Yvonne Winfrey’s
Filmmaker Portfolio
BIO
As a black, gay woman raised as a military child, Yvonne brings a unique voice to her stories.
Yvonne Winfrey is a passionate Film Director, Producer, and Writer with a dynamic career in the entertainment industry. Her experience includes work with major networks like NBCUniversal and CBS, as well as teaching at NYU Tisch Drama. Known for her approachable and collaborative directing style, Yvonne excels at bringing out the best in her actors and crew, fostering a positive and productive environment on set.
Her first feature film, "White Vinegar," is a thriller that explores classism and racism, showcasing her leadership and creative vision. Yvonne is now working on her second feature film, "Rubber Room," described as a "Get Out meets Breakfast Club" thriller. As a black, gay woman raised as a military child who has travelled the country and world, Yvonne brings a unique voice to her storytelling.
Yvonne has launched her own film company, The Uncollective, in Los Angeles, producing innovative and diverse content. She is seeking representation from top film talent agencies to further her career and looks forward to collaborating with industry professionals who share her passion for compelling narratives.
WHITE VINEGAR
Class begins at sundown.
“Get Out” meets “Misery” & “The Green Book”
UNCOLLECTIVE PRODUCTIONS IS SEEKING DISTRIBUTION FOR WHITE VINEGAR
In a style reminiscent of Jordan Peele, White Vinegar is a thriller that explores the disparities that exist in race and classism, and how closely the two are connected.
A savvy young African American woman pursuing her masters in a racist college town has more than her wits tested when she is abducted by a deranged local who proves that in some ways, classism presents just as many obstacles as racism.
Film Synopsis for White Vinegar
Imani, a 22-year-old African American woman, relocates to a small university town to pursue an innovative major focused on developing groundbreaking products and technologies. Her non-binary 20-year-old sibling, Gale, visits her, eager to reconnect and meet her roommates, Cat and Maeve. As they bond, Imani shares her passion for her studies, while Gale expresses admiration for Oprah and their own ambition to become a lawyer.
One evening, Gale persuades Imani to take the group to a local dive bar. En route, they stop at a gas station for coffee. Inside, Gale becomes suspicious of the store clerk's behavior and accuses him of racism. The confrontation escalates when the clerk brandishes a gun, but a police officer intervenes, defusing the situation and allowing them to leave safely.
At the bar, the group unwinds, and the audience is introduced to Deacon, a white man in his late twenties grappling with mental illness. Gale becomes infatuated with the bartender, who happens to be Deacon's cousin. However, the night takes a dark turn when Deacon makes an unwanted advance on Maeve, prompting Imani to intervene.
As tensions escalate, Imani decides it's time to leave. On the drive home, Gale and Imani reminisce about their late father, sharing heartfelt memories. Suddenly, gunshots disrupt their conversation, and Gale is struck. Imani, also injured, pulls over, only to be abducted by Deacon.
Deacon takes Imani to his isolated trailer, where he assaults her and experiences severe psychotic episodes. During a moment when Deacon steps outside, Imani considers escape but is thwarted when he returns in a confused state, unable to recognize her. Taking advantage of his disorientation, Imani convinces him she needs medical help.
Through a series of covert phone calls, Imani cleverly communicates her predicament to a 911 operator. While Deacon checks the property, she finds a bottle of vinegar, mixes it with bleach, and intoxicates the trailer, creating a chaotic distraction. As Deacon reenters, Imani makes a daring escape, running into the safety of the arriving police officers. However, the story doesn't end there, as a shocking twist awaits.
RUBBER ROOM
Every door hides a story, every story hides a truth.
“Us” meets a twisted"Breakfast Club" for teachers and “The Sixth Sense “
Based on a very real (but presumably outdated) concept in the education system, a bold and stylish teacher fights to clear her name and survive against a group of treacherous colleagues and a manipulative system determined to bring all them down. As systematic forces manipulate their lives, they must confront their own prejudices and come clean in this riveting thriller that echoes the darkness and the insidious threads of classism, racism, and homophobia that bind them all.
On her final day of punishment, a stylish and opinionated teacher is unexpectedly placed in a secret suspension room reserved for accused educators. Inside this dark space, she must not only prove her innocence but also navigate survival among a group of hostile teachers and oppressive systemic forces that are determined to see them fail.
Film Synopsis for Rubber Room
Based on a very real procedure in major city educational institutions, “Rubber Room” delves into the dark, complex reality of a secret suspension system for accused educators. Set against a backdrop of systemic manipulation and treachery, the film follows Jayla, a bold and stylish 50-year-old African American teacher in New York City, as she faces her final day of punishment. Expecting a routine assignment in the notorious "rubber room," Jayla is instead transported with five other teachers to an isolated, ominous building. Stripped of their belongings, they are left to confront their own secrets and prejudices within a mysterious and oppressive environment.
The group of teachers includes:
- Sarah, a young and naive mayor's daughter accused of kissing a male senior student.
- Jon, a trans male teacher facing accusations of screaming at students due to an alleged overdose of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
- Carmella, a dance teacher moonlighting as a stripper to pay for her mother's cancer treatment.
- Dino, a seemingly macho, prejudiced Italian American.
- Dr. Cox, a principal accused of striking a male student during a fight.
Tensions escalate as Dino mocks Jon for his gender identity, leading to conflicts among the group. The power dynamics and prejudices surface, creating an increasingly hostile atmosphere. The situation becomes more sinister when the janitor, Kirby, arrives and forcibly takes Jon away for an interrogation with an intimidating Vice Chancellor. Each teacher endures a painful and invasive questioning process, revealing a dark undercurrent of control and manipulation.
Throughout the ordeal, Jayla maintains her innocence, determined to survive and clear her name. As the psychological and physical pressure intensifies, the teachers unite in rebellion. They escape the "rubber room" and navigate a labyrinthine building filled with eerie, supernatural rooms. Their exploration uncovers a horrifying truth: generations of teachers have been subjected to similar tortures, some even resulting in death. In the "main ops room," they discover the full extent of the institution's sinister operations, forcing them to question the true nature of their profession and the corrupt forces at play.
The narrative builds to a shocking twist involving Jayla and her unexpected connection to the other teachers, adding a final layer of complexity to this gripping tale.