Artist bio

Renaldo “Red” Frederick started his film making career during his BA in Film Production at the University of the West Indies but before he could finish, he got accepted to work – for one year – as an Apprentice player at the National Theatre Arts Company of Trinidad and Tobago. He has participated in the GreenScreen Environmental film festival where he won the overall prize for the Very Short Shorts Mobile Film Competition in 2019. His passion actually resides in acting and more of his work can be seen in TVC’s from bMobile, Angostura and Westmall and in music videos from Patrice Roberts, Jamelody and Kerwin Dubois. Film credits include Girlfriends’ Getaway, Flying the Coup and the award-winning Pan! Our Music Odyssey. He is presently pursuing his MA in Screen Acting at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London.

Title

This Connect

Medium/Genre

Drama

Artist Statement

This film was inspired by an actual conversation that took place with my ex-girlfriend (lead actress) and her dad on Father’s Day weekend. They have always had an estranged relationship and most of her memories with him are through phone conversations. As her significant other at the time, it was unnerving for me to see how it impacted her, and by extension, our relationship. I wanted this film to highlight the loneliness and isolation felt in the way she described it. Hence the use of only one actress against her environment. The atmosphere is set through her memories and her reliving her most poignant moments with him throughout the years. Her journey represents many young Caribbean woman who are disconnected from their fathers and are still fighting for that love, yearning for this… connect.

How it fits into contest

We live in a time whereby women are more empowered and liberated to work through their traumas and help others grow in that strength. The struggle Nailah faced, reflects the internal struggle fought by many young women in relation to a man's impact on their lives.

Her whole life she struggled to maintain a relationship with her father. Her journey to the falls was her way of mentally and spiritually preparing herself to release him, and any misgivings she would have had.

In analyzing the scripture, verse 14 to 16 stood out: “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” This part of the scripture is personified when she stands at the base of the waterfall and comes to terms with all her grievances before she finally disposes of the ashes and makes peace with herself.

Credits

Story by Ruby Parris
Shot, Edited, Written and Directed by Red Frederick
Starring Ruby Parris as Nailah
Voice Overs by Ruby Parris, Che Rodriguez [Father] and Tafar Chia Lewis [Shelly]
Music: Runaway Train by Nailah Blackman
Transportation and Catering by Ricardo Frederick

Other Goods & Services Available from this Artist

Acting workshops for both new and experienced performers.
Mobile Film-making workshops for beginners.

Transcript / Lyrics

(phone rings)

DAD
Hello?

NAILAH
Hey dad, what you doing?

DAD
Hey Raquel, what’s up?

NAILAH
No dad, it’s Nailah.

DAD
Oh… Nailah, how you doing darling?

NAILAH
I’m good, how are you?

DAD
I good.

NAILAH
So dad, what are we doing for Father’s Day?

DAD
Oh… You wanted to do something?

NAILAH
Well, we never really did something before so I figured this year could be different.

DAD
Well, Shelly and David already made plans for me to go for lunch and spend the day together…

NAILAH
Okay, that’s cool, we could do something next week then…

DAD
I’m not sure cause I may have an…

(call disconnected)

(phone rings)

DAD
Hello?

NAILAH
Hey dad, how are you?

DAD
Hey Nailah, how you doing?

NAILAH
I’m good. How things with you?

DAD
I there.

NAILAH
So I’m just calling to let you know that our graduation ceremony is next Friday. It’s at 9am.

DAD
Okay, it’s that time already?

NAILAH
Yea. Well it’s only going to be about an hour and a half so you don’t need to stay for that long.

DAD
Okay, well I’ll have to make arrangements at the office so I’ll see…

NAILAH
Well you don’t even have to stay for the whole time – just come at 10 when the awards giving out and that will be fine.

DAD
Okay but I still have to make arrangements at the office.

NAILAH
Oh, okay well…

(call disconnected)

(phone rings)

DAD
Hello, Nailah?

NAILAH
Hey dad! So I know you’re awful with dates, just calling to remind you that my birthday is Tuesday.

DAD
This Tuesday? Your birthday is in August?

NAILAH
Yes Daddy.

DAD
But, since when?

NAILAH
Since 1991.

DAD
Your birthday is not March, early March?

NAILAH
No Dad, that’s mom. Mom’s birthday is March 1st.

DAD
Oh… And how old you turning, twenty?

NAILAH
No Dad, twenty-four.

DAD
What? When did that happen?

NAILAH
When you weren’t there.

DAD
Nailah…

NAILAH
Look, I don’t want anything, just call me. Call me for my birthday.

DAD
Nailah, you have my word.

NAILAH
Dad, don’t give me your word. If you call, then great, if not…

(call disconnected)

The phone rings for a few times, there is no answer.

(phone rings)

NAILAH
Hey dad, went Tobago for the week and it was really good. So sorry I forgot my phone home. Everything alright?

SHELLY
Nailah?

NAILAH
Yea, let me talk to Dad please.

SHELLY
Nailah… This is Shelly, you know how long he trying to get on to you…

NAILAH
Everything alright?

SHELLY
Your dad got in an accident… He was in the hospital for 3 days in critical condition… He tried to call you. He tried to make it – the doctors tried everything but… he didn’t make it, Nailah.
He died on Tuesday.

Nailah’s voicemail greeting plays:
“Hi you’ve reached Nailah, leave a name and a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Bye.”

The voicemail beeps and a message plays.

DAD
(coughing) Nailah how you doing, I hope you're good.
Give me a call as soon as you get this. I just want you to know that I’m very proud of you and I love you very much. Happy Birthday.

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