Police brutality has long been an issue that smoldered in and out of the public eye of Americans over the years. Perhaps the most troubling aspect of that brutality has been the rise of both shootings and killings by police officers of unarmed citizens. The ‘shoot first, ask questions later’ mentality that has tarnished the reputation of many law enforcement officials continues to dominate the headlines, but while the press focuses almost always on those who abuse their responsibility to protect and serve the public, it is the victims whose lives are damaged and often destroyed who go silent. It’s their story that Alfred Woodley, star/writer/director/creator of the new web series drama SHOOTER’S STANCE, hopes to tell through his series. The series was also produced by Marceil Wright of One Nation Filmworks and Scott F. Evans.
SHOOTER’S STANCE, set to debut this November on its official Youtube channel (set to launch soon, along with its official web site), stars Woodley as Los Angeles police officer William Lindsey, a man whose life is suddenly changed as a result of an incident over 5 years ago, where he killed an unarmed man under suspect circumstances – and who now not only finds himself haunted by that incident, but also having to see the other side of that injustice when his fellow officers commit the same unthinkable act. The series also stars Shonelle Blake as William’s wife, Karen, whose marriage to her husband has suffered dramatically due to his affair with a younger officer on the force – and who finds herself unable to conceive a child after suffering complications from an emergency hysterectomy.
Alfonso Freeman (son of the legendary actor Morgan Freeman) portrays Mayor Davoren, a politician willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead – no matter whose toes he steps on. Deborah Ramaglia plays the city’s police chief Janice Jensen, the first female superintendent in the city’s history – and a woman who has her own history with the Mayor. Scott F. Evans (who also co-produced the series) plays Officer Osborne, Lindsey’s close friend and his main partner on the force. Rounding out the cast is Daniel Betances as Officer Winston, a veteran cop who loves to pack heat just as much as he enjoys putting the pedal to the metal, and Michael Antonacci as Officer Morrisey, a fun-loving, yet dedicated cop. The series will begin its IndieGoGo crowd funding campaign as soon as production on its first five episodes wraps.
Woodley created SHOOTER’S STANCE as a result of his concern and anger surrounding a disturbing trend that has taken shape in this country: the senseless violence perpetrated by cops against unarmed citizens. “The daily news headlines consistently report the incidents of police shooting or injuring unarmed civilians, however there has been very little outcry for the victims. By holding up the proverbial mirror, it is to simply show the police what they look like in front of the world, while reminding them they are civil servants working for the American taxpayer,” he says.
As Woodley explains, there has not been a web series of any kind that has focused on this issue, and given the fact that these terrible acts continue to dominate the headlines, he hopes to portray through his series not only the lives of those both on the force and in government who are affected by police brutality against innocent civilians, but also the consequences of such behavior – and what America’s police departments can do to stop it. “This present ‘us against them’ mentality is systemic and criminal. I believe that if this continued policy of shoot to kill so that the words of the deceased can never be heard and we (the people) are only left with a police officer’s version of why deadly physical force was used against an unarmed civilian. These actions can potentially lead us as a nation into a tailspin of epic proportion. (I) hope to bring more attention to this issue and initiate policy change, (and) better training of law enforcement officers.”
The series is currently in the production phase, and has proven to be quite an experience for Woodley and his team, even though it’s also had its own set of challenges. “Coordinating schedules, securing locations and the expense of shooting a web series is a long process that requires patience and a lot of creativity,” he says. Yet, creating a web series has also given Woodley creative freedom that he could never have enjoyed through the broadcast medium. “As filmmakers, the idea of creating a series with a social message is inspiring to us. Having the autonomy to create content without restrictions on subject matter, story lines and talent is also inspiring and liberating,” he says.
Through SHOOTER’S STANCE, Woodley, and his talented cast and crew, hope to bring viewers a series that will encourage discussion of the epidemic of cops perpetrating violence against unarmed citizens, and especially, to work towards a solution that will bring that violence to an end – thus making the streets, cities and neighborhoods of this country safer for everyone.
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/ShootersStanceShortFilm
TWITTER: @ShootersStance