EXECUTIVE PRODUCER GORDON DURICH AND DIRECTOR JOE MCDOUGALL SET TO RELEASE “Thou Art That: The Sayed Sabrina Story”
A DOCUMENTARY
An exciting new untold documentary chronicling one of America’s greatest unsigned music artists will introduce even more followers to the force known as Sayed Sabrina.
“Sabrina,” is a powerhouse independent singer, musician, and songwriter, based in Los Angeles. Her album “Thou Art That” – her most recent and the one of which she is most proud, also autobiographical. Sabrina says, “I’ve incorporated the styles that have become a part of me and am blessed and extremely grateful for the brilliantly talented people on this project. Together we created something very special”. Sabrina is so excited about going back into the studio this year to create another stellar project.
The recording features tracks that are both personal and profound. Take “The Pedestrian,” a whimsical song that speaks to Sabrina’s position as a non-driver in L.A. A captivating and fun animated video illustrates the message. This and other tracks are included in the documentary “Thou Art That: The Sayed Sabrina Story.”
Raised by a Muslim father and a Catholic mother, Sabrina reveals we “practiced music, not religion” at home. Later, she was homeless, survived the streets of Hollywood, and was a punk rocker. A teenage mother who was kicked out of her home, she experienced some other extremes, such as juvenile hall, through no fault of her own. Sabrina turned her life around with her rare and remarkable talent, Sabrina’s voice is unlike any other, thrilling her audiences across the globe, her sound has been compared to Shakira, with Janis Joplin sprinkled in for good measure. Her first love is performing, Sabrina has played on the same bill as B.B. King, Los Lobos, Jimmy Cliff, Dr. John, Leon Russell, and Tower of Power, to name a few.
The short documentary came about after Gordon Durich wrote a story about Sabrina and the recording “Thou Art That” for The Hollywood Times.
“Thou Art That: The Sayed Sabrina Story”, delves into the fascinating history of Sayed Sabrina’s trajectory, from her humble beginnings to her music to becoming a global sensation. Offering a unique perspective on the creative process, her personal struggles, passions, and triumphs of overcoming all odds.
Gordon says, “Thou Art That: The Sayed Sabrina Story,” “was a labor of love that has taken years to bring to life. I am thrilled to share her incredible story with the world and shine a light on the talented individual who carved her own path in music. After interviewing Sabrina for what seemed like hours, I was left with the feeling her story was just begging to be told, in more than just words. It had a documentary written all over it, at the very least a biography, so I brought in acclaimed Director Joe McDougall and veteran Producer and Editor Rick Pratt, and the rest is history.”
The documentary is being submitted to film festivals and other outlets nationally and internationally.
“Thou Art That,” The Sayed Sabrina Story running time is close to 24 minutes, and is in color.
A must-see documentary that reveals a success story that will uplift your mind and spirit, just as Sayed Sabrina’s music has always done.
Join the conversation: # “Thou Art That, The Sayed Sabrina Story” #Sayed Sabrina
Sayed Sabrina Documentary Q & A:
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer
Joe McDougall – Director
Rick Pratt – Producer & Editor
The average length of a music documentary is between 20 and 40 minutes, why did you choose this time for this video?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
It was long enough to cover highlights and depth of the story.
How did you get this footage, and is there more if you wanted to lengthen this video?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
Documentary combined footage, animated archival, video of concerts, and performing singing at concerts. Sabrina’s daughter Sadie was very instrumental in getting us footage and outlining the whole documentary. There was a lot more footage, but we would have had to pay for song use from other various artists.
Talk about the technical aspects of this documentary.
Rick Pratt – Producer & Editor:
They have software they can use now to convert original footage. Also, it uses just the original content in the film. Original footage makes the film look more authentic. So, not a whole lot of converting old footage. We used Topaz; an AI program used to convert film.
What type of studio did you work out of?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
ES Audio. She recorded her own album and wanted to record with the same engineer she usually records with Donny Baker.
What type of cameras did you use?
Joe McDougall – Director:
Cameras I used were the Canon Black Magic 3000 and the Canon 5D, Mark 4.
