Our Associate Producer Made A Musical — And It’s Premiering At ABFF | Charlie T. Savage

This season, Charlie T. Savage worked behind the scenes as one of Sista Brunch’s season seven associate producers. What we didn’t know was that she was simultaneously making a feature film.

Voices the Musical is a 1967 period piece about a bellhop who becomes assistant to a rising singing duo — and the dark choices he makes when opportunity arrives. Co-written by Charlie and Sam Buckner III in one month, shot in nine days in Inglewood, featuring nine original songs and a cast that includes Francis, Ezekiel, and Rael.

The film is nominated for Best US Narrative Feature and Best Screenplay at the 30th Annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF).

In this bonus episode, Charlie breaks down the full journey:

— Co-writing the script in a month with Sam Buckner III and how the musical element came together after the script was already finished
— Shooting a period piece musical with stunts, a 1965 car, and glycerin sweat in nine days
— The real budget: out of pocket money, in-kind contributions, credit cards, and the relationships that made it possible
— Why she fought against making it a musical — and why Sam was right
— The cinematography of Damola and director Deontae Gray
— Executive producer Ski-ter Jones and We On Set’s role in the production
— What the martini shot is and why it gives the whole set a burst of energy
— Her advice to her younger self: network across, not up. Find your tribe at your level and grow together
Charlie is a Navy veteran from New Orleans, an award-winning writer, director, and producer, and living proof that the people building this archive with us are also building the future of Black cinema.