Watch: BTS of 'Anouschka's Immersive Black Girl Magic
In a new first-look video, Tamara Shogaolu, Creative Director of Ado Ato Pictures, takes us behind the scenes and on her journey to create the studio's original XR recently approved by Green, Anoushka. The project
“I created the interactive animated project Anoushka to give life to a black girl who is truly magical, ”Shogaolu explains in the video. “I'm really excited to be working with a team of amazing black women on this project. One of the writers is Sandy Bosmans, a well-known spoken word artist here in the Netherlands, and we're also working with Ellie Vanderburg, who is a New York playwright I went to high school, where we were both very nerdy black girls - and we're finally able to bring our nerdity to the screen, ”he adds with a laugh.
In the video, we hear from Bosmans and Vanderburg what it means to them and the hungry audience to be portrayed in stories that stimulate the impact of this project, which centers on a black teenager discovering her true power. Producer Riyad Alnwili also comments on the new ways the project will allow groups of viewers to explore and interact with the story in a myriad of ways.
The interactive story follows Amara, a black teenager from Amsterdam's Bijlmermeer (Bijlmer) district, as she embarks on a magical journey of self-discovery through time and space. Amara must travel back and connect with generations of women who preceded her to save her grandmother and twin brother from a multi-generational family curse. Along the way he discovers his family's ancestors and magical powers and reconnects with his roots as he learns even more about his present.
Anoushka is written by Elinor T. Vanderburg and Sandy Bosmans, produced by Jamari Perry and Riyad Alnwili, and directed by Shogaolu. Production is underway in Amsterdam, supported by NL Film Fonds and the Dutch Foundation for Literature.
The project is still raising funds through Kickstarter and through direct donations. Visit www.adoatopictures.com/anouschka to find out more.
