MacDIVA in the House

Saying Goodbye to 2011 - Shakespeare Resonates With Oakland School for the Arts in: Comedy of Errors

2012-01-08T18:38:00.000-08:00


All photos by Dinah deSpenza

While someuniversities have dropped the Shakespeare requirement for English majors,Oakland School for the Arts’ weekend performance got standing ovation on theirversion of Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors. The performance was the first weekend in December 2011.

Featuringacrobats, aerialists, mistaken identities, slapstick, puns, word play and muchmore, these middle and high school students under the direction of TerryBamberger, Theater teacher, received standing ovations all weekend long from a packed house at the KineticArts Center in Oakland.

The Comedy ofErrors is one of William Shakespeare’searliest, shortest and farcical comedies.

In the OSA’sversion, the town of Ephesus is suggestive of a 10^th century Italiancircus town preparing for their town’s performance. The setting of the comedyinvolves a history of portrayal in a fashion done with clowns and jesters in 19^thcentury London productions that resurged in the 21^st century by theBrothers Karamazov, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the San FranciscoShakespeare Festival’s 2009 production.

According toBamberger, it was their first Shakespeare production and it was transformative.“To watch the cast of students go from the first reading after never havingdone this before, the kids got a crash course in scanning lines, imagery andresearch as well as a crash course in history that created meaning for them now– within a two month period.”

With a cast of 28actors and crewmembers, the make-up and exquisite costumes created a magic onstage that was impressive. “A lot of the costumes were on loan from AmericanConservatory Theater in San Francisco,” says Bamberger.

OSA providesstudents with intensive conservatory style training in the arts whilemaintaining a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum. “Our students work andstudy hard and really know how to play hard as well,” says Don Harris,Executive and Artistic Director.

Filled with thedramatic mix of trickery, nimble jugglers deceiving the eye, amazing acrobatsand dark working sorcerers, this skilled cast of circus arts and theaterstudent actors’ delivered a five–show run in one weekend.

“The most fun ofall for me were the cool tricks I got to do, says 8^th grader,”Isabella Miller. Miller is a member of the Circus Spire Youth Group.

The college preparts school is a charter from Oakland Unified School District and was the dreamchild of California Governor Jerry Brown.

Starting at theAlice Arts Center Building in downtown Oakland in 2002, by January, 2009 itmoved to the newly remodeled historical Fox Oakland Theater.

The first seniorgraduation class of 2006, graduated with 100 percent of the class beingaccepted at four-year colleges. Students were accepted at a wide variety ofacademic and artistic institutions to include, Le Cardon Bleu CaliforniaCulinary Academy, Columbia University, Stanford University, Spelman College,Howard University, Berklee College of Music, Boston Conservatory, CaliforniaCollege of the Arts, UCLA, UC Berkeley, San Francisco State, Cal State University East Bay andmany more.

Known as one ofthe most supported schools in Oakland by parents, teachers and the community,the school has done international productions in New York, England, and allover the globe.

Andrea Fullington and Terese Merrell, parents ofmiddle school students participating in the performance were in charge ofadvertising and publicity. Fullington and Merrell worked diligently toattract advertising for the performance from a variety of sources, includingKQED and KCBS.

“The students areamazing and represent the culture of visual arts in Oakland,” says RozitaFogelman, mother of Primo Stockton, 7^th grade, who played the FirstMerchant in the production.

A Diasporic Reflection on Land and Water

2011-11-20T01:38:00.001-08:00

Influenced by Shamanism, Jazz, theGraphic School of NY, Dada and Gutenberg's moveable type, multi-disciplinarymedia artist and CSUEB alumna, Rozita Fogelman makes waves at Oakland’s FLOATGallery this fall.

Using the elements of earth, land,and water, Fogelman, maps water histories with art as she presents – a visualhistory of water, land and people at the FLOAT Gallery.

FLOAT, an urban art spa is the onlyfloatation center art gallery in the San Francisco Bay Area.

“In Hebrew, ומים אדמה ,דם ,אדם adam, dam, adama and maiem; translatedas human, blood, land and water – all share the same root. My series, Body,Land and Water is my attempt to create a space addressing the need to reconnectthe link between art, language, people, land and water. I want to create aconnection between the past collective ideas and the archetypal symbols and ourcurrent culture, a grounding place where one can reconnect with the originalconcept and structure of balance,” says Fogelman.

Grace Munakata, Professor ofPictorial Art at CSUEB says, “Rozita believes the distractions of ourmulti-tasking culture need balance, and hopes to create a quiet, interactivespace where viewers can respond to the artwork in a meditative manner, perhapsreminding us of our actual connection and dependence on elements of earth andwater, and of our collective consciousness as a society.”

“Such a feast for the eyes. Her work is beautiful, says JanMartinez, Administrative Support Coordinator, CSUEB Art Department.

“Absolutely stunning, I love it,” says Raquel Arcia, GraduateCoordinate of CSUEB Multimedia Department.

Having pioneered a uniqueInterdisciplinary Master program between the Multimedia, Communications and ArtStudio practice, Fogelman earned her M.A. in Multimedia Disciplinary Media Artsin spring of 2011.

Originally from Tbilisi, Georgia,the Russian born artist sees visual communication as her first language out offive.

Her life long diasporic journeybetween her dislocated identities was the driving force of her fascination toexpress through art.

As a feminist, her life longdedication to create art professionally came from a need for free speech andexpression.

“In Russia, my family suffered fromviolent outbreaks of anti-Semitism. I witnessed many of the events of Jewsbeing attacked. In 1969, when I was 5 years old, the Russian KGB arrested myfather, sentencing him for five-years in a Siberia jail. The agony of the tripto visit him in a jail in 1971 will remain with me forever. After the rumorsspread about my father being sent away, I fell victim to assault and was abusedby the neighborhood children. My early childhood was plagued with fear,betrayal and insecurity,” says Fogelman.

According to Samuel Beckett, one ofthe most influential writers of the 20^th century, “The fundamentaltension between human frailty and the expressive instinct of human culture hasnever kept humans from seeking refuge in art and turning to it to try tocomprehend tragedy.”

In 1975, her family left Russiaimmigrating to Israel, and settled down in the mountains of Jerusalem,Mevaseret Zion.

In Jerusalem she studied Hebrew forthe first time, and got close to the multi-cultural dynamic under an intensereligious backdrop.

Land and water represented a sourceof regeneration of the physical body for Fogelman.

“A year after my family graduatedfrom the Hebrew Ulpan in Mevaseret Zion, we moved to the city of Bat-Yam,located on the Mediterranean Sea on the central coastal strip, just south ofTel Aviv Jaffa.

“Living by the Mediterranean Seawas healing and transforming. It was a dream come true for me,” says Fogelman.

Fogelman’s new exhibit, “TransientSpaces,” explores symbiotic dualities – change and stability.

“She is also interested in theinherent change in the appearance of the work while it is literally wet, andafter each layer dries. The workmust be done on a flat surface allowing for heavy textures reminiscent of raindrenched earth worked over rhythmically with tools.

Although she is selective about thecolors she uses, their hues/contrast shift significantly when dry, a metaphorfor spiritual changes and the impact of weather and time on land,” saysProfessor Munakata.

“Your paintings make me think,feel, and look harder at what I thought was there,” says Rosanne Harris,Academic Policies/Curriculum Coordinator at CSUEB.

Transient Spaces” opened September11^th and runs through October 29^th.

Origins of the Banjo - The Black Legacy - 7/18/11

2011-11-19T23:41:00.001-08:00

Guy de Chalus, banjo teacher at theOakland Public Conservatory of Music’s summer camp brings storytelling toinstill the value of the instrument for cultural preservation and education.

In African traditions, he is calleda Griot – the storyteller.

One of 50 known people studying thehistory of the banjo in the United States, de Chalus embraces its Africanorigins and the old time style of playing.

“As far as I know there are perhaps one or two others on thewest coast that play old time style banjo besides me. I haven't seen them inthese parts, I'm it,” says de Chalus.

de Chalus purchased his first banjofor $50 from a man trying to get rid of it because he was moving out of town.After connecting with a teacher, he eventually linked with other banjoist andscholars who felt the need to discuss the African origin and the Black legacy ofthe banjo.

There is a tremendous amount ofAfrican American participation in banjo up through the early period of jazz.

According to “The Old–Time Herald,”banjoist, Tony Thomas, founder of “Then and Now,” a forum for old-time musicplayers, scholars, and thinkers concerned for the history that pervade thebanjo and its music says, “We needed a place to express the explosion ofAfrican American banjoists including African American Heritage Elder EttaBaker, Taj Mahal, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Guy Davis, Otis Taylor, Sule GregWilson, Don Vappie, Dr. Joan, and Rex Ellis, all known in the old-time, blues,classic, and jazz banjo communities.

de Chalus talks to his studentsabout people like folklorist, Mike Seeger, (brother of Pete Seeger) being oneof the few enlightened experts who dug deeper into the roots and discoveredthrough stories that African Americans were involved with the banjo.

