state

I. “Convicted”

II. FIGHTER – Official Selection at World of Women Film Festival 2016

III. UTC’s Boulder Competition

IV. Wax Masterminds

V. Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary

| “Convicted” |

Sometimes life doesn’t turn out the way you would expect it. When time is numbered, how can you attempt to piece it all together?

This was our team’s submission for the 54 Film Festival 2016- Middle Tennessee.

Genre: Medical/Political Drama // Action: Hiding // Prop: Clock // Line: “Make it stop.”

Our location was set at the Escape Experience: Chattanooga. Our friends there were kind enough to let us set up shop all night filming. Our story focuses on a man who is experiencing his final hours before his execution. We see glimpses of his sister’s interrogation. Whether or not our man committed any real crime, we wanted our audience to grasp the story through the details. We wanted to take the audience on this man’s journey as he clings on to life’s most precious moments. Now questioning the innocence of our character, we introduce the morality of the death penalty. Our film doesn’t attempt to lean one way or another. It’s merely there to ask the question and to provide a different perspective.

Winner: Best Direction | Best Score

Runner Up: Best Actor (Cory Holland) | Best Make Up (Laura Natalie Homer) | Best Cinematography (Jordan Powell) | Judge’s Choice

CHECK IT OUT HERE:

| “FIGHTER” |

That’s right. Official Selection for the World of Women’s Cinema Film Festival in Sydney Australia!!!!!! The festival experienced some delays. However, the festival is happening at the end of this month! Samantha, Kelsey and myself are incredibly excited to have our film played in yet another country! It feels surreal to have something you created playing in a country half way across the globe.

Many may be wondering when FIGHTER will be officially released for you to view. VERY SOON. We are still awaiting festival acceptance letters. So we shall know very soon! Thank you all for your continued support. I can’t believe it’s almost been 2 years!

| “UTC’s Boulder Competition” |

In the works is a little promo video to show off the awesome things UTC’s Merrell Ambassador is doing for the outdoor program. Coming soon…

| “Wax Masterminds” |

I love getting able to reconnect with clients back in the ‘boro! Here is one such company-

| “Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary Documentary” |

Probably one of the coolest projects to date would be- Brushy. It’s a prison located in Petros, TN that closed its doors in 2009. It’s the same prison the hold the infamous James Early Ray. For those that don’t know, he assassinated MLK, Jr. Most know Brushy from the chaos that ensued when Ray escaped the walls with 6 other convicts.

The project has been underway for about a month now and will be my main project until June. The documentary will be approx. 15-20 minutes on the history of this maximum security prison. I have captured around 6 hours of interview footage filled with recollections and stories you can’t even imagine.

I have the enormous honor to put together such a rich piece of history. In the next couple of years, Brushy will be transformed into a whiskey and moonshine distillery, RV park, concert venue, restaurants, etc. The main prison itself will be conserved into a museum for travelers and tourists to walk through the halls and to get a glimpse into the life of Brushy’s inmates.

For now, here’s a little teaser into the playground I get to play in…

Exciting things are coming……..

-Kelly

It’s been such a joy to work on this project for MTOP. Middle Tennessee Outdoor Pursuits has been one of the greatest work experiences I’ve ever had. “Getting paid to go outdoors? Heck yes.” It’s been a rewarding experience like none other. Not only was I privileged enough to learn the skills needed to successfully lead trips in the backcountry, but I was lucky enough to have to opportunities to test those skills practically whenever I wanted. I was encouraged to get outside and just to have fun. “Wait, and you call that a job? Yes!”

Honestly, MTOP has prepared me for the future probably more the credit hours for my degree did. I learned leadership, teamwork, planning, scouting, guiding and safety. I learned how to look out for people and know when to pick people up mentally and physically. I learned that overcoming schedules is just as important as overcoming fears. Life is too short to play it safe and sit on the sidelines. It’s about getting out there and seeing the world through your eyes and not through the eyes of others [online]. Yeah, National Geographic make the Smoky Mountains look really good. (But they look a whole lot better in person.)

College is an important time in a young person’s life. It’s where you make those life decisions that stick with you into your adult life. What will your career be? Where will you go? Who will you meet? Life is just a series of steps. Will you wait until the last step to take a risk? Will it be too late then?

As much fun as kayaking down a whitewater river is, the people are what truly make this program what it is: great. I’ve made lifelong friends through this program. While our love of the outdoors is what brought us together, it’s the love for each other that keeps us together. We work together. We plan together. And we live life together. MTOP will forever be a community for young folks who love the outdoors.