This short motion picture is a powerful hybrid work that blends the emotional immediacy of a scripted biopic with the reflective depth of a poetic documentary. Serving as a proof of concept for a future feature-length film, it reenacts the pivotal chapters of Dr. Rod Paige's journey to highlight the experiences that shaped his groundbreaking philosophy on education. Through these intimate, immersive vignettes, viewers gain a rare look into the life, impact, and enduring legacy of the former U.S. Secretary of Education, whose vision sought to uplift underserved communities and redefine opportunity for generations to come. This project is fully supported by the Paige family.
ATTACHMENTS
YOUNG ROD PAIGE – Woody McClain is an acclaimed American actor, model, and singer from Charleston, South Carolina. He gained national recognition for his breakout portrayal of Bobby Brown in BET’s The New Edition Story and The Bobby Brown Story, and later solidified his presence onscreen as Cane Tejada in Power Book II: Ghost. McClain also appears in the NAACP and Gotham Award–winning film The Harder They Fall. Before acting, he built a devoted following as a social media creator and professional dancer, performing with artists such as Chris Brown and Fifth Harmony.
CL PAIGE – Thomas “Nephew Tommy” Miles is an American comedian, actor, and radio personality best known as a longtime co-host of The Steve Harvey Morning Show. He has appeared in popular films including Think Like a Man and serves as the charismatic host of the hit OWN dating series Ready to Love. Miles is also widely recognized as the real-life nephew of comedian and television host Steve Harvey, the inspiration behind his stage name. His energetic humor and dynamic on-screen presence have made him a standout voice in entertainment.
DIRECTOR & WRITER – Isaac Yowman is a Grammy-nominated, 12x Platinum music producer turned award-winning filmmaker who has collaborated with artists like Beyoncé, Zedd, Megan Thee Stallion, and SZA. As Founder and Creative Director of IYO Visuals, he leads a minority-owned production company producing impactful work for brands including the NBA, Marvel, Nike, Netflix, and General Motors. His projects include All Screwed Up, acquired by Sony Pictures and in development with Travis Scott, and the NAACP Image Award–nominated documentary Memory Builds The Monument. Most recently, his Adidas film Rides & Hides won at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival, adding to honors such as a Telly Award, a Shorty Award, and a Cannes Lions Shortlist.
DECK
BEHIND THE SCENES
This indie micro-budget project, backed by Texas Southern University, The Fordham Foundation, and The Rod Paige Education Fund, bridges education and industry. It gives undergraduate students real-world experience in film by pairing them with professional crews and actors, while also strengthening HBCU pathways into media and education careers.