Heads up Hollywood. The production company —Six Feet Over—started by three savvy, creative African-American men, all of whom are over 6’feet tall, is experiencing the warm glow of the entertainment industry's spotlight which is firmly fixed on their first short film “Two Distant Strangers.”

This taunt thriller that teeters on the border of a psychological, modern horror story, is one of ten films that will advance in the Live Action Short Film category for the 93rd Academy Awards. https://www.oscars.org/oscars/93rd-oscars-shortlists.

 

 

 

I love the visual of the three founders of Six Feet Over —Travon Free (6’8), Van Lathan (6’5), and Nicholas Maye (6’3) —walking in uber-slow motion through the formerly guarded, and closed gates of “White Hollywood.”

 

 

For some ignorant, misguided, prejudiced, and angry people that image might cause them great despair.

 

But for me, it’s inspiring. Perhaps you’ve heard the rumble in the Hollywood jungle about their first short film “Two Distant Strangers” written and co-directed by Travon Free and co-directed by Martin Desmond Roe, starring Joey Bada$$, Andrew Howard, and Zaria?

 

If so, then you know that type of word-of-mouth isn’t orchestrated; it’s organic.

Allow me to paint the scene. Hollywood isn’t an easy place to get anyone talking about your work—especially a short film.

No disrespect to short filmmakers but industry movers-and-shakers are talking contracts, money, back-end points, and perks.

 

 

So, for “Two Distant Strangers” to be getting the type of attention from industry titans that it’s getting, makes you lean in, to examine what makes “Two Distant Strangers” so unique and worthy of chatter.

During the horrific and emotional days after the 2020 murder of George Floyd (Rest in Power), when the world went on the streets shouting, protesting, holding up signs with broken hearts and pounding rage, many of us wanted to do more to help White people understand that this, sadly, isn’t new for our community. What’s new is that it was recorded.

What happened to Mr. Floyd, in part, is the inspiration for “Two Distant Strangers” which is essentially an African-American man's worst nightmare.

 

We begin with our protagonist Carter James (Joey Bada$$), a cartoonist that, after spending the night romantically with a young woman named Perri (Zaria) heads home to feed his pit bull when he gets stopped by a White police officer (Andrew Howard).

 

What happens next is all-too-familiar: Carter, an innocent man just walking on the street, is brutally murdered by a police officer. A dream? A nightmare?

Here’s the thing, every time Carter wakes up, he realizes he can’t escape his death because he’s in a twisted, horrible, terrifying time-loop.

What the viewer is left with besides range is an understanding that this short film is what it feels like to be a non-White person in America. It’s that’s simple. When your White friends want you to explain what it feels like to be “you” I strongly suggest, that you send them to the link for “Two Distant Strangers.”

Where the film “Russian Dolls” (Netflix) is just a film, and a good one, what’s making people talk about “Two Distant Strangers” is that the film captured the feeling of this collective trauma; in short they caught lighting-in-a-bottle.

If you don’t feel the hopelessness and injustice that Carter experiences in this film, I’d suggest that you check your pulse.

When I push into learning more about Six Feet Over’s team, now the quality of “Two Distant Strangers” makes sense.  Writer and co-director and partner of Six Feet Over, Travon Free is a two-time Emmy-winning and Peabody-winning television writer, actor-director, and comedian from Compton, California.

 

 

 

He’s been a writer/producer for many shows including Adam McKay’s upcoming Laker’s drama, “Showtime” on HBO, “Black Monday” starring Don Cheadle on Showtime and Lena Dunham’s “Camping” on HBO and was co-head writer for “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” on TBS.

 

Free is also the creator of the HBO pilot “Him or Her.” His other writing and producing credits include “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” (Comedy Central), “Any Given Wednesday With Bill Simmons” (HBO), Larry Wilmore’s “White House Correspondent’s Dinner,” “Hood Adjacent with James Davis” (Comedy Central), to name a few.

 

Currently, Free has projects in development with CBS All Access, Morgan Freeman’s Revelations Productions, and most recently sold an Africa-based spy film with Idris Elba and Simon Kinberg that was acquired by Apple after a heated bidding war among the top studios.

 

 

Executive producer and partner of Six Feet Over, Nicholas Maye is a television, film, and podcast producer from Los Angeles, California. Maye has worked behind the scenes for years as a consultant in entertainment, politics, and business development. He has also worked closely with AAFCA (African American Film Critics Association), where he has held several titles, most recently being director of programs. He most recently executive-produced, “UPPITY: THE WILLY T. RIBBS STORY.”

