Oakland Originals Series

Directed & Produced by: Jim McSilver and J.P. Dobrin

Stage:
- Post Production
Location:
- California, United States
Updated: June 4, 2026
Project Type:
- Series
Project Style:
- Biographical
Theme Subject:

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Logline

Oakland Originals is a series of short documentaries that spotlight the ground-breaking artists, thinkers and do-ers that have shaped Oakland, California into a uniquely vibrant and thrilling city, but also whose works have inspired and impacted the world beyond.

Synopsis

The three new Oakland Originals films spotlight:

Artist. Athlete. Actor. Activist. These labels barely scratch the surface of the impact that powerhouse writer and MC RyanNicole has on Oakland’s audiences, youth and community. But what happens when her beloved hometown, a catalyst for much of her creativity, is impacted by big tech and gentrification? Can she harness her singular voice to rally the community to preserve the soul of their one-of-a-kind city?

A neglected

...

A neglected park in Oakland’s historic Chinatown becomes the unlikely stage for a neighborhood’s renewal as recreation director and local son Gilbert Gong rallies seniors, teens and children to confront growing fear and division by restoring safety, connection, and pride in their community.

Community advocate and activist John Jones III was once a promising student in East Oakland, California when, in the 1980s, his neighborhood was stripped of opportunity and beset by violence and crack cocaine. Lacking opportunities, he fell into trouble and was soon incarcerated as a teenager and again as a young adult. Upon his release, John faced the world without housing, mentors or support. But while in prison, an unexpected message from home gave him a vision into a world where he could be an advocate and changemaker for not just himself but his entire community.

The three films follow the "Originals" as they confront the long-term impacts of community disinvestment, violence and racism, gentrification and housing insecurity, and Big Tech's impact on culture and communities. But throughout their journeys, we discover how each "Original" has found inventive and inspiring ways to rise above these roadblocks; each working tirelessly to build a more just, equitable and supportive world for themselves, their families and the community.

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Background

...

These documentaries, like any story worth telling, are deeply rooted in a specific community with a strong sense of place. Here it is Oakland, California. But the challenges faced by RyanNicole, Gilbert and John — cycles of violence and incarceration, loss of opportunity, gentrification and displacement, the role of arts in community uplift — are universal, confronting communities across the country and around the world. Audiences will connect with the passion the “Originals” express for their hometown, recognizing their own love for the special places they call home. Most compelling though, is how each Original offers unique and determined approaches to tackling their community's biggest issues. Their efforts inspire viewers to take on their own local challenges and to become the heroes in their own neighborhoods.

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Team

Jim McSilver

Director & Producer

Team

Jim McSilver

Director & Producer

Jim is an Oakland, California-based director, producer, and editor of documentaries, scripted and branded films. His work centers on artists and advocates working for social change and environmental justice. He loves collaborating to tell stories that surprise and inspire audiences. Since 2014, he has directed and produced six "Oakland Originals" short documentaries, spotlighting the voices and visionaries of Oakland, California. His directing credits also include work for USA Hockey, the Autism Society of the San Francisco Bay Area, the San Francisco Department of Public Works, East Bay Regional Parks Foundation, Intel, Oracle, CamelBak and others. As an editor and co-producer, Jim’s credits include the NAACP Image Award finalist and Webby Honoree "Judging Juries" (Apple TV+), a searing look at racial bias in jury selection. He also edited "Weathering the Future" (PBS/NOVA), a feature documentary highlighting communities employing ancient wisdom and innovative solutions to climate resilience, and "Waging Change" (PBS/international), which focuses on the fight for a living wage for tipped restaurant workers. His editorial work includes multiple award-winning documentaries for PBS and global broadcast, including "Manifest Destiny," "The Split Horn," and films for CNBC, Lucasfilm, Smithsonian Network, AJ+ and History Channel. He has field-produced for clients such as the NOVA, NEA, Gilead Sciences and the BBC.

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J.P. Dobrin

Director & Producer

Team

J.P. Dobrin

Director & Producer

J.P. Dobrin is a documentary filmmaker and photographer based in Oakland, California. His visual work has been commissioned by Al Jazeera, the New York Times, PBS Frontline, Washington Post, Vox, and the International Rescue Committee. He became passionate about visual journalism while completing his BFA in photography at the Academy of Art San Francisco. He went on to learn documentary film at the U.C. Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. His most recent documentary Irse - Leaving Venezuela (2019, 26 min.) is about the Venezuelan exodus as told through the stories of two pregnant women. The global broadcast premiere is scheduled for June 2020 on Al Jazeera Witness.

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Budget

This section includes information about this project.

Project narrative award editing journey producer festival team producer project visual project visual. Screenplay doc creative journey film journey narrative film film journey award editing doc journey.

Grants & Awards

East Bay Community Foundation Fund for Artists

Rights

This section includes information about this project.

Story impact cinema narrative independent director project impact team project doc team team film camera film. Film festival creative journey director visual film narrative camera story.

Our Ask

We are looking for partners to help fund post finishing on two of the films and distribution or outreach and impact screenings for all three. Partners can commit to supporting an individual film or the entire series. Options include partnering as a presenting sponsor, streaming platform presenter, educational distributor or many other options. Let's talk!

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Oakland Originals Series

Logline

Team

Jim McSilver

Jim McSilver

J.P. Dobrin

J.P. Dobrin

Budget

Grants & Awards

Rights

Our Ask