[Happy Mother's Day Yall! Catch these highlights from our Mommy's That Werk Panel. Featuring: Lexi S. Brunson, Symphony Swan, Jamie Robarge, and Haley King. ]
In launching this series highlighting local filmmakers, I was hoping to be able to spotlight some of the people I’ve looked up to, worked beside on set and learned from personally. Milwaukee in particular, is a city filled with creatives, oftentimes working beside each other but not always intersecting. When I first had the opportunity to work with Immanuel, I was struck by his calm and cool demeanor on set. This is a director who has thought of everything before it could go wrong. In the world of film and television, sets can be a chaotic experience and working with Immanuel Baldwin is walking within the eye of a tornado.
What kind of filmmaking speaks to you the most as someone who works in a variety of environments from commercial to narrative?
As someone who works across multiple environments—from commercial to narrative—I am most drawn to filmmaking that blends emotional depth with visual precision. In both commercial and narrative spaces, I find storytelling that challenges the viewer, engages them emotionally, and pushes boundaries to be the most compelling. Whether it's a high-concept ad or an intricate narrative piece, I’m most captivated by work that creates a strong connection with the audience. Surprise and delight. I am particularly inspired by films that employ subtle details and layered storytelling, allowing the visuals, sound, and character development to elevate the narrative.
Currently, what is the strongest vision or aesthetic that's inspiring your work?
Right now, I’m very inspired by a balance between high-concept, visuals and deeply human, emotional storytelling. The aesthetic I'm drawn to is one of grounded realism in the emotional moments, contrasted with stylized, almost surreal futurism or minimalism. Currently, I’m learning to tell stories on a macro level with tighter shots altogether.
What's your favorite part about being a storyteller and filmmaker?
My favorite part of being a storyteller and filmmaker is the ability to craft something that resonates emotionally and intellectually. I love the challenge of translating complex ideas, emotions, and themes into a language that feels authentic and immersive. There is a unique satisfaction in seeing a story come to life through visuals, sound, and performance—creating an experience that stays with the viewer long after the credits roll. Additionally, I deeply enjoy the collaborative aspect of filmmaking—working with talented people across different disciplines to bring a shared vision to fruition.
What are some filmmakers or films that have significantly influenced your work?
I admire directors like Darren Aronofsky for his deep psychological exploration of characters and themes, Alex Garland for his mastery of clinical, dystopian worlds, and Salomon Ligthelm for his textured, emotionally rich storytelling. Each of these filmmakers brings something unique to their work—whether it’s Aronofsky’s disorienting visual style or Garland’s philosophical narrative depth. Their films challenge the viewer and push boundaries in both content and form, which aligns with my own approach to filmmaking. I also find inspiration in stories like Ex Machina Black Mirror, and Swan Song, which all blend technology, emotional storytelling, and social commentary.
How have you evolved as a filmmaker over time?
Over time, I’ve evolved into a filmmaker who values not just technical proficiency but the emotional and thematic depth of a story. Early in my career, I focused heavily on the technical aspects of filmmaking. As I’ve matured, I’ve developed a deeper sensitivity to the emotional journey of characters and how visuals can serve the narrative. I’ve also become more comfortable with taking creative risks and experimenting with new styles. And most recently being okay with sitting still for a beat. I think it gets difficult to see other creatives making things while you’re not. It’s been a whirlwind of growth for me to be okay and content with allowing space to think and to rest.
Find Immanuel Baldwin’s work: @directorbaldwin on Instagram and www.directorbaldwin.com
Into independent film? Want to learn more?
