The Itch Is Still There....

Contrary to the title of this post, it ain't about catching an STD, lol, lol, lol, lol.  ;-)

Soooooo...I officially gave up on being involved in the film/television/video production field back in 2008.  I gave up on trying to get my foot in the door in NYC in 2006, when I initially left the city (the first time), and thought about trying my hand in greener pastures in the south, or the 'New South', as they were billing it.  Opportunities were opening up in the southern states, and I though that I might try my hand out there.  Be that as it may, the last project that I did, was to shoot and produce a dvd for the organization that I belonged to at the time; a benefit dinner made to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the existence of our local chapter.  Since these broke ass bamas ain't have no money to PAY me for my services, the deal was that I'd shoot and edit the event FOR FREE, and get hit off with a portion of the proceeds (60%-40% split, they got the majority). Since these simple minded bamas don't know how to sell shit, they wanted to complain about it being a bad deal, and want to try to reneg on our deal. After that bullshit, I was completly DONE.  I moved on to becoming a (self-published) author, after that.  I never wanted to become involved in video/film/television production again, after that experience.  Considering that I'd wasted my late teens and twenties trying to get my foot in the door, with no success, I might add...I was done with that whole field.

Apparently....the itch has never faded.

I've been telling you guys about this idea that I have for a new vlog called "The Rough Draft", right?  I wanted it to be styled after "Uncensored" on TVOne, except that my vlog was supposed to focused on writers (me, specifically), telling of our literary journyes from our perspective, raw and uncut.  Basically...telling it like a rough draft of a story.

The more that I think about it...the more that I'm interested in doing it, but in a more professional manner.  My background as a Communications major in now starting to kick in.  There's actually technology out there that can make the production of this show easy, and affordable.  You can shoot it on a smartphone, or tablet, rather than a video camera, and there are apps that you can download to edit the footage.  You don't even have to heavily invest in lighting, or microphones, which can make the production easier and cheaper (financially) to make.  As Arsenio Hall would say...things that make you say hmmmmmmmm....

I have the contacts through my networking group, the Universal Africana Literary Arts Movement.  I know plenty of them that would LOVE to get that type of exposure.  I still have some other stuff to figure out, as far as the viewing outlet is concerned; should I just post it on YouTube, or create my own site for the UALAM?  I would at least need a camera person, and an editor to help me put it together, after all of the footage is shot.  Should it be my own thing, or an extension of the Universal Africana Literary Arts Movement...?  Am I just overthinking this too much...?

I'll still keep working on the idea, and let you all know how it goes down.  I guess that itch never faded, after all.  I just needed to find my niche....

Kinda taking a break from writing, and trying to figure out this promotional thing.  Considering entering my book into this writing contest, and at least gain some exposure for my work, if I don't win.  I'm figuring out which titles I'm going to enter into it.  I'll keep you guys updated on that....

The Literary Arts Movement merch should be arriving this week!  Hopefully I can take a picture of my rocking the gear, and post it here, as well as on social media. Stay tuned for that!!!  :-)

Other that that...still job hunting, and chilling.

Keep the fist raised.

Publishing Updates.....

I'm going through the final rounds of editing to get "Fiesta Girl" ready for publication.  I'm actually quite excited about this.  I've already posted a Facebook event about it, but only a handful of people replied to it.  I guess that I shouldn't be all that surprised; that's pretty much the standard response that I get to my efforts, whether activism or otherwise....

I remember when I first wrote it as a screenplay.  I was really proud of that particular script.  I put a lot of myself into that particular project. It encumbers a lot of creative elements; my poetry, some of my songs that I'd written for my never-existed group New Latin Swing, a clothing line idea that I had to promote the group, and a music video TV show idea that I had.  Hopefully, I'll have some success with it as a eNovel, that I didn't have as a movie script.  Then again, if sales are successful, you never know...

Other than trying to get my new business cards printed up, I don't have any real plans, other than trying to promote my stuff this year.  Don't know how much I'll chill out this year, and just concentrate on the promotions for my book titles.  I still want to work on the sequels to "The Chronicles of The Black Fist" (CreateSpace, 2015), and get them published.  Maybe when I find the time and motivation....

