About Us

Finding Inspiration in Every Turn

"Kickback Chronicles focuses on a group of college friends exploring the nightlife scene at a PWI, while crawling into adulthood."

According to Urban Dictionary, a kickback is “small gathering between a group of friends, more than a get-together, less than a party.” While this may be true to some, to others, and by others I mean most college kids, a kickback is whatever you want it to be. There are really only two rules: there have to be people there and they have to be doing something. Partying, drinking, smoking, listening to music, playing games, watching movies, etc., did I mention partying? Alice, Danielle, and Kory are in their sophomore year at Douglass University. Having become close friends over the course of their freshman year they’ve formed a tight bond. As it goes with a lot of college students you tend to find lifelong friends as you set out into your first steps of adulthood away from home. Up until this point, the trio has shared a common interest in art, music, and academics which hasn’t left a lot of room for the other side of college, nightlife. This all changes as they set out to have more fun this year. Being that Douglass University is a predominately white institution or PWI, the black community is small. That means everyone knows everybody as groups begin to form and kickbacks become large social gatherings. Outside of the frat parties, smoke outs, and game nights that make up the black nightlife experience our group also explores the other night experiences the University has to offer. As Alice, Danielle, and Kory have their first meaningful encounters with sex, drugs, and alcohol, they are left to wonder about their place in all of the chaos. How do they fit in? What are society's norms? What does it mean to have fun in these types of environments? These are questions best answered with experience. Experiences that lie ahead of them.

Crowdfunding

Our crowdfunding efforts are going towards generating a polished, full length episode, that OUR community can enjoy.

Character Exposition

Don Francis

ALICE

Passionate, artistic, awkward and unsure of herself Alice is trying to fit in. Raised in a sheltered white neighborhood, Alice is a fish out of water in this black college kickback environment. Guys and alcohol is a combination completely foreign to her. With the help of her friends, she hopes to grow, letting go of the teenage angst of yesteryear.

Ashley Jones

DANIELLE

Confident and Bold are the words to describe Danielle. A natural foil to Alice. She’s no stranger to the party, in fact, she relishes the moment. Years of overcoming obstacles has led her to believe she can conquer the world, or at least Douglass University. Though she has it all together on the outside the pressures of being a first-generation college student weigh on her. Relying on others or asking for help has never been a strong suit of hers.

Tess Brown

KORY

You’d be hard-pressed to find a nicer person than Kory. Naturally reserved most of the time he becomes an animal when the liquor is in his system. He’s always found easier to make female friends due to his sexual ambiguity. As of late his lack of male friends and overall lack of sexual experience has led him to question his identity. Kory has to be around his friends to keep his head above water.

Lisa Rose

TONY

A prominent member of the traditionally black Omicron Phi Sigma fraternity, Tony is the “golden boy” of the black community. Good looks, an easy-going personality, and fat pockets to match have boosted his ranks in the social nightlife scene. His growing anxiety stems from the need to impress others to cover his own insecurities. With a less than perfect relationship to his father, he’s bound to defy everyone's expectations.

Kevin Nye

SHAUN

The college weed man. Shaun moves to his own beat. With negative connotations concerning his bisexuality as a black man, he’s determined to live for himself and only him. He’s a smart guy if you can get past all of the abstract rhetoric. Needless to say, Shaun is always on another social plane.

Alex Young

JEANNIE

There’s always one person you can find in a group that’s a reflection of Jeanie. She is a friend that everyone can go to during their most vulnerable moments. Always coming from a place of love she often falls ignorant to the ways in which her white privilege shows itself.

World Exposition

Kickback Chronicles is an online streaming series. Created by young filmmakers of color, those with disabilities, and women. Kickback Chronicles provides an unfiltered look into the social fabrics that define the collegiate nightlife. Through entertainment and style, we aim to start the conversations that need to be had. It is often said that comedy is a great way to deal with difficult topics. While Kickback Chronicles is a drama at heart, humorous moments will serve as a vehicle to provide social commentary on today’s young adult's experiences. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Justin Simien, Kenya Barris, Stefani Robinson, Issa Rae, and Matthew Cherry. Kickback Chronicles will also serve as an innovative way to tell the diverse stories of black people. Each episode will have at least one central theme that we believe is relevant today, especially on the college scene. The over-sexualization of women’s bodies, masculinity’s role in the sexuality of black men, and police relations are a few examples. Speaking of college this series will also highlight real experiences and real situations that may have not been seen on screen. Things such as black communities in white institutions, fraternity parties, race relations on campus, college nightlife in the Midwest, and much more. Filmed on location in Kansas City and Springfield, MO, we hope to bring the Midwest to life onscreen. While other shows have shown the ins and outs of nightlife and culture on the coasts, very few deals with the unique perspective of the country’s central population. In doing so we will highlight the areas around us as well as the local music that provides a soundtrack to our everyday experiences. Now those local locations and musical artists will provide a backdrop to the experiences of our characters. Kickback Chronicles will be an immersive online experience. Every character, storyline, and scene will remain authentic to what life is like in today’s kickback culture.