HBCU-based feature film 'In the Chateau,' created by a FAMU alum, will premiere on campus

Florida A&M University alumnus DaCari Taylor is bringing the HBCU (historically Black college or university) experience to the big screen with a new feature film being premiered on campus. 

"In the Chateau" – a film written, directed and co-produced by Taylor as his first project – will premiere in FAMU's Lee Hall auditorium at 7 p.m. Saturday Nov. 15 and is open to the public. Tickets are free. 

"What inspired me to write 'In The Chateau' was just me trying to write about something I know and something that could be fun," Taylor, a 26-year-old Tallahassee native, told the Tallahassee Democrat. "The whole project simply was to have fun, discuss the realities of HBCU students and to create a feature film." 

Taylor, a fall 2022 graduate of FAMU, received his bachelor's degree in health science with a concentration in pre-physical therapy. But his true passion is storytelling – an interest that was developed during his freshman year when he coached a step team made up of young men from local high schools in Tallahassee and assisted with their skits in between step routines.

The coming-of-age, HBCU-based film – which is 90-minutes long – is about a journalism student Raven Jones who attends French Hill University, a fictional HBCU, and is forced to mentor a transfer student by the name of James Richardson. Themes that are incorporated include campus politics and Greek life, which is an area Taylor has first-hand experience with as a member of the Beta Nu Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

'From concept to completion'

The film, which has 15 cast members, took two years to complete as Taylor started working on it in spring 2023. FAMU's former Student Body President Zachary Bell also helped to produce the film.

"My line brother DaCari approached me and he let me know about his goals and ambitions with film and entertainment," Bell, a two-time graduate of FAMU with bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration, said in an Instagram post. "Since he was the creative who knew all about writing and directing, and I could bring in more of the business mindset... we joined forces."

Despite the challenge of scheduling convenient times for the film's crew to work on the production, the vision came to life. "This was my first time writing the story, this was my first time directing the story and this was my first time working with the team that we have," Taylor said, "and on top of that, nobody stopped their school or work life for this film."

The film cost thousands of dollars with a lot of the money coming from Taylor and his team's pockets, but financial support also came from family, friends and fraternity brothers. It was extensively filmed on FAMU's campus, and Taylor said professors and deans gave him permission to use classrooms and buildings − such as the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication building − for some of the scenes.

In addition, everyone in the film is either a FAMU graduate or a current student of the university, with the exception of a Florida State University student who is part of the production. Among the film's actors is FAMU alumna Nevaeh Palmer, a Dallas, Texas native with a bachelor's degree in graphic design who plays the lead role of Raven Jones. 

"It's been an incredible opportunity to represent my school and myself while working alongside such talented and dedicated individuals," Palmer, 23 told the Democrat. "To me, this project represents having the courage to chase your dreams and inspire others to do the same."

Similar to Taylor's move of producing a film that will be premiered at Lee Hall, celebrated Hollywood producer and FAMU alumnus Will Packer took the same approach when he pushed out his first film "Chocolate City" in 1994 as its producer while FAMU alumnus Rob Hardy wrote and directed it.

Related news: Will Packer, Rob Hardy return to FAMU to celebrate 25th anniversary of 'Chocolate City'

Considering how Packer was a FAMU engineering student who took the risk of entering the film industry, the Hollywood mogul has inspired Taylor as a filmmaker. The same goes for Hardy, who Taylor says has been very supportive of the production. "Since day one, he's been giving me advice and continues to just motivate the next generation," Taylor said, referring to Hardy.

Packer – who would wake up at 3 a.m. to deliver newspapers all over Atlanta, Georgia and worked at temp services as he chased his film dreams – has produced films that grossed in total more than $1 billion worldwide at the box office. He is also the founder and CEO of Will Packer Productions and Will Packer Media, and he has had 10 No. 1 films including "Girls Trip" "Ride Along," "Think Like a Man" and "Stomp the Yard."

Other notable FAMU alumni who helped Taylor throughout the process of producing the film were filmmakers CJ Faison, Tirrell Whittley, Leland Hall and James Bland – all of whom are also members of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity's Beta Nu Chapter.

"Supporting DaCari has been an easy 'yes' from the start," Faison told the Democrat. "He's a visionary storyteller with the discipline, integrity and creative drive that represent the very best of FAMU. Watching him and his team take 'In the Chateau' from concept to completion has been powerful − this is exactly what it looks like when young filmmakers bet on themselves, trust their voice and put in the work." 

"I'm incredibly proud of DaCari and my other frat brothers of Beta Nu for bringing this project to the finish line," he added, "and I know this premiere at Lee Hall is only the beginning of what he's about to contribute to the industry." 

Taylor and his team are still discussing what their next steps should be after the premiere, and he says it depends on the response they get from their audience. At the same time, he hopes to take the movie to other HBCU campuses for similar screenings.

Although the premiere is open to the public, it is unclear whether notable FAMU alumni from the film industry will be in attendance or not. For a ticket to watch the premiere, visit "In the Chateau" on the Eventbrite website .

Tarah Jean is the higher education reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat, a member of the USA TODAY Network – Florida. She can be reached at  tjean@tallahassee.com . Follow her on X:  @tarahjean_ .

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: HBCU-based feature film by FAMU graduate will premiere on campus