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LMU Graduate Student Set To Direct A Chilling Crime Drama Inspired By True Events
After his partner, Officer Clark O’Conner, shoots and kills Jerome Davis, an unarmed black teenager, Officer Alonzo Thomas begins to feel like an outsider among his police precinct and the black community. Alonzo wrestles with a pending decision to whistle blow on his partner and best friend. In the end, will Alonzo be pressured to turn his back on his partner in the face of justice or keep silent in order to protect Clark.
Man Down, a chilling crime drama inspired by true events, is the brain-child of ultra talented LMU graduate student, Jonathan Rowan. Considered a man of many talents behind and in front of the camera – Director, Writer, Producer, Actor, Singer/Songwriter & Choreographer are just a few of the titles that best describe Rowan.
Man Down tells the powerful story of Alonzo Thomas, a police officer of color, who must deal with the tough decision of turning his back on his best friend, Officer Clark O’Conner, in the face of justice or to keep silent in order to protect his partner and sustain his job. Man Down will transport viewers into the psyche of a police officer of color and his struggle to remain both black and blue. A friendship that sees no color initially, becomes the center of racial politics. And in the end, a choice between friendship and morality will have to be made.
As civilians, we often neglect the side of the officers and their psyche with protocol and policy on a daily basis. Fear is the main issue concerning their line of work. The dangers that officers of the law experience while protecting and serving affect their rationale and decision making.
By supporting Man Down the film, you will help secure funding to put toward locations, renting equipment, props, transportation rentals, picture car, costuming, hiring a hair and makeup artist, stunt coordinator, and feeding cast and crew. You will also help tell a BOLD and BRAVE story that MANY NEED TO SEE. Any monetary donation helps.
Jonathan comes equipped with a BFA in Pre-law & Political Sciences from Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY. During his time at NKU, Jonathan successfully wrote, directed and produced his first horror feature , “Slasher“. He is currently finishing his MFA in Film Production at Loyola Marymount University. His LMU films, Chocolate Milk and Invisible have been featured in the Louisville’s International Festival of Film and Canon Burbank Professional Technology Center just to name a few.
