DIVIDED | MTV News
[producer / director / editor]
To supporters, Florida’s Parental Rights In Education law prevents children from being indoctrinated with the “woke gender ideology” and gives parents more ability to fight back with lawsuits. To opponents, “Don’t Say Gay” represents yet another thinly veiled attack against the LGBTQ+ community. The danger they say, lies in the implementation of the incredibly vaguely worded law.
Ahead of the 2022 midterm elections, I developed and pitched MTV News & Logo on a social-first series focusing on divisive issues through a personal lens. Episodes would be filmed natively 9×16, with a max length of 90 seconds to optimize social algorithms. The pilot season: teachers, students, parents and politicians around Tampa on the impact of the new law.
The 6-part series “Divided: Queer Fear In Florida,” was filmed by Andy Whitlatch and co-edited with David Vendette.