Synopsis
CultureshockED: THE MIXTAPES serves as a precursor to the upcoming television show, cultureshockED the original series. Written, directed, and produced by Charles Opong, the show explores his life growing up as a first-generation Ghanaian American in Los Angeles and the array of cultural variations he experienced. The storyline and plot delve into themes such as race, marriage, and social cultures, as well as rejection, acceptance, and navigating the complexities of love, life, family, and faith.
The episodic web series of cultureshockED: THE MIXTAPES consists of five mixtapes with 25 colloquially named 'track' episodes in total. Each mixtape is considered a season and features different characters, storylines, screenplay, and plot, with the aim of showcasing the cultural diversity and acculturation Charles faced as a Black male growing up in Los Angeles.
The concept of mixtapes was inspired by Charles' love for hip hop music and its structure and nuances of storytelling. The mixtapes offer a montage, vignette, and collaborative ensemble approach to depicting various themes, including love, family, hurt, heartbreak, joy, peace, happiness, depression, and friendship. These themes are explored within the context of the racially and ethnically infused acculturation that Charles and those around him experienced growing up in Los Angeles.
