THE FREEDOM LOST PROJECT

A project combining two forms of media -- documentary (Freedom Lost:
Restoration) and Historical Drama (Freedom Lost: The Story of James City)
-- focusing on the life of African Americans in James City, North Carolina and its surrounding communities since the 1800s. The project looks at the subject of freedom, then and now.

James City traces its roots to a NC settlement in the 1860s, which became a sanctuary for thousands of slaves, established by the Union army when they
took the city of New Bern captive during the Civil War. James City is
located just outside the Colonial Capital of New Bern, North Carolina, which had a reputation for being a thriving Free Black Community at the
time. After the war was over, James city became a self-sustaining
community of former slaves. But growing hostility from a wounded and bitter South, and the loss of protection from the Union victors, allowed for the birth of Jim Crow laws, and other prejudices that forced this promising and flourishing community to fight desperately to keep their freedom.

The Freedom Lost project also explores the relationship of the Federal Government in the Civil War toward African Americans, who used similar tactics of the British during the Revolutionary War, promising freedom to
slaves in order to weaken their enemy. The African American community
in Eastern Carolina found themselves caught in the middle of a war over power, causing a deep, bitter, and painful wound that this nation has yet
to recover from. This project seeks to help bring healing to that wound
with the power of media and filmmaking with a message of hope and forgiveness.

"FREEDOM LOST" PREVIEW

This Compelling New Documentary, "Freedom Lost: Restoration" is now IN PRODUCTION (From the Freedom Lost Project):

"Freedom Lost: Restoration"
From the Freedom Lost Project

Genre: Documentary/Black History

Current Information: A documentary from "The Freedom Lost Project"
exploring the Black History and issues of a rural North Carolina community from the Civil War to present day.

Cast: Bernard George, David Cecelski, Gerald Johnson

Executive Producers: Scott Nunnally and Tom Swift

Co-producers: Dan O'Connell and Angela Swift

Associate Producer: Dale Ream

Written and Directed By: Tom Swift

Estimated Release Date: 2009

About the project:

"Freedom Lost: Restoration" is a documentary interlaced with interviews featuring historians and Black Leaders, and profiles the lives of African Americans who live in the communities in and around James City today. The city is right next to New Bern, a unique city where history intersects with the present. Historical landmarks and artifacts continue to be discovered in the yards of locals standing as reminders to all who pass through it.

The documentary looks at the rich history of African Americans here, observing historical and present day issues of this Black Community and
how far they have come since freedom was lost in early 1900. The film
brings a message of hope, forgiveness, and overcoming incredible odds.

About the Filmmakers:
Scott Nunnally who runs the film company Executor Arts Media in the Pittsburgh, PA area serves as Executive Producer with Tom Swift. Tom also also serves as Director and co-writer of the screenplay. See their bios for more information.

Dan O’Connell and Angela Swift, who co-produced the Hurricane Floyd documentary, “Flood”, will return as producers on this project.

About the Cast:
Gerald Johnson is the principal of J.T. Barber Elementary School in New Bern, North Carolina. Johnson really connects with all his students, Black and White, but he is also a great role model for the many Black Students who attend his elementary school. He is one of the local Black Leaders Awaken Pictures plans to profile in the documentary.

In Preproduction:
Cameras start rolling in 2007.

Coming soon:
The project is planned for an estimated release date sometime in 2008. For more information check our website at www.awakenpictures.com for updates.

Casting Call:
LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD MEN AND WOMEN:
Awaken Pictures seeks professional, talented men and women to volunteer their acting abilities to this project. Email us at info@awakenpictures.com or mail your pictures and headshots to Awaken Pictures, Inc., PO BOX 14412, New Bern, NC 28561-4412.

The Movie "Freedom Lost: The James City Story" is IN DEVELOPMENT (From the Freedom Lost Project).

"Freedom Lost: The James City Story"
From the Freedom Lost Project

Genre: Historical Drama

Current Information: A movie from the "Freedom Lost project" about a slave who joins thousands, who flee their plantations, seeking sanctuary in a
Union Refugee camp during the Civil War. Based on the book "James
City: A Black Community in North Carolina" by Joe A. Mobley with additional storylines and screenplay by Bill Hand and Tom Swift.

Cast: Scott Nunnally, Bill Hand, Stewart Johnson

Executive Producers: Scott Nunnally and Tom Swift

Co-producers: Dan O'Connell and Angela Swift

Associate Producer: Dale Ream

Screenplay By: Bill Hand and Tom Swift

Directed By: Tom Swift

Estimated Release Date: Unavailable

About the project:
Imagine if you would, a world where men and women were not their own and could not exercise the wonderful liberty of being a free American.

Imagine the generations that came and went and each parent passing the hope on to their children, a hope and longing to walk as free citizens.
Then comes that crossroad in history when a civil war over states rights promises to be that long awaited ticket. Imagine a city established as a colonial capital being captured and a refugee camp established with the promise of freedom. Imagine the thousands who fled their masters and risked their lives for hopes of a better life... an end of bondage. Were these men who promised them freedom to be trusted, or were they being used as pawns in a game to divide and conquer. Would you trust them? Imagine forces at work to try to keep that new freedom away. What would you do?
Would you fight for your freedom?

James City is a city that traces its roots to a settlement in the 1860s established by the Union army when they took the city of New Bern captive during the Civil War. It was a refugee camp which became a sanctuary for thousands of slaves who risked their lives fleeing from their masters.
Some traveled great distances to the encampment with the promise of a better life under the protection of the Union and a life of freedom.

Freedom Lost: The James City Story is a narrative historical drama based on the book, "James City: A Black Community in North Carolina (1863-1900)"
by Joe A. Mobley. The film focuses on the life of a fictitious slave, played by Scott Nunnally (The Mothman Prophecies) who flees his North
Carolina plantation and comes to the settlement. Though the character is
fictitious, the producers are taking great care to make sure the story stays true to the book and history, referring to historical records sited in the book and additional researched information.

About the Cast:
Scott Nunnally, who appeared in The Mothman Prophecies, plays a freed slave that comes to the James City settlement seeking freedom.

Bill Hand, an active theater performer in New Bern, will play the part of Vincent Colyer, superintendent of the poor.

About the Filmmakers:
Scott Nunnally who runs the film company Executor Arts Media in the Pittsburgh, PA area serves as Executive Producer with Tom Swift. Tom also also serves as Director and co-writer of the screenplay. See their bios for more information.

Dan O’Connell and Angela Swift, who co-produced the Hurricane Floyd documentary, “Flood”, will return as producers on this project.

This project also brings forth the writing talents of Bill Hand, who serves as a cowriter of the screenplay. Hand is a gifted writer with a serious knowledge of Eastern Carolina history and also serves as a historical advisor on the project.

Casting Call:
LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD MEN AND WOMEN:
Awaken Pictures seeks professional, talented men and women to volunteer their acting abilities to this project. Email us at info@awakenpictures.com or mail your pictures and headshots to Awaken Pictures, Inc., PO BOX 14412, New Bern, NC 28561-4412.