Was there a DP involved with this project?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
Yes, our very gifted director took care of that – Joe McDougall.
Is there a mission statement to this documentary?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
Yes, for young people and women to follow their talents and calling. To empower people, show resilience, determination, and not to wind up dead or in jail.
Are there charities that you would want to target from this documentary?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
Union Rescue Mission LA, Interface Children and Family Services, and any charity that would be relevant to Sayed Sabrina’s story.
Was it at all scripted or story boarded?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
We already had everything scripted and ready with the questions; we covered everything. It ended up becoming a conversation between the interviewer and the artist. It was two women connecting and conversation rather than just a Q&A.
Joe McDougall – Director:
We certainly had a strong idea of what we wanted and the direction we wanted to go in. Usually, documentaries have a strong outline rather than a traditional or theatrical script. Through interviews and the research process, we built the story.
How did the editing process go?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
There wasn’t a storyboard followed, so I ordered it in a certain way, sequencing the film and cutting out unnecessary parts so there wouldn’t be repetition. Going back to clips of her past would have been good, but there wasn’t much found, so there were limitations in finding videos that were a visual representation of her story. So, we got exactly what was possible.
Rick Pratt – Producer & Editor:
The process was standard in this age of remote work. I received the footage and the initial cutdown from the first editor who worked on it. I made an initial assembly of just the content of Sabrina’s interview – no b-roll. I posted the rough cut on Vimeo, where it was reviewed by Sabrina’s team. I’d get notes and then proceed with making new cuts. This process continued for the remainder of the editing. For b-roll, I requested as much live performance footage as possible as well as still photos of her, (current and from her childhood.) This was all done digitally, using Vimeo, Google Drive, etc.
This documentary is so uplifting; was there a downside?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
In filming, not exactly, but there were a lot of sad parts to her story. She had it very hard, but she turned it into something so positive. It portrays her as independent instead of being more commercial. Not becoming another sell-out for record label. Her successes are so vast that she opened for BB King before he passed; she has lots to be proud of. We trimmed more of the negative stuff out because we wanted to keep it uplifting so Sabrina could explain why she is the way she is now.
Joe McDougall – Director:
There weren’t any downsides, but when telling a story about someone like Sabrina and her life’s journey, there were definitely some emotional moments during our process.
The depiction of Sayed Sabrina is one of uplifting her life; is that what you set out to do?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
Yes, her resilience needs to be shared with all and change people’s lives.
Joe McDougall – Director:
Her story is so unique; her challenges growing up, realizing her dreams and passion within an industry that is considered one of the most demanding, she pushed through whatever she faced with respect and great spirit. It reflects to the audience that great things come from great challenges.
How did this documentary evolve?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
Publicist Jodi Jackson got the story for Sayed Sabrina in the Hollywood Times portal in 2023. I wrote that story; it appeared in the Hollywood Times in 2023. After I heard about Sayed Sabrina’s plight, I just had to dive in deeper into her story and decided to do this documentary. Sabrina is very strong; she is a natural performer. She has two sides, the sides off stage and the side on stage. She loves to perform, so doing this documentary was a blessing.
How many hours did it take to film?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
The actual interviews with Sayed Sabrina took one day in studio.
How did you make the decisions of what existing footage to use?
Rick Pratt – Producer & Editor:
This was driven by the content of what Sabrina was saying in her interview. I would place performance footage and/or stills that pertained to the content in the sections that needed it. Initially, it was a hit-or-miss thing, but as I grew more familiar with the material, it became more refined.
Was Sayed Sabrina onboard with this documentary from the start?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
Sabrina was immediately on board to share her mission and story, overcoming all the odds. She is very humble, but I felt it was in others’ best interest to know her struggles.
Was there any part of the filming where Sayed Sabrina struggled?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
Talking about her past and revisiting it. Talking about being kicked out by her mom. Her father passed at an early age, and the problems that came with that and her mother. She is a very young mother and the depiction of all of that, but really, she is so strong, she was happy to see how we showed her life turn around. Sabrina also had a disability; she stuttered but was able to talk about it to help others. Usually, singers lose their stutter when they are singing. There was very little that Sabrina didn’t like; she was open to sharing her story.
