Meet Alexis Small of Judge Khalil Animated Series

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Small.

Alexis, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
After being emotionally drained from the Trayvon Martin case, I began my journey of creating, producing and directing the Judge Khalil animated series. I wanted to create a show that introduces middle school students to different career paths, the importance of Historically Black College and University, veganism and more! I remember making a facebook status asking “What are the psychological effects of watching televised police brutality have on African American boys? The comments went throw the roof. I knew I had to do something, I wanted to create a space to discuss the increase of police brutality. I wanted this show to have the same effect on the upcoming generation that the Proud Family had on my generation!

After much research, I hired an animator to bring my vision to life. I called one of my college friends and we hosted a casting call. I reached out to my favorite youtube sensations, VanJess to create theme song. I reached out to Nakia Stephens to write the show. My cast and I met up every Sunday to record our voiceovers, which happens to be one of my favorite part of the production. A month or so later, I launched a crowdfunding campaign that unsuccessful. A year later, I launched another crowdfunding campaign and ended up raising a little over 7,000!

Has it been a smooth road?
The process was no walk through the park, it was more so a run through the jungle. I had big dreams with little money, I had animators quit on the project and a lot of broken promises. In the beginning, it was really hard to find an animator to be as passionate as my cast and I were/ are about Judge Khalil. Once I stopped looking, Sketch Studios reached out and saved the day! The project took a while to create due to the lack of funding prior to the crowdfunding campaign.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I enjoy storytelling. I enjoy inspiring tomorrow’s leaders. My proudest moments were winning my first Producing Award for Judge Khalil, receiving an invite to showcase Judge Khalil from Mr. Richard Lawson and Ms. Tina Knowles-Lawson, raising 7K in crowdfunding and meeting the Emmy award-winning Leo Sullivan (one of the God-fathers of animation).

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
LA is a great place to get started on a production base project. However, due to social media, you can get started anywhere all you have to do is START.

Contact Info:

• Email: judgekhalilseries@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judgekhalil/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Judge-Khalil-249301228837068/?ref=br_rs
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/JudgeKhalil_

Image Credit:
Alexis Small, Malon photography

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