Urban Canvas: From the Underground Up
- Directed & Produced by: Jose Pichardo
- Stage:
- Location:
- Updated: February 28, 2026
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Logline
Urban Canvas: From the Underground Up follows legendary and new-school graffiti writers fighting to preserve a culture born in resistance—one that transformed global art, empowered youth, and redefined public space.
Clips
Participants
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Jose Pichardo
Director/Producer
Participant
Jose Pichardo
Director/Producer
Jose M. Pichardo Jr. is a documentary filmmaker, director, producer, and licensed drone pilot whose work centers on truth-telling, cultural memory, and the voices of underserved communities. He is the founder of Pichardo Productions, LLC and Pichardo Creative Collective, Inc., with ongoing projects spanning New York, New Jersey, and the Mississippi Delta. His recent work includes The River—currently screening at universities and festivals—and An Army Rising Up, which aired on PBS and won the NAMIC Vision Award. Jose also leads media education and youth storytelling programs in Harlem and the Delta, using film as a tool for empowerment and community healing. Urban Canvas: From the Underground Up reflects his deep commitment to legacy, culture, and intergenerational storytelling. -
George Morillo
Grafitti artist/Talent
Participant
George Morillo
Grafitti artist/Talent
George “SEN-1” Morillo is a graffiti legend. An original member of the IBM Crew (Incredible Bombing Masters), he became famous in the 1980s for his graffiti art on NYC subway trains. Today, SEN-1 continues to have international influence, and has received commissions from such notable figures as former First Lady Michelle Obama’s charity and musicians Fabolous and Rita Ora.
George's life as an artist began at the age of 12, when he and his crew "graffiti bombed" buildings and NYC subway trains. It was the 1980s, and having been excluded from the Joan of Arc school in Manhattan, George created a career out of his childhood art. He continues to paint public artwork today.
Originating in the New York City subways, graffiti was for a long time regarded by the city’s authorities as an act of vandalism.View fullsize
Along with other young dreamers in the early Hip-Hop movement, George felt a strong desire to represent himself and his community in the face of poverty, oppression, and often, death.
Leaving his "SEN-1" tag large and proud around the city was a playful way for George to develop his artistic skills and create a legacy along with his infamous IBM crew.
SEN-1 became well known for his artful dialogue with other graff writers on the Number 1 train and was ‘WANTED’ for marking up neighborhood buildings with spray paint.
Mayor Koch’s zero-tolerance policy, and the Reaganomics of the late 80s, ended the era of subway train graffiti, but not before SEN-1 had gained global recognition as a Master of Graffiti and Hip-Hop revolutionary.
Despite his fame, George's artistic career took a backseat to the challenges of daily life as a young, afro-Caribbean adult raising a family on the Upper West Side in the 90s. -
Robert "CES" Provenzano
Grafitti artist/Talent
Participant
Robert "CES" Provenzano
Grafitti artist/Talent
Robert Provenzano, professionally known as CES, is an American artist and a New York City leader of the streamlined and aerodynamic ‘wildstyleʼ, an alphabetic reconfiguration in contemporary graffiti. His innovations have influenced an entire generation in the United States and abroad.
Born in 1970, CES began drawing at age 5 and by the age of 13, he was completely infatuated with the graffiti culture.
CES, also known as Wish, has collaborated with brands like Puma, T-Mobile, The Palms, Seamless/ GrubHub, Nickelodeon, Vans, Marriott Bonvoy, and Turner Broadcasting.
His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Source, Mass Appeal, Complex, Juxtapoz and TimeOut- New York.
Currently, he is working on several new works for the Beyond The Streets exhibition in his Bronx studio, where he also resides. -
Mister Marlon
Curator/Credit Director
Participant
Mister Marlon
Curator/Credit Director
Mister Marlon is a New York–bred creative visionary and the founder of the streetwear brand 2520, a label rooted in culture, borough pride, and trendsetting authenticity. Known for blending fashion, art, and storytelling, Marlon has become a voice in the city’s style movement — creating apparel that reflects the heartbeat of the streets and the legacy of hip-hop.From limited-edition collaborations with graffiti pioneer CES to redefining what borough identity looks like through bold design, his work embodies the spirit of young trendsetters leading the way. As Creative Director for Urban Canvas, Marlon brings his deep knowledge of street culture, his eye for design, and his instinct for what moves the community.His role bridges fashion, graffiti, and film — shaping the visual language of Urban Canvas and elevating the narrative of art, culture, and the city that raised him.
