Project by
Sterling Hampton
**
The original short documentary
**********************************************
a Clash Of The Artistic Minds production
In association with LA TIMES DOCS
**********************************************
Directed/Produced/Edited/Composed by:
Sterling Hampton IV
Co-Producer: Monica Lawless
Cinematographer: Adam Shattuck
2D-Animation: Ray Chang
3D-Animation: Adam Weissman
**********************************************
Next Screenings:
The Broad Museum (July 25th)
The Hammer Museum (August 22nd):
**********************************************
Official Artwork:
**********************************************
What is this?
A self-financed short documentary about an extraordinary person’s trials and tribulations.
Who is Andre?
Andre Chambers is a 60-year-old Black Queer man who is an Emergency Nurse, Leather Enthusiast, Bodybuilder and Civil Rights Advocate.
What is my relationship to Andre?
I was looking for another documentary film subject. So I surfed instagram explore page and stumbled upon a photographer’s account. Andre was in one of the photographs. I contacted Andre via Instagram.
Production Notes:
-Palm Springs
-Filmed in 7 hours
-Owned gear
-Fish Tank (Half Underwater Shots)
**********************************************
**
**********************************************
Intentions:
-Create a follow up film to Sundance film “Kylie.”
-Tell a story about another profound human being.
-Tour the film festival circuit again.
Post Production:
Create a dynamic visual experience with mixed multimedia. In doing so, make a love letter to different forms of creative elements. 2D animation. 3D animation. Standard digital film. AI generated animation. Show how these visual elements can work together in concert.
**
3D Animation Drafts
2D Animation Drafts
AI-Generated Animation Drafts
**********************************************
Distribution:
20+ film festival official selections including:
-Sundance
-Tribeca
-Hamptons
-Outfest
-HollyShorts
-AFI
-Champs-Elysees
**
LA Times Official Partnership
**
**
**********************************************
Why make the thing?
Objective:
-I think the point of having any kind of skill or craft is to use it to create value for not only your own life, but for others. In the context of filmmaking, my craft is used to tell interesting stories that provoke, challenge and enlighten.
-The career implications I want to produce as a
result of these projects is to make myself appealing as a feature film director. “Merman” along with “Kylie” and my other film projects are essentially advertisements of my abilities.
Why is this film important?
What’s special about the film is that no matter where you come from or who you are, you can probably relate to some part of Andre. And by virtue of this, when you see him in the other facets of his life, you can then emphasize with those parts of him as well.
The viewer should recognize that people face bigotry and adversity layered.
Ultimately the film should depict the human experience as a dynamic, changing and multidimensional marathon.
**********************************************
“Merman” won the Social Impact Award at the 2023 HollyShorts International Film Festival after screening at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood.
**
**
“Merman” won best American short film at the Champs-Elysees film festival in Paris, FR.
**
Getty photographs of Andre aka “Merman” and Sterling Hampton IV taken in New York at the Tribeca Film Festival.
**
**
**********************************************
Project by
Sterling Hampton
unlock the full viewing experience and access all
content from this project
Download the FYI app Not now