Controversy. What is its origin? Is it caused by differences in thought and opinion? Does the sensitivity of each topic’s complex layers define the foundation? My theory is that only one perspective of each topic is subconsciously designated by large communities as the poster child, while all alternative sides are buried away and slowly erased from all media and communication outlets. Whoever shares the knowledge of the hidden corridor to alternative sides of topics is labeled as the opposite of America’s sweetheart: controversial. Since feathered ink pens and instinctive pigeons spread news and knowledge, there has always been a divide between the two types of people who are born from controversy. Those who run from it like a thief in the night, and leaders who embrace it with open arms, like getting a hug from big mama. While thousands of people accessorize themselves with blinders and disregard, daring and courageous leaders such as Mikey Cody Apollo transform into keys that unlock all testimonies and evidence to the well-kept perspectives.
Did that name ring a bell? Milwaukee School of the Arts Alum, Mikey Cody Apollo, has contributed not only education, sex-positivity, jaw-dropping reads, and thought-provoking films to both the youth and her very own mentors, most importantly her voice. She’s sitting at the head of the table to celebrate the uncomfortable conversations often turned into white noise by cities, and immersing her community in spaces that have never been depicted to them so colorfully. The author of Black Girls, Silence, and Other Things Made of Gold gifted her audience forms of black love: romantic, self-love, and love for what art gives to souls internally. The 70-piece collection of poems is a literary collage of Apollo’s resilience as well as authenticity, which is rooted in love. The gate-flooding success of the 2017 Cody masterpiece stamped the need for Mikey’s value and presence in the city of Milwaukee on a vital level, which brought a plethora of kinfolk rooting for the creative with excitement and hunger. However, the exposure and achievement of Black Girls, Silence, and Other Things Made of Gold created fear inside the artist, specifically the sophomore slump{fear of not replicating or surpassing the success of one’s debut creation}. One topic ignited a fire inside Mikey that quickly minimized the fear of a sophomore slump: suicide. Her pen began to write with such admiration, grace, and marriages of pain bound with apologies you’d think only Maya Angelou deserved.
Sunday, March 30th, 2025, La Gente Art Gallery {2478 N Murray Ave, Milwaukee, WI} became a live mural of beautiful black, brown, and other minority faces smiling from ear to ear as if it were the annual family reunion and all the cousins were getting together. The unique celebration was posed as the one anniversary for Apollo’s latest literary sensation, The Opposite of A Suicide Note. This masterpiece was created by Apollo diving into a road of darkness, violence, depression, and mental check-outs. The book is a three-piece combo of poetry, prose, and visual art that is reviving themes of grief, healing, and love with a side of mental wellness. With one of our very own attending and moderating, Jamai Fisher, alongside host Mikey Cody Apollo, /CW had a golden ticket to the front row of this tranquil and Erykah Badu coded experience. The communal gathering began with a writing workshop that ran from 2 pm to 3:15 pm. The poetic samurai gave an expansive number of prompts to the audience. Vulnerable truths, fresh as well as scarred wounds, and the importance of a village are just the surface of all the prompts that were given.
“The writing workshop felt like art therapy. It applied to everyone, no matter the different varying levels of writing we all came from. The event was not only targeted at academic writers and scholars of poetry. The prompts led writers to get emotionally raw, whether they were ready for it or not. There’s power you can derive from sharing what you’ve survived.”- Kip
“Mikey’s event got my creativity back in gear. It was a safe place for expression and reflection. I was gloriously envious of their connections and the way they support and feed into each other’s souls in so many ways.”- Sheena C.
All who were in attendance quickly and sincerely resonated with who Apollo is and the lens they wrote The Opposite of A Suicide Note in. I became fascinated when listening to poets, teachers, Cody’s friends, and those who showed up a few hours later after hearing about the celebration that same day through social media and word of mouth. If I were to put everyone’s names in a bowl, duplicate responses would be given when describing feedback on the event. Mikey made everyone feel appreciated, prioritized, and valued.