Joe McDougall – Director:
Any time anyone revisits their past, especially those who have had hardships like Sabrina, there will be moments of pause and maybe even a new acceptance. Fortunately for us, Sabrina was so open and generous with her story; it was a celebration of her, her family, and her career as an artist.
Was there any part of this documentary that had to be cut for numerous reasons?
Rick Pratt – Producer & Editor:
There was a good chunk of material that was cut. Most of it was because it was repetitive. In some cases, it was because there was no footage to cover or support the content, so to keep the flow of the piece, it was cut.
When did it get released?
Rick Pratt – Producer & Editor:
Last month approximately, in the beginning of August.
What platforms did it get released on?
Rick Pratt – Producer & Editor:
YouTube, Vimeo, and more to come.
How did you come across Sayed Sabrina, and why did you want to do this documentary?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
I wanted to produce this documentary, which was my idea, as I felt Sabrina had a spirited story that had to be shared with the world. Her transformative climb – from the streets, to studios and stages. And her personal triumphs, love of family, and for her followers.
How do you see Sayed Sabrina’s talent, singing, songwriting, and artistry?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
She has a God-given musical talent; she did not go to school for it and learned the drums and piano all by herself. Incredible combination to have personal songs, a writer, a great performer, and musician.
Rick Pratt – Producer & Editor:
She is a musician who discovered her talent due to her limitations in talking with a stutter, and it was what helped her overcome that obstacle. She is very connected to the audience through her music because it is relatable, and she portrays herself through it.
How did you find this team for this documentary?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
I met Joe McDougall at an event in Lake Sherwood, where he was showing some of his brilliant photographs. He is a talented photographer. Another day, we met for coffee. I told him I was looking for a director/DP for my documentary, and he said yes. He was waiting to start on an Audrey Hepburn documentary, so he was available. Ironically, his wife was a singer as well. he was on board from the beginning. They decided to see if he would be up to the project with no budget, and he immediately said yes after hearing about it. He loved her background story.
What did you have to do with the original footage to make it work with any new technology?
Rick Pratt – Producer & Editor:
We have software they can use now to convert original footage. Also, it uses just the original content in the film. Original footage makes the film look more authentic. So, not a whole lot of converting old footage. We used the Topaz, AI program used to convert film.
How did Producer & Editor Rick Pratt become part of it?
Rick Pratt – Producer & Editor:
Gordon called me. He had been referred to me from a colleague that I had worked with previously. I agreed to come on-board because I enjoy documentary filmmaking as well as the fact that I’m a musician and love working on musical projects.
How did Sayed Sabrina’s family get involved?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
They were asked to participate; they asked her husband/manager Edward Marks, who also helped with the documentary. Edward is very protective of her image, so they helped a lot with the plans and the coordination.
What is your core audience of this documentary?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
“Thou Art That, The Sayed Sabrina Story” speaks to music lovers of all genres. Sabrina was influenced by and loves blues, Broadway, jazz, rock, and punk, and was prompted by everyone from Judy Garland to Kate Bush. It also will appeal to women who are independent, driven, articulate, and family oriented. Another audience is those who feel less than. It shows how personal adversity can be overcome.
Did you want to submit it for any of the short documentary film festivals?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
Yes, it has been submitted to film festivals and platforms. including Vimeo, YouTube, Shortverse, and others. It has already been submitted to the Brooklyn International Film Festival, as well as California Music Video Festival, Docs and Rocks – London, and Through Women’s Eyes – Film Festivals. “In Consideration.” Fingers and toes crossed! https://www.shortverse.com
Can you all describe your process in making this documentary?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
Egged on by Sabrina’s haunting voice, I dove into tons of research online, then with her inner circle, since she is private as a person and has a public persona. All was about Sabrina’s one-of-a-kind life, and work as a musician. I wanted the documentary to be more than just a talking head interview but more like a “music video” intercut with visual clips.
