face with spectacles, in a three piece suit, hat, and a bright yellow tie. He extends his hand to shake yours and says “Hello I’m Lewis H. Latimer, electrical engineer”. He gestures to the electric street lamps, and says “This is my handiwork.”
If you want to see African American Geniuses in a costume drama this is for you!
My name is Nadine Patterson, and I love writing and directing films and learning about history from an African American perspective. The films I have directed include Tango Macbeth, Moving with the Dreaming (about Aboriginal Modern Dance in Australia), Anna Russell Jones and We Are Free Because of Harriet Tubman.
I am directing my second narrative feature film RECLAIMING THE LIGHT: The Life & Times of Lewis Latimer along with an incredible team of producers, Martha R. Conley (Lost in the Hype), Parris Z. Moore (KINYARWANDA), Marlene G. Patterson (Tango Macbeth, Moving with the Dreaming). Your support will help to bring one of the few historical period dramas made by African Americans to film festivals, theaters, classrooms and homes around the world.
Since the release of The 1619 Project in 2019 our country has faced an intense backlash against African American History being taught in schools and the banning of Black History Books. By supporting this project, you will help in getting out the truth about the self help and uplift of African Americans via education, scientific innovation, and collective political action in the 19th Century .
Your contribution can help fill in the gaps by making a film that tells the story of Black Excellence immediately following the Emancipation Act. The burst of creativity and expansion that accompanied freedom from enslavement is best told through the story of the great inventor Lewis Latimer. Mr. Latimer worked on the design and patent application of the Telephone with Alexander Graham Bell in 1876, electric light bulb design and manufacturing with Hiram Maxim, and built the industrial light bulb industry with Thomas Alva Edison. Without Latimer’s patent in 1881 of the long lasting carbon filament, electric light would not have been commercially viable for working class homes and small businesses by the early 20th Century.
The total film budget for production is $860,000. We aim to complete the film by December 2025. $35,000 is what we need now to complete the Research and Development Phase.
This Fractured Atlas Campaign will cover:
Actors: for script readings and screen tests
Creation of a Look Book/Production Bible for the film
Research costs: access to Historic Archives in Philadelphia, New York, Washington D.C., Pittsburgh, and New Jersey.
Location Scouting: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New Jersey
Scientific historians, Educators in electrical Engineering, and Historians of African American history in 19th and early 20th Century America.
Technical Development: testing of camera and audio packages to create a unique look and feel for the film.
Project Trailer and Proof of Concept (historical drama short) with sample locations
Screenwriters third draft of the script
Your Contribution can make a difference by amplifying the truth about our American history. African Americans were integral to the building of America, and period dramas such as this face an uphill battle in gaining Industry financing. But individuals like you understand the importance of having a shared history of the American experience from an African American perspective. Diversity of viewpoint, voice and vision is key to educating our communities that we have more in common. We have a shared brilliance and hunger to learn and to share.
Mr. Latimer believed in helping others, and giving everyone, regardless of financial status, ethnicity or gender access to a brighter future.
If we don’t reach our goal, partial funding will help us complete research on our 90 page script.
There are other ways to help us.
You can share the link to your circle of friends and family who want to make a difference in funding a Black Historic Costume Drama based on real life people- Lewis and his wife Mary Latimer, Thomas Alva Edison, and George Westinghouse.
You can also start an online conversation on threads.net (tag us @hipcinema) about how we need more stories about Black Scientists, Engineers, and Innovators. We need to amplify historical dramas that show Black Americans living, loving and creating on their own terms.
You can share links to our previous films and help us build up our streaming numbers.
Rewards
Latimer Pen Pals
Donate $25.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
Shout out on Instagram for contributing to our film.
Quarterly updates on the film's progress.
Latimer Sight Seer
Donate $50.00 or more
Amount over $5.00 is tax-deductible.
Shout out on Instagram for contributing to our film.
Quarterly updates on the film's progress.
Listing on project website.
Digital Thank You Note with Digital Photo from our Location Scouting in Montreal in 2021
Latimer Design Team
Donate $75.00 or more
Amount over $15.00 is tax-deductible.
Shout out on Instagram for contributing to our film.
Quarterly updates on the film's progress.
Listing on project website.
Digital Version of pages from the Reclaiming the Light Look Book
Latimer Circle
Donate $100.00 or more
Amount over $30.00 is tax-deductible.
Shout out on Instagram for contributing to our film.
Quarterly updates on the film's progress.
Listing on project website.
Invite to on-line Reading of the Screenplay
Latimer Study Group
Donate $250.00 or more
Amount over $65.00 is tax-deductible.
Shout out on Instagram for contributing to our film.
Quarterly updates on the film's progress.
Listing on project website.
Invite to on-line Reading of the Screenplay
Digital Version of pages from the Reclaiming the Light Look Book
Latimer Pioneers
Donate $1,000.00 or more
Amount over $250.00 is tax-deductible.
Invite to a special in person event with film producers.
Shout out on Instagram for contributing to our film.
Quarterly updates on the film's progress.
Listing on project website.
Invite to on-line Reading of the Screenplay
Latimer History Makers
Donate $2,500.00 or more
Amount over $500.00 is tax-deductible.
Invite to a dinner with the filmmakers and a special guest.
Shout out on Instagram for contributing to our film.
Quarterly updates on the film's progress.
Listing on project website.
Invite to on-line Reading of the Screenplay
Latimer Collector
Donate $5,000.00 or more
Amount over $1,750.00 is tax-deductible.
Original artwork painted on wood by Amir M. Lyles
Shout out on Instagram for contributing to our film.