Last week we wrapped filming on the MPI Original Film Infraction. The film is the second of three shorts shooting this summer that were acquired from MPI’s 2020 Short Film Creative Development and Production Lab.

Inspired by true events, Infraction follows an inmate and a prison guard who form an unlikely relationship with life-altering ramifications. Written and directed by MPI filmmaker Timothy Blackwood, the short touches on the themes of criminal justice reform and civil rights. 

Percy Daggs III (Veronica Mars, Lifetime’s Christmas in Louisiana) stars as inmate Terrance Lewis. He has appeared in dozens of films and television shows and is best known for his role as Wallace Fennel in the film and television series Veronica Mars. Playing opposite of Daggs as prison guard Lieutenant Miles Bennett is Kevin Oestenstad. A stage-trained actor, Kevin’s credits include NBC’s Chicago P.D. and the CBS drama CSI: Cyber.

During filming, the real-life Terrance Lewis visited the set. Besides being the subject of the film, he also serves as an executive producer on the short. Terrance is an exoneree and former juvenile lifer who served over 21 years on a wrongful murder conviction. After his release in May of 2019, Terrance created the Liberation Foundation, of which he is founder and president. The Liberation Foundation, also known as the Terrance Lewis Liberation Foundation (TLLF), is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for wrongfully convicted people who are seeking legal representation. Through his work at TLLF Terrance hopes to create lasting change in the justice system and provide support for those that need it most.

With principal photography complete, MPI will now assist Timothy with post-production which includes editing, sound mixing, and color correction.