“The Earliest banjo (of sorts) wasfound in what is today known as Surinam, the former Dutch Guiana.

The banjo in the American coloniesgo back as early as the 17th century. An instrument transplanted by Africans tothe Caribbean during the slave trade, it was brought to the United States andtransformed through the relationship between blacks and whites in the South froma gourd-bodied, gut-stringed instrument to a wooden-pot, steel-strung, frettedinstrument,” says de Chalus.

“The banjo is different from theguitar, I like that it’s more high pitched, says Rachel Stovall, a student atOPC.

“I like learning and knowing aboutthe roots of where it came from and that it is native to America. It ishistory,” says Carolina Gonzalez Navarro, student at OPC.

“Iagree with Carolina and I love informing people that it is a native instrumentand of it’s origins in Africa. When you tell people you’re learning the banjo,at first they assume you came from a farm or something, then after explainingthe history they become intrigued, and that makes me feel happy,” says VinkyaHunter, a student at OPC.

According to de Chalus, musicianscreate ways to express complex ideas simply. When he teaches his students asong, it comes with a story.

“In a story told to Mike Seeger byJosh Thomas, an African American musician that Seeger met during his fieldworkgathering, "Roustabout," is a tune from Thomas that researchersbelieve to have alternated names. He called it "Roustabout" from oneof the words used in the opening part of the tune.” says de Chalus.

“We’re doing “Bum Ditty” to thesecond string, sixteen times. I don’t know of any other kids playing thatsong,” says de Chalus.

Bum Ditty is one of many ways tounderstand Clawhammer technique and how it works. “It creates a rhythm that canbe summed up by saying "Bum Ditty."

Eye Implant - Millimeter-scale Computing System

2011-02-28T11:09:00.000-08:00

On February 22, 2011 in San Francisco, at the International Solid-State Circuits Conference, researchers from University of Michigan presented a millimeter-scale computing system. It is the first in a new class of millimeter-scale ubiquitous computing. It is revolutionary and directly points to of Bell’s Law and Moore’s law – pervasive computing.

It is almost invisible having a microprocessor, pressure sensor, memory, thin-film battery, solar cell and wireless radio with an antenna that can transmit data to an external reader device just over one cubic millimeter in size.

It is significant in that it is a prototype for implantable continuous eye pressure tracking monitor, (readings are taken every 15 minutes) targeted for medical applications with the focus on glaucoma patients. The other innovative applications for building are to track pollution, weapons, and structural integrity, making any object smart and traceable.

The system uses ultra-low power consumption while in extreme sleep mode and stores up to one week of data. Each day it requires exposure to 10 hours of indoor light or 1 ½ hours of sunlight to keep the battery charged. It consumes an average of 5.3 nanowatts.

"This is the first true millimeter-scale complete computing system," said Dennis Sylvester, also a professor of electrical engineering and computer science at the University of Michigan.

Key Qualities

Unique Architecture

Small in scale

Contains compact radio with wireless sensor networks

Better, faster

Instrumentation And The Body - Hi Tech Spirituality

2010-11-27T19:10:00.000-08:00

To producers such as Derrick May, the transference of spirit from the body to the machine is often a central preoccupation; essentially an expression of technological spirituality.

Research Questions:

How can we combine technology and imersive environments to create art as history and culture in performance that re-examine the relationship between human bodies, sound vibrations and the soul?

What is the future of music evolution?

Are the noises of the industrial age considered music?

What is the future of techno music as education? How does it enhance learning?

What are low tech tools?

What is Techno Music?

What are some choices of instruments or tools that can be used in music as instrumentation and performance art?

What is call and response?

What types of new forms of communication can be formed by integrating both primal forms and contemporary forms of call and response?

What possibilities exist in the old and new forms in relation to the brain, the body and machines and the world?

What types of new forms of communication can be formed with primal forms of call and response?

What types of new forms of communication can be formed with contemporary forms of call and response?

The rise of music that is totally without social commitment also increases the separation between composer and public, and represents still another form of departure from tradition. The cynicism with which this particular departure seems to have been made is perfectly symbolized in John Cage's account of a public lecture he had given: "Later, during the question period, I gave one of six previously prepared answers regardless of the question asked. This was a reflection of my engagement in Zen." While Mr. Cage's famous silent piece [i.e. 4′33″], or his Landscapes for a dozen radio receivers may be of little interest as music, they are of enormous importance historically as representing the complete abdication of the artist's power.

Photos of Pamela Z
by Valerie Oliverio
& Courtesy of Ars Electronica

Stick Pounding is the rhythmic language of the Gullah people. In slavery days they developed a ceremony called "ring shout" in which participants danced in a ritual fashion in a circle amidst the rhythmical pounding of sticks and then, at the culminating moment, experienced possession by the Holy Spirit while shouting expressions of praise and thanksgiving.
-Melanie DeMore
Watch 5minute documentary on Stick Pounding -
http://itdonnedonme.com/videos/stick_and_pound.mp4

"In the meantime, it has awakened in me a sort of curiosity about artists' choices of instruments or tools. I find that I am fascinated with artists who work with relatively low-tech tools, and I am also drawn to work by artists who have developed very technically complex tools for making their work. Some of the most exciting work I've seen lately combines very different types of tools. Acoustic instruments with electronic ones, mechanical devices with digital devices, machines with flesh and blood instruments. And it is interesting that, in a field that historically has seemed very male-dominated, many of the artists doing this are women." -Pamela Z

The initial take on techno arose from the melding of European electronic music by artists such as Kraftwerk with African American music including funk, electro, Chicago house and electric jazz. Added to this is the influence of futuristic and fictional themes that are relevant to life in American late capitalist society—particularly the book The Third Wave by Alvin Toffler. Pioneering producer Juan Atkins cites Toffler's phrase "techno rebels" as inspiring him to use the word techno to describe the musical style he helped to create. This unique blend of influences aligns techno with the aesthetic referred to as afrofuturism.

2010-09-04T02:58:00.000-07:00

SELF-DISTRIBUTION: IT’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN MOVIE MAKING

2010-09-04T01:47:00.000-07:00

“Innovation happens when people with vision are forced to build something to realize their goals, because it doesn’t already exist.” – Jeff Gomez

The future of independent moviemaking is bright. As it stands at an undefined but utterly crucial precipice: Funding has vanished and distribution has become manic. The old and big structures are tumbling down. It is a very exciting time, and there are no rules. People haven’t figured it all out yet because “small & independent” happened so fast. The only certainty is that new paths are being forged all the time.

The major studio system is being replaced by several hundred thousand micro-studios that will serve audiences better than the majors could, because a micro-studio film industry is one based on passion. In this new landscape of things to come, there are those innovators primed to lead the charge of this new indie revolution. The industry is being fortified with fresh ideas and is safely being guided through the foggy landscape so that it emerges on the other side in better shape. It is becoming clearer that the future dictates what it means to be a moviemaker as production and distribution values force more and more creative solutions.

BIG v.s. SMALL

Seth Godin says “Big” used to matter. Big meant economies of scale. (You never hear about “economies of tiny” do you?) Hollywood and Fortune 500 used to be the place people went to make a fortune. The reason being, value was added in ways that big organizations were good at. Value was added with efficient manufacturing, widespread distribution and very large R&D staffs. Value came from hundreds of operators standing by and from nine-figure TV ad budgets. Value also came from a huge sales force.

GET BIG FAST was the motto for startups, because big companies and big film productions can go public and get more access to capital and use the capital to get even bigger. Big accounting firms were the place to go to get audited if you were a big company, because a big accounting firm could be trusted. Big law firms were the place to find the right lawyer because big law firms were a one-stop shop.

And then small happened.

Enron (big) got audited by Andersen (big) and failed (big.) The World Trade Center was a target. TV advertising is collapsing fast. The writers strike in Hollywood took out a lot of the normal night time TV programming and was replaced with Reality Shows. American Airlines (big) got slammed dunked by Jet Blue (think small). BoingBoing (four people) grew a readership a hundred times faster than the New Yorker (hundreds of people.) In 2006, Craigslist (18 employees) was the fourth most visited site according to some measures.
Seth says the following about small:
• Small is the new big because small gives you the flexibility to change the business model when your competition changes theirs.
• Small also means you can tell the truth on your blog.
• Small means that you can answer email from your audiences and customers.
• Small means that you will outsource the boring, low-impact stuff like manufacturing and shipping and billing and packing to others, while you keep the power because you invent the remarkable and tell stories to people who want to hear them.
• A small law firm or accounting firm or ad agency is succeeding because they’re good, not because they’re big. So smart small companies are happy to hire them.
• A small restaurant has an owner who greets you by name.
• A small venture fund doesn’t have to fund big bad ideas in order to get capital doing work. They can make small investments in tiny companies with good (big) ideas.
• Small is the new big only when the person running the small thinks big. Don’t wait, get small to think big.

