KADEEM’S SONG

As a college pledge endures a brutal night of hazing, he looks for support to sever a family legacy.

Kadeem, a pledge at Gamma Psi Theta (ΓΨΘ), is made to follow the choreography of a step routine. He’s unable to keep up due to a previous knee injury related to hazing. The big brothers make comments, but there is one in particular that antagonizes him the most. Kadeem loses his temper and snaps back, leading to further punishment.

Toni, Kadeem’s romantic interest, arrives at his dorm to aid him. He tries to downplay the impact the experience has had on him, but he eventually breaks into a panic attack. She grabs a hold of him to help him calm down and shares words of encouragement to quit.

Kadeem visits his parents’ house and walks down a family hallway, reflecting the family legacy in Gamma. He’s come to tell his father, Malcolm, that he plans to quit. Malcolm initially shows concern for Kadeem’s bruises but encourages him to persevere. They briefly argue, but Malcolm shuts the spat down, re-enforcing his expectations. That there is no other option but to continue pledging to become a Gamma.

SYNOPSIS

CHARACTERS

  • KADEEM

    A college freshman in his first semester. As a legacy of the university and the fraternity, he is initially excited about joining the Gammas, but his expectations are challenged when he pledges and becomes a victim of hazing.

  • GAMMA # 1 & GAMMA #2

    They are the face of the fraternity and are in charge of the pledges. Gamma #1 is the empathetic leader and Gamma #2 gives tough love.

    They genuinely care for Kadeem to become a Gamma, but they still uphold the abuse by not initially reining in Gamma #3.

  • GAMMA #3

    The bully of the Gammas. He abuses his power by hazing the pledges, but Kadeem constantly resists. In return, Gamma #3 inflicts painful punishments in order to make an example of him.

  • TONI

    A sophomore in college and a Resident Assistant. She’s Kadeem’s childhood friend turned sweetheart.

    A little more secure in her place in college, she can provide Kadeem with emotional and physical support as she encourages him to quit.

  • MALCOLM

    The embodiment of the legacy ahead of Kadeem. Four generations of Gammas are represented in this man.

    While he cares that his son is injured, he still expects Kadeem to continue the process of becoming a Gamma.

PROOFS OF CONCEPT

TABLE READ

KADEEM: Jazz Jabulani

GAMMAS: Al’Jaleel McGhee

TONI: Jasz Ward

MALCOLM: Chike Johnson

READER: Felicia Oduh

Nov. 17, 2025

I GOT YOU

Kadeem’s Song is an exploration of the ‘before and after’ of the scene presented in I Got You. Originally written and directed in Spring 2019 at Columbia College Chicago as a project shot on location for Directing II.

After a horrific night of hazing, Kadeem chooses to confide in his girlfriend, Jacqueline, for comfort and to share his emotions regarding a family legacy.

PRODUCTION TIMELINE

  • DEVELOPMENT

    Finalizing White Draft | Acquiring Producers & Department Heads |

  • PRE-PRODUCTION

    Discussing Film | Prep Meetings | Tone Meetings | Locked Script | Fundraising | Meet with Donors | Casting

  • PRODUCTION

    Assembling Crew | Acquiring Insurance | Securing Locations | Filming

  • POST-PRODUCTION

    Editing | Picture Lock | Sound Mixing | Score Selection | Test Screenings

    DISTRIBUTION

    Festival Submissions | Film Festival Circuit | Public Screenings

THE FILMMAKERS

  • Gillian Fauntleroy (Writer/Director)

  • Alisha Sarafina (Producer)

  • Donijah Collier (Cinematographer)

  • Paskal Rudnicke Casting