 

Producer and partner of Six Feet Over, Van Lathan is an established host and media personality proudly from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

 

Lathan’s passion for topics such as sports, entertainment, news, and pop culture come across in his insightful conversations on his podcast series at “The Ringer.”

He hosts "Higher Learning" alongside Rachel Lindsay which highlights Black culture, politics, and sports, as well as "The Wire: Way Down the Hole" with Jemele Hill, which breaks down every episode of the HBO classic. With an incredibly powerful influence across social media, he also expresses his daily opinions on these topics to his dedicated followers.

Van resides in Los Angeles and is developing both film and television projects while writing his debut book (“Hachette,” Jan. 2021) that hilariously documents his weight loss journey and offers practical advice on how to get yourself in shape.

Here is what Travon Free and Nicholas Maye had to share about creating Six Feet Over with Van Lathan and what it was like making “Two Distant Strangers” come to life.

 

L.A. WATTS TIMES: Gentle­man, wow and wow. ‘Two Distant Strangers’ shocked me but in the best way. Let’s start at the beginning. I love the name of your production company. What’s Six Feet Over’s goal?

NICHOLAS MAYE: Our aim is to create and produce bold, fresh, thought-provoking, and revolutionary Black-centric content and usher in a new generation of creatives and filmmakers of color.

LAWT: Let’s tick that box with the powerful first [short] film ‘Two Distant Strangers.’ I’m curious, what’s the impulse behind it the name —Six Feet Over?

 

 

NM: (laughing). Well, we are all over 6’feet tall. 

LAWT: Really?

NM: Travon [Free] is 6’8. Van [Lathan] is 6’5 and I’m 6’3.

LAWT: For some silly, racist people, the sight of three, over six-foot-African American men existing in this world and combining forces to get things done, can seem scary.

TRAVON FREE: (laughing) That’s true. For so many of us, Black men in America, we end up six-feet-under. Here we are six-feet above ground and over, living here and doing our work.

LAWT: Exactly. Oh, I love the frog that’s part of your logo. Personally—I am terrified by that animal but I have so much respect for their versatility and the purpose they serve in nature. Some frogs can regenerate their organs and limbs.

NM: (laughing) I didn’t know that. 

TF: In our movie — ‘Two Distant Strangers’ — Joey Bada$$’s character [Carter James] is wearing a hoodie with the same logo on it.

 

I designed that logo specifically for his jacket, in the film, and it’s a little bit of a nod, to his character being the frog and [actor] Andrew’s character [Police officer] being the scorpion.

LAWT:  Got it. Love it. Please, send my hoodie (wink). Let’s talk about all the love ‘Two Distant Strangers’ is receiving. I’m so proud, I feel like I am a cousin or something.

Where are you going in the industry?

TF: I think for us, it's trying to figure out how to carve a new lane, not just for Black people in Hollywood but Black men, especially given our perception, in the world, and this country. Also, from my perspective how we can also rebrand and reshape our partnerships and our alliances with Black women in this world and in this industry, as well.  And given that we are a company with three very different partners. All of us bring something so different to the table but all of us have so many great skills and abilities and great connections to various people across this industry. Van’s ability to be prolific in the podcast and media space, Nicholas ability in the promotion space, and his creativity in forming ideas on projects, and me, just being a writer and director, and performer, it’s from what I experience, from a Black perspective, there’s just not a lot of any companies like us, that start with that kind of diversity. It allows us to not only build things of our own, but to also partner with other people who are more disadvantaged and don’t have opportunities and just need that one person to read their script or see their movie, and help them find their way in this business.

LAWT: You seem to have your collective priorities, right.

TF: Thank you. I care more about who comes up after me than anything that I am doing, right now. If I can get 100 more of me, Nick, and Vans by the time I am dead and gone, I will feel that I accomplished more than I ever set out to.

LAWT: AMEN. I was speaking with a television writer, now director, Felica Pride (https://lasentinel.net/tag/felica-pride ) about the power of giving back. Making opportunities for those that don’t have real access. I call it — doing an AVA after the great, Ava DuVernay. In my humble opinion, Ava is doing God’s work, meaning, that every time she’s made it possible, for people who have traditionally been blocked from progress, to get into the game, she’s turning back time; remedying wrongs. She’s correcting injustice by allowing people to plant and then water their seeds. That’s game-changing on a universal level.

NM: Ava [DuVernay] is my older sister. 

LAWT: OK. Well, a nod of respect to the ancestors, you have a powerful bloodline. Please tell your parents, and their parents — well done.

NM: I will and thank you. She was in full support of us coming together. Thinking that it was a dope idea, and it’s even crazier because my grandfather worked for the Los Angeles Sentinel.

LAWT: What? We have a —

NM: Full circle moment.