The Format Is A Container – Self-Distribution

If you wait around for that great “one” you don’t get better. Short (small) films allow you to learn more and get better. You work things out over time. For example, “do I want to light this way or that way.”

It is important to build a relationship with people to engage with you and your company/team. Think of self-distribution of your own movies.

One of the easiest ways to get fans is to put your film in as many formats as possible. At the least make five different formats to include a give away DVD. You can start by putting it in your blog as an RSS attachment. You lose if you make it hard to get. It needs to convince people to come back. This tells a story or your idea as a story. Selecting topics that are not totally explored makes people come back to see how things get resolved. Give them a reason to come back.

There are increasingly more new ways to distribute your media. First consider who your audience is. With the various Internet distribution outlets, including YouTube, it is incredibly easy to find an audience for your work. The key is to let people choose how they want to experience a film, when and on which platform.

Access to inexpensive, yet high quality filmmaking has never been better. As an independent producer, the question to ask yourself is: How best can I make it easier for people to download my work and look at. Then, build up an audience from one of the many communities around the world that are connected by common interest (that you can eventually make money off) by producing good content and letting people download it. Consider viral marketing; i.e., people passing on videos to their friends (at least ten people). If you can do a video show that fans think is so good that you get a natural viral audience that’s done organically, you end up with a small scale production with a large scale audience and get fans and evangelists to spread the word in getting your production to the right people and audience that likes what you’re doing with minimal resources by getting it in the right spot.

You can release your mini-masterpiece via TubeMogul.com, which spits them to all the important video sites including YouTube, MySpace, Vimeo, Viddler, blips and a few others. They usually want to buy a DVD from you. This is a great way to build an audience because your giving it away is getting it exposed to more people.

Pre-Promotion & Niche Marketing

Think about your product in terms of final audience by asking yourself who wants to see it and what about mine that would make others watch it and share it with their friends and how I can make it so that it satisfies more people.

Communicating your passion to a community of those who have the same passion as a reflection of themselves; or what they’d like to see in the world, that people will tell friends and would make their friends want to see it. Find people interested in your video and related blogs and discussion forums.

I do think theaters will need to have the ability to digitally download, but that just gives a fantastic array of new opportunities to show more films. But I don’t think one thing will completely replace another. I think there is room for many of these options to happen simultaneously. Bay Area Moviemaker, Tiffany Shlain, 39

Every independent moviemaker should prepare a self-distribution strategy. The journey however differs for each moviemaker and his or her particular project. It is not only a way to get your movie in front of an audience, but also a way to control your own destiny.
Independent moviemakers can thrive by using the best equipment you can afford without having to go into debt. If that is a cell phone, that’s okay; you just need to start something.

The Micro-Studio

The future takes us into an entirely different landscape of being a micro-studio, where you and your team produce, distribute publicize and monetize work, taking the proceeds to provide budgets for future projects (and pay yourselves if and when you get lucky eventually).
As stated in an article put out by MovieMaker Magazine (Issue 81 Volume 16, 2009, Ten Tips For Successfully Distribution) it is important to believe in your film because you will be investing a tremendous amount of time and energy of your life from the time you write the script to finally distributing the film. If you really don’t believe in it, don’t do it.
Making five-minute movies and producing them for submission in local film projects/festivals are a good way to get good fast while getting the type of exposure and distribution through the film festival circuit. More people click on to a five minute video than longer ones. This makes it easy for viewers to watch independent productions.

Produce something that makes a reference (a way to make money). Selling other products that relate to your video or finding those who can pay you to make their video and look at ways to sell your videos through Amazon without investing money or your time up front. And consider a source that can make your DVD’s and distribute them. Be creative by posting links to any companies or sites you find which might be helpful.

PRESS

Get attention from the Press. It can be hard to get attention if you have no stars, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. Write to the editors of magazines, newspapers and Websites and tell them about your film. Also, ask friends and friends of friends working in media for opportunities for interviews. Its possible there’s something newsworthy-or review-worthy.
The movie SCALP (2009) was shot in Ghost Lake, NJ, which is supposed to be haunted. (Google it and you will see.) Paul Chau (www.scalpthemovie.com) suggests you find something cool about your film. “That adds something intangible to the film and a great angle for press coverage.”

Sometimes a particular genre may not be festival-friendly and not a likely path to get your film attention. Paul Chau held his own distributor screenings (one in NY and one in L.A.) even though he knew it was unlikely that many distributors if any would attend. But his goal was to create awareness for his film so people would request screeners.

As it turned out, in New York, Dan Guando from The Weinstein Company did come and watch the entire film (SCALP). After the screening, he congratulated me on a job well done and asked for a screener to send to his L.A. team. Eventually it did pass, but it was reassuring to see their interest and Dan was a great guy (and contact).

Knowing your audience before you make your film and understanding what you really want from self-distribution is very important. For instance, my personal experience has shown me that you should know your audience before you make your film. As an educator and a member of the bay area’s It Donned On Me, (a competitive filmmaking team) I am learning that the best audiences for documentaries are educators and historians. Upon completion of Stick & Pound (2008) and A Place Like This (2009) submitted to the International Documentary Challenge (www.Itdonnedonme.com) art/music educators around the nation and the world became followers as soon as the movies became available online.

The goal is to create awareness for the film and understanding what you really want from self-distribution. Get reviews from critics and create a resume piece for future films. You can make money via a DVD release, even if you self-distribute so make sure you have lots of extras to load onto that DVD. Think audition footage, deleted scenes, behind the scenes, behind the scenes bloopers, director commentary, etc.

FILM FESTIVAL ON YOUR COUCH

At the Sundance Film Festival in January of 2009 IFC Films appeared at a press conference with moviemaker Joe Swanberg (Hannah Takes the Stairs) and South by Southwest Film Festival producer Janet Pierson to make a radical announcement: When the Austin-based SXSW rolled around in March, IFC would premier Swanberg’s latest feature, Alexander the Last - in addition, the four other recent acquisitions at the event on demand simultaneously. In doing so, IFC found a tentative solution to elusive audiences: Catch them at home.

The company had for many years utilized a video-on-demand (VOD) strategy in which cable subscribers can watch almost all of IFC’s current theatrical releases on television. Small movies suddenly show up in 50 million homes with the click of a button. A very good approach. However, with the growing indie fare, the company has carved out more space in its VOD grid to accommodate additional titles, namely those movies that would likely never see an audience beyond their festival runs.

IFC added a new on demand channel called Festival Direct in 2008; it is an outlet for films that might not be viable theatrical prospects, but would likely appeal to art house-minded audiences at home.

Although the initial Festival Direct lineup enabled certain specialty films to wind up in countless living rooms, another year passed before IFC found a way to take audiences further, by offering a peek into the content of a film festival program as it takes place and allowing “moviemakers” television screenings to continue months after their festival premieres.
As walls between the creator and the fan comes down, new business models are being developed daily. The unlimited shelf space of the Internet is helping to build a long tail for filmmakers work and it’s never been easier to build an audience and keep it. It’s still a lot of work, but it’s been radically democratized.

References:
MovieMaker Magazine, Issue 81, Volume 16, Future of Movie Making 2009 – New Product and Technology Review:

Festival On Demand, p. 26; Eric Kohn

The Real Deal On Internet Distribution, p.42; Mark Sells

Indie Innovators, p.46; Andrew Gnerre

Agent of Change: Small Is The New Big, 2005-06, Seth Godin’s Blog

Sur Mesure: Journeys in Transpersonal Haberdashery

2009-09-10T11:16:00.000-07:00

THE HATISTA BEHIND THE HATISTA

It's been a while since I reported on It Donned on Me's Journey into the 48 hour film abyss. I've been very busy studying MultiMedia at Cal State East Bay this past school year, while still creating short films with the Crew.

A shout of gratitude to all those who showed up and voted for this film, and all those who viewed it online. After putting the word out to the artists in Paris, France to New Orleans and the Bay Area, and all those places in the tweens (between) I've received many calls and emails from people who saw the movie and thought it was da bomb and are still laughing!

Another very special shout out to the people of Oakland who showed up and showed out. Brenda Usher-Carpino won for us the Audience Choice Award at the Roxie Theater Screening in San Francisco and also the Best Actress Award for the San Francisco 48 Hour Awards Screening. I knew from the get go that this multi talented improv acting Diva would throw down hard... and she did! It started a couple of months before when I ran into Brenda and Angela Wellman http://www.opcmusic.org/ on Piedmont Avenue sipping coffee early one Saturday morning at Gaylord's Coffee House during a very serendipious rondevous. We ended up hanging out for a couple of hours as I listened with open ears to stories about Brenda. This beauty hails from San Antonio, Texas and has lived for many years in the Bay Area in Oakland, CA. She's a writer and a scholar graduating from University of California, Berkeley, with a Doctorate from Stanford University and recently returned to school at Mills College in Oakland working towards her MFA in Creative Writing. Although the list of the Diva is too long for my blog entry, I just knew like I knew like I knew that she would be the show stopper she was. I even told her in advance that once the audience recognized her, they would be all over her like white on rice. So who channeled the Hatista?!?! Figure it out for your self...