The film started with a very warm meeting with her. For the most part, the documentary is based on her most recent recording, “Thou Art That,” her autobiographical album, which was very personal and written and produced by her. My film was storyboarded at first but became more free from it as it evolved. I worked closely with Sabrina’s older daughter, Sadie Dean, who is a scriptwriter and musician. I was introduced to Sadie by Sabrina’s manager, Edward Marks. Sadie and I discussed the film’s structure and how it should look and feel. We were going to have interviews with others, but Sabrina was so engaging with such an electric personality both intense and a bit naughty,) we felt it was better, Sabrina, tell her own story.
Kitty Dill, journalist and writer, developed questions for Sabrina to address and were emailed to her. They met over the phone, hit it off, talked in the studio before the recording, and developed a warm chemistry.
At first, Sabrina was going to sing and play piano at her home, but it was more expedient to record her session in the nearby Glendale studio. Edward planned to have Sabrina sing and play her piano, which belonged to her dad, at her home.
I had booked ES Audio for one long Sunday, thanks to Edward with engineer Donny Baker, whom Sabrina trusted since Sabrina and Donny had recorded the record there.
The next step was finding the visual – photographic – elements. Edward came up with great clips and photos of Sabrina and family for the editors to use. Rob Berson, and Rick Pratt did a fantastic job of assembling and editing a lot of material. Edward and Sabrina had final approval. A lot of going back and forth over months.
How does Sayed Sabrina’s story relate to young musicians trying to make it in the music business?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
Sabrina’s story relates to young musicians as an inspiration. She tells how adversity can be turned into opportunity. Talent, whether natural, like hers, or learned, can be developed with support and perseverance. Lyrically, songwriting, or instrumentally, Sabrina had it from a very early age.
Gordon, talk about your different projects from the past and why you wanted to be a part of this documentary?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
Different projects I had done in the past included “Pedaling A Dream…” a documentary about a man who had MS and collected and repaired bikes he donated to the homeless and youth, in order for them to have transportation to go to work and get around. It was such an inspiring story that it won the American Motion Picture Society Best of Competition Award at the American International Film and Video Festival in 2001. Also, a film about Hal Riddle, an actor who might have been a star, had life’s breaks come differently for him. It was selected for the West Valley Film Festival. It ran on Time Warner cable.
Joe, talk about your different projects from the past and why you wanted to be a part of this documentary?
Joe McDougall – Director:
I’ve been a photographer and filmmaker since my early teens. I’ve worked in features, documentaries, and commercials for the last 35 years. After meeting with Gordon and hearing about Sabrina, sharing our research, and then finally meeting her, it was an honor to be asked to direct and a privilege to be a part of.
Rick, talk about your different projects from the past and why you wanted to be a part of this documentary?
Rick Pratt – Producer & Editor:
I’ve been involved in making documentaries for about 10 years. In that time, I’ve produced/edited a film called “Only in Theaters” that played in over 80 theaters nationally and internationally and made it to the Academy’s “Long List” of docs that is used to determine nominees for the Academy Award. I’ve also done two limited series for PBS SoCal – “LA Foodways”, which received an Emmy nomination, and “10 Days in Watts”, which received 5 Emmy nominations and won an Emmy. I felt that my experience would only help for this project, especially since I’ve been a musician for my entire life which helps me both finding an editing rhythm and gives me specific insights into how musicians think.
Do you think this documentary will help teenage youth get off the streets?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
For sure, anything for them to see and relate to.
Do you think this documentary will help teenage youth with mental health issues?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
Sabrina confides in the viewer and listener about her very early life challenges with extreme insecurity to the point of not being able to look directly at people and stuttering. (FYI, singer Carly Simon stuttered and overcame that by singing, she’s said).
Sabrina’s mother was abusive, and her father, who died when she was very young, was not there for her support and defense. Sabrina’s father was Muslim, and Sabrina’s mom was Catholic, which bred even more instability emotionally.
