COMING UP WITH WAYS TO MAKE MONEY FROM MY SHOW...well, well, well, well... Most of my adult life I've had problems asking for money. I have been told over and over that there is a lot of money out there and it is finally starting to sink in. I do know that there are people out there willing to fund creative/artistic projects that are meaningful. Furthermore, I do know that there are people out there that support my vision and want to see me live it out to the fullest. Some may not be in a position to write me a big fat check but they do know people who know people who may know something about something. I'm just stepping out there on faith and giving it a shot and here's what I think so far...
During the early to mid 90s I worked as a production assistant for an independent filmmaker who mostly survived on the money he made from his production company. I know the chances of making money that way is not for me. You just work too hard sometimes for such little returns unless of course you're an EVAN DONN or somebody like that or something. So, I'm not so sure production is a way to even break even, however, that was then and this is now. I am very open and receptive to feed back and ideas but still haven't come up with it yet.
A while back some friends offered to help me by organizing FUNDRAISERS at some of the local night clubs and community centers; and also asking friends and friends of friends to host HOUSE PARTIES where my audience pay a fee to get in to see my shows and I donate a portion of the collected fees to the particular community center or to a worthy cause, for example Hurrican Katrina victims, Orphan Centers in Africa, etc. (while having my DVDs available for sale at theses functions.
Another option is selling myself via radio. Last year I had an opportunity to have a radio interview about an education doc I'm doing on KKUP's Echoes of Africa 91.5 FM. Interestingly enough, there are those who called in to the station who were interested and as a result, I've been invited to come back on the show, Monday, February 27, 2006. With the knowledge and information I've gained since last year, I'd like to think I'm more prepared to present myself in a bigger and better way. The show airs from 3pm - 6pm every Monday. I will be going on about 4:30. Tune in!
Peace Out!
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
My Internet TV Show
1. Who is the intended audiance for my show?
Educators, students, historians, writers, artists, musicians, scholars and the general public with interest in african and african american diaspora and multicultural literacy. Those having an interest in the arts, philantraphy and helping vulnerable women and children and those who's lives are affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.
2. Why would they be interested in my show?
Most African Americans believe the history of Africa has never been included nor properly represented by educational institutions in America. Simply put, African history is not included in the primary and secondary school curriculums. As a result there is a lack of knowledge that borderlines the type of ignorance that seperates people, races and cultures due to this lack of knowledge and understanding.
On the other hand there are those who want to learn and/or enhance their knowledge and experiences of relationships more fully with Africa through a variety of educational media and techniques that create memorable experiences.
3. Why will they choose to watch it instead of spending their time somewhere else?
While being innovative and creative, it represents the different view points and experiences of our diverse and ever changing society.
4. What does your show have (or does it need) to turn viewers into fans/evangelists?
Storytelling, entertainment, art as culture, current events - updates on what's happening in modern day rural Zimbabwe, (a country governed by dictatorship) and the psychological and social issues surrounding this experience as it parallels what's happening in modern day America.
5. How can you initially get your show in front of the intended audiance?
Marketing will be via art and history educational blogs and websites.
1. Who is the intended audiance for my show?
Educators, students, historians, writers, artists, musicians, scholars and the general public with interest in african and african american diaspora and multicultural literacy. Those having an interest in the arts, philantraphy and helping vulnerable women and children and those who's lives are affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.
2. Why would they be interested in my show?
Most African Americans believe the history of Africa has never been included nor properly represented by educational institutions in America. Simply put, African history is not included in the primary and secondary school curriculums. As a result there is a lack of knowledge that borderlines the type of ignorance that seperates people, races and cultures due to this lack of knowledge and understanding.
On the other hand there are those who want to learn and/or enhance their knowledge and experiences of relationships more fully with Africa through a variety of educational media and techniques that create memorable experiences.
3. Why will they choose to watch it instead of spending their time somewhere else?
While being innovative and creative, it represents the different view points and experiences of our diverse and ever changing society.
4. What does your show have (or does it need) to turn viewers into fans/evangelists?
Storytelling, entertainment, art as culture, current events - updates on what's happening in modern day rural Zimbabwe, (a country governed by dictatorship) and the psychological and social issues surrounding this experience as it parallels what's happening in modern day America.
