[Tenure Period]
About ABDUL’S STORY (2024) Runtime: 08:33
Featuring Tramell Tillman (SEVERANCE, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - THE FINAL RECKONING)
Written by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, Illustrated by Tiffany Rose
Executive Produced by the SAG-AFTRA Foundation
Directed & Produced by Amy Adrion
Abdul loves to tell stories. But writing them down is hard. His letters refuse to stay straight and face the right way. And despite all his attempts, his papers often wind up with more eraser smudges than actual words. Abdul decides his stories just aren’t meant to be written down…until a special visitor comes to class and shows Abdul that even the best writers—and superheroes—make mistakes.
The Making of I love the message of this book; in it, Abdul learns to tell authentic stories about his life, his world, even if they are different from the stories that came before, and even when others tell you it’s not a “real” story. This book is about an artist finding his voice, which is, ultimately, the journey for all artists. Following my own passions is what I try to do in my own filmmaking, it’s what I encourage my students to do, and it’s what I respond to in films and books - when something feels specific and REAL.
We shot ABDUL’S STORY in the stunning Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Midtown Manhattan on August 22, 2023, this time working with Cinematographer, Tine DiLucia, Camera Operator Liam Dillon and again, RIT alum Sarah Alexander as Assistant Camera. Animation Director Meghdad Asadilari worked with RIT grad student Crystal Hou and RIT Professor Don Casper again did the Color Correction.
I was thrilled to work with songwriter/composer/flutist Elena Pinderhughes on the score who I met through Academy Award nominated composer Laura Karpman. Elena wrote the perfect accompaniment to ABDUL’S STORY, and I got to add my name to her list of collaborators that also includes Childish Gambino, Common and Herbie Hancock.
Peer Review // Dissemination
Storyline Online is used by teachers in classrooms, by parents at home and on mobile devices, and is endorsed by leading organizations including the American Federation of Teachers and the American Library Association.
Each book includes supplemental curriculum developed by a credentialed elementary educator to strengthen comprehension, verbal and written skills. Teacher’s Guide
I am proud that each of the 7 episodes I directed have been given the “Storyline Online Kids' Top Pick Seal of Approval,” recognizing books that have surpassed 1 million views, highlighting their popularity among children and their impact as trusted early literacy tools for parents and educators.
ABDUL’S STORY has over 1.2 million views on YouTube
