LOVE MUSIC SHELTER: A Peek into Filmmaking, Homelessness and Community with Hamptons’ Own, Alixx Schottland

Inspired by real characters and events, LOVE MUSIC SHELTER is an uplifting story about a homeless mother, Lila, and her daughter, Nat, as they navigate their survival busking on the streets of New York City and on the boardwalk in the Rockaways. Ultimately they find salvation through Community, Music and Love. The short film is a passion project of producer, screenwriter, and actor Alixx Schottland, who wrote the original screenplay after being inspired by a chance meeting with a homeless mother and daughter at her son’s school. The film shines a bright light on the untapped musical talent that lives on the streets of New York City and is the hopeful story of making it against all odds.

Marsha Dietlein and CHANGO

I had the opportunity to sit down with Alixx Schottland and discuss from the conception of of the idea through to the most recent screening at the Village East by Angelika Theater for the SoHo International Film Festival.

“When I met a homeless mother and daughter at my son’s school, my rose colored glasses were ripped off forever and I realized I had to do something to bring awareness to the homeless epidemic plaguing our children and break the stereotypes surrounding homelessness today.” ~Alixx Schottland

Schottland was motivated to create a film that tackled the difficult subject matter of life in and out of homeless, while striving to involve the community she was representing. Her kindness and deep empathy for those around her shown through. “What can I do to help? How can I make a difference?,” she recounted as I sat across from her in Zucker’s Bagels and Smoked Fish in NYC.

LALA Romain

“LOVE MUSIC SHELTER is one of those special scripts that drops into your heart and never leaves. I was touched by it the first time I read it, and committed to working on it because of the subject matter and how I believe it will affect an audience.” ~Scott Rosenfelt, Producer

____________

The Backstory

Alixx Schottland began researching homelessness nearly 10 years ago, noting the judgment many people face when homeless or just a paycheck away from becoming homeless. She began volunteering at The Door, a NYC organization offering services to youth in need. It was there that she listened and learned about their lives on the streets, an experience she says changed her life. Schottland set out to tell a story of people that are living in an out of homelessness through the lens of music and the healing powers it can have. New York City’s homeless population has reached the highest levels since the Great Depression. According to the Coalition for the Homeless, as of December 2023, the total number of people sheltered in these systems was approximately 123,000, including over 33,000 children.

LALA Romain and Marsha Dietlein

Schottland’s production company, Over the Rainbow Entertainment, co-produced the short film with veteran producer, Scott Rosenfelt of Cinema Veritas. Their team includes director Courtney Miller and Director of Photography, Learan Kahanov.

Alixx Schottland, LALA Romain and Marsha Dietlein at Greenlight Studios in Brooklyn

___________

It takes a village!

Schottland candidly explained that she was tired of waiting around for the “gatekeepers,” so she put together a team of creatives who all felt deeply connected and inspired by the subject matter. The script touched those enlisted to help, thus fostering an authentic collection of cast and crew.

Marsha Dietlein and LALA Romain

Schottland shared a low light of the production process: the evening she learned her original lead actress was no longer available to act in her film. Shortly after learning the news, as Schottland sat outside with her husband, they both watched a star fall out of the sky. She clarified, “It wasn’t a shooting star, it was a falling star.” Schottland called her confidante and spiritual advisor Rabbi Darren Lavine for guidance and a reason. Not only did he advise that this moment was paving the way for new opportunities, but he ultimately became instrumental in securing Learan Kahanov, the extremely talented Director of Photography, for this project. Schottland explained that Kahanov loved the script so much, he offered to shoot the film free of cost as long as she promised him the feature. It is clear that so many of the individuals attached to this project were involved for all the right reasons: love for the script, love for the cause, and love for Alixx Schottland.

Brenda Braxton, Eve Austin, and Karyne Morris

“I immediately said yes to this project because the movie discusses themes of following your dreams, support and love between mother and child, and fighting the inner fears we all have about ourselves and whether we are good enough. I hope this film helps everyone to appreciate that special parent in their lives.” ~ Courtney Miller, Director

___________

Meet the Team

Alixx Schottland, Writer/Producer

Alixx is a writer/producer/actor with over 20 years of experience in the independent film, fashion, television and theater worlds. She is an ardent believer in projects that feature strong, complex roles for women and minorities with a focus on subjects closest to her heart, such as social issues, charity, and music. Alixx has graced the stage OFF Broadway in Katie, Mommy in Manhattan and most recently produced and acted in the controversial play White Woman, Black Boy, directed by theater legend Austin Pendleton.

