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VERONICA'S VIEW: The Light in Darkness
*Filmmaker Pamela Wilson has unearthed a treasure chest of talent in the most unlikely place – skid row.
One of those treasures is musical prodigy Nathaniel Ayes who studied at Juilliard School. Nathaniel is now homeless and lives on skid row.
He suffers from schizophrenia, yet plays his cello and violin on the streets of skid row eloquently. Nathaniel is featured extensively in her upcoming documentary, which is currently in post-production.
Nathaniel is also the subject of a soon to be released feature film about his life by DreamWorks called the “Soloist,” starring Jamie Fox.
It was serendipitous that Pamela met Nathaniel two years ago. And its amazing that she has cultivated an endearing and lasting friendship with him - despite his illness - making them a “daring duet” I hope you enjoy this presentation of “A Light in Darkness.”
It was a perfect Southern California, summer evening.
The heat wave was finally breaking and there was a gentle breeze blowing through the air as the sun began to set in the West.
Looking out over the city from the rooftop of the historic landmark Firehouse 23 on what locals call the “Nickel” – because it is on 5th Street – felt like a slice of heaven. And the eclectic downtown Los Angeles skyline twinkled against the darkening skies, as city lights switched on in a hypnotic syncopation. Dusk was drawing to an end.
It a was perfect time and place for a party, too. There were a number of folks who gathered anxiously on that rooftop bearing gifts and song, waiting for the festivities to begin.
They were all looking their best. Shirts were pressed. Shoes were shined. Hair was in perfect place.
This was the party of their lives.
And not just any party. It was Pamela Wilson’s 50th birthday party. Of all the posh and swanky places she could have celebrated this once in a life time moment, “Miss Chiffon cut on the Bias,” -- as she often calls herself – chose to spend her 50th birthday with nearly forty of her new found friends who call skid row home, literally.
Pamela is a producer, director and cinematographer. For the past seven months she donned dungarees while traversing the darkness of skid row, only to uncover its bright light. Through the lens of her camera she has captured the light that illuminates a wealth of extraordinary artists, vocalists, poets and musicians who exist against the backdrop of depravity and sometimes death which are an endemic part of skid row life. Her full-length documentary entitled “The Light in Darkness” will be a rare opportunity to see the brilliance she says radiates from downtown’s core.
“The backdrop may be skid row, and there is no way to do a story about this community without seeing its grit and images of humanity in the worst possible condition imaginable,” explained Pamela. “But in this film you will see the principals surviving within the bane of darkness with the light of their art. You will hear their voices and their stories and you will see they are so much like us because they are us.”
Pamela said it took her awhile to gain the trust of this tight knit community. They complained of feeling exploited by the array of folks who point the lens of their cameras at them during their most unguarded and humiliating moments. So instead of crouching in the shadows and stealing the shot, she asked them if she could take their pictures. They willing agreed.
“I began to understand how they felt and soon realized that just like in the Wild West, only a coward would shoot a man with his back turned,” Pamela said. “I wanted to give them something many take from them, and that is respect.”
After logging in incalculable hours with the residents of skid row, they took Pamela into their inner circle. There she found an enclave of artisans and skid row advocates who labor daily to hold on to their sense dignity and semblance of humanity through their art. “The Light in Darkness” focuses the aperture on the maligned residents of downtown Los Angeles. Their remarkable talent and unwavering passion is highlighted as the lifeline of their existence in this film, juxtaposed to the wave of urban gentrification that threatens to displace them.
The party was amazing, one I will never forget.
The musicians, vocalists, and poets helped Pamela celebrate her 50th birthday in high style with an array of original works they performed that night, serenading her with well wishes and love. Pamela was emotional and visibly moved as they expressed their appreciation to her for treating them with honor and respect during her seven-month odyssey on skid row.
But the real work was about to begin. And Pamela’s new friends knew that this party was also her adieu so she could begin the post production phase of her feature documentary. The separation anxiety for both parties was beginning to settle in before the night came to and end. It was clear their lives had been changed.
“I feel incredibly blessed that these wonderful souls have let me come into their world. This has been a spiritual awakening. Their stories of hardship and courage have deeply humbled me,” reflected Pamela. “By going into the darkness, I have found a beacon of light in this place. I now know my purpose in doing this project is to help their light shine.”
To find out more information about this film or how you can get involved with the post- production phase of this project, email Pamela Wilson at pamela@road2passion.com.
Veronica Hendrix is a syndicated journalist and columnist whose work has covered the span of the human continuum - from clinical trials of male contraceptives, to the gang violence. She is the producer of the highly acclaimed half hour talk show called "LA Woman," which airs on L.A. City View Channel 35, and is a Los Angeles Emmy nominated producer. Veronica's career as a journalist has included being a reporter for USA Today and a producer for a radio talk show in Los Angeles, which focused on issues impacting the African American Family. Veronica is a proud native of Southern California where she lives with her two sons.
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