Charles A. Honeywood is a Writer/Director from Chicago, raised in the city’s southside where beauty and violence fueled his creative outlook on the world. Charles is a fluent English speaker with a background in spoken word. He learned the art of filmmaking through the Script to Silver Screen initiative, a production alliance dedicated to providing the programming, development and production resources that helps independent writers and filmmakers carve a path to film production. Thanks to his talent for writing engaging stories that connect with audiences with the very first read, Charles utilized screenwriting as the vehicle to teach himself to direct his first short film. As a result, he was awarded empowerment short in the Tokyo International Film festival. Today, Charles shares his time between working full-time in Sales for Major Communications Company, writing and directing more films.

From the Filmmaker

Living in Chicago, my inspiration for writing this story was simple, tell an empowering story in a down to earth fashion.

Pictures Only is a short set in the neighborhood of Bronzeville, which was a model, showing that we can achieve great things in a less than perfect world, where black people were thought of as less than. As John McWhorter states, our story isn’t all struggle and we sometimes forget what we accomplished as a group.

I chose this era because it's between the Emancipation and the Civil Rights movement of the 50s & 60s. The Era of Great Black Business Owners, Banks and Hotels. Churches that served as a social center brining migrants from the south to urban society, teaching African-American's how to thrive with class and dignity.

This is an attempt to also highlight Black Restaurants, Barbershops, Entertainers and Jazz Musicians. All things that show how we transcended. A beautiful world that people created, in a world where black people were hated. This film aims to build the sets and show what it was like to be a Chicagoan in Bronzeville with a Black Woman as the lead the character.

I was inspired to write this story because I felt the need to be a voice by bringing real-life experiences and optimism together, while providing substance and a sense of belonging, turning life’s problems into writing ideas.

- Charles A. Honeywood
Writer/Producer/Director

Pictures Only is deeply rooted in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood during the 1950s, a time when the area thrived as a cultural and economic beacon for African-Americans. The film highlights the struggles and triumphs of residents in a historically significant yet often overlooked part of the city, showcasing their perseverance amidst societal and economic challenges.

From its inception, this project has been a tribute to the heart of Chicago's South Side—the people, their stories, and their enduring pride in their cultural legacy. The characters, including Lola, an arts teacher and socialite, draw from the real-life resilience of Chicagoans fighting to preserve their heritage while navigating adversity.

Every aspect of the film, from its setting to its themes of community empowerment, reflects Bronzeville's historical contributions to the city’s rich tapestry. By sharing stories rooted in the authentic spirit of its people and neighborhoods, Pictures Only celebrates Chicago’s cultural history and reminds viewers of the significant roles these communities have played in shaping our shared identity.