Live Pitch Experience

A one-night immersive storytelling event inspired by the feature screenplay, The Weight of Silence by Shannan E. Johnson.

SEEKING VOLUNTEERS

LOS ANGELES BASED ONLY

  • EXTRAS: (Male and Female, 25+) Come dressed in your Western getup (cowboy boots, hats, belts, bolos, the works!) and provide the illusion of eager names on the guest list. Time commitment ~ 1.5 hours.

  • PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS: Help bring The Weight of Silence to life by supporting the creative team with event setup, production needs and breakdown. Dress casually in comfortable clothing and closed-toed shoes, and bring your Country Western attire to change into and enjoy the immersive experience. Time commitment: Full day.

    • Art Department P.A.’s: Work alongside the Creative Director to help execute the event’s visual installations and activations.

    • Social Media P.A.’s: Capture behind-the-scenes video and photography throughout the day. Must have your own camera or phone.

    • General P.A.’s: Help wherever needed, including load-in, setup, registration, food service and breakdown.

SUBMIT

THE STORY

The Weight of Silence is a contemporary Southern crime drama feature set against the rarely seen world of Black cowboys in Houston, Texas.

After her estranged father, a revered Black cowboy, is murdered in a string of serial decapitations, a sharp, guarded butcher returns home to bury him and get the hell out of Houston, only to be pulled into an investigation that re-entangles her in a toxic love triangle and exposes a buried family secret she's spent her life running from.

THE EXPERIENCE

The Weight of Silence Live Pitch Experience is an immersive storytelling event that invites audiences into the world of the feature script of the same name that explores Black rodeo culture, mystery, and family secrets. More than a staged reading, this experience is a bold reimagining of how stories are introduced to Hollywood, blending performance, atmosphere, and innovation.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2026 | LOS ANGELES, CA

VOLUNTEER SUBMISSIONS

QUESTIONS

The Creative Team

  • Shannan E. Johnson, Writer/EP, The Weight of Silence Live Pitch Experience

    Shannan E. Johnson

    WRITER/EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
    Former TV exec turned screenwriter and CEO + Head Consultant of The Professional Pen, a script consultancy developing screenwriters from idea to pitch.
    Credits: Syfy, FOX, Hallmark, allblk

  • Jason Dirden

    Director
    An actor, writer and director; Jason's work has stretched from Broadway to the screen. Working opposite the likes of Denzel Washington and Viola Davis, his audience favorites include Greenleaf, American Soul and Power Book III: Raising Kanan.

  • Artis J. Olds, Creative Director, The Weight of Silence Live Pitch Experience

    Artis J. Olds

    CREATIVE DIRECTOR
    Through The Art Is Brand, Artis partners with artists, institutions, and organizations to shape experiences rooted in culture.
    Credits: STOMP, October London, Kanye West, Expo 2025 Osaka