Still hoping to get my own place.  Next month marks one year that I've been here in Delaware.  Can't say anything negative about it.  I'm on my own, so to speak...I'm working....I have some money in my pocket; I can't complain.  Slowing making friends, and getting my name out there; professionally and culturally.  I'm looking forward to tackling a few new projects in the new year.  The Universal Africana Literary Arts Movement is celebrating its 'unofficial' 10th year anniversary this year.  I can't believe that it's been 10 years, already!  My, how time flies, and how much of an impact I've/we've had. The movement has been around for ten years, and still going strong.  I've made some great friends and connections through the Movement, and hope to continue going on strong.

Well, if I don't get any time next week, to post another entry, hopefully the next post will be "Fiesta Girl's" release.  Stay tuned, and take care!!!  :-)

Uhuru sase, y paz!!!

Cultural Caravan Interview airdate: November 20, 2016

My interview that I shot for "Cultural Caravan" aired on Sunday, November 20, 2016.  The interview aired at 5:30pm on WNYC-TV Ch 25.1 (over air), and Ch. 22 (Cablevision) on cable.  I was unaware of the airdate until the day before. I'd received a phone call and an email from the show's producer on Saturday to inform me of the show's airing.

Cultural Caravan is also rebroadcasted on Cablevision's BRIC Media cable access channel Ch. 68 during the week.  Since you probably missed it when it aired last night, you will have an opportunity to catch it during the week on cable access.  I am unaware if they have uploaded the video to their website yet, or on their YouTube channel.

Just wanted to let you guys know about it.  Please check it out if you can.


Cultural Caravan Productions
www.ccptv.org
  

Upcoming TV Interview

It's finally been confirmed.  I will be appearing on the local access television show called "Cultural Caravan".  I will be shooting my episode this coming Saturday, the 29th.  Hopefully, it will be airing the following weekend.  The show airs out here in NYC on WNYC Ch. 25-1.  I believe that they also rebroadcast on cable access out here on Cablevision Ch. 68.  I don't know any of the other channels that they broadcast out here on cable, just that they are also on Time Warner Cable, Verizon, and I believe RCN.  On WNYC Ch. 25-1 they air every Sunday at 5:30pm.

I will be appearing on the show talking about my first two books "Raise Your Brown Black Fist", and talking about Afro Latino issues and affairs.  Really looking forward to this interview; hopefully, it's the start to better things in my life.  I've been reaching out to many of the media outlets here since my return, and I finally got a callback.

Wish me luck!!!!  I'll post back here when I get the exact air date for the interview.

Stay tuned!!!  :-D

Proyectos Futuros (Future Projects)

The one question the writers/authors get frequently asked, especially either during an interview or a book signing, is this....

So, what are you working on now...?

What's my response to this question....?  What am I not working on?

Currently, I'm still writing several screenplay projects.  Film and television has always been my first love, so I continue to write my cinematic stories.  I'm working on several new projects, as well as trying to finish a few others that I've temporarily put on hold.  I still have several TV series projects that I have yet to write the pilot out, and only have in treatment form.  There are others that I want to continue to write out additional episodes, and at least complete a first season. At the same time, I'm considering getting together a writing team to do those projects...

On the literary front...I'm working on three fiction novels.  One is an Afrocentric sci-fi space opera, in which I've actually posted an excerpt of it here on this blog.  Another novel is an action/adventure project about a community activist-turned-crime fighter; also excerpted as an entry in this blog.  The third project is another sci-fi action/adventure project that deals with the Earth defending itself from an oncoming alien invasion, using the aliens' own technology against them (a la Robotech).  That one I plan to turn into a series....   

Lastly....I am currently writing PART THREE of the "Raise Your Brown Black Fist" book series.  I have finally figured out the direction that I wanted to go in with this particular book.  Now that I am back in New York, I have access to the materials and information that I need to complete the book.  This book will be the most ambitious of the three, and I hope to complete it and have it published by the end of next year (2015).  I was kinda hoping to stick to the schedule that I gave to myself to have published at least four books in five years.

Meanwhile....I'm still trying to get my grind on by getting my books stocked in bookstores, and doing more book signings, festivals, and speaking engagements.

Stay tuned for more!  :)

Proyecto Mas Color: Media campaign for inclusion

I feel SO fortunate when I am able to come across fellow Afro Latin@s that are doing their thing as far as representing four our people, and fighting to create change!  I came across this, and befriended the hermanita (and her sister) who are behind this campaign.

