ANOTHER WAY
Short Film
Project Type: Short Film
Project Status: Pre-Production
Executive Producer: Ashley Nicole Williams
Director of Photography: Ian Lipton
Assistant Director: Kalai Barlow
Production Designer: Carine Tredgold
Locations Manager/Local Casting/Translator: Lewis Nlovu
Wardrobe Stylist: Nicky Connolly
Director's Assistant: Elle Caro Young
LOGLINE
In the midst of district-wide water cuts, a 12-year-old boy in Zimbabwe accidentally falls into a pile of mud, setting him off on a journey to simply find a way to take a shower before his very first date.
SYNOPSIS
ANOTHER WAY is a Hero’s journey + slice-of-life story + adventure/trekking film, as this a young boy named MOTION continues to find one way after another to keep moving forward.
Once Motion realizes his water is cut off, he goes to his best friend KIZZY's house to see if his is cut off too. Once they realize it is, the two of them set off to get water from the local well.
Once they realize the well is dry, they devise a plan to borrow a dollar from a local vendor to take a Kombi (taxi) across town to his Mom's job, where he is certain to get the help he needs. Once he has the dollar and the Kombi refuses to let him on, he hitches a ride on the Kombi's trailer attached to the back. Once the Kombi’s tire pops, he must continue on foot, but at least he sees flowers growing out of the ground that he can bring to the girl he likes once this adventure ends.
Motion reaches his mom's job, but he's too late... she's already left for the day, and the doors to her job are locked. A woman working next door sees the frustrated child, and after a short conversation, offers him her water bottle to get cleaned up - but only after he sprints back to his side of town. While Motion sprints home, a huge smile on his face, he passes an old man lying on a tree who is struggling in the heat due to dehydration. Displeased, Motion unwantedly lets the old man drink some of his water... but the old man drinks it all.
By the end of the film, despite the journey that Motion has gone on to turn his day around, ultimately and unfortunately he could not change what was out of his control and shows up to his date still covered in mud.
While his crush, ZANI, is kind about it, she decides to go off with her friends instead, saying that “maybe” they could try one day again... maybe.
MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT
In Zimbabwe, there are government-sanctioned water cuts and power cuts. In 2024, after wrapping filming on my Netflix series ONE PIECE, I took a trip to my costar/close friend (and now producer) Daniel Lasker’s hometown, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and experienced a district-wide power cut that lasted a few days. I was in complete awe of the locals, who were seemingly unaffected by it. "No power? Oh well, let's light the candles, invite friends over, and eat what we can." I was inspired by them, and immediately wanted to find a way to help.
Then, after visiting a local orphanage called ZIMKIDS and meeting the loveliest children with the biggest smiles despite their circumstances, I finally had the story that made my heart sing.
This story of a kid... just trying to be a kid, despite the circumstances that he was given. A story of resilience, relatable to anyone around the world who has ever done all that they can do to turn their day around.
The theme of the film is: one may do all they can to change their life, but one can only go so far without the help of others. And that is exactly why we have partnered with ZimKids to make this film, and one of the kids supported by the orphange will be making his acting debut as our leading role.
VISUAL REFERENCES
Meet The Filmmakers
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CAMRUS JOHNSON
Director/Writer
A true multi-hyphenate, Camrus Johnson directed the television movie REAL LOVE for Mary J. Blige/SONY, adapted the novel HIDE & SEEKER into a Black List-selected feature script titled THE SEEKER, wrote and sold a sci-fi drama feature to Amazon Studios, was sought out to direct an animated feature for Netflix, and won over 30 awards & nominations for his three short films - including the inaugural 2023 Amplify Award win through the Sundance Film Festival/Windrider Institute for GRAB MY HAND: A LETTER TO MY DAD and an NAACP Image Award Nomination for his Tribeca World-Premiered & Produced short SHE DREAMS AT SUNRISE.
Camrus not only starred as the male lead 'Batwing/Luke Fox' in 3 seasons of the CW series BATWOMAN but also directed episode 311. He is now widely recognized as the fan-favorite villain 'MR. 5' in Season 2 of Netflix's global phenomenon ONE PIECE (the highly successful Live-Action adaptation of the longest-running anime & manga of all time, recently named the #1 english-speaking television series on the globe), voiced the role of 'Prince Agloval' in Netflix's animated feature THE WITCHER: SIRENS OF THE DEEP, and both director-shadowed & made a cameo in The Russo Brothers’ Netflix epic feature film THE ELECTRIC STATE.
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DANIEL LASKER
Producer
Zimbabwean actor and filmmaker Daniel Lasker directed the first Ndebele Sci-Fi film in Zimbabwe called “The Signal”, and it went on to win multiple awards at international film festivals. During his time growing up in Zimbabwe there wasn't an active film industry, so he taught himself how to make his own films, which over time became well-received by the Zimbabwean community and audiences around the world. His acting credits include the global hit series “One Piece” on Netflix, “Raised By Wolves” on HBO Max, “Noughts & Crosses” on BBC One, and “London Calling”.
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IAN LIPTON
Cinematographer
Ian Lipton is a Los Angeles-based cinematographer and director known for bold, cinematic visual storytelling. His work has garnered millions of views, spanning music videos and experimental documentaries for major artists such as THE MARIAS and SABA, as well as award-winning documentary features shot across South Africa, demonstrating his distinctive ability to create surreal, painterly visuals.
Whether crafting intimate verité moments or stylized narrative sequences, Ian brings a sophisticated sensibility to dramatic storytelling. His approach blurs the boundaries between documentary observation, fashion film, and art piece.
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ASHLEY NICOLE WILLIAMS
Executive Producer
A dynamic and versatile performer, Ashley Nicole Williams is quickly emerging as one of the entertainment industry's brightest young talents. Ashley is most known for her role as 'Abigail Bellweather' on the Freeform series, "Motherland: Fort Salem" which premiered in March 2020 and aired 3 seasons. A native of Dallas, Texas, Ashley booked her role on "Motherland: Fort Salem" while still attending Baylor University, where she graduated on-time with a degree in Film & Digital Media in May of 2020. Acting since age 5, Ashley has maintained her passion for writing, filmmaking and movie production, as well as acting for more than 20 years. She aspires to become a triple threat, with plans to write and direct her own films, as well as act in them. She is the Founder of “Mad Dash Productions”, a company excited to engage in every aspect of storytelling.
Your Help
ANOTHER WAY is a fiscally sponsored project of Cinematography for Actors, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your donation will be tax-deductible!