LAWT: Now, can we talk about the level of industry love that ‘Two Distant Strangers’ is receiving? Details. Thoughts. Let me in, spill the good ‘T’, please.

TF: The moment that I conceived of this film, to the moment of having a cut, that I can show people, it’s one of those journeys where you are dipping your toe into a pool where a lot of people have very strong feelings and opinions about. This subject matter even amongst Black people, how to deal with [police aggression] it, how it’s dealt with in art form, all I wanted to do, I hoped to make something that resonated with people and that people could connect with in some way. And understand the message …. I would not have imagined that it’s been as big, as it is now.

LAWT: I feel you.

TF: You only hope that you create something and it has this effect on people to the point you get yourself in line with the Academy [The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences].

LAWT: Amazing, you are one of ten films that will advance in the Live Action Short Film category for the 93rd Academy Awards. One hundred seventy-four films qualified in the category. Members of the Short Films and Feature Animation Branch vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees. https://www.oscars.org/oscars/93rd-oscars-shortlists. Nervous?

NM: Humbled.

TF: Grateful. We’ve received letters, and calls, and texts from some of the biggest names in the [entertainment] industry, the biggest filmmakers in the industry telling you how much they loved your film, or that they saw your film, [how it] organically made its way to them. It’s just all stuff that we could have never even imagined. 

LAWT: Care to share a few of those that are industry fans of ‘Two Distant Strangers’ that made you go, wow?

TF: There has been a lot of amazing messages and we are grateful for them all.

LAWT: No doubt. I hear you and I am listening, but maybe share a few. 

TF: Peter Ramsey. [Academy Awards, USA 2019 Winner Oscar · BAFTA Awards 2019 Winner BAFTA Film — “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”)

LAWT: I LOVE Peter Ramsey, sorry. I hear his name and I automatically cheer. Please, continue.

TF: (laughing) Also, from Jeffrey Katzenberg, who started DreamWorks with Steven Spielberg, and Matthew Cherry [Oscar winner for the animated short ‘Hair Love’}.

LAWT: Wow. Got it. Hey, I think that I figured out why ‘Two Distant Strangers’ is causing such a stir. Want to hear?

TF/NM: Yes.

LAWT: It makes you feel. Deep down inside. It tugs at your insides and does not let you go, much like the premise of ‘Two Distant Strangers,’ it catches you and tosses you inside a loop of self-examination.

TwoDistantStrangers (@TwoDistantFilm) | Twitter

#TwoDistantStranger

YouTube Trailer: https://youtu.be/xPgf-JaWNh8

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Councilwoman Tana McCoy is not your ordinary elected official.  She has lived in Compton almost her entire life; she has raised her children here in Compton and as the grandmother of 11, she brings those grandchildren to almost every community event. Because, as she tells it, “They need to experience grassroots community service firsthand.” 

Tana McCoy has been working in and for the city for years.  Before being appointed and then elected to office over four years ago, she worked as a city employee navigating the ins and outs of daily city business and understanding and advocating for what is best for the city and those who work for the city. 

The Councilwoman got into to politics after long time Councilwoman Yvonne Arceneaux retired and the Compton City Council tagged McCoy to replace her. 

Before becoming a member of the Compton City Council, Mrs. McCoy had a long history of working in the city she loves. 

 

 

 

After serving the remaining time left on Councilwoman Arceneaux’s seat, the 3rd District overwhelming voted her in for another four years and now she is hoping to get re-affirmation on her work for another four years.

In her four years as the elected representative for Compton's 3rd District, Councilwoman McCoy says “a lot has happened, some good, some not so good.”

 

 

But she believes the city is headed in the right direction.  “I am running for re-election because I think Compton Is heading in the right direction; we have had a lot of business success and we would have seen even more had it not been for COVID.” 

Councilwoman McCoy explains that there are several major affordable and market rate housing developments planned and approved in her district. 

“If not for COVID, these developments would either be open or close to opening.  But this past year has thrown the timing of everything off.” 

 

That is why the Councilwoman hopes that her constituents will still vote for her.  Because, as she puts it, there is so much happening within the 3rd District and I just want to help get all of this to the finish line.

McCoy says her main focus is about helping and serving her the people of Compton, and whether she is an elected official, city employee or just a good neighbor, that is what her life is all about.

“I was always involved in something within the community, from providing meals for our seniors to making sure that our children have a safe place to play.” 

That is what McCoy did before she was elected and that is her mission now, only from the other side of the dais. 

She believes Compton is a wonderful city that people from the outside need to see and experience on their own.

“We have made tremendous strides in bringing services to the residents of the city. We should have new housing popping up all over my district (District #3) and as soon as we can get COVID-19 behind us, we will.

