Scattered Black and Whites was a film inspired by experiences in my own life that made me feel like my likes and dislikes weren’t valid or justifiable. As a child, I was always using my imagination and creating safe spaces with my toys. I was lucky enough to never be limited to one specific kind of toy, I played with everything from LEGO and PlayMobile to Barbie and Polly Pocket but my favourite toy was always my stuffed sheep called Woolley which I still have sat on my bed at age 20. I wanted this film to be relatable to a wide audience which is why I wanted the toy that represented childhood and innocence to be a stuffed bear. It’s really disheartening when you’re told by someone that what you enjoy and what makes you happiest is too childish for you. Since when did playing with toys have an expiration date? I wanted to tap into this emotion with Scattered Black and Whites and create a story that was relatable for many different reasons.

Many people will have had something they love be belittled by someone else but on a much deeper level, many people have also been the ones doing the belittling. I have found that it is very easy to hurt someone else the same way you were once hurt and while the character of Alex represents this idea, I wanted Sophie to oppose it. It’s important that someone breaks the cycle and I think having that person be the youngest and most vulnerable person in the house speaks volumes to adult audiences. My goal with Scattered Black and Whites was to show younger audience members that vulnerability often reflects bravery and strength not weakness. When I was a child, I wish someone had told me that I didn’t have to stop loving my toys or stop living in my little imaginary world where I felt safe in order to be taken seriously. Maturity is an important thing but so is imagination, and innocence. If Scattered Black and Whites makes even one person feel heard and understood then I have succeeded.

Scattered Black and Whites tells the story of a young girl who feels like she has to throw away everything from her childhood in order to grow up, including a beloved teddy bear that her Grandma had given her, who has now passed away. As soon as I read the first draft of the script I was immediately hooked on this idea, something deep down in me resonated with what the main protagonist Sophie was going through. I remember growing up and feeling like I had to throw away everything to feel like a grown up, even things given to me from loved ones who have passed away.

I personally have had to deal with something similar to what this family in Scattered Black and Whites have dealt with. I lost my aunt when I was little and it was heartbreaking, it left an impact on everyone in my family. But then I found out that before she died she spent the last bit of money she had on a video game for me and my brother. That video game was Skylanders, and man we played that game for days and days on end, but as I grew up I didn't know if I should keep it or not. Which is why now at 18 this film hits so hard for me. And I believe our crew has all put in their best effort to ensure this film is the best it can be, from our director to cinematographer to production designer to our sound team and our editor, they all have brought in their own perspective which has created a beautiful film that will be emotionally resonate with audience members.

Scattered Black and Whites themes and messages I feel are universal in nature. Everyone I have talked to about this has shared with me a personal experience about growing up and dealing with grief. That's a major reason why I wanted to be apart of this film, to connect with people who might be feeling alone in what they are dealing with. Film has helped me with issues I have dealt with growing up, and if I can give that back to people who watch this film then I think my crew and I have succeeded in what we set out to do.