Logline
A self-taught photographer, unhappy with his life, must confront his insecurities and realize that the love he’s tried to distance himself from is the very force that will help him embrace his past, his present, and the future he’s been yearning for.
Synopsis
Building on the momentum of the short film Extra Days, Days delves deeper into the life of Hampton Cade Morrison, a 30-year-old self-taught photographer at a crossroads. Struggling to carve a meaningful place for himself as a creative professional, Hampton is torn between his aspirations and the weight of his own insecurities. At this pivotal moment, he finds himself emotionally disconnected from the people who matter most—his family, friends, and even himself. His need to control time through his art reflects a deeper desire for stability, but this obsession is driving him further into isolation.
Hampton views his dreams through the metaphor of flowers in a fragile vase—delicate, beautiful, and on the brink of destruction. With every passing day, he faces the fear that time is slipping away, leaving him unable to capture the essence of what he truly wants in life. As his studio time runs out and his once-clear path begins to blur, Hampton is forced to reckon with the past decisions that have shaped his current struggles. In the process, he realizes that the love and support of his family—the very thing he’s distanced himself from—might be the key to unlocking the inspiration and strength he needs to move forward.
As Hampton learns to reconcile with both the painful and the beautiful parts of his history, he must confront his deepest fears and question the way he's been living. Will he continue to push away the very people who care about him, or can he find a way to embrace both his past and his present to create a future that’s truly his own? Days is a reflection on the fragility of dreams, the weight of time, and the power of reconnecting with one’s roots in order to find peace in the present.
Meet The Team
Nathanael Hatchett and Mecca Is, are a dynamic duo whose collaboration began during their college years at Bowie State University. From their early successes in theater, where they earned multiple awards, to their debut film Extra Days, they have continued to build a partnership that blends their unique talents in powerful ways. With Days, they bring together their distinct skills—Hatchett's expertise in writing and storytelling, and Mecca’s mastery in modeling, creative direction, and visual arts—to successfully merge portraits and literature into a captivating cinematic experience.
Nathanael Hatchett is an award-winning writer, director, and producer known for his deep exploration of themes like time, memory, and human connection. His storytelling is informed by his background in theater and his commitment to emotional depth and authenticity. As the writer, director, and executive producer of Days, Hatchett brings a deeply personal and universal narrative to life, while also starring as the film’s central character, Hampton Cade Morrison. His work blends the literary with the cinematic, focusing on the fragility of dreams, personal growth, and the importance of reconnection.
Mecca Is, a multifaceted creative from Waldorf, Maryland, specializes in modeling, creative direction, and visual arts. With her expertise in modeling, she brings a unique visual aesthetic to Days, using her eye for detail to craft powerful portraits that are deeply connected to the film’s themes. Her ability to merge emotion and visual storytelling is crucial to capturing the essence of Days, especially with its focus on photography and the passage of time. In addition to her work as a director and producer, Mecca’s background in creative direction and visual arts allows her to guide the film’s visual narrative with precision and artistic flair.
Together, Nathanael and Mecca seamlessly combine their strengths, bringing portraits and literature together through Days. Their collaborative effort ensures that the film’s themes of dreams, family, and personal growth are not only told through words but also visually expressed through striking images that resonate deeply with audiences. By blending Hatchett's literary storytelling with Mecca's powerful visual direction, Days becomes a unique fusion of art and narrative, highlighting the connection between literature, photography, and the human experience.
The Impact
Your donation to DAYS will help build a sense of community both within the film and beyond, supporting a project that emphasizes the importance of connection, collaboration, and shared experiences.
Addressing Mental Health Through Powerful Storytelling: Days delves into the emotional struggles and isolation of its protagonist, Hampton, creating a vital conversation about mental health, particularly among Black men. While the film isn’t solely focused on mental health, it offers an opportunity to address this topic in a relatable and authentic way. Your donations will bring this critical narrative to life, helping amplify the conversation around emotional well-being and giving Black men and their communities a safe space to reflect on their own struggles. Your contribution directly supports a project that fosters healing, self-reflection, and the importance of emotional health.
Creating Time-Specific Art Through Research: Days is rooted in the careful research of its setting, characters, and themes, requiring time-specific art pieces to authentically portray the era and culture in which the film is set. Donations will make it possible to craft these precise, research-driven elements, from props to set design, which ensure that the visuals and aesthetic stay true to the story. Your contribution brings authenticity to the film and helps deliver a deeply emotional, immersive experience that resonates with audiences by reflecting a real and relatable world.
High-Quality Sets and Locations: Donations will make it possible to secure high-quality sets and locations that are deeply tied to the story of Days. These locations will not just serve as backdrops—they will shape the world in which the characters live and struggle. By contributing, you are enabling the creation of a film that feels truly grounded in reality, ensuring that every space and set piece is not only visually stunning but also a perfect fit for the emotional journey of the film’s characters. Your support helps make the story come to life in a way that feels authentic and relatable, drawing audiences deeper into the narrative.
Honoring Black Legacy in Photography: Drawing inspiration from pioneering Black photographers like Gordon Parks, Days highlights the crucial role of Black photography in storytelling. Donations will fund the use of traditional film photography, which plays a central role in capturing moments throughout the film. By contributing, you are helping preserve and honor the legacy of Black photographers and providing local creatives with the opportunity to tell their own stories through the lens. Your donation supports the creation of powerful visual moments that speak to the film's themes of dreams, family, and identity, making a lasting impact on both the film and its audience.
Supporting Artists and Community Involvement: Your donation to Days will directly benefit local artists and the Maryland community. This project offers emerging talent the chance to work alongside seasoned professionals on set, including high school seniors who will gain hands-on experience and mentorship. By supporting Days, you're not just funding a film—you’re providing opportunities for local Black creatives to have their voices heard and see their work showcased on screen. This is an investment in the future of the arts in Maryland, allowing audiences to see themselves reflected in a meaningful and empowering way, further deepening the connection to the film and its themes of dreams, family, and personal growth.
Risks & Challenges
1. Limited Impact on Mental Health Storytelling: Without funding, Days may not fully explore the important themes of mental health, particularly among Black men. This could limit the film's ability to spark meaningful conversations on emotional well-being.
2. Compromised Authenticity: Funding shortfalls could lead to a lack of time-specific, research-driven art pieces, diminishing the film's authenticity and emotional resonance with the audience.
3. Subpar Sets and Locations: Without proper funding, securing high-quality, specific locations and sets becomes challenging, which would impact the film’s immersion and make it harder for audiences to connect with the story.
4. Loss of Black Photography Legacy: Traditional film photography is central to Days, and without adequate funding, this visual homage to Black photographers like Gordon Parks may not come to fruition, limiting the film’s impact.
5. Missed Opportunities for Local Artists: Lack of funding would prevent local talent from participating in the project, depriving them of vital exposure and experience, as well as cutting mentorship opportunities for emerging filmmakers.
Other Ways You Can Help
Donate: Directly support the production of Days and help bring the film to life.
Follow Us on Instagram: Stay updated and see behind-the-scenes content at @tennesseemaeprod
Share Our Posts: Help spread the word by sharing our content with your network.
Tag Friends: Tag those who would love to support or learn about the film.
Attend Events: Show your support by joining us at upcoming events or premieres.
Engage on Social Media: Like, comment, and engage with us to boost visibility.