Gordon Parks, Photographer

2009-07-27T20:20:00.000-07:00

This summer I've been studying Digital Photography with Scott Hopkins, at Cal State University, East Bay. This week we're learning about black and white photography. I love black and white photography because of it's very emotional and poetic nature. I love how it exhibits such great examples of texture. For me it is poetry in motion and the perfect example of a narrative told without spoken words. This week we're looking at some of the great photographers and writing papers on one of our favorites. Being an independent filmmaker and studying digital photography, the first great photographer to come to mind is the infamous Gordon Parks, the only photographer that Malcolm X allowed to photograph him and the Nation of Islam.

November 30, 1912- March 7, 2006
Gordon Parks was a groundbreaking american photographer, musician, poet, novelist, journalist, activist, and film director. He is best remembered for his photo essays for Life Magazine and as the director of the 1971 film Shaft.

http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/2006/gordon_parks/

The son of a tenant farmer, Parks grew up in poverty. After dropping out of high school, he held a series of odd jobs, including pianist and waiter. In 1938 he bought a camera and initially made a name for himself as a portrait and fashion photographer. At the age of 25, Parks was struck by photographs of migrant workers in a magazine and bought his first camera, a Voigtländer Brilliant, for $12.50 at a pawnshop. The photo clerks who developed Parks' first roll of film, applauded his work and prompted him to get a fashion assignment at Frank Murphy's women's clothing store in St. Paul. Parks double exposed every frame except one, but that shot caught the eye of Marva Louis, heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis' elegant wife. She encouraged Parks to move to Chicago, where he began a portrait business for society women. After moving to Chicago, he began chronicling life on the city's impoverished South Side. These photographs led to a Julius Rosenwald Fellowship, and in 1942 he became a photographer at the Farm Security Administration (FSA). While with the FSA, he took perhaps his best-known photograph, American Gothic, which featured an African American cleaning woman holding a mop and broom while standing in front of an American flag. Parks had been inspired to create the picture after encountering repeated racism in restaurants and shops, following his arrival in Washington, D.C.. In 1948 Parks became a staff photographer for Life magazine, the first African American to hold that position. He remained with the magazine until 1972 and became known for his portrayals of ghetto life, black nationalists, and the civil rights movement.

Also know for doing photo-essay about a child from a Brazilian slum was expanded into a television documentary (1962) and a book with poetry (1978), both titled Flavio.

Parks also was noted for his intimate portraits of such public figures as Ingrid Bergman, Barbra Streisand, Gloria Vanderbilt, and Muhammad Ali. Parks' first work of fiction was The Learning Tree (1963), a coming-of-age novel about a black adolescent in Kansas in the 1920s. He also wrote forthright autobiographies—A Choice of Weapons (1966), To Smile in Autumn (1979), and Voices in the Mirror (1990). He combined poetry and photography in A Poet and His Camera (1968), Whispers of Intimate Things (1971), In Love (1971), Moments Without Proper Names (1975), and Glimpses Toward Infinity (1996). Other works included Born Black (1971), a collection of essays, the novel Shannon (1981), and Arias in Silence (1994).In 1968 Parks became the first African American to direct a major motion picture with his film adaptation of The Learning Tree. He also produced the movie and wrote the screenplay and musical score. He next directed Shaft (1971), which centered on a black detective. A major success, it helped give rise to the genre of African American action films known as “blaxploitation.” A sequel, Shaft's Big Score, appeared in 1972. Parks later directed the comedy The Super Cops (1974) and the drama Leadbelly (1976) as well as several television films.

Japanese Big Head Painting

2009-07-13T19:24:00.001-07:00

Jacques Davis - Murdim Project

2009-07-13T11:48:00.000-07:00

This past year my blogging slowed down a bit due to school projects. As some of you may know, I've been a student in Multimedia at Cal State East Bay. As I've been busy enjoying the journey, one of the most challenging things for me has been to work for a grade. Educational institutions require student to make "A's" and/or "B's", for me as an artist as well as a human being, I work from my heart and soul.

During the spring I took a class called "Currents of New Media" which explores the history of new media art which has only been in existence the past 20-30 years if that long. This is a piece I wrote on a new media artist who's work inspires my heart and soul to keep on creating. I also wrote my first short Wikipedia article on the artist. So if you check Murdim Project or Jacques Davis...I'm the author.

February 27th, 2009, 11:37am – created February 14, 2009

Artist: Jacques Davis - murdim

Rhizome Terms: Social classes, Video

Artist Terms: individuality, strength, togetherness

With the rise of new technology, large moving images are starting to cover the walls of our cities and even our living rooms. Some examples are: “The Thing” (1991) founded by German sculptor Wolfgang Staehle, an electronic bulletin board system that functioned as a forum for artists and cultural theorists. The Ars Electronica Center at Linz, Austria, exterior view. However, what most of us in the United States are used to seeing that resembles these pieces are New York Times Square’s large ads. When viewers look closer and pay more attention, one realizes these are only huge blow-ups of a regular movie.

One of the most recent displays of new media art to hit the scene last year and this year is the murdim Project, (Global Village, Marathon, Mobilisation, Paris Plage). Reminisce of the Neo-Dada art movement, also known as Fluxus, in particular the artist Nam June Paik, the murdim Project is about "contenant et le contenu". In the world of moving images, it represents the container and what’s inside.

The murdim Project consists of several 20-minute organic waterfall like totem pole murals echoing the sounds of the crowded streets of Paris. They range between 2 and 7 meters high of moving images that are always the same and yet always different. It allows viewers to see at the same time thousands of people all together, and one by one as they come closer.
http://www.murdim.com/earth.html
The images have a meaning when you see them from afar but not necessarily the same meaning seen close up and personal. It also allows you to think of images in terms of not being part of a “movie”. For instance, like every day life in Paris, with similarities to Vertov’s “Man with a Movie Camera, the Artist of the murdim Project captures everyday scenes from daily life in a city. Only these images are not part of a typical “movie” in that you do not have to sit to look at. These are in fact images that go far beyond the usual A3, 16 x 9 and other 1080 sizes. Or, even to think of images that go further than kaleidoscopic computer graphics.

Jacques Davis, the artist behind murdim Project uses crowds and nature as his subjects. Living and working in Paris, France, Davis worked for 35 years as a photographer doing mostly large slide shows, later with video, and video walls. Be it swimming pools, demonstrations, political meetings, markets, and other gatherings as his subjects for the camera, crowds are the main focus. To view the crowds from afar as a totem, the viewer sees the strength, will and force of a crowd while at the same time one can see close-ups of thousands of very individually unique people.

Davis uses 10 to 20 HDV cameras on each totem. Totems are stitched together and broadcast on LCD screens, with each camera aiming at a different part of the scene the same way one would shoot in panoramic photography. Davis states that “It’s time consuming and pixel consuming, my movies are huge”.

In a recent correspondence via email from Jacques Davis, he states the following:

“You take a computer, Illustrator, Photoshop, you get 32 millions color graphics that you animate with After Effects or Flash, you buy 2000 LCD screens and you cover the front of CSU East Bay. You've just invented video wall murals technique; and your name is Nam June Paik ...2.”

Research Sources:
www.Rhizome.org
www.murdim.com
Multimedia Artist Jacques Davis info@murdim.com
New Media Art by Mark Tribe/Reena Jana pages 22 and 24
Wikepedia

Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah in...a place like this...

2009-03-24T14:05:00.000-07:00

Funny how sometimes we realize how our dreams become experiences that come full circle. Who would of thought that an act of kindness on the part of Angela Wellman, almost 20 years ago would lead to the making of a short documentary film on her creation as the Founder and Director of the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music. I always say, "you don't always have to know where you're going in order to get to where you need to be". When you put a lot of good energy into what you love, the Universe will conspire to manifest your highest ideals.

It was 199?, I was standing in a very long line at "Concepts Cultural Gallery" in downtown Oakland with my young son thinking that my name was on a guest list to see the "Sun Ra Archestra", featuring Sun Ra himself. The lines were long, the show was a sell out and anticipation was in the air. All the real hip patrons of jazz were there for the show of all shows.

Out of what appeared to be nowhere two women were standing before me offered to usher my son, Hasani and I in to a front row table right smack in front of the stage while others waited in the longest line hoping to get in. Some of the local bay area great musicians performing with the Archestra were, Cash Killian, India Cook, Kamau Seitu... to name a few. The Archestra performed and after a few songs into the show, one of the women, who got me in, Angela Wellman, picked up her horn and went on stage. I had no idea who this person was, but she blew the roof off the mutha. I was like WOW! It's not every day you come across a musician who spots a single mother and her child and manages to get you front row seats. It was my son's very first jazz concert. After that time, we'd spot her around Oakland all the time at the grocery store or the Berkeley Flea Market and different festivals. My son always referred to her as "the Lady with the Horn".

