They called her ‘Buckwheat’ as a child; Her genre-blending new film flips the script on preconceived narratives

Jamie Addison’s production company aims to expose realities not often explored in mainstream media or society, the Kansas City filmmaker said, particularly as they reveal truths that have been hidden to create misleading or outright false narratives around gender, race and social norms.

“Let’s take back the power and identity and love ourselves; truly feel that we’re valuable,” she said. “That’s the theme I want to infuse into the stories I’m telling.”

Jamie Addison and her daughter Noa

Addison, for example, didn’t expect to struggle with breastfeeding her daughter, she shared. Yet she was made to feel frustrated and alone by the challenge.

“I felt like the oddball,” Addison said. “The stories that are front and center show someone breastfeeding successfully, and you think, ‘What’s wrong with me?’”

Addison used writing as an outlet and eventually turned her experience into an award-winning script for the sci-fi thriller film, “BF.” 

“It was therapeutic. Once the script was complete, I didn’t want to put the story in the hands of someone else because of how personal it was to me. So, I decided to see it all the way through and start my own production company,” said Addison, who founded Buckwheat Productions in 2022.

“I’m hoping that this project is a place for those of us who struggle to feel seen and know there is nothing wrong with you,” she continued.

Click here to check out Buckwheat Productions.

“BF” is the debut project for Buckwheat Productions, which aims to use storytelling as a creative way to challenge societal norms. Buckwheat Productions blends genres, evokes renewed perspectives and creates a space for those who feel unseen or unheard, Addison explained. 

The film follows an overwhelmed, first-time mother who is paid a peculiar visit from an old friend. The encounter takes a turn when her friend takes a suspiciously strong interest in one aspect of Kellie’s postpartum experience: her breastmilk.

Still from “BF,” courtesy of Buckwheat Productions

The script for “BF” was honored as a quarter finalist in the Chicago Screenplay Award and won Best Short Script at the Oniros Film Awards in New York. “BF” is set to premiere at the end of 2023, Addison said. 

“We filmed here in Kansas City and had an entire Kansas City-based cast and crew,” Addison said, noting that it was important to her that the project highlight local talent. “So we’re definitely going to have our premier in Kansas City as well.”

Click here to read about another founder who started a company inspired by her breastfeeding experience.

Still from “BF,” courtesy of Buckwheat Productions

Challenging social norms

All stories told through Buckwheat Productions will analyze and challenge the status quo, Addison said, noting that even the name “Buckwheat” comes from a personal reshaping of how she viewed herself.

Jamie Addison, Buckwheat Productions

“Growing up, I had two nicknames — Buckwheat and Black Beauty — and I hated them both,” Addison recalled. “I would tell my aunt and my grandmother when they were picking me up from school, ‘Do not call me those names. Call me Jamie.’ Because I didn’t want to be made fun of for being a horse or a little boy with dark skin and kinky hair.” 

As an adult, Addison grew to love the name Black Beauty but still felt hesitation with being connected with the young, Black boy from “Our Gang” (also known as “The Little Rascals”), she said, candidly.

“Even as a 38-year-old last year, I still thought of the name being associated with something not accepted and less desirable — and I was like ‘Why is that?’ It didn’t feel right,” Addison said. “I did some digging and found out the character of Buckwheat started as two little girls [who originally played the role before it was taken over by child actor Billie Thomas]. They tried to position them as ugly because they had dark skin and kinky hair, but 38-year-old Jamie was looking at them and acknowledging that they are so beautiful. 

“Why do we let society tell us this lie that dark skin and kinky hair is not beautiful?” Addison continued. “I had to look at myself and realize that you’re beautiful. Let’s flip this narrative so that people who look like me don’t have to feel that way about themselves.”

Addison already has ideas of social norms she plans to challenge through creative storytelling, she teased. Viewers can anticipate themes of identity acceptance and bodily independence — for people of all kinds, not just women. 

“A lot of times autonomy over your body comes into play with women,” Addison acknowledged, “but I’m going to challenge what that would look like if it was expanded more broadly. Would the song that everyone is singing be the same tune if that was applied across the board?”

Expert in relationships

Prior to founding Buckwheat Productions, Addison originally got involved with Kansas City’s film community seven years ago as an actress, she said. 

“The most valuable advice I’d give to someone starting out in this industry is to show up 100 percent,” Addison said. “Whether you are getting paid or maybe only receiving a meal or just volunteering, give it your all. That’s when you’re going to really grow and learn. Show up and give 100 percent not expecting anything in return because eventually, when you need it most, it will come back to you.”

Addison admitted she was not an expert in all things production when she decided to launch her company, but she is an authority in establishing and nurturing relationships.

“I don’t know all of the ins and outs of standing up a production company, but I was able to lean on my community and bring in experts,” Addison said. “Being able to lean on the Kansas City arts community has been critical for success.” 

Accessibility to both talent and resources in Kansas City is one of the region’s greatest strengths for creatives, Addison continued.

“If you were to go to a big city on the coasts, you wouldn’t be able to access the talent and tools that you can quickly access here,” Addison said. “Kansas City is an excellent place to really take advantage of honing your talents, learning and growing — and I think we’re really going places.”