Made into a Filmmaker in Milwaukee w/ Santana Coleman

This week, we welcome back David from the fog of San Francisco. With his return, there is the promise of illegal sailing, and of a game of chicken to see who will introduce the pod episode. During banter, Lindsay, David, and Elisabeth discuss the power of film—specifically documentary film, to inform and evoke-- empathy? Hopefully.

Santana joins the crew around 12:15, to reflect on her trajectory being made as a filmmaker in Milwaukee. Shaped as a young person by the film Friday, starring Ice Cube, and a pivotal career fair in middle school (or, was it a dream?), Santana has gone to work at 371 Productions and The League.

In early days in filmmaking, she was part of Strive Media, and attended UW- Platteville, where she boldly decided to make a documentary film as an independent project, without much experience. Though her school did not have a film program, over the years, they began to expand their offerings to include a minor in film studies. Through trial and error, and support from pivotal instructors, Santana was able to complete her first documentary film as a Sophomore—exploring the process “for the love of it.” After graduation, she found her way to an internship at 371 Productions, and worked towards a co-producer credit on When Claude Got Shot.

Now that she’s “in it” professionally, she's trying out different roles, embracing humor and lightness, as well as the setting of Milwaukee as inspiration for fiction work, while she supports the completion of When Claude Got Shot. Meanwhile, she’s trusting a higher power to help her navigate next steps.

In the course the interview, Santana is asked the question she's long imagined being asked in an interview, and reflects on throwing herself a red carpet premiere party, and instituting film tax incentives program to encourage film production in Milwaukee.

Through her work, Santana hopes to be part of effecting social change, showcasing a different view of Milwaukee to the wider world, and raising awareness of the complexity of gun violence through inviting viewers to see more deeply into the layers and lives of those touched by acts of gun violence. Santana is aligned with Imagine's hope and wish to explore how to help filmmakers better realize their visions in this city, while contributing to a wider, meaningful economic impact.

Follow Santana Coleman @santanathecreator on Instagram

Santana the Creator

371 Productions

When Claude Got Shot

The “Ho Ho” scene in Ice Cube’s Friday After Next

Milwaukee PBS

The Emmys

SXSW

Gun violence in the U.S.

Gun violence in Milwaukee

The League

Heal the Hood Milwaukee