black beauty in the garden fashion film, 2024
Model(s): Jadea Knight
Director & Producer: Jadea Knight
The film for Black Beauty in the Garden is about growth, tranformation, and how rebirth is necessary. I wanted there to be strong imagery depicting the interconnectness with nature and our experiences here on earth.
The process
The process
I have always loved being able to witness the process in which a project was born. Continuing on this page will be the journey from inception to completion as I unveil glimpses of both the pre-production and production phases. Enjoy :)
Black beauty in the garden Storyboard
Black beauty in the garden music
This piece of music draws its inspiration from the rich tradition of Malian folk music, hailing from the vibrant landscapes of West Africa. In Mali, music is a deeply cherished part of culture, intertwined with everyday life. The heartbeat of Malian melodies is carried by an array of traditional instruments, each with its own story to tell: the ngoni, a 4-5 stringed lute; the mesmerizing tones of the kora, a harp-like instrument; the rhythmic pulse of the jembe drum; the expressive cadence of the tama, or talking drum; the resonant calabash, a gourd drum; and the enchanting bala, also known as the balafon, a xylophone-like instrument. And let's not forget the kamele ngoni, adding its own unique flavor to the musical tapestry of Mali.
The tone of the music is hopeful, while the mood is euphoric.
Black beauty in the gARDEN wardrobe & Styling
This scene featured a dress that I made out of cheese cloth while the model was on set. I really wanted it to match the “mask” that the model was wearing.
Wardrobe & Styling: Jadea Knight
Model: Sami Jenkins
Wardrobe Assistant: Glenn Porter
This scene featured an outfit made out of raffia material, which covered the model head to toe.
Wardrobe & Styling: Jadea Knight
Model: Thomas Olds
This scene featured two hats that I created out of cardboard and drop cloth.
Wardrobe & Styling: Jadea Knight
Wardrobe Assistant: Tremaine Etheridge
Behind The Scene - ON SET(phort studios)
Model(s): Victor Kuye
DP: Tremaine Etheridge
Model(s): Laneecia Ricks & Jordyn Dyson
Director & Producer: Jadea Knight
DP: Tremaine Etheridge
Model(s): Sami Jenkins & Jordyn Dyson
Florist on set: Sarah Turlington
Model(s): Thomas Olds
Director & Producer: Jadea Knight
Model(s): Sami Jenkins
Director & Producer: Jadea Knight
DP: Tremaine Etheridge
1st Assistant Camera: Trevor Saniano
Model(s): Jadea Knight
Director & Producer: Jadea Knight
Credits
Credits
director of photography
Tremaine Etheridge
director & producer
Jadea Knight
1st assistant camera
Trevor saniano
set designer
glenn porter
production designer
jadea knight
Wardrobe & Styling
jadea knight
w/ assistance from Tremaine etheridge & Glenn Porter
Models
Victor kuye
sami jenkins
jordyn dyson
laneecia ricks
thomas olds
jadea knight
florist on set
sarah turlington
Hairstylist
Jasmyne hampden
composer & Sound design
ethan edward
editing
tremaine etheridge & Jadea knight
studio
phort studios
production
phond
to a familiar stranger, 2023
"To A Familiar Stranger" is a short film that delves into the journey of self- transformation and the shifts that manifest within oneself over time. New transitions arising while old transitions gradually fade away, is a continuous cycle that we all experience and will for the rest of our lives. Although we remember our past selves and past experiences, we no longer feel as connected to them as we once did, almost feeling like a familiar stranger. The idea of the film resonates with me, as I have witnessed a significant shift within myself from an individualistic perspective to one that values connection and community, particularly among women.
The process
The process
I have always loved being able to witness the process in which a project was born. Continuing on this page will be the journey from inception to completion as I unveil glimpses of both the pre-production and production phases. Enjoy :)
To a familiar stranger Storyboard
To a familiar stranger audio & Script (rough draft)
For as long as I can remember, I have always been drawn to the piano. It has such a complex tonal structure, that creates so much depth and richness. It was no doubt that when I showed Ethan some of the shots we filmed, that the piano was a perfect addition.
One day I felt like live drums would pair well with the piano. I went to visit my friend Eturnal(who I once played the drums with) and let him play freely as we recorded him. It was an amaing session.
Because this film was me talking to a past version of myself, there was no better way but to narrate.
The tone of the music is a little eerie, while the mood is serene.
SELF.