We have a new shopping center on the corner of Compton Blvd. and Central Ave., we partnered with Neighborhood Housing Services and have now created a first- time homebuyer’s program. But much of this got pushed back because of COVID. 

 

 

 

Our plans have been solid and our work has been gone; we just have not had time to see these things bare the fruit that we expected, but no one expected a pandemic either.”  All of this is about moving Compton forward; mission that McCoy does not take for granted and understands that the task is ongoing.

That is why she is out knocking on doors and campaigning to be re-elected to the Compton City Council.  When asked what will be her priorities over the next four years if re-elected.

 

 

She says her first priority is to help everyone recover from COVID.  “I opened a COVID testing center in my district, but now we need to convert that program into a vaccination program. 

 

 

 

 

I am also talking and partnering with the local churches to create a mobile vaccination program.  Some seniors and residents cannot get to the local CVS, so we need to get the vaccine to them.”  The Councilwoman says that “we have to educate everyone about the importance of getting the vaccination.”

Councilwoman McCoy thinks helping everyone get over COVID is the pathway to helping Compton find its way through the recovery.  This is not the time to bring new people in and try and figure out how to get up to speed. 

There is too much that is in place to mess around and struggle and delay the recovery process. 

That is why the Councilwoman believes she is the best person to continue guiding Council District 3 back to recovery.

“We want our economy open.  We want our parks and other social service programs back open. 

COVID recovery is the key to getting small and large businesses alike, back up and running.  This is how we get our new housing back on schedule which will drive new businesses coming to our city.” 

New rooftops equal new retail, stated Councilwoman McCoy.

 

 

The longtime Compton resident says she wants to see large major businesses come to Compton, but says she has not forgotten about the small local businesses either who are vital to Compton’s economy. 

 

 

“I am the councilmember who introduced Small Business Legislation along with the Latino Chamber to ensure that our small businesses thrive and are able to stay in business through these tough times.”

She also wants to see the city continue to rebuild the infrastructure and repair the streets in the city. 

“We promised the voters that we would repair the streets and one of my main focuses is to get this done in an efficient but timely manner.” 

 

She says jobs are also a big part of her campaign platform. 

Compton has made tremendous strides over the past four years; new businesses are popping up everywhere.  Companies like UPS have made significant investments into bringing businesses to the city and with these investments, comes jobs; quality jobs, good paying jobs that help build and strengthen families and communities. 

McCoy believes that Compton is a great place for both small businesses and big businesses alike.  Not only is UPS opening a major distribution center in the former Brickyard facility, but Compton is also opening up its first In-N-Out Burger in the city this year as well.

 

 

Councilwoman McCoy, along with her colleagues, has made significant strides in moving the city in the right direction. 

 

 

 

They have reduced the city’s $43 million-dollar deficit by almost 40%.  They are continually working to not only trim the fat from the budget but also continue the funding to provide quality services to the residence. 

 

 

 

“Safe parks and programs for our youth and support services and activities for our seniors are two of my top priorities,” said Councilwoman McCoy. 

 

As a long-standing member of Unity Christian Fellowship Church in Compton, Councilwoman McCoy has an unwavering faith that she will be successful in her bid to be re-elected to the Compton City Council. 

 

She is hopeful that as a council person or as an everyday citizen, her job will always be about serving the city and residents of Compton.

 

 The Los Angeles Sentinel and the LA Watts Times proudly endorse Councilwoman Tana McCoy for City Council (District #3).

 

 

Many political insiders and community residents in the City of Compton were surprised when Mayor Aja Brown made the decision not to seek re-election. 

While the mayor has had her critics, no one could ignore that the people who make up the Compton community, overwhelmingly voted for her in the past two elections, and most believed she was a shoe-in to win a third term.

However, Mayor Brown’s decision not to seek a third term, opened the flood-gates of interested candidates to lead the city. 

There are 10 candidates currently running in the city primary election, which is scheduled for Tuesday, April 20.

The Los Angeles Sentinel and the Los Angeles Watts Times has researched and considered each candidate very closely, and while all the candidates have a varied array of qualifications, in our opinion, there is only one candidate with the experience and understanding of various issues facing Compton, and that candidate is current Councilmember Emma Sharif.

The councilwoman has been a resident of Compton for decades, proudly raising her children and working in the community for over 20 years. No stranger to hard work, Shaif has always had a passion for education and public service.

Emma demonstrated her passion for students through her time as a public-school teacher, and a Youth Development Director in Compton. Observing the need for more qualified and dedicated teachers, she became a staunch advocate for student success and their overall well-being.