After years of experiencing Angela's music around the Bay Area, our paths started crossing quite frequently over the past two years. I'd heard she started the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music and I started attending some of her Sunday afternoon concerts and Monday night jam sessions. At other times, I would see her at Peet's Coffee & Tea on Fruitvale Avenue in Oakland.

Let's talk about Divine timing. After we received the "Music" genre with the theme of "Hope", I immediately tried to contact her. I just had a feeling again, just like I did with "Stick & Pound", that we (It Donned On Me) could pull off something absolutely fabulous...and we did.

In the past it was fairly easy to contact Angela Wellman. We'd spoken on the phone and emailed a few times. But this time it was not the easiest thing. So I called a few of musicians
friends to see if they could contact her directly, but no one could. So I just went to the Conservatory. It was closed. I was anxious before my meeting with the crew later that evening and just decided to stick a note on the door. My cell phone rang within the hour, right after I'd ordered my cup of tea at Peet's. It was the Horn Diva herself. The trombonist hails from Kansas City, has performed with McCoy Tyner big band, Joe Williams, Al Gray, Slide Hampton and many more. http://www.angelawellman.com/about.htm
I was so delighted. I explained the process to her and she was in agreement with having a documentary done if we pulled the music genre.

Would you believe that later that evening in a round table discussion of our esteemed team, I presented a pretty good layout of who Angela Wellman was and how the Conservatory had been a dream of hers, I introduced her into "the mix" and from there it was on.

From there I scheduled a shoot for noon the next day and the rest is "HerStory".

For more information on Oakland Public Conservatory of Music visit:
http://www.opcmusic.org/

QUILTING WITH JOY

2009-02-23T16:15:00.000-08:00

In honor of Black History Month I've decided to honor and pay homage to Ms. JOY.

Joy E. Johnson, Quilt Maker and Storyteller, has been making quilting most of her life. Ms. Joy teaches quilting, conducts workshops and lectures on the Harriet Tubman’s Underground Railroad. After experiencing a railroad trip by way of her quilts through storytelling, I realized there is so much to be learned from the two art forms. The work itself is a canvas of narrative stories all patched together to perfection. Each patch can represent entire chapters in history of the African and African American experience. I see her work as the construction of individual windows of a world the ancestors experienced in the form of stories to be passed on to generations still to come. Spending an evening with her was a delightful treat. I was amazed at her craftsmanship, no, more like blown away. Her quilts very colorful, creative and educational. Her quilts have been exhibited at the De Young Museum of San Francisco, CA, the Alameda County Fair, Pleasanton CA and various other venues throughout the Bay Area. She is a member of the Association of African American Quilters Guild in Oakland, CA.

Ms Joy loves all things quilting and updates her skill base by attending Quilt Conventions and taking classes. She has an extensive library of books devoted to quilting and assures that she can make anyone a quilter and recommends quilting as a form of meditation. She attributes quilting handwork with getting our foremothers through the storms of their lives.

Check out Ms. Joy

THE ENVELOPE PLEASE!

2008-09-09T18:19:00.000-07:00

TwirlyBoy Walks Away With 2 Awards at the San Jose 48 Hour Film Festival

"Most Gratuitous Merchandising Ploy Award"

"Community Player Award" for Evan Donn"

Here's what the judges had to say:

Kudos 2 Evan for being a team player to IDOM and a community player to San Jose.

CONGRATULATIONS IDOM! In honor of our 2 awards.

The Nominees for the best ....

2008-09-05T11:36:00.000-07:00

From: sanjose48hfp@gmail.com
Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2008 8:32 PM
To: 48 Hour Film Project Participants
Subject: San Jose 48HFP Awards Ceremony Nominations Announced!

...hello Players and Team. The judges have deliberated. Then they've reconsidered, and then they arm-wrestled to resolve some of the finer points of the craft. At last we have their results. The nominations for awards in each of our major categories are being announced here, and the final winner will be announced on Sunday night at the Highlights Night and Awards Ceremony.

The Event
So first of all, let me tell you that the event will be held at the Media Center in Palo Alto. Here are the complete details:

San Jose 48 Hour Film Project presents...

Highlights Night and Awards Ceremony
Sunday, Sept 7, 7:00pm-9:30pm
Media Center
900 San Antonio Road
Palo Alto, CA 94303
Admission: $5

At the event, we will show many of the films from this year's crop, a couple of surprise special features, and we'll present the awards along with comments from the judges. This is a great night to "close the loop" on this year's event. See the films one more time, hear what the judges and the audience thought of them, and socialize with the other filmmakers and teams. It will be a grand night.

Nominations
Nominees are listed in alphabetical order, and you should be aware that your film may be up for a special award or another honor that is not listed in the nominations. There are still some surprises to come.

Best Film:
The Animals
Bodbrane, Wizard of Spas
The Best Thing
High Stakes Hooky
Lost and Found

Best Acting:
The Animals - Mark McGrath
Firecracker - Abigail Wray Bennett
Firecracker - Jordan Dobbs Rosa
Attrition - James Davis
Marble Bag - Tom Cokenias

Best Direction:
The Animals
Bodbrane, Wizard of Spas
Lost and Found
Nobody Gets Me
Twirly Boy

Best Music/Score:
The Animals
Firecracker
High Stakes Hooky
Nobody Gets Me
Twirly Boy

Best Cinematography:
The Animals
Attrition
Dia De Los Dead
Firecracker
Twirly Boy

Additional awards do not have nominees, but take a look at these and see if you think your team may have qualified for one of them. Awards will be given for special achievement in several areas. These include:

Most Gratuitous Merchandising Ploy
Best Team Splash Sequence
Best Credits/Titles
Best Marketing Collateral
Community Player Award

All right. There's a lot more to say and we all know that the art is to say just enough. I've probably already gone beyond that limit today.

---v

Sporting the GREEN SCREEN behind the scenes of TwirlyBoy

2008-09-04T12:12:00.000-07:00

Green screen technology is the basis of the effects seen in everything from the latest Hollywood blockbusters to our local, national and international weather forecast. The idea is simple. If you shoot a video with a single coloured backdrop (blue or green is often used) you can make that colour transparent - replacing it with any other video clip, graphic or still image.

Use any single colour, flat object as a screen.

Last school year, Hollywood Blake (as he likes to refer to himself), a young 8th grade student of mine showed interest in filmmaking and was very interested in the concept of green screens. I posted these shots of the green screen especially for you, Hollywood Blake.

With green screen, it's simple to superimpose anything or anyone into any shot. You can transport yourself anywhere, as we did with the character played by our crew member, Tom Flowers.

Since this was a 48 hour project and we didn't have the time or funds to get these shots in Beijing, China, we shot Tom in front of a green screen.

Check out Tom Flowers' character having a telephone conversation from Beijing.

'TwirlyBoy' Standard Definition - 56Mb MP4

'TwirlyBoy' High Definition (720p) - 225Mb MP4

Twirly Boy Always Gets The Girls

2008-08-28T15:24:00.001-07:00

Here's how Twirly Boy does it!

Charm, Flirting, Chocolate

Quang Khoi with Liz Langston, the co-founder and executive producer of the 48 Hour Film Project!

Charm
[chahrm] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation

–noun
v. intr.

1.	a power of pleasing or attracting, as through personality or beauty: charm of manner; the charm of a mountain lake.

2.	a trait or feature imparting this power.

3.	charms, attractiveness.

Daphna Shyevitch & Quang Khoi

Flirt
v. flirt·ed, flirt·ing, flirts

To make playfully romantic or sexual overtures.
To deal playfully, triflingly, or superficially with: flirt with danger.

Quang Khoi & Chewbakka

Chocolate
[chaw-kuh-lit, chok-uh-, chawk-lit, chok-]

7.	made, flavored, or covered with chocolate: chocolate cake; chocolate ice cream.

In this case: "Ho Ho's!

Quang Khoi, Daphna, & Colleen at Screening in San Jose's Camera 12 Cinemas

Quang Khoi co-stars with (a blast from the past) LynnRuth Miller in Urgent Care - our first San Francisco 48 hour film - 2007

In this case...nothing? Oh, I know...wait a minute...is it the uniform? Women do love a man in uniform!

Gotta admit it, he's pretty darn cute and adorable! Females just love him and remember him... dogs included.

What Just Happened? IDOM Rocks It...One Mo Gin

2008-08-26T14:06:00.000-07:00

ONE MO GIN... (translation...one more time)
pronounce like IN with the G in front - not GIN, the alcholic drink

Well, we pulled it off again. How we did it? What Just Happened?!? Beats heck out of me. It just did. Wrapping up our brainstorm at 2:30 am Saturday morning with a deadline of 7:30 pm Sunday. A bunch of ideas and no script. (what's that?!?!?) We started out Friday night sipping champagne, and later eating doughnuts (my choice was chocolate on chocolate cake doughnuts) and joking around like we were at some kinda party, with only a few hours to nap. I was so up I had to put on my leopard print sleep mask and make myself close my eyes and go to sleep. (for a little while anyway) This was my experience during the making of Twirly Boy.

