Raise Your Brown Black Fist....the documentary???

Surprisingly, this idea has been floating around my head as of late for a while.

It was actually something in the back of my mind to do.  I hadn't even really given it much thought.  it wasn't until I went home to New York to do my (homecoming) book signing.  One of my dear friends (SHOUT OUT TO VALERIE!!!) had attended my event, and we briefly talk about it, as far as my next move was concerned.  You see, we had volunteered together for one of the film festivals that I was a part of (African American Women In Cinema).  She was the volunteer coordinator, and I was one of their most staunchest volunteers.  We met back in '03, and we've stayed in contact ever since.

Once she mentioned turning my book into a documentary, a light bulb went off.  Hey...maybe there is something to this idea after all!  When I first conceived it, I though that it I was being a bit egotistical and arrogant; it amounted to nothing more than shameless self promotion, at least to me.  Then again, this is an issue that has been gaining a lot of momentum and recognition in recent years.  Not to mention, it's not like all of us who call ourselves Afro Latino activists are really unified in our ideology, or plans of action.  As it is, I have my own issues with some of those who claim/call themselves Afro Latino activists/advocates.

This is also something that would take me back to my video/film production roots.  There are actually more funding choices out there, and/or ways to raise those funds (Kickstarter, IndieGogo, for instance).  Plus, I have equipment of my own that I can use, and just get my hands on the additional equipment that I need to complete the project.

So I will keep you all updated on this particular idea.  I need to flesh out the treatment, and then consider my plan of action from there.  I also need to consider if I'm going to use any outside partners in this production.  There is a lot that I have to think about, and consider.

Stay tuned.....!

Cinematically Speaking.....

My first love is film and television.  That was my goal in the beginning as a writer; to write, produce, and direct my own productions.  I wanted to be like the Glen Larsons, and the Aaron Spellings, Donald Bellisarios, Stephen J. Cannells, and other super producers of the world.  Of course, I wanted to represent for our people, and have our voices be heard.  I wanted to do both; television and film.  You could seemlessly transfer from one field/genre to the other; spinning off a television show into a movie franchise, or vice versa.  To this day, I still have a slew of scripts that I've written that I want to eventually produce.  My entry into authorship is just a side route to get to where I really want to get to.

I had written an entry about forming an independent digital channel.  This is one of many ways for us to get our voices heard, and our stories seen.  Since we're not at that level yet, the next best thing that can be done is to support independent Black film festivals.  You don't know HOW many times I've heard people complain about the state of Black films, and bemoan the atrocities that hit the silver screen.  I always end up asking the question, "Well, do you ever support any Black Film Festivals?", and hear nothing but crickets after I pose that question.

I've been lucky enough to volunteer for a few film festivals in my time, mostly in New York.  It has recently come to my attention that a few of those film festival organizations have combined forces, and have created a distribution network called the African American Film Festival Releasing Movement, or AFFRM for short.  They help for independently produced (Black)films to receive distribution with limited releases in local theaters in major cities.  They also help these films to be distributed through dvd releases.  At this time, they are releasing films quarterly throughout the year (about four times a year), one film for each quarter.  The films that they have currently released are very diverse in story and plot.

It fills me with hope when we finally decide to take control of our destiny, and create our own institutions to benefit us.  This is something that we need to do more of, and also to go out and support these institutions so that they may remain strong and vital.  If you get the opportunity, PLEASE go to their website and support, not only these films, but also this organization.

www.affrm.com