In The Absence
A nine-part docu-series exploring key housing issues in Memphis, Tennessee.
Told by 70(+) people over 2.5 years.
Produced by The Works & Hôtel Studios
Contact Benjamin Rednour for more information.
ben@hotel-cg.com
Memphis has been ravaged by disinvestment, deficit culture, and outdated systems. Generational wealth was stripped away after the 2009 foreclosure crisis, and in its wake, a mass migration toward affordable housing stressed the marketplace.
Cash-strapped and overstretched, the city had to get smart about tackling some of our nation's most profound questions around social equality.
Leaning on code enforcement and environmental court, establishing a law clinic, creating public-private partnerships, and collaborating with indigenous leaders throughout the city created a pathway towards uprighting our neighborhoods and turning deficits into assets.
Chapters 1 through 8 are longer, more in-depth episodic stories ranging from 10 to 40 minutes in length.
To preview the project, here are Chapters 1 - 4 in their entirety.
Chapter 1 - How did we get here?
Chapter 2 - Inventory
Chapter 3 - Bringing the interest groups together
Chapter 4 - Environmental court
Chapter 9 is an example of breaking a more extended story into smaller parts.
Cut-downs like this allow us to show the audience one specific topic at a time. However, when all put together, it creates one cohesive storyline like Chapters 1 - 8 above. Here are a few examples of the topics covered in the final chapter.
Chapter 9 - South city
Chapter 9 - Homeownership
Chapter 9 - Tax Foreclosure
Chapter 9 - Affordable Housing
This series serves as teaching material in public schools, colleges, community events, virtual events, and policy meetings.
When our leaders see policy in action, we can affect community-based policy to better our neighborhoods.
Drop us a line if you would like to host a screening.