In a small town,
where everyone has secrets
she may have the darkest of them all.
series is currently in pre-production with filming set to begin on location in Georgia in summer of 2025.This six-episode series created by Vanessa Anthony explores themes of domestic violence, resilience, and restorative justice among unlikely alliances.
Ultimately, this series seeks not only to entertain - but to inspire, educate, and drive positive social impact through powerful storytelling and community engagement in our production journey.
THE
ATONEMENT
CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN |
Last winter, we met our campaign goal and then some - raising $5K+ for pre-production costs through Seed & Spark!
For this round of crowdfunding, we're raising $59,000 to jumpstart support for The Atonement's key production costs!
Support The Atonement series production: All online contributions are tax-deductible, private, and secure:
Contribute via Credit Card or eCheck :
ABOUT THE SERIES|
I was inspired to do this project because many years ago, I lost two distant family members to domestic violence. Although I was at a very young age, I remember the stories that circulated throughout the small town where I grew up in rural GA. I remember attending a funeral with two caskets, which was something I had never seen before and left a lasting impact on me. Through this TV series, I hope to explore the complexities of domestic violence and the challenges that victims face in seeking justice and protection. The character of Detective Robert Grant allows me to delve deeper into this issue and bring attention to the silence surrounding domestic violence, especially in small towns where everyone knows each other's business. In the aftermath of domestic violence, the events can lead to damaging one's mental health, and that's something I want to highlight through this story. Detective Grant's struggles with past trauma and guilt are representative of the mental health challenges that many victims and survivors of domestic violence face. By depicting these challenges through the character of Detective Grant, I hope to bring attention to the importance of mental health resources for victims and survivors of domestic violence. By setting the story in a small town, I am able to examine the cultural and societal factors that contribute to the prevalence of domestic violence and the ways in which communities can sometimes protect abusers instead of their victims. Overall, my goal with this project is to raise awareness about domestic violence, its impact on mental health, and inspire people to take action and speak up to prevent it from happening in their communities.
ABOUT THE CREATOR|
Vanessa D. Anthony, Writer & Producer
Vanessa D. Anthony is a constant and passionate voice in the independent television arena with more than 20 years of national and international experience. She is a proud graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design where she earned a B.F.A. in Digital Multimedia. Vanessa is also a member of the Women in Film and Video Association. Her inspiration to become a TV producer began while interning at CNN in Atlanta. In this position, Vanessa shadowed executive producers learning tons of skills that enriched her creativity and discipline. Soon after, she landed a position as Logging Coordinator in the Television Programming division with Turner Network Television. Alongside this role, she worked as a Production Assistant on the set of Turner Classic Movies. In 2007, Vanessa landed the opportunity of a lifetime as a voice talent with NHK English Radio, a leading Japanese radio and TV station. In Tokyo, she launched Movie Mad Entertainment, a production company through which she produced short films and a TV series showcasing artists residing in Japan. Her international experience also includes a stint as a production coordinator for Star Alliance’s, “A Meeting of Minds” with NBC Universal Europe. In 2016 she relocated to the United States, landing in Washington D.C. where she continued to work in production. Her short film "Mr. Big Shot" won Best Film and Best Sound for the "Make a Movie in a Month" competition. The film was also selected to screen at the Wheaton Film Festival. In 2018, she was the associate producer for a children’s program called “Lil’ Bruce Gamer,” which showcases the latest video games for game enthusiasts. Outside of Movie Mad Entertainment, she produces a travel series, "Hidden Gems" which is currently streaming on DCE Network. Her projects have screened at the New York Independent Film Festival, the Pumelo International Film Festival, the Urban Media Makers Film Festival, and the Tokyo Design Festa. The Atonement is a developing TV series, which is an extension of her short film “Death of a Drunk”. This series magnifies the intricacies of battered woman syndrome, domestic violence, and mental health. Vanessa aims to bring an overarching awareness about domestic violence while supporting victims and families as they navigate safety planning.
THE ATONEMENT series addresses complex themes surrounding intimate partner violence, trauma and restorative justice. Ultimately, we aspire to create a powerful and enlightening narrative that not only entertains, but educates, inspires, and drives positive transformation in society.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience severe intimate partner abuse.
72% of all murder-suicides involve an intimate partner.
94% of murder-suicide victims are female.”
-National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
JOIN OUR NETWORK OF IMPACT:
MISSION
To use The Atonement series to raise awareness about domestic violence and mental health issues, providing viewers with a deeper understanding of these topics and encouraging dialogue around them.
VISION
GOALS
Our vision is to provide thought-provoking content throughout the duration of the project. We plan to collaborate with relevant organizations to promote resources and support for those affected by domestic violence and its mental health implications.
Our ambition is to redefine the thriller genre through meticulous attention to artistic detail. Each episode will be crafted to evoke a sense of suspense, intrigue, and emotional engagement.
The Atonement is an adaptation of the 2008 short film, ”Death of a Drunk” written and created by Vanessa D. Anthony. In this six-episode series, Detective Robert Grant is assigned to investigate a peculiar murder case in the town, leading him to uncover an intricate web of secrets and lies. The captivating series follows Detective Robert Grant, a seasoned detective from Washington D.C. as he seeks redemption and atonement for his past trauma and guilt. He takes on the case of Martha Bradley's murder and the subsequent disappearance of her killer, hoping to find personal solace by bringing justice to the victim's family. With its compelling ensemble cast of characters and haunting backdrop of rural Georgia, The Atonement is a story that stays with you long after its truth is revealed.
ATONEMENT
THE
SERIES | Created by Vanessa D. Anthony
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Contribute to our crowdfunding campaign.
OR
Make a tax-deductible major gift - here's how:
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR FISCAL SPONSOR: From the Heart Productions, a 501(c)3 public non-profit organization, you can also make a major donation to The Atonement production - tax-deductible, private, and secure when made online or via mailed-in check.
DONATE via Credit Card or eCheck :
Make a ONE-TIME or RECURRING DONATION:
DONATE BY CHECK:
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Please make checks payable to: "From the Heart Productions"
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Memo Line: Indicate "The Atonement Series, LLC" on the memo line.
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Checks are processed within 15 business days.
DONATION RECEIPTS:
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A receipt will be sent to your email inbox as soon as your online donation is processed.
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If you select a recurring donation, receipts will be emailed following each period your donation is processed.
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Mail-in donations will be followed up with a tax-receipt by request: info@moviemadent.com.
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Please be sure to keep a copy of your receipt for tax purposes.
Questions about tax-exempt donations?
Please contact: info@fromtheheartproductions.com or check out FAQs