Up early, Saturday with costume and make-up ideas on the brain, leaving room for the unknown. In algebraic terms, we call this: solving for n. In my case, n = audio, x= production assistant, y = etc., etc., etc... Our shoot eventually happened (from late morning into the wee hours of the night or early am) a lot of the story was developed along the way. Testosterone was running high and I was the only girl on the scene until the girlfriend of one of the guys made a few appearances and Signe showed up on Sunday afternoon. Sisters...let me tell you...not always easy being a girl with a bunch of guys! (that's a whole other story!!!)

I felt my testosterone kicking. It had to, my survival depended on it. Kicking off at 8:30 Sunday morning and wrapping up the shoot a few hours later, leaving us just the afternoon to finish the edit. Once again we rocked it. And a Twirly Boy was born!

Genre:
Road Movie

Character:
Chris or Christy Doyle, drummer

Prop:
Pin

Line of Dialogue:
“What just happened?”

And 48 hours to do it!

Another Grand Slam

2008-08-14T12:17:00.000-07:00

SOUNDS GOOD TO ME!

It’s like when the bases are loaded and you hit a grand slam. How can you plan to hit a grand slam? You don’t know until you get there. The thing I do know for sure is that you don't always HAVE to know where you're going in order to get to where you need to be!

It is a movement of the creative process following a course all of its own. It grows in the unknown, and it has a life of its own. You never know where it will take you, you just go with the creative flow. One thing I do know is: It is for greater creative expression. It is beyond the imagination and never planned. It just keeps on going to the next destination on the journey.

Zimbabwe "Revisited"

2008-08-09T15:41:00.000-07:00

I'm still waiting to hear from my direct sources in Zimbabwe. It's been four months now and I have not heard a word. My prayer is that they are still alive. This piece pays tribute to my loved ones there and Zimbabweans everywhere.

Be sure and check out July 5, 2008 archives (to the right) for Episodes 1 - 6

"Planetary Liberation" & "Zimbabwe on the West Coast"

The song is entitled Lukono. Lukono means heritage.

HARARE, Zimbabwe (CNN) -- A power-sharing deal between Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai is just "one or two sticking points" away, sources close to the negotiations said Saturday.

South African President Thabo Mbeki was scheduled to arrive in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, on Saturday to mediate another round of face-to-face talks between the two bitter political rivals, the sources said.

The sources did not elaborate on the nature of the issues still separating the sides.
The region has been engulfed in politically motivated violence since the disputed March presidential elections.

All About Zimbabwe • Robert Mugabe • Morgan Tsvangirai

The STICK & POUND AGENDA

2008-08-07T12:54:00.000-07:00

By birth, I am the direct beneficiary of the will and determination of my ancestors and of ancient african women of wisdom--a woman of power, of passion and compassion. As the uniqueness of my birthplace gave me a lifelong fascination with the origins and development of different peoples, cultures, customs, and varied spiritual beliefs of humanity. I have a deep respect for people's desire to be understood in their own terms.

My purposes as an artist is to serve humanity as a cultural ambassador. Stick & Pound bridges experience and knowledge with the psychology of learning as it explores the collective memories of many African cultures that are so very different and yet so much alike. It bridges cultures by integrating the traditional and the nontraditional with new ways of looking at life through multidimensional means of viewing, discovering and creating stories.

Melanie DeMore, Master Stick Pounder
San Francisco, CA - March 7, 2008

Whether its, San Francisco, Toronto http://documentarychallenge.org/, The Moari's New Zealand or Prizren, Kosovo's Dokufest, http://dokufest.com/ Stick & Pound is on a role and a journey without a destination. The sky is the limit. It's been on the road since it's inception March 6, 2008 in San Francisco. Stick & Pound screens this week August 4-10, 2008 in Kosovo. I wish I could be there in the physical, but I'm definitely there in spirit. I know my ancestors are smiling down on me. But don't worry, you may still have your chance to see it here in the U.S. There will be a screening of Stick & Pound, Doggie Style, and Tail at the Avalon Micro Film Festival Series in Sunnyvale, CA (August 30, 2008) Oakland, CA (October 18, 2008) and East Hampton, NY (TBA December, 2008). For details check out http://www.avalonstudios.org/whats_new.html
or for constant updates visit the the team's website at: http://itdonnedonme.com/

First stop, Toronto's Hot Docs Screening where it received international award winning acclaim.

ONE MO GIN... (translation...one more time)

It's making leaps and bounds as other cultures embrace it. The world finally may be ready to listen to indigenous people. Where Stick & Pounds goes, history is constantly being made.

A Taste of Jazz

2008-08-01T15:15:00.001-07:00

This year I made my first jazz video. It was taped at a live jam session in Berkeley in honor of and featuring Jazz Trumpeter, Rasul Siddik, an African American Brother who has lived in Paris, France for over a decade. He made a rare bay area appearance last fall (2007). Several of the bay area's best musicians came out to play and MacDIVA was definitely in the House. This a small piece of the video featuring piano man, Rudi Mwongozi.

PARIS ON THE WEST COAST

IDOM's 2008 48 Hour Film Project's Screening of "Tail"

2008-07-29T15:25:00.000-07:00

THE MAKING OF "TAIL" WAS LIKE HAVING A GOOD CUP OF CAPPUCCINO WITH GOOD FRIENDS AT CAFE MOTO JAVA

GOOD TO THE LAST DROP

Last's night screening of "Tail" was very exciting. The first show was a sell out.
Regardless of what anyone else thinks, the experience felt like the summer's
"Blockbuster Hit" of short films. The audience was wild and crazy the way I like it. And the IDOMers were in da house. The audience reaction is the thing I live for. I am a very keen observer and "Tail" felt very well received. Folks really tuned in with a sense of intrigue and wonder. There were times when you could hear a pin drop. My friends were very pulled in especially by the unexpected ending. My hat off to all those who attended and for those who
didn't... be sure to check it out on our website and for the latest and greatest updates.
http://itdonnedonme.com/

We made the front page of San Mateo's Daily Journey
while Barack Obama made the back page. I guess we're moving up in the world, huh?
Never thought I woulda seen the day. Not in a million years. Check out the article
as it sums up things pretty well.

http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?id=95572

Thanks for kicking it with me. Please enjoy a couple of my behind the scenes fantasies of this surreal experience.

Ever wonder what it would be like to be a red head?

Or have short dark sexy hair?

I enjoy being on a competitive film making team. I am very versatile and I have the ability to step up to any other role - camera, sound, lighting, directing, editing, and in some cases acting as the situation called for it. The one role that stays constant is - I am the Official Stylist for It Donned On Me. One of my many jobs is to ALWAYS make sure that everyone looks good on camera as well as help them get into character. It's one of the most fun things to do and the team always count on me to do it. And we always have fun.

Let The Screenings Begin

2008-07-26T20:19:00.000-07:00

Well, the making of process of the San Francisco 48 Hour Film Project is over, but the fat lady have not even begun to sing yet. It's been a surreal experience.

San Francisco 48 Hour Film Project Screening Info:

http://www.roxie.com/events/details.cfm?eventid=D6C7D5E2%2DF1F6%2D5CD4%2D1F7054070CB9A500

WHERE: Roxie Cinema http://www.roxie.com

3117 16th Street @ Valencia,San Francisco, CA

WHEN:July 22, 23, 24 & 28

Time: 7:00pm and 9:30 pm each night (note: each screening group will be screened twice per evening)

Tuesday, 7/22 - Screening Group A

Wednesday, 7/23 - Screening Group B

Thursday, 7/24 - Screening Group C

Monday, 7/28 - Screening Group D

COST:$9

This year It Donned On Me Presents:

"Tail" Starring Erin-Kate Whitcomb, Thomas Bruchs,
&
Michael Eyvazov

REMEMBERING LAST YEAR'S JAM

2008-07-17T14:41:00.000-07:00

behind the scenes shots
San Francisco 48 Hour Film Project
June 2007

Mike

Genre: Road Movie

Signe, Tony & Dinah (a.k.a. MacDiva & The Donnettes)

hanging out
at Fat City

in San Francisco (2007)

while Tony pulls the surprise genre

"ROAD MOVIE"

the book to live by

Joe Kirsch displays our title

Ideas, Script Writing, Calling Actors

Directing Isabelle

in Urgent Care

Who would have guessed one year ago the IDOM Crew would have become Nationally Acclaimed Award Winning Filmmakers? And then, some 9-10 months later become Internationally Acclaimed Award Winning Filmmakers.

Urgent Care was our first film together as a crew. As a result, we were selected by VISA to produce a 3 minute narrative film along with 29 other teams from San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York. We took 2nd place and the rest is our story.

Here we wear our badges of honor at the VISA screening
at San Francisco's Theater 39.

