A husband and wife duo on Chicago\u2019s West Side, already making notable strides in the film industry, are now working to get a media outlet to pick up their supernatural, vampire-based television series.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Created and directed by Margaret Mojica, the wife portion of the West Side team, the film \u201cShadows, Chicago Underworld\u201d features a cast of Black vampires with a storyline that fuses history and myth while following the story of twins Zaria and Kofi Waya who were turned into vampires during the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The vampire twins find themselves in a city divided by supernatural factions and corrupt politicians pulling them into a dangerous fight for survival, power and identity.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Inspiration for the series stems from Margaret\u2019s love of vampire movies and learning that the Lincoln Park Zoo is built on top of what was the Chicago City Cemetery, a key factor in the story-line.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey moved the cemetery because the bodies were contaminating the lake in the late 1800s which is where we were getting our drinking water from,\u201d Margaret\u2019s husband, William Mojica, explained. \u201cThey only moved the bodies that were close to the water. There are still thousands of bodies under the Lincoln Park Zoo. There\u2019s actually one mausoleum that was left standing because it was too expensive to move at the time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The vampire character Kofi is based on one of the people who still rests on the zoo grounds.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShadows is more than just a vampire film, it\u2019s about history, legacy and the power struggles that shape our communities,\u201d Margaret clarified.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chicago itself is a character in this story.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been filming throughout Chicago, \u201d Margaret added. \u201cIt\u2019s one of the projects of our Mojica Media House which falls under our Kingdom Business Builders company, the parent company of Mojica Media House, our Artist Room Caf\u00e9, 5125 W. Madison St. and our Picture Perfect Hair Studio, which is next door.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Most of the actors are from Chicago or nearby.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Actor, model and social influencer, Bola Osundairo \u2013 who was involved in the Jussie Smollett hate crime hoax scandal some years ago and the more recent documentary that revisits the matter \u2013 plays Kofi, a main vampire character based on one of the people who still rests on the zoo\u2019s property.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI connected with Margaret through our first film that I did with her which I believe she was the producer of, \u2018Friends, Family and Lovers,\u2019 that\u2019s on Amazon Prime,\u201d Osundairo told the Austin Weekly. \u201cI was the main character in that film. What attracted me to the role in Shadows was, when I look at the character Kofi, it reminds me of exactly who I am. The character is very strong and powerful and very observant.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screen-Shot-2025-09-23-at-9.28.38-AM.png\")
Actor, model, social influencer, Bola Osundairo in a proof of concept scene for a vampire-based television series titled \u201d Shadows, Chicago\u2019s Underworld. Created and produced by Chicago West Side filmmaker, Margaret Mojica. Photo courtesy of Mojica Media House.<\/p>\n
Of Nigerian descent, Osundairo is from the Chicago Lawn area.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a good actor,\u201d Margaret said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Filming took place at several well-known Chicago spots including Wicker Park, the One Way Boxing Club in Goose Island, Dearly Beloved, a cocktail lounge and restaurant in River North, and a Fulton Market alley.\u00a0<\/p>\n
With filming wrapped with the actors, the Mojicas now have to get what\u2019s called B-Roll, (supplemental or alternative footage intercut with the main shot), scenery shots, and then editing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They\u2019ll shop the proof of concept to cable and television networks, like ABC, Tubi, Netflix, Starz. If by chance the series is not picked up, the couple will fund it themselves.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s possible to do it ourselves but because of how complex the storyline is, the proper funding will take it to a whole different level especially with the special effects, the vampires, the choreographed fight scenes,\u201d said William. \u201cThe goal of the proof of concept is to show where we\u2019re trying to go with the story and to get a network to fund us and we still own the project.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
However, if a network really likes the story, they will buy the intellectual property and the couple would have to work out a contract where they\u2019re kept on board as creative consultant and writer.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Shadows series is such a complete, layered series,\u201d said William who refers to himself as creative advisor who reads through the scripts and offers his input. \u201cIt\u2019s probably her best work.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Margaret-Mojica_Screenshot_20250915_143306_Drive.jpg\")
Chicago West Side filmmaker, Margaret Mojica seen filming a scene for a vampire-based television series set in Chicago titled \u201cShadows, Chicago\u2019s Underworld. (Photo courtesy of Mojica Media)<\/p>\n
Writing and creating for more than 10 years now, Margaret\u2019s portfolio includes a horror short film titled \u201cFetch\u201d; \u201cFriends, Family, and Lovers\u201d which she produced and is on Amazon and Tubi, stage plays, and multimedia projects that spotlight authentic voices and bold storytelling.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The couple\u2019s mission is to create spaces and stories that inspire, uplift, and connect communities.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n
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