5. How can you initially get your show in front of the intended audiance?
Marketing will be via art and history educational blogs and websites.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
In 2004 I journeyed to Zimbabwe and independently established relationships with Ntengwe, Government Leaders, Anthropologist from local museum, Minister of Education, Minister of Health & Child Welfare, Staff & Students at Primary & Secondary Schools in a rural district of Zimbabwe. Ntengwe is a non-profit making organization promoting development, especially for youth, women and children through projects and programs in art, film and video, and publications. The organization promotes community awareness of HIV and AIDS, provides income generating projects, home based care and counseling and orphan support services. While there I had an opportunity explore and experience the culture in ways that I still cannot find words for, however, the media I will be presenting will tell the various stories intermingled with the many similarities to African American culture. I will direct and produce 12 episodic internet TV shows. The topics will be as follows:
Episode 1 PLANETARY LIBERATION
Ntengwe launched a music CD (Tuli Bamuchaala – which translates to We are the Orphans) in which the children wrote and composed their own songs that express their feeling of being alienated from the rest of society. The children recorded this CD along with Oliver Mtukudzi, Zimbabwe’s most popular music maker. Oliver’s gifts as a live performer were first introduced to the U.S. as part of the Africa Fete tour, on which he shared the stage with Taj Mahal and Senegalese superstar Baaba Maal. Oliver also made an appearance in the Spring of 2002 on The Late Show with David Letterman. Oliver also co-wrote and recorded a song for Bonnie Raitt’s album in 2002.
The first episode presents a variety of still shots of the children and Oliver with their music as a backdrop. Also a live interview with Oliver Mtukudzi filmed backstage at his 2005 performance at Yoshi's Jazz Supper Club in Oakland, CA.
Episode 2 DIARY OF AN AFRICAN JOURNEY
In August, 2005 I was a featured guest on “Echoes of Africa” KKUP Radio Station 91.5FM with the Producer/Host Emmanuel Nado (a native of the Ivory Coast). At that time I shared with the radio audiences in the San Jose, Santa Clara, Campbell and Monterey areas of my Zimbabwean Journey with the Ntengwe Orphans and local government and community leaders. The second episode presents more stills with narration of radio show interview telling the story behind the pictures.
Episode 3 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA!
The third episode presents segments of the joint birthday celebration of two African American Elder Women (ages 77 & 90) in San Francisco, and also a Zimbabwean boy's fourth birthday party in Zimbabwe.
Episode 4 AFRICAN RHYTHMS by an AFRICAN AMERICANS
The fourth episode presents master drummer and musicologist Kamau Sietu, native of New Orleans as he takes the audience on a journey through the different african rhythms via drums to the rhythms of New Orleans infused with the movement of Hip Hop Dancer, Hassan Chaney who danced his way from Oakland to New York's 106th and Park St. (BET Cable TV Show).
Episode 5 DIARY OF AN AFRICAN JOURNEY CONT...
In March of 2005 the Japanese Embassy funded the building of an orphan center in Zimbabwe for the Ntengwe children. It opened it doors in October of 2005. This episode will feature my second KKUP radio station interview on the current events of Ntengwe Orphans since August 2005. Radio Host, Emmanuel Nado and I will discuss the footage shot during the Center's Grand Opening via Radio with the phone lines open for dialogue from radio audience.
Episode 1 PLANETARY LIBERATION
Ntengwe launched a music CD (Tuli Bamuchaala – which translates to We are the Orphans) in which the children wrote and composed their own songs that express their feeling of being alienated from the rest of society. The children recorded this CD along with Oliver Mtukudzi, Zimbabwe’s most popular music maker. Oliver’s gifts as a live performer were first introduced to the U.S. as part of the Africa Fete tour, on which he shared the stage with Taj Mahal and Senegalese superstar Baaba Maal. Oliver also made an appearance in the Spring of 2002 on The Late Show with David Letterman. Oliver also co-wrote and recorded a song for Bonnie Raitt’s album in 2002.
The first episode presents a variety of still shots of the children and Oliver with their music as a backdrop. Also a live interview with Oliver Mtukudzi filmed backstage at his 2005 performance at Yoshi's Jazz Supper Club in Oakland, CA.
Episode 2 DIARY OF AN AFRICAN JOURNEY
In August, 2005 I was a featured guest on “Echoes of Africa” KKUP Radio Station 91.5FM with the Producer/Host Emmanuel Nado (a native of the Ivory Coast). At that time I shared with the radio audiences in the San Jose, Santa Clara, Campbell and Monterey areas of my Zimbabwean Journey with the Ntengwe Orphans and local government and community leaders. The second episode presents more stills with narration of radio show interview telling the story behind the pictures.
Episode 3 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA!
The third episode presents segments of the joint birthday celebration of two African American Elder Women (ages 77 & 90) in San Francisco, and also a Zimbabwean boy's fourth birthday party in Zimbabwe.
Episode 4 AFRICAN RHYTHMS by an AFRICAN AMERICANS
The fourth episode presents master drummer and musicologist Kamau Sietu, native of New Orleans as he takes the audience on a journey through the different african rhythms via drums to the rhythms of New Orleans infused with the movement of Hip Hop Dancer, Hassan Chaney who danced his way from Oakland to New York's 106th and Park St. (BET Cable TV Show).
Episode 5 DIARY OF AN AFRICAN JOURNEY CONT...
