The Human Rights Campaign, The Alliance of AIDS Services-Carolina, and Healing with CAARE of Durham are creatively lending a helping hand in shedding light on the rising HIV rate in North Carolina.
Absolutely Positive is a dramatic short film that follows four characters from different walks of life, as they get tested for HIV. The film dramatizes the events of why they decide to get tested, the thoughts that run through their minds as they wait for their results, and what happens after finding out the outcome of the test. “We were really excited to hear of a project like this [Absolutely Positive] taking place right here in our backyard. We are very glad we could help a project like this that contained such truth and fearlessness,” said Randy Light, Event Coordinator for the Alliance of AIDS Services-Carolina. Writer/director Anthony Williams, who has worked in the film industry for 15 years, was inspired to write the film due to some personal experiences he endured revolving around HIV.
Williams described his motivation to make the film as “a trying, yet rewarding venture,” saying: “As a filmmaker, I've always wanted to make films that served a purpose--primarily the purpose of opening audiences' eyes to something that is completely out of their comfort zone and realm of knowing and thinking. It's only through this way that people can gain a better understanding of the people around them as well as the world we all live in.” Williams’ hopes the film will bring awareness and humanity to the important local and worldwide health issue of HIV. Williams’ goal is to coalesce all the different communities affected by HIV, directly and indirectly, in order to bring about real change. He sees the film as one that breaks preconceived stereotypes, reaches beyond the boundaries of sexuality, gender, and race, and one that shows the real effects of HIV on real people. This film will be engaging and thought-provoking for any and all audiences like the LGBT and straight communities, the health community, college communities, both the people who are HIV positive or negative, and many others.
The film is being premiered at Club 313 in Downtown Raleigh. There will be two red carpet affair screenings--one on January 25th at 8pm and another on January 29th at 5pm. Guests will be treated like movie stars with candid paparazzi and giveaways throughout the evening. Tickets are $5 CASH only and available at the door. All ages are welcome but you must be 21 or older to purchase alcohol.
There has been enthusiastic support from various communities and organizations within the Triangle all the way to Los Angeles. More information on the film can be found on the film’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/absolutelypositivefilm, which also includes multiple behind-the-scenes photos and videos documenting the film making process from the beginning (auditions, table read-throughs, filming, etc) to the last day of filming, or at www.secondglanceproductions.com. “Only one person, one time. Can you ever be Absolutely Positive?”
Anthony Williams—a native of Little Rock, Arkansas and owner of Second Glance Productions—relocated to North Carolina from Los Angeles to further pursue his career in the film and entertainment industry. From a young age, Williams has always had a firm grip on his vision for the rest of his life and has been working toward it ever since. At the age of 13, he began by writing music, which honed his craft and helped him find his voice as a writer. Once he hit high school, he took on any and every opportunity he could, gaining as much training as possible. He spent his entire high school career involved in theater—becoming a known figure in high school theater productions and forensic competitions throughout the state. Later on, he was given the opportunity to write, produce, and direct some of the pieces put on for the public, helping him gain further experience and presence as a producer and director and further proving himself as a true visionary. Before the end of his high school chapter, Williams walked away with numerous awards and recognitions including 1st Place National Thespian Champion in the category of pantomime in 2005, Statewide 1st Place Champion in Reader’s Theater (credited for writing, producing, and directing) in 2006, 2004-2006 Finalist in Poetry, Prose, and Humorous/Dramatic Interpretation, and much more.
After graduating from Little Rock Central High School in 2006, Williams received some college education before deciding to take the leap of faith by moving out west to Los Angeles to assist with creating an independent production company. It was there he continued writing, but also officially added the titles of director and producer to his name. He brought many projects into the development stages, but after seven months of trial and error, that company’s launch was unsuccessful. Williams took everything he’d learned from that experience and relocated to North Carolina where he continued to write and act in films. He began to put action into motion, shortly after, creating Second Glance Productions.
With over ten years of training and experience, Williams intends to put all his knowledge to use, creating a successful career and opportunity for others all while creating unique films that stick in the minds of everyone that sees them.
For more information, contact:
Anthony Williams
Second Glance Productions
501-613-7907
Secondglanceproductions@gmail.com
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