Victoria Arzu is a young Afro Latina fighting for our equal representation on the "Big Two" Spanish-language networks here in the United States; Univision and Telemundo.  She has taken her campaign viral, called Proyecto Mas Color (Project: More Color!)' and also has a petition set up on Change.org to fight against this under-representation of Latinos of Color, specifically Afro Latinos, on the 'Big Two' channels.

Here is the encompassing video to help support their campaign:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoynWkeColI

PLEASE help to spread the word, and support their campaign.  If you are on Facebook, please like their page, and share their video throughout your various social networks.  Also, don't forget to sign their petition in Change.org.

Keep the fist raised!!!

The Colors of Love: Indiegogo Fundraising Campaign

Representing for my sisters at the Black Latina Movement!!!!

"The Colors of Love"  was originally a stage play that the founder of BLM created back in 2008.  It has since been turned into a digital series.  Now the creative forces behind "The Colors of Love" are going to turn the digital series into a television series.  And they need YOUR help!!!  Check out their video from their Indiegogo campaign.


http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-colors-of-love-digital-media-series


Please help contribute to their campaign, and help them to turn the series into a television show!  The first season is already completed, and with any additional funds they receive, it will go got help them to fund SEASON TWO of the series.  Please help to support creative independent media.  It it time for us to tell OUR stories from OUR perspective.


SUPPORT THE BLACK LATINA MOVEMENT!!!!

Contact information

Gotta work on the self promotion part more.  You know...they whole getting-your-name-out-there-so-people-will-know-who-you-are-and-buy-your-book type of thing?  Well, doing it through either publishing company will cost me a lot outta my pocket.  SO...since I have some graphics skills of my own, and this blog of mine, might as well put them to good use, right?

I would be interested in doing more lectures, panel discussions, and interviews in the coming new year.  Conferences, panel discussions, festivals, radio/TV shows, documentaries...you name it, I'd like to do it.  Feel free to follow a brother, and hit him up.

Once I get this to the print shop, it's ON!

Holla

The Adventures of Don Fiero Valiente

*narrating in my Peter Cullen voice*


Long, long ago.....in a galaxy far, far away...
Amongst a legion of warriors...stands ONE true hero....
He....is Don Fiero Valiente,
Defender of the weak, protector of the innocent...
A young Space Knight of humble Maroon origin,
He, along with his squire Joven Domingo...
Patrol the vast territory of Planet Caribe,
Under the leadership of El Rey, King Alejandro....
Armed with his sense of duty, honor, and justice,
He sets out to protect all of the people that inhabit Planet Caribe...
These...are the stories of....
The Adventures of Don Fiero Valiente!!!!


Idea that I had for an Animated series.   Even have a few episodes written down and protected! Combining Science Fiction with Medieval and Latino history and folklore.  And...did I mention that both the lead character and his sidekick are Afro Latino?  :)
Stay tuned!!!!

Kuumba Njia TV: The sequel

A while back I had written about an idea that I had for a black-owned digital television channel, calling it Kuumba Njia TV ("The Creative Way", or "The Way of Creativity" television edu-tainment).  I had outlined a treatment for it, and had sent out a few feelers to those that I know and trust in the media field.  I had gotten back a good bit of positive feedback.  I would like to come back to this topic, and follow up on it a bit.

Having our own channel would open up a lot of doors for us that have previously been closed before.  For actors, it would give them the opportunity to have steady work, and be able to consistently practice their craft to a mass audience.  They would be able to gain name recognition, and build up their acting resume'.  They can polish their craft, and increase their skills, having more of a choice as far as projects are concerned.  Let's face it; you'll be able to see all shades of Black faces morning, noon, and night.

For producers, the potential is limitless.  In my personal opinion, it would be the best way for us to explore entry in to genres that we are completely underrepresented in, or don't have much of a presence in at all.  For once, we'd be able to have a Drama series stay on the air for more than a handful of episodes, before getting yanked off the air.  I would also like to see us have a presence in an Animated series.  I know plenty of writers that have great ideas for an animated series, myself included.  Also...why can't we have a science fiction series from our perspective on the air?  Who's to say that we don't/won't exist in the future?  Comedies are good...Reality TV I can do without.  And having a documentary series on the air a la PBS...?  Need I say more?

