HBO’s Phoenix Rising is a two-part documentary produced and directed by Amy Berg (HBO’s “The Case against Adnan Syed”), following actress and activist Evan Rachel Wood as she takes her experience as a survivor of domestic violence to pursue justice, heal generational wounds, and reclaim her story. Almost a decade after escaping a dangerous relationship, Wood co-authors and successfully lobbies for passage of The Phoenix Act, legislation that extends the statute of limitations for domestic violence cases in California. Wood courageously uses her own experience to bring visibility to the issue; ultimately, in solidarity with fellow survivors.
As the Graphics and Animation Director, I worked closely with Amy Berg, artists Nicoletta Ceccoli and Marc Bouwer, animator, Andrea Schmitz as well as the whole Post-Production team to create a suite of graphic treatments, animated sequences and titles that would help illustrate areas of the story for which footage cannot cover. It was about a year’s worth of work, and at times, quite difficult to stomach considering the subject matter. But I have every bit of admiration for Evan as a survivor and activist for telling this story to the world, and I am very proud to have been able to help her do so.
Phoenix Rising is available to stream on HBO Max, Hulu in the USA, and Binge in Australia.