And the jam continues this weekend (July 18-20)

SAVE THE DATE!
THE 48 HOUR FILM PROJECT RETURNS TO SAN FRANCISCO!
JULY 18 - 20, 2008

Filmmakers from all over the SF Bay will compete to see who can make the best short film in only 48 hours. The winning film will go up against films from around the world for the title "Best 48 Hour Film of 2008".

Online registration opens Tuesday, May 27th
http://www.48hourfilm.com/sanfrancisco/

Space is limited. Each completed film is guaranteed a big-screen screening in front of a full audience.
Early bird registration fees are $135 (begins 8 weeks before competition and closes 4 weeks before competition).
Regular registration fees are $155.

For more information email sanfrancisco@48hourfilm.com
Sign up for the San Francisco mailing list to learn about upcoming events
http://www.48hourfilm.com/newsletter/?city=sanfrancisco
Please forward this email to friends!

Thanks!
Elena Cruz
San Francisco Producer

The 48 Hour Film Project is a wild and sleepless weekend in which you and a team make a movie�write, shoot, edit and score it�in just 48 hours. On Friday night, you get a character, a prop, a line of dialogue and a genre, all to include in your movie. 48 hours later, the movie must be complete and screened at a local theater the following week. This year the 48HFP will visit over 70 cities around the world.

San Francisco 48 Hour Film Project - ONE MORE TIME

2008-07-15T12:34:00.000-07:00

CAMERA ROLLING, SPEED, ACTION...

Life Takes Sleep

LIFE TAKES SLEEP

And more sleep!
And even more sleep!
Anyone awake?

THIS IS WHAT A REEL CREW LOOKS LIKE

ANYONE AWAKE HERE? Let's do a sound check...

CAMERA ROLLING SPEED ACTION!

IT'S TIME TO JAM, Y'ALL! WAKE UP!

Zimbabwe Update

2008-07-05T16:12:00.000-07:00

There is great concern at this time for Zimbabwe.
The People of Zimbabwe need our blessings
at this time.  I have not heard from any of my
beloved extended family that live there
for a couple of months.  The following link was
forwarded to me by a Zimbabwean living
here in the U.S.

Watch Robert Mugabe attacking Julian Manyon

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1488655367/bctid1640107138

For more information check out CNN on line:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2008/jul/04/election.zimbabwe

Planetary Liberation Episode 2

The host of Echoes of Africa and I continues our radio interview on Ntengwe for Community Development in Zimbabwe. The episode features more photos of the elephants and nature scenes of Zimbabwe, as well as scenes from everyday life of the people. Ntengwe youth meet at their home office for meetings. This is where I stayed during the time of my 2004 visit to Binga, Zimbabwe. Also shown are photos from the opening ceremony for their new "Drop-In Center" which opened it's doors during 2006. The "Drop-In Center" was designed and donated by the Japanese Embassy. I saw the final blue print (2004)at while I was there, before it was actually built. The center provides a place for the children to come and have breakfast before school, in the mornings and do homework after school and have more meals.(when there's food in Binga) Some of the children are seen clad in new clothing and tennis shoes donated from Europe for the ceremony in honor of the opening of the Ntengwe Drop-In Center. At a service at the East Bay Church of Religious Science in Oakland, CA, I managed to capture footage taken during a service that empowers children and communities.

Planetary Liberation Episode 3

Ntengwe's children of Binga continue to sing their hearts out to the world in an attempt to share their feelings as we journey beyond the middle passage (the journey on slave ships from Africa to America) to present time...living and performing and remembering the dreams of those ancestors that survived the passage. We are all living the ancestors' dreams...as Composer, Jacquline Hairston and other well known musicians and performers share theirs.

Planetary Liberation No. 4

Featuring the music of Dominion Accapella, under the direction of Valerie Brown; and the KTO Project, a Zimbabwean/American band founded by Kelly Takumba Orphan (former student of the University of Zimbabwe). More scenes of my Beloved Binga Rural Community and Lake Kariba

Planetary Liberation No. 5

Zimbabwe's Oliver Mtukudzi and his band, The Black Spirits made an appearance in Oakland, CA in 2006. There was a golden opportunity to speak with him and some of his band members.

ZimbabweOnTheWestCoast 6

Featured Zimbabwean artist Thomas Maphumo speaks on the children of Zimbabwe.
Thomas Maphumo is in exile. He and his band, the "Blacks Unlimited",
along with a local African American Jazz Trumpeter, Khalil Shaheed
creates great "Afro Jazz Infusion".

TALES FROM THE POND! Defining Moments

2008-07-04T16:22:00.000-07:00

Submission Uploaded and Confirmed by Vuze!!! or is it? Finally! Whew! We can all rest now.

Hat's off to MacDiva & the Donnetts - Dinah, Sig & Tony

More Defining Moments

Just some memories of our girl SUSANNAH.

For complete details visit: http://macdonettes.blogspot.com
or http://unrendered.blogspot.com

Or, check out http://www.vuze.com/channel/open_cut_film_competition
download the vuze player and enjoy the ride.

Open Cut - Ready Set Go Susannah!

2008-06-24T11:48:00.000-07:00

This is how it started.

direct link <www.OpenCut.org>

Begin forwarded message:

From: Torrey Loomis <tloomis@silverado.cc>

Date: May 14, 2008 6:00:28 PM PDT

To: kirsch_california@mac.com

Subject: Invitation to participate in OpenCut - World's First Open Source Film Competition

I wanted to extend an invitation to you to participate in OpenCut - the world's first open source film competition.

We are providing an entire set of 35mm film quality assets shot on the RED ONE Digital Cinema camera--including all video, audio, as well as storyboards and scripts. OpenCut will provide the material, and entrants will provide the editorial.

We are kicking off OpenCut with a short subject called "Susannah" which was directed by Evan Nicholas and executive produced by Joe Carnahan of "Smokin' Aces" and "NARC."

Entrants to the competition register at http://www.OpenCut.org and then send a blank hard drive to OpenCut. Our film personnel will transfer 170 Gb of RED ONE material along with supporting media to the hard drive.

At a set date, all hard drives are shipped back to the contestants. They have 30 days to complete their cut including all color correction, audio fixes, and anything that would need to be accomplished for a completed project.

At the end of the competition, all finished entries are uploaded to VUZE which is generously hosting files in HD for all entrants.

Judging will take place through July 6th and a winner is announced on July 7th.

The winner of OpenCut will receive a prize package from Silverado Systems including a brand new AJA IO HD. Further, the winning editor will be listed as the official "editor-of-record" at IMDB and the winning short will be submitted to film festivals around the country throughout 2008. We will also be finishing the winning entry on SCRATCH in native 4k resolution.

You can find out more information here:

http://www.opencut.org/

We'd love to have as many students register as possible before departing for the summer. The competition is open to students, amateurs, and professionals--and you can participate as an individual or in a group. Further, the competition is open internationally.

Please let me know if you would like more information.

Torrey

-----------------------------------------------

Torrey Loomis

Project Director - OpenCut

Susannah the Movie

2008-06-16T16:05:00.000-07:00

June 15, 2008

Tony, Dinah & Sig - Game plan meeting for 30-45 minutes before entering the editing suite.

Entering edit suite: Approximately 12 noon

Tony - finds more audio

Sig & Dinah - does foley for broom, gunshot, car running, gun cock, ambient noise

Dinah - works on music

Selected Music:
Beginning music by Houdini Roadshow - Riding With The Devil
Ending music by Outsider - Holiday

Today we almost finished the body of the piece. We finally finished our story and found the music that truly makes the piece jump.

End Time: 8pm

To Do on 6/22/08

1. work on titles
2. credits
3. color correction

File from Bin
Card
A27, take c08 take #27(?) needs to be Pro Res in H size (high quality)
Note: When using compression don't resubmit everything on the list each time one is added

MY FIRST ACTION FLICK EVER

2008-06-06T15:42:00.000-07:00

SUSANNAH the Movie
May 30, 2008
7-9:30 pm

Tony & Sig input from pocket drive to Sig's 750

May 31, 2008
1pm -

Sig picked me up from Milbrae Bart station. Tony arrived at 2pm.

Sequence 7 - Export Test using compressor 3:30 - 3:35
30 sec piece
burn DVD 3:40

Possible Audio

Initially, I suggested we start looking for a sound similiar to the Funky Meters' Cissy Strut, a band I grew up dancing to in New Orleans' hot spots back in the day when "Chevelle's" were known to be one of those hip cars that a lot of guys drove. Eventually, the Funky Meters got very big and over the years took on their family name, Neville Brothers. Wish I could have gotten them to do our music...wishful thinking, huh. Or a sound simular to Rufus Thomas' "Funky Chicken". I just know we need music that POPPING. The best I thought I could come up with at this time is a young female composer from San Leandro, CA named Morgan who plays a pretty mean harmonica and told me she could pull something off in Apple's GarageBand. Still waiting to hear from Morgan...where are you Morgan? Sig suggested we check out the Good Morning Viet Nam Sound Track.

