Aftermath
The concept trailer for Aftermath.
At a glance: project stages and timeline
The current stage(s) in bold type.
Pre-production
Film: May 2024 - Dec 2024
Photography:
Exhibition:
Production
Film: Dec 2024 -
Photography: May 2024 - Fall 2026
Exhibition:
Post-production
Film:
Photography: Rolling basis
Exhibition:
Premiere
Film: Mar 2026
Photography: Mar 2026
Exhibition: Soft opening for the film premiere in March 2026, full opening TBD
Distribution:
Film: Mar 2026+
Photography: Rolling basis, featured online and at the exhibit
Exhibition: TBD
Beneath 40 Highway, near a creek.
Synopsis of the film: Aftermath
A documentarian returns to his hometown to grapple with the aftermath of gun violence in Kansas City, one of the most violent cities in the United States.
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.
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 description & background
This project has 3 primary creative components:
A documentary film.
A photography collection.
An exhibit.
The film will be finished and the exhibit will open before the photography collection is completed.
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
Artistic representations of difficult truths
Animated sequences
Full custom musical score
Narrative voiceover
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.
Budget & fundraising
We are seeking to raise a total of $X for Aftermath.
Characters & creators of Aftermath
Main characters
Jay W. Austin
A 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.
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
I’m a documentarian currently creating out of Atlanta, Georgia.
A note from Jay
This is not just 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 explicitly invited to this exploration of restoration.
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.