Tyshun Wardlaw is the founder of Wardlaw Productions, a boutique independent film and television company with offices in Chicago and Milwaukee. It is one of the few minority- and women-owned production companies in two major Midwest cities. The company specializes in independent and studio feature films, documentaries, television projects and branded storytelling. 

Wardlaw worked as a producer for ABC and CBS affiliate stations and contributed to "The Jeff Probst Show" in Hollywood and "The Steve Harvey Show" in Chicago. 

Wardlaw's 14-minute film, "Hidden Note," is part of the Milwaukee Show II, a collection of shorts that screens Tuesday, May 6, during the Milwaukee Film Festival. The movie is set during a musician’s therapy session that gets interrupted when he is transported through a portal to face his inner thoughts.

OnMilwaukee: What inspired you to make this film? 

Tyshun Wardlaw: I was inspired to create this sci-fi film to explore the unspoken psychological battles that Black men face behind closed doors. Growing up, I saw how many carried generational trauma and emotional issues in silence. The sci-fi genre provided me with a window – or portal – to visualize internal struggles in a bold and surreal way. Most importantly, I wanted to challenge the stigma around therapy and mental health in the Black community. Showing that healing is both necessary and heroic. The idea of portals and monsters felt symbolic of the hidden challenges we face. 

2. What do you hope people "get" from your film? What do you hope they think or feel after watching it?

I want this short film to be the opening door to deeper conversations about emotional survival and self-acceptance. Healing is not a linear process, but it is possible. Especially when we stop running from our truth and start embracing it.

3. What else are you working on?

My feature documentary, "Growing Up Milwaukee", recently streamed exclusively on Max for three years. In addition to independent filmmaking, my current focus is serving branding campaign clients, as well as producing a league sports team docuseries which follows the on- and off-court successes and failures. We are highly excited about wrapping up the sports docuseries, which will be released to the world soon. It is truly a testament of triumph on and off the camera. 

To get tickets to "Milwaukee Show II," featuring "Hidden Note," go here.