For programmers, this can also be new and uncharted territory for them as well.  We can be as diverse as we want to with our programming, airing shows from other countries within the Diaspora.  We could also screen movies from other countries within the diaspora.  One suggestion that I had made for acquisitions was to send a representative/Acquisitions Officer/Media Buyer to some of these Black film festivals to scour for talent.  If not the festival winners, then maybe a filmmaker whose project moved something within you.  Also, I would like to see them bring back certain shows that had been successful on other networks at one time.   I remember watching a show on BET (back when it was still Black-owned) call "Screen Scene", which was a magazine show about brothers and sisters in the film and television industry, and the projects that they were working on.  "Teen Summit" was also a great show that deserves a rebirth, and I have to admit that I used to love watching "BET Tonight with Tavis Smiley".  Ed Gordon did a masterful job after Tavis was fired, especially with the other flubs that they had hosting it before he finally took over.  Shows like these need to be rebirthed, and correctly emulated.

This untapped potential still exists.  The Black media is shrinking more and more everyday.  We need to build up our own resources, and use them to the maximum of their capabilities.  We need a strong foundation to work on, and continue to build on.  A media outlet like this can be a HUGE stepping stone.  It is a greater way to create greater cohesion with our brothers and sisters within the diaspora.  It is a great way to expose ourselves to each other, and give us a voice to communicate with one another.  With the dearth of documentarians out there, writers, actors, budding producers, filmmakers, and other visionaries....there is NO WAY that we can fail.

"Up you mighty race...you can accomplish what you WILL"
--   Marcus Mosiah Garvey

Kuumba Njia TV: The Road to Independent Black Media

I have to admit....I hated the conversion from analog to digital reception for basic television.  I thought that it was unnecessary, not to mention intrusive; why should the government be telling you how you can watch free TV?  I was one of the people that resisted; I never got one of those converter boxes, nor did I get cable (couldn't afford it).  Not to mention...the rising cost of cable, and the unregulated and unchecked greed of the various cable companies that were out there.  I just spent more time reading, or writing up my various projects (screenplays, novels), or surfing the web.

It wasn't until recently, when I heard about a new Black-owned digital channel, that I began to change my mind about the digital conversion.  I had heard of this new channel called BounceTV, based out of Atlanta, GA.  There was an article about it written in one of the local Black newspapers out here in Baltimore (I believe it was The Afro).  The channel was being headed by Martin Luther King III, and Andrew Young.  That's when the idea hit me...

If they can do it, why can't the rest of us?

Considering my media background, I had already known about  the past attempts at creating a Black-owned cable network (NUE-TV, MBC/Black Family Channel, Real Hip Hop Network, etc).  Most of them eventually folded, while BET was sold into white hands.  TV One, in my own humble opinion, leaves much to be desired as far as original content is concerned.  Not to mention, TV One is only 1/2 Black owned; Comcast owns the other 51 % of the company.  But...a digital television channel, on the other hand?  That was uncharted territory.  This was actually a first.

I went online, and did some research about creating a digital television channel.  Financially, it is so much more feasible to accomplish, than to create a cable network.  It would cost I believe around $100k-$150k to start up the network.  You would have to apply with the FCC for an operating license, and also find a Network Engineer to run it.  Also, you would need to see what available carrier space is available for your network to run on.  With more channel space being made available every other week, that's not very hard.  And...all you would need to see the channel is an HDTV antenna, if you're not already hooked up to a cable service.

To find out more, you can just go to the FCC's website, or just type HDTV channels into the search engine for either Google, Bing, or Yahoo.  The information is able to be printed out for your own personal records.

I decided to come up with my own idea for a digital television channel, hence the title for this particular entry.  Kuumba Njia Television; "Looking to Edu-tain the Masses".  Many of us in the 'conscious community' always talk about owning our own media so as to be able to control our own images, and how they are presented to the public.  Not to mention, how a venture like this can help to create jobs for our community.  You have jobs from production workers (directors, camera people, editors, graphic artists), to office assistants, to technicians (lighting, sound, computers), to actors and writers. 

The initial treatment for the channel has already been written up.  It could be completely funded by the black business community, and global black dollars.  Why complain about Black media not receiving funds from Main Street or Wall Street like their White counterparts?  We need to fund our own media, and show and prove just how powerful  and successful it can really be.  We could also eventually create sister channels that target other specific types of programming (sports, movies, talk shows, etc).

So, what say you?  Are we ready to build this media empire?