Dr. Richard Antoine White
BALTIMORE - The award-winning Baltimore filmmakers of Early Light Media announced the launch of a crowdfunding campaign to support the completion of their latest Invisible Thread passion project series, R.A.W. - >From Destitute to Doctorate. The film is a powerful short documentary, chronicling the story of Dr. Richard White, and his remarkable journey from being a homeless child in Baltimore to making history as the first African American to receive a Doctorate in Music of Tuba Performance.
Growing up in the neighborhood of Sandtown, West Baltimore, Dr. Richard Antoine White (R.A.W.) was known as the “shoe-less, snot-nosed kid.” He slept on the sidewalk and ate from trash cans. After he was found sleeping alone in a building, he was legally adopted by his grandparents. He discovered a love for music in the eighth grade and decided to audition for the Baltimore School for the Arts (BSA), with nothing but an old sousaphone as his instrument. BSA Director Dr. Chris Ford saw something in White and he was given a spot. He was mentored by supportive teachers at both Baltimore School for the Arts and then the prestigious Peabody Institute, where he studied under long-time Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Tubist, David Fedderly. On the advice of Fedderly, White traveled was accepted to Indiana University one of the most challenging music programs in the country to continue his studies, where he received both his Masters and Doctoral degrees in Tuba. He currently holds the position of Principal Tubist with the New Mexico Philharmonic and is a professor at the University of New Mexico.
Darren Durlach and David Larson, the co-founders of Early Light Media and directors of R.A.W., are passionate about making films about inspirational figures through their Invisible Thread series of short documentaries. Early Light Media’s first Invisible Thread film, Throw, was the recipient of multiple awards, including a Capitol NATAS Emmy Award (2017), Webby Award (2017), Mountainfilm Director’s Choice Award (2016), Vimeo staff pick (2016), and multiple film festival selections across the country. It has been viewed millions of times across television, Internet and live screenings.
“After just a few minutes speaking with Richard about his story, we knew we had to make a film,” said Larson. “Dr. White has a rare talent, but he was also fortunate to be mentored by the educators at Baltimore School for the Arts, who were passionate about seeing him succeed.”
“It’s a message we really hope that Baltimore youth, and young people everywhere, have a chance to hear,” added Durlach. “We want this film to be seen by as many people as possible, but it takes some investment.”
The targeted limited release date of R.A.W. for film festivals and private screenings is January 2019 with a wider distribution later in the year. If they can achieve their goal, the funds raised from the crowdfunding campaign will cover the cost of production, equipment, travel, crew, permitting, talent fees (young Richard), editing, color grading, sound design, mastering, and marketing and distribution efforts. To view the “unofficial trailer” for R.A.W. and support the crowdfunding campaign, visit the Indigogo R.A.W. Film page. Corporate film sponsorship packages are also available, for more information email info@earlylightmedia.com.
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