“The space was founded in consideration for Mikey’s audience. It was an honor being a receiver and participant to the love of poetry, being that I am a teacher of the beloved language. From the natural light provided to us when writing, the room felt breathable for all the writers. We were able to see the rain fall down the panes of the windows and feel everything in the moment.”-Shalina
“Mikey is showing people that even from the darkest days that life is a beautiful thing.”- Amber
The authentic exchange of empathy, artistic expression, and support did not stop after the writing workshop. From 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm, the grand finale was in motion, and the discussion regarding Apollo’s book, The Opposite of A Suicide Note, came into effect. Although the author was heavily raised and brought up in church with a Christian worldview, her family did not follow the traditional framework and mindset of approaching the world. Their mother would be sitting in the front pews effortlessly knowing every lyric to each hymn, but still believed and applauded science.
“We were the family that wore jeans to church. My mom believed in science. My mom was very quick to put me on birth control once I had expressed interest in sex. So we held all these things simultaneously.”- Mikey Cody Apollo
It was embedded into Apollo from the early stages of life that there are always multiple perspectives of topics and how to voice how those topics make you feel, which influenced the different styles of writing Mikey uses now as an author. As a result, they hit their audience with a distinctive pair of frames to capture the new perspective Cody was introducing in this second book of theirs. Platonic love was used not only as the lens of story but also as the element of surprise. Cody expressed how the idea of love is popularly condensed to sex, flowers, candy, and romantic love, alienating the significance of love’s other forms. Friendships are often overshadowed by the power, resilience and strength one establishes within self-love and in the words of Ella Mai; when they get boo’d up. Mikey is advocating that your friends deserve unapologetic love, upliftment, growth, and admiration as well. A friend doesn’t only deserve a hangout because you are in the mood for some drinks, hot wings, and a dance floor. Friendship should be prioritized throughout every season in life, no matter if life is lifeing or you’re simply living in your best one yet. Mikey’s own friends, Genesis Renji, Olivia, and Yessica, influenced and aided the creation of the bold and brilliant masterpiece the audience discussed. Conversations, poetry slams, and even Apollo’s own suicide attempt do nothing but strengthen and solidify just how vital and connected the three friends are. G. Renji asked Cody, “What’s the opposite of a suicide note?” Answering himself, he blurted,” An affirmation.” Before you knew it, the title was born, and Rodney J & Yessica Jimenez began working on the artwork for the book as the illustrator!
Menstruation, depression, violence, and assault are emphasized as battles inherently faced by all individuals at some point in time throughout the read. Mikey wanted to create an affirmation in book form to more than suicide-attempt survivors, but for any human being who feels immense waves of sorrow, guilt, sadness, and numbness, to unveil the beauty of pain as well as healing. Apollo has made it known that their writing is not for everybody, but one thing that will remain constant is that their writing is for themselves and internally heals pieces of self. Suicide was not the only trial and tribulation Cody shared as one of their battles throughout the courageous pages. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, also known as PMDD, often characterized by significant emotional and physical symptoms that disrupt daily life, such as work, relationships, and social activities. This is another emotionally raw scene Cody shared with readers and her tangible audience at the celebration of their book. PMDD affects lives by causing suicidal thoughts, anxiety, mental illness, and depression, but there are multitudes of information that communities, including the 414, does not know about the struggle. Mikey wanted their one-year anniversary of the book as well as the literary ensemble, to bring awareness to Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and how to properly adjust to it.
“The Opposite of A Suicide Note is conversation-driven. The purpose of the book is for people to start pouring back into themselves how they do men, women, and materialism. I want our people to go just as hard for ourselves as we do for one another.” -Mikey Cody Apollo
Now my question to you is: Who are you in the midst of controversy? Are your friends prioritized just like your boo is? Go cop Apollo’s groundbreaking read now & follow their work:
Snap a finger or two at the next poetry slam you see them at.
Desriana Gilbert | Entertainment & Social Journalist for /CW
We are excited to introduce a new guest writer, focusing on “up and coming local filmmakers and film projects”, Jolee Mallman.