Do you think this documentary will help teenage youth with unwanted pregnancies?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
Abortion and unwanted pregnancies are very topical now. This documentary can help young teens to show how it’s possible to survive even if the teen does not have a stable home and support.
Do you think this documentary will help teenage youth with crime?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
Homeless, Sabrina lived on the streets of Hollywood. Although she did not engage in serious crimes, she was in and out of juvenile hall: “Nothing too nefarious or naughty,” such as going to bands and desperate to hear live at clubs when she was underage.
Do you think this documentary will help runaway teenage youth?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
Yes, I see it helping with those who would want to run away, but see the consequences and the outcome through Sabrina’s life.
Do you think that music can change people’s lives?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
The story of Sabrina in this documentary shows the best outcome from music changing people’s lives. Look at how independent artists like John Lydon (“The Sex Pistols”) created a radical musical movement, punk rock, which influenced thousands worldwide and made people, mostly young, more expressive, demonstrative, and not have to fit into cookie-cutter molds of music and fashion / style.
Rick Pratt – Producer & Editor:
Yes! A thousand times, yes! It can provide an anchor for people when there’s nothing but chaos and adversity in their lives. It can also provide the inspiration to climb out of whatever dark place they may be in. And it’s always there, like a loyal friend, providing comfort and an emotional release.
What’s the best outcome since you started this documentary?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
The best outcome since I started working on my “Thou Art That…” documentary has helped me discover music that ebbs through different genres. I’ve also shared Sabrina’s story, (with her permission, of course) with family and friends, who have been affected by life upheavals, and they’ve been blown away by Sabrina’s voice.
What would be your ultimate wish list for this documentary?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
The ultimate wish list is “Thou Art That…” is shown on television, cable, and multi-platforms worldwide. Also, this is selected for film festivals worldwide and wins awards.
Rick Pratt – Producer & Editor:
Primarily to just get seen by her fans and maybe to help create some new ones.
Do you think in what the final product is, that you succeeded?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
I believe we’ve succeeded in showcasing Sabrina’s soul-reaching talents, and her wishes remain unique as a recording and performing artist.
Rick Pratt – Producer & Editor:
Yes – I think it accurately presents Sabrina as the talented, inspirational person that she is.
Sayed Sabrina is a true artist and really does not like any extra accolades or praise. How do you think she sees herself in the making of this documentary?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
In a modest way, Sabrina does not feel she needs to prove anything anymore to anyone. Yet she continues to write, create, and produce even more original music. In fact, she’s working on a new album and, at press time, has announced new music. On Threads social media, Sabrina just stated “new music” for Halloween called, “The Nightmare Collection”. Topical. Sabrina’s full of surprises.
Do you think she would be comfortable in getting global attention from the success of this documentary?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
I think Sabrina can accept global attention with grace and still stay herself. In my opinion, she’s not going to sign with a major record label blindly.
Do you have any of your own examples where music has changed people’s lives that were troubled?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
Sabrina’s songs HAVE changed troubled lives, I know for a fact because that IS the feedback I’ve gotten in person from many people, including those I did not previously know. Example: The song “Ghosts” Sabrina introduces with the sound of rain, light drumsticks tapping, which replicates the sounds she heard living in the gutter. She sings, “Ghosts that lived such lonely lives, ghosts of lonely lies…”. She does not shun her homeless experience but embraces it with honesty and even humor. Wait until you hear her story about “Dorothy.”
Why do you think all the subject matter covered in this documentary is so important to discuss?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
All the subject matter covered in this documentary is so important to discuss because it addresses faith NOT in a religious way but a universal way. Sabrina says, “We practiced music, not religion, at home.”
Can you give the documentary viewers and journalists any closing thoughts?
Gordon Durich – Executive Producer:
This film is meant to be uplifting. It could have been a hard-luck story, but because Sabrina is so positive, enthusiastic, resilient, and funny, she tells her story so well. And people will relate.
Rick Pratt – Producer & Editor:
This documentary is a great introduction to Sayed Sabrina, but it’s really only the tip of the iceberg of what Sabrina has done with her life as well as her music… There’s a lot more to come!
