ADVERSE EFFECTS
Narrative Feature
Project Type: Narrative Feature
Project Status: Development
Director: Michael Carnick
Co-Producers: Artak Pictures
Producer: Kirk Roos, Chelsea Fenton
Project Email: artakpictures@gmail.com
LOGLINE
A pregnant woman and her undocumented mother are forced to work together and mend their relationship during a confrontation with immigration enforcement.
SYNOPSIS
Fernanda & Sofia are a Mexican American mother and daughter who struggle to see eye to eye. And with a child on the way, Sofia’s relationship with her mother continues to strain. Suddenly, their entire future is thrown into question as two ICE Agents confront them, forcing Fernanda into cuffs.
As the situation intensifies, Sofia & Fernanda must mend their relationship and learn how to work together in order to keep each other safe. With powerful performances from a talented cast, “Viviana” is a gripping tale that showcases the power of community and the strength found through unity.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT ABOUT THE PROJECT
Viviana touches upon multiple topics from immigration, enforcement, cultural differences, Mother-Daughter relationships, community, and individual power. Ultimately though, Viviana is about unity.
The thematic statement is that strength is found in community. A message that I believe is universal and important to recognize in this day and age. It’s displayed throughout the whole film.
Sofia and Fernanda have a fractured relationship, but through learning how to work together, they survive a horrific experience that could’ve completely changed the trajectory of their lives. They couldn’t have survived without the unity and support of the community, standing up for them despite the gravity of it all. You also see how a lack of unity can affect things with the two immigration enforcement agents butting heads and eventually crumbling from the pressure.
Ultimately, I believe that I’m right for this project because it has directly affected those around me. I have friends who have had encounters with immigration enforcement. I have extended family who have self-deported because of what’s happening. I know others who would get deported if they were around immigration enforcement. I live with the fear every day that I’ll get a phone call or text about someone I know and love.
It’s very easy for people to ignore what’s going on. Ignorance is bliss. But I want to make something that people can’t ignore. That people can’t look away from. I want to use my talent and art to do something greater than me, even if no one else will.
Meet The Filmmakers
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Michael Carnick
Director
In 2018, Michael wrote and directed the independent TV pilot “Manny Fantasma”, which premiered at the Santa Monica Film Festival that year, garnering the Emerging Director Award. It has since screened at over a dozen festivals worldwide, picking up several awards, including the Los Angeles Film Awards' Best Web/TV Pilot. The following year, Michael directed the feature length drama “The Forbidden Wish", starring Sammi Rotibi (Django Unchained) and Johnny Berchtold (Gaslit). It was distributed by Conduit Now in 2021, available on Amazon and other major streaming platforms.Michael was born with a rare physical disability which confines him to an electric wheelchair. His work is often centered around the themes of disability awareness and the human experience of being a minority. He often highlights disability, LGBTQ+, and race inequality using empathy and deep self reflection of the human spirit.
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Kirk Roos
Producer
Originally from North Dakota, Kirk has been working in film and TV for 25 years, starting as an actor, then writing and producing. He has a passion for finding unique NEW VOICES. Roos is the founder of Northern Lights Films, Badlands Features and Heartstrings Media Capital (HMC) and newly launched, Streamline Pictures.
At HMC, Roos is part of a team building a library of independent content. He recently produced/acted in SANTA’S COUSIN (Eric Roberts and Jonathan Stoddard), which shot in New Mexico, where he plans to film ADVERSE EFFECT. Some of HMC’s other titles coming soon include: GUARDIANS (Eric Roberts), HISTORY OF WESTERN SWING and BREWMANCE.
Some of his past producing credits include: 3 DAYS WITH DAD (Brian Dennehy, Tom Arnold, Lesley Ann Warren and JK Simmons), THE BRASS TEAPOT (Juno Temple and Michael Angarano), directed by Ramaa Mosley, Voltage Picture’s BEDEVILED, (Saxon Sharbino), directed by Nicholl Fellow winners, The Vang Brothers, HIGH ROAD, (Dylan O’Brien, Ed Helms and Lizzy Caplan), and A BETTER YOU, (Brian Huskey and Erinn Hayes), both directed by actor Matt Walsh, PAINKILLERS (Colm Feore), which Roos also co-wrote. Roos is also actively writing and developing new materials of his own and for clients. He is also acting in BREWMANCE this spring, directed by Keagan Karnes. Kirk has directed documentaries AMERICAN HERRO (PBS) and GOLD BLOODED (Amazon), and was a Co-EP on Discovery Channel’s GOLD RUSH: WHITE WATER and BROTHERS IN BLUES: JIMMIE AND STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN, distributed by HMC/Heartstrings.
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Chelsea Fenton
Producer
Chelsea is a Canadian-American Producer and Line Producer. A member of the Producers Guild of America, Chelsea was born in Toronto, raised in Dubai, and is now based in Los Angeles.
To date, Chelsea has produced nine feature films, multiple short films, music videos, and branded content, with budgets ranging from $50,000 to $5,000,000. She has successfully navigated production logistics such as working with a bear, cast/crews of 200+ people, aerial filming with helicopters, and working within various states to acquire tax credits and rebates towards production. In addition to producing, she has an extensive background in production management and support.
Her feature film credits include “Namaslay” currently in production, the documentary feature “Sacred Soil: The Piney Woods School Story”, which premiered on Hulu in February 2024 (Hulu Original/ESPN+), upcoming narrative feature “Grizzly Night” starring Brec Bassinger, Charles Esten and Jack Griffo, “The Mattachine Family” starring Nico Tortorella, Emily Hampshire and Heather Matarazzo (Outfest, Seattle International Film Festival, Frameline), along with “MFA” (SXSW World Premiere) starring Francesca Eastwood and Clifton Collins Jr., and “Café Americano” (Virginia Film Festival). She has multiple features currently in development.
Chelsea has also produced for companies such as BuzzFeed, Funny or Die, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not, in addition to production managing for Annapurna Interactive’s “Telling Lies”, who’s leading actor Logan Marshall-Green received a BAFTA Nomination. Chelsea has also worked on multiple music videos, including “Run It” with DJ Snake, Rick Ross and Rich Brian, which was released in tandem with Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Chelsea continues to champion projects that capture unique perspectives through a lens of entertainment.
ARTAK PICTURES
Co-Producers
ARTAK PICTURES is a collective and a production company owned and managed by women working in entertainment. The founders, Floriane, Marianne, Yessi and Nina started the company in 2021. Coming from France, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg, they represent the young and innovative European Generation.
The company bridges continents by developing projects that resonate globally, fostering connections between the United States and Europe. Founded on the belief that diversity and inclusivity are essential for creating impactful and compelling stories, the company was born from a collective desire to empower and amplify the voices of women in the film industry. They are committed to championing female filmmakers, storytellers, and artists and pave the way for a more comprehensive and diverse cinematic landscape.
Their latest work includes the feature film "Wish You Were Here" distributed by Universal and directed by Julia Stiles, and "I Live Here Now" distributed by Utopia and directed by Julie Pacino.
Your Help
ADVERSE EFFECTS is a fiscally sponsored project of Cinematography for Actors, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your donation will be tax-deductible!