Team
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Jose Pichardo
Director & Producer
Team
Jose Pichardo
Director & Producer
Jose M. Pichardo Jr. is a documentary filmmaker, licensed drone pilot, and founder of Pichardo Creative Collective, Inc. and Pichardo Productions, LLC. Based in Bayonne, New Jersey, his work centers on social justice, cultural preservation, and community resilience. His most recent documentary, The River, is an award-winning film that has been adopted into curriculum at seven universities. His previous work includes An Army Rising Up, which aired nationally on PBS. Through hands-on youth media training, civil rights storytelling, and grassroots collaborations across regions such as East Harlem and the Mississippi Delta, Jose uses film as a tool for education, empowerment, and preserving community memory. -
Lillian Ramos
Team
Lillian Ramos
Lillian Ramos is the Co-Owner and Creative Director of both Pichardo Productions, LLC and Pichardo Creative Collective, Inc. A versatile visual storyteller, she is a documentarian, filmmaker, photographer, and digital film editor whose work spans social impact documentaries, commercial projects, and music videos. Lillian’s editing and creative direction reflect a keen eye for detail and a deep sensitivity to story. Her film credits include The River, an investigative documentary on the legacy of Emmett Till, Jermaine Greaves, and a growing portfolio of commercial and music video projects that center authenticity and impact. Whether behind the camera or in the edit bay, Lillian is committed to crafting visuals that resonate. Through her work with Pichardo Productions and the Collective, she helps shape narratives that elevate underrepresented voices and contribute to a more inclusive storytelling landscape. -
Mister Marlon
Curator/Creative Director
Team
Mister Marlon
Curator/Creative Director
Mister Marlon is a New York–bred creative visionary and the founder of the streetwear brand 2520, a label rooted in culture, borough pride, and trendsetting authenticity. Known for blending fashion, art, and storytelling, Marlon has become a voice in the city’s style movement — creating apparel that reflects the heartbeat of the streets and the legacy of hip-hop.From limited-edition collaborations with graffiti pioneer CES to redefining what borough identity looks like through bold design, his work embodies the spirit of young trendsetters leading the way. As Creative Director for Urban Canvas, Marlon brings his deep knowledge of street culture, his eye for design, and his instinct for what moves the community.His role bridges fashion, graffiti, and film — shaping the visual language of Urban Canvas and elevating the narrative of art, culture, and the city that raised him. -
Harvin Ramos
Audio Specialist
Team
Harvin Ramos
Audio Specialist
Harvin J. Ramos is a New York Film Academy–trained audio specialist whose work blends technical precision with an instinctive ear for storytelling. As the in-house sound engineer for Pichardo Productions, LLC, Harvin brings a deep commitment to elevating narrative through clean, intentional, immersive audio design.
With a background shaped by film-school rigor and hands-on production, Harvin has developed a reputation for capturing clarity in challenging environments, crafting dynamic soundscapes, and ensuring every project—from vérité documentary scenes to studio interviews—meets professional broadcast standards. His skills span location audio, dialogue cleanup, sound mixing, and post-production workflows.
Dedicated, reliable, and always tuned into the emotional core of a story, Harvin plays a critical role in strengthening the sonic identity of Pichardo Productions’ films, including ongoing work in the Mississippi Delta, New York, and New Jersey.
Budget
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Independent editing camera doc impact director narrative camera independent editing camera screenplay director editing camera producer. Impact independent producer narrative cinema journey festival award doc production story festival award editing narrative.
Rights
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Stills
Our Ask
Urban Canvas: From the Underground Up is at a pivotal stage in production. We have secured access to legendary pioneers including SEN-1 and CES, completed early production in New York and New Jersey, and established partnerships with youth programs and academic institutions across NYC, New Jersey, and the Mississippi Delta. The foundation is strong. Now we are focused on completion.
Why this film?
Graffiti is one of the most influential yet misunderstood cultural movements of the last half-century. Its pioneers are aging. Its early works are disappearing. Its next generation is navigating commercialization, criminalization, and cultural appropriation. This film preserves the voices, lineage, and lived realities of a community that reshaped global culture.
Graffiti is one of the most influential yet misunderstood cultural movements of the last half-century. Its pioneers are aging. Its early works are disappearing. Its next generation is navigating commercialization, criminalization, and cultural appropriation. This film preserves the voices, lineage, and lived realities of a community that reshaped global culture.
Why now?
We are at an inflection point. The architects of this movement are still here and willing to share their stories — but that window is closing. Neighborhoods are transforming. Murals are erased. Youth arts programs are under pressure. Capturing this intergenerational dialogue now is essential.
We are at an inflection point. The architects of this movement are still here and willing to share their stories — but that window is closing. Neighborhoods are transforming. Murals are erased. Youth arts programs are under pressure. Capturing this intergenerational dialogue now is essential.
What we are seeking:
Support to complete U.S. production and move into post-production. Funding will directly support:
Support to complete U.S. production and move into post-production. Funding will directly support:
- Remaining interviews with pioneers and emerging writers
- Youth workshop filming in Harlem, New Jersey, and the Mississippi Delta
- Production crew and equipment
- Archival licensing and music clearance
- Editing, sound design, and color
- Domestic travel and essential operational costs
Stretch support will enable expanded international filming and enhanced educational distribution.
This is an opportunity to back a culturally significant, intergenerational documentary at a decisive moment. Your partnership will help preserve living history, amplify community voices, and bring an authentic graffiti narrative to global audiences.
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