Mr. Somebody

A former Crip gang member searches for peace after 14 years behind bars.

This Tribeca 2020 short documentary tells the story of Bam, a former Crip gang member from South Central, Los Angeles. Having spent most of his early years in and out of prison, Bam is now entering middle age, picking up the pieces of his life and reassessing what has come of his dreams. 

Opening a window into a Black community in Watts, Los Angeles, MR SOMEBODY shows a side of America fraught with pain, privation, and the challenges of violence and mass incarceration. For those growing up in Watts there are few narrative alternatives to the well-worn paths of generational gang culture, broken families, and institutional discrimination.

In the Imperial Courts housing projects—and greater South Central—MR SOMEBODY is a story that many in the community can relate to. The film serves as a testament to the youth of America’s inner-cities, and a reminder to those living under more prosperous circumstances that America still has a long way to go to make good on her promises.

Directed by Brian Wertheim, the film was shot over the course of two years in Los Angeles, CA.

CREDITS
Directed/Edited/Written by: Brian Wertheim
Starring: Jerome "Bam" Blackburn
Produced by: Two Sons / People People Media / Jared Callahan / Jonathan Pickett
Executive Producer: Anthony Grimes
Cinematography: J Lambert
Additional Cinematography and Super 8: Brian Wertheim
Production Assistant: Sarra Ibrahim
Original Music: Jared Fry
Additional Music: Bobby Ivory and Keith Kenniff
Consulting Editor: David Kitay
Rerecording Mixer/Sound Design: Phil McGowan
Title Design: Blake McDivitt
Copy Writer: Menashe David Israel

To The Muse

Bound by fear and led by the whisper of his muse, a young Cuban musician discovers the power of forgiveness as the key to his creative freedom. In order to forgive, he must first venture on a sobering journey of self-discovery, exploring the pain of broken relationships, the fear of his uncertain and changing future, and his desire to break free from a culture nuanced in tradition.

Production Crew
Written & Directed by: Jacob Lambert Brooks
Produced by: Jacob Lambert Brooks, Stephen Sellers, Brett Rezek, Anthony Grimes
Director of Photography: Jacob Lambert Brooks
Location Sound: Stephen Sellers
Original Music: Jared Michael Fry
Cellist: Justin Lepard

Magical Machines

Director: Scotty Ligertwood
Director of Photography: Jacob Lambert Brooks
Art Direction: The Future Forward, Scotty Ligertwood
Editor: Andrew Strelecki
Lighting & Grip: Adam Genzink
Camera Assistant: Brian Wertheim

Psychosocial

Music video by Brooke Fraser performing Psychosocial. (C) 2014 Sony Music Entertainment New Zealand Limited

Director: Scotty Ligertwood
Director of Photography: Jacob Lambert Brooks
Art Direction: The Future Forward, Scotty Ligertwood
Editor: Andrew Strelecki
Lighting & Grip: Adam Genzink
Camera Assistant: Brian Wertheim