The Art of The Visit: Storyboards & Production Design

Pre-visual concept art, storyboards and post production color and lighting FX for our award winning short film 'The Visit'. All concept art was hand drawn by writer, director Paul V. Grant.

The film is now available for streaming on Vimeo and YouTube.

Additional streaming platforms will be announced soon! www.ascenderfilms.com/thevisit #previsuals #storyboards #conceptart #style #vision #productiondesign #productiondesigner #paulvgrant #lighting #lightingdesign #drama #bts #filmart #directing #storytelling #production #camera #harriettubman #frederickdouglass #conceptartist #film #shortfilm #filmmaking #ascenderfilms #avidmedia #borisfx

by AscenderCreative

Ascender Communications commemorates 10th year East of the Anacostia River with 'Celebrate Southeast DC' merchandise collection

Our company company is releasing an exclusive brand and collection of merchandise to commemorate our 10th year of being located East of the Anacostia River, in Southeast DC. Celebrate Southeast DC is an online store with premium athletic and street wear that celebrates the best of communities in SEDC and beyond. Our goal is simply to show love back to the community that embraced our family and our business. See for yourself at www.celebratesoutheastdc.com

by AscenderCreative

Limited Edition Framed Giclee Print From 'THE VISIT'

"Harriet's Approach" Framed, Still Image Accepted into Collection of Harriet Tubman Museum & Educational Center

Exclusive Print "Harriet's Approach" Donated to Harriet Tubman Museum and Educational Center

On Saturday, June 25th we were honored to have this framed, giclee print titled ‘Harriet’s Approach’, a still image from our film ‘The Visit,’ accepted into the collection of the Harriet Tubman Museum and Education Center in Cambridge, MD. It’s depicts Tubman, standing before a massive plantation home. It’s symbolizes the long struggle for women and people of color against massive systems of social, economic, and political power. The Ascender team attended a hike through historic Thompson plantation where Harriet Tubman was enslaved and co-hosted a screening of our award winning film “The Visit” at the museum, later that afternoon.

It was truly a remarkable day, learning about and discussing our shared American history. Thanks to all who joined us in Cambridge, MD for the morning hike/tour of the former Thompson plantation (where Harriet Tubman was enslaved) and our film screening at the museum!

#filmart #filmstill #limitedediton #giclee #prints #gicleeprint #art #artwork #film #indiefilm #women #filmmaking #justice #interpretative #history #community #museum #ascenderfilmsinc

by AscenderCreative

"The Visit" Wins 'Best Short' Award After World Premiere at 2022 North Carolina Black Film Festival

Our short film "The Visit" earned top prize in the short film category at the 17th Annual North Carolina Black Film Festival (NCBFF) on Sunday, March 27th. The film had it's world premiere at the Hannah Block Historic USO Building/Community Arts Center in downtown Wilmington, NC. Director Paul Grant and Producer Tracey Grant were present at the screening and convened a post screening Q&A with the standing room only crowd. The juried film festival was sponsored by the Black Arts Alliance of Wilmington. Their mission is 'to serve as a multidisciplinary vehicle for the advancement of African-American arts and culture, the Black Arts Alliance serves as an advocate for arts and artists, nurtures emerging and veteran artistic talent, and develops new works in the performing, visual, and literary arts.' The NCBFF screened dozens of films by African American filmmakers over three days and closed with an Award ceremony at the Cameron Art Museum. Mroe screenings and festival dates to come!

by AscenderCreative

Rising Above The Smoke (Virtual Symposium, 2021)

RISING ABOVE THE SMOKE

(Virtual Symposium / Webinar, 2021)

Ascender supported The Colorado Black Health Collaborative by producing this 4-hour virtual conference featuring dynamic presenters and virtual activities to deepen the community’s understanding and advocacy for why eliminating the sale of menthol tobacco is a social justice issue in the Black community. 200 people joined the virtual event from all across the country, including many longstanding, renowed public health experts and advocates.

The Anatomy of A Social Justice Issue (Intro Video)

RISING ABOVE THE SMOKE

Flavor Academy: Dr. Terri Richardson and Dr Valerie Yerger

Dr. Terri Richardson and Dr Valerie Yerger discuss how major corporations have targeted the sale of menthol tobacco on African American communities.

Tobacco Policy Panel

Mr. Austin Collins facilitates a very informative tobacco policy panel with guest speakers Naomi Amaha, Natasha Phelps and Bob Doyle.

Rising Above the Smoke : Former Smokers Speak about their Cessation Process

Ms. Emma Jackson is a Denver resident, CBHC coalition member and a former smoker.

RISING ABOVE THE SMOKE: JIM PAVLIK ON STEPS TO SMOKING CESSATION

Mr. Jim Pavlik shares the steps to smoking cessation.

RISING ABOVE THE SMOKE: Dr. Rhonda Coleman, DAOM, Discusses a brief history of alternative clinical treatments for smoking cessation.

Jonathan Miles explains the Colorado QUITLINE

Jonathan Miles explains how the Colorado QUITLINE supports smoking cessation.

by AscenderCreative

Ascender Creates Main Title and Motion Design Sequences for 'The Breakdown' Digital Series on BET+

'THE BREAKDOWN ON BET+'

(Main Title Design, Editing, Motion Graphics)

Ascender Films is proud to have supported main title design, animation and motion graphics for the new BET+ digtal series 'The Breakdown', released in April 2021. Each episiode of the four episodes takes a deeper dive into lesser known aspects of African American history and culture from an African-centered viewpoint. The show was created by executive producers Len Burnett and Darnley Hodge and it was hosted by comedian Klarity.