In March of 2005 the Japanese Embassy funded the building of an orphan center in Zimbabwe for the Ntengwe children. It opened it doors in October of 2005. This episode will feature my second KKUP radio station interview on the current events of Ntengwe Orphans since August 2005. Radio Host, Emmanuel Nado and I will discuss the footage shot during the Center's Grand Opening via Radio with the phone lines open for dialogue from radio audience.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Proposal
I have been fascinated by the origins and development of races, the preservation of cultures and customs and the various spiritual beliefs of humankind and the overall challenges involving different concepts of culture throughout the world. I am a native of New Orleans. This is where I was born and raised into adulthood. Growing up in this very colorful place where African American culture is infused with African culture taught me to respect people's right to be understood as they want to be understood and how to see the value in culture because culture is value.
Since early times leading up to our contemporary society, people rely on educational institutions for the preservation of our cultural collective memory. Included are indigenous groups sharing their histories, to be told and understood as they know and understand it. In keeping with this tradition, it is my intention to showcase the celebration of life and culture of African and African American Diaspora by producing 12 innovative and creative episodic intenet TV shows surrounding the psychosocial circumstances and situations the experiences represents. This in my opinion can make a difference in the lives of thousands of children and adults around the world by stimulating cultural awareness and addressing the changing needs of various communities around the world.
As educator and filmaker, I would like to develop, implement, evaluate, produce, and direct Internet TV shows with the goal of enhancing public assess to the understanding and interpretation of a collection of historical experiences through a variety media techniques and modalities to create memorable experiences for viewers.
I see myself playing a major role in the empowerment of viewers to experience the African and African American Diaspora more fully through stimulating, informative and very creative educational programs that are enjoyable and represent the different view points and experiences of our diverse and ever changing contemporary society.
I have been fascinated by the origins and development of races, the preservation of cultures and customs and the various spiritual beliefs of humankind and the overall challenges involving different concepts of culture throughout the world. I am a native of New Orleans. This is where I was born and raised into adulthood. Growing up in this very colorful place where African American culture is infused with African culture taught me to respect people's right to be understood as they want to be understood and how to see the value in culture because culture is value.
Since early times leading up to our contemporary society, people rely on educational institutions for the preservation of our cultural collective memory. Included are indigenous groups sharing their histories, to be told and understood as they know and understand it. In keeping with this tradition, it is my intention to showcase the celebration of life and culture of African and African American Diaspora by producing 12 innovative and creative episodic intenet TV shows surrounding the psychosocial circumstances and situations the experiences represents. This in my opinion can make a difference in the lives of thousands of children and adults around the world by stimulating cultural awareness and addressing the changing needs of various communities around the world.
As educator and filmaker, I would like to develop, implement, evaluate, produce, and direct Internet TV shows with the goal of enhancing public assess to the understanding and interpretation of a collection of historical experiences through a variety media techniques and modalities to create memorable experiences for viewers.
I see myself playing a major role in the empowerment of viewers to experience the African and African American Diaspora more fully through stimulating, informative and very creative educational programs that are enjoyable and represent the different view points and experiences of our diverse and ever changing contemporary society.
THE WAY I SEE IT...
I see validity in everything being said in these articles, including the various comments people wrote up. On the one hand its not so much about what’s right or wrong but that everything changes and it’s okay to preserve some of the old ways of media because everyone will not be consciously nor economically ready to accept change. This is after all the age of political correctness…and everyone thinks they are.
I especially liked the comments people made on "The Coming Golden Age of TV". In particular, Post #24 presented by Ray Barrington. He speaks of color TV in the 60s being a novelty. I feel HD is not always a solution for certain films but content is extremely important. Especially when I think back to the blaxploitation films of that period such as “Cotton Comes to Harlem”, “Superfly”, or “Shaft”, or VanPeables’ Sweet Sweet Back Badass Song. I don’t feel the need to see them in HD. For me these films represented a highly emotional and spirited time in the life of black America. The quality of film during those times had a different texture, flavor and sound that now evokes a very romantic and mesmerizing feeling that I’m not willing to let go of.
I see validity in everything being said in these articles, including the various comments people wrote up. On the one hand its not so much about what’s right or wrong but that everything changes and it’s okay to preserve some of the old ways of media because everyone will not be consciously nor economically ready to accept change. This is after all the age of political correctness…and everyone thinks they are.
I especially liked the comments people made on "The Coming Golden Age of TV". In particular, Post #24 presented by Ray Barrington. He speaks of color TV in the 60s being a novelty. I feel HD is not always a solution for certain films but content is extremely important. Especially when I think back to the blaxploitation films of that period such as “Cotton Comes to Harlem”, “Superfly”, or “Shaft”, or VanPeables’ Sweet Sweet Back Badass Song. I don’t feel the need to see them in HD. For me these films represented a highly emotional and spirited time in the life of black America. The quality of film during those times had a different texture, flavor and sound that now evokes a very romantic and mesmerizing feeling that I’m not willing to let go of.
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