Documentary Film
Producing * Story Development & Writing * Content Creation * Editing * Digital Asset Management * Research, Archive Materials & Licensing * Camera Operations: C100/300, SonyFS5/7, Black Magic Cinema Camera * Editing: Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere & Creative Suite, AVID Media Composer, DaVinci Resolve
Beats Rhymes and Life:
The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest (2011)
PRODUCERAs the lead creative producer, Debra traveled with the band on tour, shot interviews, concert and verite footage, and worked closely with the director on the creative direction of the film and in the editing process.
2011 Winner Producers Guild of America Documentary Award
2011 Nominated Grammy Award- Long Form Music Film
2011 Featured Opening Film - Sundance, Tribeca, and Los Angeles Film Festivals
2012 Billboard Magazine Top 10 music documentary films of all time
The Story of Zulu Nation
(In Production)
PRODUCER/DIRECTORDebra’s personal background working with community youth inspired her interest in the story of Africa Bambaataa and the Universal Zulu Nation, hip hop’s first social organization also known as the original vanguard of the five elements of hip hop culture: the DJ, the MC, Breakdancing, Graffiti Art, and Knowledge of Self and Culture. The project is currently in post-production with a projected completion in early 2025.
Producer/Co-Director/EditorWhy I Ride: Low and Slow (2010)
Why I Ride: Low and Slow was produced and edited by Debra, and co-directed and co-written with Vero Majano. The film was a community-based collaboration with the Ray Balberan Mission Mediarts Archive and youth filmmakers from Conscious Youth Media Crew.
2009 Winner Campecine Film Festival
2009 Featured Film - de Young Museum, Brava Theater, Roxie Theater, Counterpulse
Shinola: Liberty
Great American Series (2018)
FIELD PRODUCER/CASTING PRODUCERDebra worked with the extraordinary Executive Producer Lindha Narvaez of Milkt Films on this short film directed by acclaimed photographer Danny Clinch for Shinola’s Liberty & Great Americans watch series. Debra led the the casting for this project, assembling a diverse group of individuals from around the world who shared personal, authentic stories about the journey to US citizenship.
The Art of the Mixtape (2019)
SIZZLE PRODUCERDebra produced a sizzle with Blumhouse Films and director Danny Lee for The Art of the Mixtape, a proposed documentary series chronicling the evolution and importance of the mixtape in hip-hop culture.
PRIVATE LINK UPON REQUEST
Artist Conversation with
Magdalena Suarez-Frimkess (2021)
PRODUCER/Camera/EDITORDebra worked with art gallerist and curator Catherine Hess and Los Angeles based art school Art Division to make this short film about Venezuelan sculptor Magdalena Suarez Frimkess’ life work and artist journey.
A Choice of Weapons (2009)
Debra led the Conscious Youth Media Crew young adult filmmakers with Guest Artist director Samm Styles in the production of the hybrid narrative/documentary style film “A Choice of Weapons”. Inspired by the Gordon Parks and supported by the California Humanities Council, the film documents the rapid redevelopment experienced in real time by community members in San Francisco’s Bayview District.
2011 Featured Film Los Angeles Film Festival
2011 Featured Film Roxie Theater, Brava Theater
Executive producer
Music is the Remedy (2012)
Debra worked as cameraperson and editor with filmmaker Loriz “Ginger” Godines on this short film about legendary salsa DJ Chata Gutierrez whose iconic weekly salsa radio show ran for over 30 years on the local, beloved public radio station KPOO 89.5 FM.
CAMERAPERSON + EDITOR
Rocky Dawuni at Africa Oye Concert
Liverpool, England (2022)
EDITORDebra edited this short promo documenting Rock'y’s performance at the Africa Oye concert in Liverpool, England. Filmed by Cary Sullivan.
Idle Warship at Yoshi’s SF
Talib Kweli + Res (2013)
PRODUCER/CAMERA/EDITORDebra created this short video documenting the Idle Warship music collab between Talib Kweli and Res and their performance at Yoshi’s San Francisco in 2013.