Where Are They Now?: Ché Williams 16F Keeps It Reel

When we spoke with alum Ché Williams 16F in 2021, he was a production assistant on the History Channel documentary Tulsa Burning: The 1921 Race Massacre. Today, he’s a producer, researcher, camera operator, and grip. He’s also working on his own documentary — his first feature since his Div III project. He made time in his very busy schedule to fill us in on his last five years.

What are you up to these days? 
    
I just wrapped up producing the eighth season of The Murder Tapes for ID Discovery and HBO Max and am currently doing research on an upcoming documentary for PBS. When I’m not producing a show, I’m working as an assistant camera operator or as a grip on commercials. I’m based in the beautiful city of Newark, New Jersey, but most of my work happens in New York City, so I get the best of both sides of the Hudson. 

I’m also independently directing and producing a documentary about the fishing industry, which is very exciting. I haven’t made my own feature since my Div III, so I’m ready to get back into that rhythm of creating my own work and building from what I’ve learned working for all the best documentary directors and producers: Marco Williams, Stanley Nelson Jr., Joe Berlinger, Craig D’Entrone, Julie Sisson, Stacy L. Holman, Maya Tepler, and Shawn DeClair.

What are you most proud of?

My short film Domino Days [available streaming on Vimeo] was accepted into the 2024 BlackStar Film Festival and was heralded by many outlets as a favorite short film. I got a lot of positive feedback from the audience and other filmmakers.

Producing and working on true crime documentaries and shows for all the big streamers and networks has been meaningful. It’s beautiful that so many people have watched the work I helped create.

I signed my first lease for an apartment in my hometown, which was always a short-term dream. It’s gratifying that I was able to accomplish that in this economy.

In 2021, I was offered a gig that might have given me access to many rooms I’ve always dreamed of, but it would have taken me away from the East Coast — not just my family and friends, but also the community of creatives I’ve been cultivating. I’m proud of myself for staying ten toes down in “dirty Jerz” and embracing the complexities of building a life for myself here.

 I had a dream team committee, even when the College was changing, and man, I’m still in awe of all three of them. What a way the universe works. 

How did Hampshire help prepare you for your life after college, professionally and otherwise?

Hampshire sometimes feels like a fever dream. So much happened in my time, from 2016 to 2020, and looking back on it, I don’t think I’ve processed everything I felt at the time.

Hampshire connected me with students and faculty from so many walks of life and truths. Learning from people at Hampshire and throughout the Five Colleges who were more marginalized than myself (queer Black and womxn/femmes of color, namely) introduced me to theory, language, and art that I wouldn’t have been exposed to if I’d stayed in a bubble. I have love for so many people from that Hampshire journey, and walk with them in solidarity always.

I also have to thank my advisor, kara lynch, and Hope Tucker and Tara Bynum. I had a dream team committee, even when the College was changing, and man, I’m still in awe of all three of them. What a way the universe works. kara and Hope are both former boarding school kids just like me, and I felt understood by them not just because of our shared adolescent experiences, but also because they pushed me to be the best artist, practitioner, and teacher I could be. Through them I learned that creating is a consistent process and practice and to be a lifelong student is a gift.

Dr. Bynum was one of my sister’s friends at Barnard and I had no clue until my sister saw the article from 2021 and realized! She gave me a great Black literary foundation and confidence in my ability to convey my opinions to an audience.

Shout out to Neil Young, Patrica Montoya, Chris Tinson, Mei Ann Teo, Daphne Lamothe at Smith College, Viveca Greene, and John Brunner, who each taught me in unique ways that I still pull from.  

What do you do for fun?

It can be hard to find time for fun in the rat race, but I’m always watching films. I got a Film at Lincoln Center membership and have met some cool people there.

I’ve always enjoyed watching sports, and this year I want to do some sports writing, especially with the World Cup, Winter Olympics, and World Baseball Classic all happening in one year. I want to highlight the connections between the sports global stage and the current political landscape.

How did you get to where you are now from where you were in 2021? What have you figured out since then and what are you still learning?

Growth is so cyclical. I’m always striving for a version of myself I might not ever meet, but it’s beautiful to wake up and get one percent better every day.

The film industry is very humbling and has taught me so much about patience and not taking rejection personally, though it can feel like an indictment on me and my abilities. I’m grateful for all of these rejections as much as they sting because they help me get closer to where I’m supposed to be.

I’m still learning about how I want to bring my stories to audiences. In this ever-changing digital media landscape, audiences are not connecting with film and television in the old ways. Linear cable television and movie theaters, sadly, are on the way out, and even the streaming war seems to be changing. How can I, as a storyteller and filmmaker, bring art to people that is entertaining, emotional, and still feels grand and important?

Anything else?

Come find me on the sidelines of a street basketball game, at Film at Lincoln Center, or eating too many chicken dumplings in Flushing. I’m always down to connect on any projects or with any of my fellow Hampshire alums; please get in touch with me at chewilliams11@gmail.com.