William Dickerson
By William Dickerson
Aided by New York’s $420 million film incentive program and the state’s natural beauty, post-production facilities and vast talent pool, more filmmakers than ever are coming to the Empire State to make their movies a reality. The tax credits offered to qualified film, television and commercial productions are the leading reason noted by productions when deciding to film and produce in the State of New York – and these productions have contributed billions of dollars to the state’s economy since the tax credits were established by the governor’s office in 2011.
While the economic benefit is indeed a draw, filming in New York State – and in Yonkers, specifically – was simply the only option for me. “No Alternative,” a coming-of-age film I wrote and directed, is based in my hometown of Yonkers and the lower Westchester towns that surround it.
Set in 1994, when teenagers idolized the grunge musicians of the day and struggled to express themselves under the harsh criticisms of the conservative adults in their lives, the story centers around Thomas Harrison and his little sister, Bridget. Bridget boldly rejects the world around her, instead taking on the musical persona of a gangster rapper named “Bri Da B.”
It’s a controversial move at best and, at worst, a sign of her escalating mental illness, which sends waves of concern through her family members, who are inspired by me and my own family – my late sister, Briana; mother, Patti; and late father, the Hon. Thomas A. Dickerson, who passed away in July.
The film, which stars Michaela Cavazos, Conor Proft, Kathryn Erbe and Harry Hamlin, touches on many important themes of the day: mental health, suicide, cultural appropriation, drug use and gun control. But it was critical to me to film back in Yonkers, where I grew up, and where this story was born. We needed period-specific environments and all the benefits Yonkers could offer. It is film-friendly, easy to obtain necessary permits, and affordable.
I utilized the aforementioned New York State Film Tax Credit Program and worked closely with both the Mayor’s Office of Film and Photography and the Westchester County Film Office on the production, although my lifelong relationships in (and with) the city were just as important. I shot in the house I grew up in, and the Colonial Heights home of my friend Jason Fraina. We hired 15 crew members and nearly 80 extras from the community. And, most importantly, shooting here was key to telling the story with authentic sense of place.
Yonkers is as central a character in the film as anyone. Without the city, this story could never be told, and because of that, it feels fitting that the East Coast premiere of “No Alternative” will be at the sixth annual YoFiFest on Nov. 3. It’s a homecoming for me, and a film that I believe will resonate with audiences near and far, and help shine a light and broader awareness on tough topics.
I hope you’ll join me at the premiere.
Yonkers native William Dickerson is an award-winning filmmaker and author. His filmography includes his debut feature film “Detour,” the metafictional satire “The Mirror,” and most recent film “No Alternative,” which is based on the novel of the same name. Follow Dickerson and “No Alternative” on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, @NoAltFilm.
