Aftermath
Jay grapples with the aftermath of gun violence in Kansas City, MO — his hometown. With the help of his closest homies, he sets out to photograph more than 1000 locations around the city where people were killed by guns between 2019 - 2024. The further the project goes, the closer Jay comes to reaching out to a friend awaiting trial for murder.
The concept trailer for Aftermath.
At a glance
Project scope: 60-120 minute documentary film, photo exhibition, & impact campaign
Target premiere date: April 2026
Fundraising goal: $TBD
Current phase: Production
Beneath 40 Highway, near a creek.
Synopsis of the film: Aftermath
A documentarian grapples with the aftermath of gun violence in Kansas City, MO — his hometown. With the help of his closest homies, Jay sets out to photograph more than 1000 locations around the city where people were killed by guns between 2019 - 2024. They’re working on an exhibit. The further the project goes, the closer Jay comes to reaching out to a friend awaiting trial for murder.
Despite Jay’s intimate knowledge of the city and news reports listing out KC’s murders, it turns out that it’s not that easy to find where things went down. In addition to that, they must put boundaries on what types of gun violence they could include in the project.
Jay interviews survivors, witnesses, first responders, funeral home directors, lawyers, spiritual leaders, and people who pulled the trigger, leading him to form a nuanced comprehension of gun violence; a view that does not make things simpler, but may make things clearer.
It ultimately becomes apparent that Jay is not just an artist with a vision. He’s navigating his own way through the aftermath of gun violence. And the further the project goes, the closer Jay comes to reaching out to a friend awaiting trial for murder.
Aftermath is about more than gun violence in one Midwestern city. It is a project that asks, Is restoration possible in the aftermath of gun violence? Even if it is, is it even worth it to try?
A memorial where a personal dispute on a basketball court led to gun violence.
Project stage & timeline
The timeline for the overall project is listed in the first line. Film & Premiere- and Photo Exhibition- specific timelines are listed in the sub-points.
Pre-production: February 2024 - as needed
Film & Premiere: February 2024 - as needed
Photo Exhibition: February 2024 - as needed
Production: May 2024 - Late 2026
Film & Premiere: May 2024 - April 2026
Photo Exhibition: May 2024 - Late 2026
Post-production: October 2024 - Late 2026
Film & Premiere: May 2025 - April 2026
Photo Exhibition: October 2024 - Late 2026
Premiere: April 2026+
Film & Premiere: April 2026
Photo Exhibition: Late 2026
Distribution: April 2026+
Film: April 2026+
Photo Exhibition: Late 2026+
Project description & background
This project has 2 primary creative components:
A documentary film.
A photography exhibition.
The film will premiere before the photography exhibition opens.
Filming a location in the West Bottoms.
Artistic approach
Aftermath will be a feature-length documentary film with a total runtime of 75-120 minutes that will include the following creative elements:
Classic follow-me documentary filmmaking
Classic documentary interview setups*
Except in special circumstances, we will not feature footage of interviewees whose stories are featured in vignettes of violence.
Artistic representations of difficult truths
Animated sequences
Full custom musical score
Public art
Narrative voiceover from Jay
Premiere
We’re looking to premiere the film to a hometown audience in Kansas City, MO, in the Spring of 2026 in conjunction with a soft opening of the exhibit.
Distribution & intended social impact
The premiere will be followed by a well-planned series of local public and private screenings, followed by a short film festival run, and ultimately distributed on streaming platforms.
Getting picked up by a reputable streaming platform is cool, but I care most about the Kansas City distribution of the film. Here’s the vision:
Living room screenings – At the premiere, I will invite the audience to host small screenings at their homes with their neighbors, family, and friends. I’ll join them for those screenings, and would love to include others from the film.
High schools, alt schools, and universities – Screen the film in high/alt schools & universities in the Kansas City Metro, providing clear routes to restorative support at each stop.
Carceral and transitional facilities – Screenings and visitations at carceral and transitional facilities in KC, followed by processing and conversation.
The local screenings will be followed by a 3-6 month festival run. Unless the film is picked up by representatives through the film festival process, Aftermath will then be submitted to an aggregator for wider distribution.
Regarding the project’s impact, my vision is to leverage the film, photos, and exhibition into creating real life opportunities for people to seek personal and communal restoration in the aftermath of gun violence.
Budget & fundraising
The overall budget is TBD. To contribute to the project, please contact me.
Characters & creators of Aftermath
Main characters
Jay W. Austin
A documentarian and son of Kansas City grappling with the consequences of gun violence.
That’s me. This is the first time I’ve been my own protagonist (in a film, anyways).
As someone forever living in the aftermath of gun violence, I felt a responsibility to show myself on screen as I attempt to heal. My attempt involves — and possibly requires — creative expression.
I’m an artist, not an investigative journalist. And I approach my journey in this way. My hope is that my journey is useful to others grappling with the aftermath of violence in their own lives.
Other notable features
Casondra Foster
A licensed counselor.
Don Carter
A former police officer, and a mentor of Jay’s.
Key creatives
Cody Boston
Producer & Director of Photography
Cody’s an award-winning documentary filmmaker based in Kansas City, MO.
Mark Serrano
Asst. Photographer & Data Manager
Mark is a photographer and technologist based in Boston, MA.
Jay W. Austin
Director & Writer
I’m a documentarian currently creating out of Atlanta, Georgia.
A note from Jay
This is not only a film about the possibility of restoration — it is an honest attempt at it.
After I filmed the concept trailer, I understood how important it would be that every person involved with the creation of this film to have had experience with gun violence. That required some adjustments, but it is proving to be the best decision. Everyone working on this project has been invited to this exploration of restoration, and they’ve accepted.
This is the most difficult project I’ve ever taken on.
Emotionally, spiritually, creatively, thematically, and logistically, it’s just complicated. Sometimes it does not feel worth the toll, but we feel a deeply compelling sense of responsibility to finish this thing.
We must continue. I know that one day we will feel fulfilled that we dealt with our fear, doubt, and the hurt of healing as this turns into an invitation to others to continue through whatever aftermath they are wading through.
Thanks to all the people who have supported this project already. If you would like to know how you can contribute to the project, please contact me here.