The Student EFEX (Encouraging The Filmmaking EXperience) Project is a new community collaboration component initiated by Beyond Blue Productions and University of Michigan. The project focuses on combining professional filmmaking with service learning. It allows for the minimizing of budget while simultaneously maximizing production value through shared resources. It serves as a new model for interaction between production companies and their surrounding communities.
Project Goals
The goal of the EFEX component of Bilal's Stand is to provide invaluable experience for all those involved. EFEX proposes a new community-based, ethical filmmaking that empowers the people that it represents rather than exploiting them. It is not only to teach Detroit students how to use cameras, or teach UM students how to produce films, but to instill ethical responsibilities through the hands-on learning, the promotion of teamwork, patience, responsibility, networking, and cross-cultural communication skills.
Project Goals
The goal of the EFEX component of Bilal's Stand is to provide invaluable experience for all those involved. EFEX proposes a new community-based, ethical filmmaking that empowers the people that it represents rather than exploiting them. It is not only to teach Detroit students how to use cameras, or teach UM students how to produce films, but to instill ethical responsibilities through the hands-on learning, the promotion of teamwork, patience, responsibility, networking, and cross-cultural communication skills.
The film focuses on the life of a Detroit high school senior, Bílal, and his family's long-owned taxi stand. "The Stand," as they call it, has been the source of all activity and money for the family for the last sixty years, and it seems like Bílal is about to carry the torch. However, after secretly submitting a college application, and taking up ice carving in order to win a scholarship, he is forced to decide whether he will continue working at the Stand-the only life he's ever known-or take a chance at social mobility. The film is based on a true story and deals with issues of education, religion, and social prosperity.
In the last 4 years, Sultan Sharrief has been active in the arts programming community. He has been the producer of The Spiral Project (a 35mm feature film nominated for an MTV Movie Award), filmmaker of Mural (a feature documentary), Producer of Fulfill a Hankering (a 25 minute 16mm film); student representative at the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (4 yrs), an intern for the Ann Arbor Film Festival (2yrs); The Assistant Director for the Arts on the Hill program (3yrs); an Intern at EXTRA and CELEBRITY JUSTICE; and the founder and captain of the Michigan Ice Carving Team. His experiences have all helped him learn a great deal about arts programming, filmmaking, business operations, and have forged connections with many people in the University community as well as the entertainment industry.
The Bilal's Stand Debut Screening was a great success! The Michigan
Theater was packed and the film received a standing ovation. We are
currently pursuing other screening possibilities in Detroit, Chicago,
New York and Ohio. If interested, please contact Sultan Sharrief at email below.
sultan@beyondblueproductions.com
Bílal Mahdi
Bílal is an opinionated high school senior. He practically runs his family's taxi stand and thinks he has everything figured out. However, as our story progresses, Bílal realizes that the one thing he doesn't have figured out is himself.
Bílal is an opinionated high school senior. He practically runs his family's taxi stand and thinks he has everything figured out. However, as our story progresses, Bílal realizes that the one thing he doesn't have figured out is himself.
Ally Hoppe
A competitive over-achiever bent on maintaining her place as the 'Most likely to succeed' in her class. Unknowingly, Bílal is encroaching into her territory and she's determined to protect her status. She soon learns that there is more to Bílal than she thinks.
Malik "Bird" Myles Jr.
Bird is that rebellious cousin every family has. Putting in a hard days work is a worthless effort and he'd rather get things the easy way. He loves flashy expensive clothes and doesn't go anywhere without his "stunner shades".
Neicy Mahdi
Neicy is Bílal's overworked mother. She has two jobs and can barely find the time to stop and breathe, let alone spend time with her kids. She's struggled her whole life to get to where she is and she's ready to fight to protect that status; even if it means fighting her own family.
Keisha Thomas
Keisha is Bílal's best friend and Bird's girlfriend. She's dependable and tough but, like Bird, is addicted to flashy clothes and showing off.
Jamila 'Mila' Mahdi
Bílal's annoying younger sister. She is always willing to offer a sarcastic comment and criticize any situation.
