Baby of the Family Screenplay, Crew Ready to Roll

Director, Jonee Ansa, an American Film Institute Fellow, has completed the adaptation of the screenplay for Baby of the Family. The film version of Baby of the Family is based on the 1999 New York Times Notable Book of the Year by Tina McElroy Ansa ("Ugly Ways," "The Hand I Fan With" and "You Know Better"). http://www.tinamcelroyansa.com/ Ansas first novel is likable from beginning to end. (She) tells a good quirky story, and she tells it with humor, grace and great respect for the power of the particulars. -New York Times Book Review

DownSouth Filmworks is in preparation to produce it's movie titled Baby of the Family. The script has been completed and the Company is now in the process of entertaining prospective investors.

Baby of the Family Synopsis.

From the moment of her birth in a rural black hospital in Georgia, Lena McPherson is recognized by all the nurses as a special child, one with the power to see ghosts and predict the future. Only Nurse Bloom knows the spells to ensure that the child will see benevolent spirits, not evil ones, but she hasnt bargained for Lenas mother, who scoffs at old-timey ideas" and discreetly disposes of the special tea the nurse has brewed. No ill effects are immediately apparent to Lenas relatives in their spacious house on the prosperous side of town. But early on there are a signs of trouble, and Lena is prey to suspicions no one else need consider: a new face maybe a new kid in town-or it may be a face from the grave.

From a special little girl, Lena grows into an especially fearful adolescent. Ultimately, she must accept that those she loves can give her love and nothing more and that she must find her own, uncertain way.

Cylk Cozart (Jonah McPherson)
Salli Richardson (Nelli McPherson)
Ruby Dee (Grandmother McPherson)
Pam Grier (Mrs. Williams)
Alfre Woodard (Rachel)
Sheryl Lee Ralph (Mamie)
Loretta Devine (Delores)
Vanessa Williams (Gloria)
Nykki L. Starr (The Bad Ghost)
Tonea Stewart (Miss Bessie Mae)
Vernee Watson-Johnson (Sarah's Mother)
Todd Bridges (Ted)
William Diehl (Jukebox Man)

Commited Crew include:

Christopher Bernal (Director of Photography)
Natalie McCrae (Art Director)
Nathan Effron (Visual Effects Producer)
Hitoshi Inoue (Visual Effect Supervisor)
Patrice Rushen (Composer)
William Diehl (Script Consultant)

Location scouting in Macon, Georgia, permitting, extra casting, story boards and art direction are all completed. The project is to be the first feature film under The Honarable C. Jack Ellis, Mayor Macon, Georgia's Music & Film Commission. The film is budgeted at 2 million.

Please email the film's producer James Dawson at: jkrewe2@aol.com