 

Sharif is no newcomer to Compton or Compton politics.  She is currently the councilmember representing Compton’s 4th District and the only candidate running for mayor with any political office experience.  She has served on the Compton School Board for over 14 years and has served on the Compton City Council for six. 

She has been involved in the implementation of a number of major Compton projects and programs and has a full grasp of the actions the city has done right and the things that the city has done wrong over the years, and believes she has the focus and vision to address these issues.

When asked about her vision for Compton and why she is running for mayor, the two-term councilmember said, “Right now, there are a lot of challenges facing our city.  Homelessness is a very serious problem that must be addressed and cannot be ignored.  We also are in the middle of a street renovation program, which has come under much scrutiny. 

So far, we have completed over $5.9 million dollars in street repairs with another $45 million to go. 

 

I understand this program; I have seen what is working and I have witnessed what is wrong, and as mayor, I believe I have a complete understanding of this program to pick up the pace of the work and get us to the finish line.”  

 

Compton is also in the midst of complying with many of the issues that were addressed in the State Controller’s audit, which needs to be completed. 

 

 

Sharif says she has the experience and understanding in these matters and can hit the ground running from day one to keep the city going and get the projects are completed. 

She believes that there is no-time for bringing the other candidates up to speed and there is certainly no time or room for moving backwards. 

 

The ideal of accomplishing goals, completing projects and programs and bringing it all into fruition, is why Emma Sharif wants to be mayor and believes she can get the job done.

Sharif has real concerns about how the city navigates through and from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.  She says like almost every city in California, revenue is way down, but the residents’ need for services are way up. 

How we address these issues is at the forefront of Sharif’s concern. 

 

She says the city needs a leader who knows there way not only around Compton City Hall, but around the County Hall of Administration, around Sacramento and even around Washington, DC.   “I am the only candidate with the experience and relationships with the other elected officials in the County, the State, and in Washington, who can deliver resources to our city.”

Sharif also acknowledges that the constant infighting within city hall, amongst her, Mayor Brown and the other council members, does not serve the city nor its residence well.  She says she wants and will be a bridge-builder.

 

“I want to change the way we conduct our business, the way we work together; that is the only way we can get things done.  I want us all to come together for the betterment of the city,” stated Councilwoman Sharif.

  

Sharif encourages the voters to look at her accomplishments and the things she has been able to get done in her district and in the city during her time as a councilmember.  

 

In looking on the city’s website, it lists her accomplishments. As a freshman councilmember, Emma was given the task of continuing and enhancing the existing scholarship program, awarding over $10,000 to the city’s scholars with the most need.

 

She has championed and supported the Collaborative Court, which was implemented at the Compton Courthouse.

 

 

She also coordinated efforts with partnering cities to address the growing concerns of human trafficking in Compton, Long Beach, Lynwood, and surrounding areas.

 

She has been leading the charge to address the growing concerns of homelessness in Compton, with partnering cities and agencies. Emma coordinated the redevelopment and renovation of South Park to include: (Phase I completed 2016) renovated outdoor basketball courts, renovated youth baseball field, a new playground sponsored by a grant from the KaBoom Foundation, and new site furnishings. (Phase II completed in 2018) new outdoor restroom, walking trail, exercise equipment stations, and security lighting.

 

Emma’s strong community ties and independent thinking led to a strategic and systematic effort in cleaning up the city.

 

As councilperson for the 4th District, Emma serves on the following committees: Southern California Associations of Government (SCAG) District 26 Regional Council Representative, SCAG Energy and Environment Committee, League of California Cities on the Governance Transparency and Labor Relations Policy committee, Gateway Cities Council of Governments (COG) Committee on Homelessness and Board of Directors on the Independent Cities Finance Authority (ICFA). 

 

Emma Sharif holds a Bachelor’s Degree in political science / sociology and a Master’s degree in public administration. California Cities on the Governance Transparency and Labor Relations Policy committee, Gateway Cities Council of Governments (COG) Committee on Homelessness and Board of Directors on the Independent Cities Finance Authority (ICFA).

Emma also holds membership with the following organizations: National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), National Women’s Political Caucus (NWPC), Martin Luther King Democratic Club (MLKCLUB), New Frontier Democratic Club (NFDC), and Progressive Democratic Club.

Councilwoman Emma Sharif is dedicated to addressing quality of life issues, government transparency, and equality for all residents in Compton and its neighboring cities.

The councilwoman can always be found in and around the community, visiting seniors, attending school events, speaking at graduations, to attending neighborhood block parties and club meetings. Councilwoman Sharif proudly represents Compton, and is eager to build relationships with other city and council as well as State and Federal Legislative Leaders.