Alixx’s recent producing credits include Slapface (a Shudder Original), The Four Walls of Charlotte Moreland, In Fidelity and Godsend, and upcoming project The Housewife. Alixx enjoys being an ambassador for thedoor.org serving at risk and unhoused youth.

Courtney Miller, Director

Former choreographer turned television and film director Courtney Miller has worked with the biggest names in music. From Michael Jackson to Prince, Beyonce to Usher, he’s created some of the most iconic dance moves the world has ever seen.

In 2017, Courtney won numerous awards for his musical short film Reparations! Over the the past four years, he’s honed his talents and has become one of the hottest new directors in film and television. With over 20 episodes of television, including “Saints and Sinners”and 3 made- for-tv films under his belt, he’s a force to be reckoned with and shows no signs of slowing down.

Scott Rosenfelt, Producer

Scott Rosenfelt is one of Hollywood’s most successful independent producers. On the strength of such films as Home Alone, Smoke Signals, Mystic Pizza, and Teen Wolf, Scott has garnered international acclaim and recognition. Rosenfelt has just wrapped principal photography on Holiday Twist, an independently-funded Christmas film to be distributed by Grindstone/Lionsgate. The film stars Sean Astin, Neal McDonough and Kelly Stables. He’s in production on SellBlock, a limited series shooting in the Philippines for Amazon Studios and recently worked with director-star John Leguizamo on the critically acclaimed film, Critical Thinking. Rosenfelt is a member of the Directors Guild of America, the Writers Guild of America and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Scott Rosenfelt and Alixx Schottland

______

The Music

The Next Stop: Nekaybaw McNeil, Eddie Bellas, Jelani Williams, Chezurleyah Allan and Edson Sean

As a true New Yorker does, Schottland spends plenty of time on the subway. During one particularly enlightening commute, Schottland came across the subway busker band, The Next Stop, singing the song ‘A Bright Day,’ which is now featured in the short film. Schottland had been having a rough day, but explains her mood quickly lifted as she watched the smiles stretch across the face of those around her. She thought, “Music Heals— even if it is briefly,” and the rest is history. Schottland has maintained a close relationship with the Next Stop for the last five years, and they were thrilled to play such a big role in the development and beyond of LOVE MUSIC SHELTER. The music featured in the film was generously donated by numerous musicians who fell in love with the project. Songs in the film in include Fly Hard (Jukebox), Holiday (Sylvie Cox), A Brighter Day (Eddie Bellas, Edson Sean), and Savage Heart (Jukebox).

Alixx Schottland and The Next Stop

____________

The Film & BTS

LOVE MUSIC SHELTER was filmed with a SAG micro budget as a proof of concept for a larger feature film. Shot on location in New York City and Long Island over a 3-day period in October of 2023, filming locations included NYC’s Beacon High School, Greenlight Studios in Williamsburg, the Rockaways and Clearwater Beach Club.

Charlie “Chrlip” Pomerantz, Alixx Schottland, Marsha Dietlein, and Abby Rose

____________

What’s Next

LOVE MUSIC SHELTER will be screening at the Voices Rising film festival on Sunday Oct. 20th at the Bayview Arts Center in Islip, as well as the AMT Film Festival in NYC in November. The short is currently waiting to hear back from 18 more festivals. Schottland hopes this short film will entice people to get involved with the feature, which she hopes to shoot in April or May of 2025.

Schottland says her dream cast includes the beloved talents already featured in the short film version, with the addition of stars Renée Zellweger, Kate Hudson, Bon Jovi, and music by Pink, Eminem, and Jewel.

Writer/Producer/Actor Alixx Schottland with TheDoor.org dancers

Not only is LOVE MUSIC SHELTER a proof of concept for its feature length version, but it serves as a proof of Schottland’s commitment to her community and her desire to “change the way people view those in and out of homelessness.” As she waits to begin production for the feature length LOVE MUSIC SHELTER, she encourages viewers (and readers!) to take a look at volunteering through The Door, Feed the Streets, and Winter Walk. “I am in interested in telling stories that make a difference— that can entertain and make an impact.”