Filming was coming to an end and I realized I had not made anything by hand for this film. As we were making our road trip to Bluemount Vineyard, I had plenty of time to think about any ideas I havent yet fleshed out. My initial idea was to create a very long beaded skirt. Once the skirt was made, I realized how heavy it was and that it would wear better around my neck. The beaded headpiece was something I made the night before the shoot, as I thought it pair well with the entire look.
Creative Director & Producer: Jadea Knight
Photographer: Aminah McKenzie
Model: Jadea Knight
Wardrobe: Jadea Knight
COMMUNION.
The most important message in this film is communion, sisterhood. In the last year, I’ve made it my duty to prioritize women in my life because I cannot heal alone. This film in itself has healed a small part of me just by being surrounded by people who trust me.
Creative Director & Producer: Jadea Knight
Photographer Laneecia Ricks
Models Kijah Hopson, Sky Makena, Ariana Mccoy, Mya White, and Melissa Temple
Wardrobe: Jadea Knight
Photographer: Laneecia Ricks
Photographer: Ethan Doitteau
credits
credits
PLAYFULNESS.
Including my little sister in this project was truly been a delight. Her and I are 20 years apart and it’s been a little difficult for me to connect with her. I felt like having her apart of this project grew our relationship as I got to spend a lot of time with her. I hope one day she’ll understand how important her role was in this film and in my life.
Creative Director & Producer: Jadea Knight
Photographer: Jadea Knight
Model: Journi Knight
Wardrobe: Jadea Knight
Photographer: Laneecia Ricks
HEALING.
This idea was apart of many ideas while I curated this project, but I ended up not doing it. It wasn’t until about three months after releasing the film, I wanted to still bring this idea to life. I wanted this to represent the after math of creating the project. I continued to feel very vulnerable after sharing my project with the world, but I felt anew.
Creative Director & Producer: Jadea Knight
Photographer: Laneecia Ricks
Model: Jadea Knight
behind the scene- on set photography
Photographer: Laneecia Ricks
Photographer: Ethan Doitteau
REBIRTH.
After making the beaded pieces in my last shoot, I continued to feel inspired to make something. Because the model was pregnant, I wanted to make something that was comfortable for her and her belly. I decided to make a multi textured skirt. As I grow older, I realized how many rebirths happen in our lives. There is an importance of allowing some things to pass on, and make room for anew.
Creative Director & Producer: Jadea Knight
Photographer: Jadea Knight
Model: Jasmyne Hampden
Wardrobe: Jadea Knight
To a familiar stranger photoshoots
I was inspired to craft five unique photoshoots, each capturing the essence of five key scenes from the film.
Photographer: Ethan Doitteau
blkrunway afro x fashion film, 2023
The mission is to highlight and celebrate black culture, black creativity, and black excellence.
The process
The process
I have always loved being able to witness the process in which a project was born. Continuing on this page will be the journey from inception to completion as I unveil glimpses of both the pre-production and production phases. Enjoy :)
AFRO X Storyboard
BLKRUNWAY AFRO X AUDIO
The narration was my starting point, both in writing and recording. I felt a strong desire to craft music that would truly elevate and amplify the narrator's voice and the message being conveyed.
AFRO X BEHIND THE SCENES/ ON SET
credits
credits
Director & Producer
Jadea Knight
Director of Photography
Sergio Lorenzana
Assitant Director
Laneecia Ricks
Director of Media
David Maddirala
Production Assitant(s)
Parys Pannell & Tuyishme Janeti
Voice Narrator
Arrick Wilson
Composer
Ethan Edward
Sound Designer
Dan Stuckie
Model(s)
Jay Wilson
Alyssa Simpson
Skye Dandridge
Kii Williams
Luke Porter
Mira Fowlkes
Dekai Blount
the water hat, 2022
This project was inspired by a hat that was created by an Australian designer, Monirath. As I began to curate this project, I wanted to make sure that whoever wore the hat, brought depth to the structure and design of the hat. I personally connected to the models that were chosen through my relationship with my own hair.
The process
The process
I have always loved being able to witness the process in which a project was born. Continuing on this page will be the journey from inception to completion as I unveil glimpses of both the pre-production and production phases. Enjoy :)
the water hat photography
the water hat audio
This is an audio file that my friend Ethan sent me in 2021, just for fun. I was heavily inspired by James Baldwin’s words and the piano truly moved me. I decided to take the last of this audio as the tone and mood heighten, to match the tine and mood of the film.