As an emerging screenwriter and producer for both television and film, Ericka Nicole Malone decided to use Sundance 2020 as a reintroduction of her natural talent and writing ability to the world and thus hosted the Indie Director’s Spotlight at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City. She shared her experience of writing, directing, producing and staging over 9 plays before getting into creating work for the screen.
The event was presented by Powerful-U, and had an ‘invite-only’ clause. The industry members present included Jen Ponton (Orange Is the New Black), Shondrella Avery (Napoleon Avery), David Lipper (Full House/Fuller House), Naomi Grossman (American Horror Story), Erica Gimpel (Slyvie’s Love), Louis Lombardi (24/Doughboys) among others, who enjoyed an appreciation brunch and filmmaker panel moderated by Denver Robbins of the Brute Squad. This panel consisted of Ericka Nicole Malone (CEO of Ericka Nicole Malone Entertainment), Powerful-U Creator/ Director James Purpura and Sundance alumni Matty Rich.
As host and head panelist, Ericka Nicole Malone shared her career catapulted a playwright writing, directing and producing over nine stage plays including, her hit touring musical stage play ‘In Love With Tyrone;‘ ascension into screenwriting was as Creator and Executive Producer of the television sitcom pilot, ‘Ward of the State,’ her newest work a one-hour TV Drama ‘Della;‘ and upcoming film optioned by acclaimed Producer Tracey Edmonds’ production company, Edmonds Entertainment, ‘Pure and Meaningful Heart’ — The Mamie Till Story. Now emerging as a Screenwriter and Producer for both television and film, Ericka Nicole Malone is reintroducing her innate talent and writing ability to the world.
“I launched The Indie Directors Spotlight 2020 to introduce the Sun-dance community to a few of the talented directors, their independent short films, and to premier the Ericka Nicole Malone Entertainment brand. The launch was spectacular and gave an insightful look at some of the talented, independent filmmaker projects set to screen this year. The room was filled with so much energy and anticipation of these new and innovative projects. And it gave the audience a chance to get to know me on a personal level and to share my vision as a Screenwriter, Producer, and Director. Counting the days until next year!” – Ericka Nicole Malone
The Indie Director’s Spotlight showcased Director James Purpura’s ‘Perception: Seeing is Not Believing’ and Director Matty Rich ‘Cure’ which was followed by a Q&A session.
James Purpura’s ‘Perception: Seeing is Not Believing’ is a film about human journey that introduces the audience about how lives turn out is determined by only a handful of key ideas- Perception, Emotion, and Evolution. The audience found it to be a heart wrenching and beautifully done modern day survival against all odds’ human story. Guided by various teachers ranging from Neuroscientists to Therapists, even Influencers and Celebrities, real-life examples and data are exposed on how to harness the power of these concepts. All of us can transform our lives by evolving our perception.
On the other hand, Matty Rich’s Cure is a short film about a top-secret U.S government task force who sets out to capture and perform scientific studies on an African American boy who was born with miraculous healing powers. It was seen as a cross between ‘The Sixth Sense’ and ‘The Green Mile.’