“We are constantly exploring ways to tap into the diverse creative industries we have in Milwaukee & of course in the Midwest. So when Jolee reached out, it just made me excited to see someone exploring film because they love it and want to share it with the world. You better believe we are going to make room on our platform for that!” - Lexi S. Brunson | Active Editor-in-Chief /CW
Jolee is a Midwest artist and filmmaker living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They have a passion for narrative filmmaking, sketch comedy, and independent productions. Jolee got their start in filmmaking with a local/low budget/community makes it happen mentality ala "Be Kind Rewind" 2008.
Be ready to explore more of the film scene with a twist, with monthly
drops from Jolee on copywritemag.com/blog.
Welcome back to another week of great conversation!
Disclaimer: When I'm describing "touching" - I meant "atoms" not electrons.
Carpe Denim is a bold runway experience that reclaims the resilience, edge, and timelessness of denim. From repurposed streetwear to avant-garde couture, the show explores denim not just as fabric—but as metaphor: a symbol of durability, rebellion, and reinvention. Every piece on the runway is a testament to creative self-expression and the beauty of transformation.
Attendees can expect:
One-of-a-kind denim designs
Styled looks from emerging and established fashion visionaries
Live music + immersive visuals
A narrative-driven runway curated by Milwaukee’s own Carlos M Vergara Jr.
This isn’t just fashion. It’s a movement. A space where denim becomes both the canvas and the conversation—where street meets sophistication, and where ‘ghetto’ becomes gold.
Photo by freakish nerd
Cultivating a sound is no easy feat. You have to be willing to push into your authenticity [who cares what's “poppin” it has to be all you B], dabble in this, jump into that, and go places musically that you may have never ventured before. King Kalumet is no stranger to the Midwest creative scene. From graphic design to lifestyle brand, model tings’ and more, he has shown us that his creative muscles flex in many directions. So when I heard he was working on an EP, I had to make sure the files were sent my way.
GOLD FANG$ [EP]is an eclectic mix of posturing [we love a good ego trip], prophetic ambition, and personal penning. It takes us through a genre mash-up of hype hip hop, hollow point pop [I’m coining the term], story telling, and suave sensations. Who is this for? I’m pretty sure the King himself. Where every track has a “mood”, its collective narrative seems to define how Kalumet sees the world.
Photo by freakish nerd
The track that holds the EPs moniker GOLD FANG$ directs attention to the talent that has come out of the 414, but forgets to rep the city; leaving us out of the historical loop of heavy hitters [a controversial topic indeed]. However, he seems to be fine with picking up the slack and putting the city on his back. “I can talk my sh*t, but I can back it up”, he dotes repeatedly. Am I concerned for him? ABSOLUTELY! Because I hear challengers coming and slaying the creative opps causes fatigue lol.
My favs on this project are the intermissions, It’s Complicated & Voice Mail From Joy 11-25PM, because who doesn’t love to hear women rant spasmodically about a guy? [I mean we have ALL been there!] and INFINITY.
INFINITY has this bounce and you have to ride that beat. King Kalumet rides it, gives the girls a little love, and doesn’t do too much. He could have layered the bars but instead its punch lines are playful. It's footwork and house parties. It’s sooo midwest but so universal…and I think that's the key.
photo by carnegieimagery
For this lyrical music collection, I think you have to know a little something about the modern world. A little media [movies, music, art], a little romance [heartbreak, lust, love], some Urbanism [I mean it in the post-industrial hood way], and the pursuit of educated individuality [that's where the money resides]. So you have to listen, think about it, listen again, and find the tracks that resonate with you. Pieces to the story, ya know? Making connections while sipping some Henny [see I was listening lol]. And don’t forget that “gold fangs” come with teeth and you have to be willing to bite down.
Keep going, King Kalumet. . . Just please, keep going.
Lexi S. Brunson | Editor-in-Chief /CW
CopyWrite Magazine, Media & Design LLC is a Milwaukee based organization & company that promotes the ever morphing nature of Urban culture.
