Miss Ella
In the tradition of blockbuster telefilms Mama Flora´s Family and Alex Haley´s Queen, Miss Ella is a fascinating parable of two sisters whose intertwining lives lead to tragedy.
Based on the true events of the screenwriter´s own family, Miss Ella tells the compelling life story of the struggles and triumphs of a young African-American widow in early 20th century Alabama as she tries to raise her six children amidst poverty, bullets and prejudice. Though Ella is honest, hard-working and determined, life nevertheless proves to be a dramatic struggle in a Southern town where wrong and right are often literally black and white. Ella´s life is further complicated, and contrasted, by her sister Rose, a vain and self-centered woman who courts trouble and, ultimately, tragedy down at the local blues joint.
Miss Ella, which was selected for the IFP Screenwriters Lab and was a Chesterfield semi-finalist, is perfect for Black History Month as it's not only a historical African-American story, but also it's a celebration of family. In fact, its development is rooted in knowing one's own family history. Miss Ella is based on the book of the same name written by the screenwriter´s father, Terry F. Culpepper, about his grandmother. He has traveled the country encouraging the African-American community to research their family history.
A Single Rose is a short film based on Miss Ella that centers on the character of Rose. If you are interested in viewing A Single Rose, reading the script or would like to order the book, please contact us.
Based on the true events of the screenwriter´s own family, Miss Ella tells the compelling life story of the struggles and triumphs of a young African-American widow in early 20th century Alabama as she tries to raise her six children amidst poverty, bullets and prejudice. Though Ella is honest, hard-working and determined, life nevertheless proves to be a dramatic struggle in a Southern town where wrong and right are often literally black and white. Ella´s life is further complicated, and contrasted, by her sister Rose, a vain and self-centered woman who courts trouble and, ultimately, tragedy down at the local blues joint.
Miss Ella, which was selected for the IFP Screenwriters Lab and was a Chesterfield semi-finalist, is perfect for Black History Month as it's not only a historical African-American story, but also it's a celebration of family. In fact, its development is rooted in knowing one's own family history. Miss Ella is based on the book of the same name written by the screenwriter´s father, Terry F. Culpepper, about his grandmother. He has traveled the country encouraging the African-American community to research their family history.
A Single Rose is a short film based on Miss Ella that centers on the character of Rose. If you are interested in viewing A Single Rose, reading the script or would like to order the book, please contact us.