Sig and I reviewed the script over wine...Merlot...
1 hr + 5 hrs = 6 hrs

June 1, 2008

10:30 am to 4:30 pm -

Pro Resing Cards 1-14 The rest of them ready to edit - 5 hours

Dinah, Tony & Sig - Our Production Team is now called MacDiva & the Donnetts

This Logo was designed by Tony Nguyen a.k.a Mr. Photoshop

June 8, 2008

2pm – Dinah putting first rough cut onto timeline based on the script we were given.

Sig worked 2 hrs adding audio, and 2 hrs later Tony completed transitions and checked latest communication from Silverado. Sig & I put in experimental sound track. It was a lot of fun and we were very happy with our rough cut. This is not "punk work" folks, editing footage from the Red Camera is like playing around with a BIG smoking gun. We have been working our you know what off while smelling the roses and remembering that it's not as much about the destination as it is the journey.

Keeping It Real!
Dinah a.k.a MacDiva

THE ENVELOPE PLEASE!

2008-06-02T13:09:00.000-07:00

AND, THE AWARD FOR BEST... GOES TO...

ONE MO GIN... (translation...one more time)

LOOK OUT WORLD...

2008-05-19T12:28:00.001-07:00

Although we'd love to post the film but the organizers of the Doc Challenge are currently seeking distribution for the films entered in this year's competition and have asked us to hold off posting them online for a little while.

While Retreat didn't manage to make it into the finalists for the National Film Challenge it did win a special judge's award - "Best Acting By A Horse"! Congratulations to Junior, the star of Retreat and now a nationally acclaimed, award-winning equestrian thespian!
"Retreat" has it's own site now at http://itdonnedonme.com/retreat/. For your viewing pleasure!

While 'Retreat' was our official team entry, IDOM member Joe Kirsch decided to give it a shot on his own. With the help of fellow IDOM'er Kirk Moore he produced his own excellent entry - Once Upon A Time....

In October, 2007, Visa released an official press release about the winners of the "Life Takes" competition - according to it the films should be up on 48.tv soon, and we're currently still waiting on clearance to post our film publicly. In the meantime you can see some photos and a writeup of the awards screening and party on Tony's blog...

These two IDOM films screened as part of the Avalon Micro Film Festival in East Hampton, New York (December 1st, 2007) at the Guild Hall. Produced by "Doggie Style" star Jeff Crispi, the festival highlighted a wide variety of short independent films including several 48 Hour Film Projects. More information on the festival is available at Avalon Studios and there is a short write-up in the East Hampton Star.

MacDiva & The Master Stick Pounder

2008-04-28T13:40:00.000-07:00

What happens when a Diva meets a Master Stick Pounder at the laundrymat?

Here's the SECRET!
You tell her you are an independent filmmaker and you want her to be in your Award Winning Documentary, call in your dynamite team of independents, (It Donned On Me) and the next thing you know, she'll show up with a ton of sticks...

Then you set up a shoot on location with your brilliant and creative team.

Factor in some real dancers:

And...don't forget to have fun while making your movie!

GRAB SOME STICKS AND START POUNDING. And then tell the crew that you just know that you know that you know that you are all winners (even if no one tells you that you are) ...and then the rest is history!

And then you start acting and looking like winners!

All the way to Toronto to the Canadian International Film Festival

Springing Forward

2008-04-23T16:42:00.000-07:00

Spring is definitely in the air and I am springing forward this year with new ideas, inspiration from the past presents itself and springs us forward to new concepts and ideas creating openings, blooms, and blossoms. I just completed a project with IDOM (It Donned On Me) for the International Documentary Competion. “Stick & Pound” is a finalist! Of over 100 films eligible for judging, we made the top 14. I will be flying out to Toronto for the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Film Festival on April 26th, where our film will be screened. Things heat up as Stick & Pound is being considered for yet another award, the P.O.V. PBS’ premiere showcase for independent, non-fiction film.

The film features Melanie DeMore, Singer, Composer, Songwriter, and Master Stick Pounder.

What is Stick Pounding? Creating rhythmic sounds with sticks of course.

Its origins are from the Gullah tradition. What is Gullah?

The Gullah people are the different African tribes brought to the Georgia Sea Islands during slavery. These different tribes created an entire culture and language for the purpose of communicating with each other. Out of this culture, comes stick pounding. When the drums were taken away, stick pounding became the rhythmic language of the Gullah people.

As an Oakland, CA resident, Melanie DeMore performs with "The Linda Tillery Cultural Heritage Choir. She also teaches stick pounding in the bay area. Her energy is HUGE, the Director of the Oakland Children's Choir, and the voice coach of several young bay area popular singers that have gone on to big careers. Some of her students were "American Idol" contestants and popular Bay Area R&B singers.

I'd seen her Christmas Eve show at Yoshi's where she performed with Linda Tillery & The Cultural Heritage Choir. The show was sold out. Fate had me run into her at the laundry mat on Park Blvd in Oakland a few days later. Where I introduced myself, told her I'm a filmmaker and the rest is history.

In March I interviewed her and set up a shoot where she was choreographing stick pounding at a rehearsal with a well known Dance Company in San Francisco during International Women's Week.

I was so honored to set up the shoot and indeed it was a tremendous success for myself as well as the crew.

Guess what? Of 170 entries in the international documentary film challenge, the film made the 14-finalist list.

I am so proud of the crew It Donned On Me. The screening will take place on April 26th in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In Toronto several broadcasters and distributors will screen the films. To include history channels, and etc.

I am so excited about this. The other finalists are from Amsterdam, Sydney, Australia, Brooklyn, NYC, and Seattle, just to name a few of the places.

Since June of 2007 we’ve been Nationally Acclaimed Award Winning Filmmakers. Thanks to the creation of “Stick & Pound”, we are Internationally Acclaimed Award Winning Filmmakers.

As I continue to plant more seeds...just watch me bloom! The best is yet to come.

Profound Peace & Blessings,
Dinah

Happy 2008 Hollerations!

2008-01-16T11:09:00.000-08:00

The Diva is back in the House continuing on the journey to REPRESENT the binary stars of the solar system. This year stronger and at warp speed. Named for 2 American stars...Dinah Washington & Dinah Shore. I, Dinah, Daughter of Isis, Daughter of Yemanya, Daughter of Ochun, Daughter of Ruby Mae, Grand Daughter of Olivia Michelle, Great Grand Daughter of Eliza Michelle, youngest sister of Stanley and Connie...Mother of Hasani. I walk the path of light, beauty, and balance. I am a woman of power, of passion and compassion. According to the Myan calendar I am a World Bridger . I am a bridge between cultures, with new ideas and new ways of looking at life through film based on the traditional, the nontraditional as well as the multidimensional ways of viewing and creating people's stories as seen through the lens. I REPRESENT new and innovative ways of seeing the
good intention and the feeling nature of the true, the fun, and the REAL. I am creative. I am innovative. I am a Multi Media Goddess. This is the path I have chosen to walk. Most of all I am EVERYWOMAN. I make pictures come to life on film about discovery without the usual preconceived ideas!

Last year I delved a little deeper into my self discovery as a filmmaker. I went into 2007 not know exactly where I was going. Just couldn't explain it to anyone, especially myself. There are no words for it. I was constantly being asked what was all this filming stuff, what was a 3 minute movie going to do? All the editing all night long, not sleeping during 48 hour film projects, what was going to get me. Often times my answer was "how the heck do I know...sh*t". I'll just have to know when I get there, just as you'll know when you get there. This is what I do. Can You Dig It? Delivering six short independent films online and at least five collaboratives with my crew of independent filmmakers known as It Donned On Me, creating films made in 48 hours...to include being selected by Visa to make a 3 minute narrative film with the IDOM crew, and competing in the (NFC) National Film Challenge, I know for sure that you don't always HAVE to know where you're going in order to get to where you need to be. This is HOW the Sky Becomes the Limit. As a result, in 2007, along with the IDOMers (having the same kind of passion) I became a Nationally Acclaimed Award Winning Filmmaker and it ain't over yet. Just doing what I love and doing it with people of like mindedness. This type of energy is propelling me to soar at higher elevations like the eagle.

One soaring eagle in particular, Melvin Van Peables took flight when he made an 11 minute movie back in the late 60s. Most people don't know about this. Mainstream America laughed and thought he was a big joke. Not the French, they gave him hope because they recognized he was much smarter than all that. They loved his 11 minute movie and actually paid him money and treated him with dignity and respect while all along he had nothing...(that includes food too, y'all). They even asked him to represent them in the U.S. as their French Deligate. (This blew Hollywood and the rest of America away.) Most of us who know of him only know of his feature film in the 70s, "Sweet Sweet Back Badass Song", an avantegarde freaky film which became mainstream. (And his films of more recent times.) But it was that controversal outrageous film that polarized people, thereby creating a new genre known then as Blacksploitation and Soul Cinema.

A Course in Miracles says...
Where do all these differences come from? Certainly they seem to be in the world outside. Yet it is surely the mind that judges what the eyes behold. It is in the sorting out and categorizing activities of the mind that errors in perception enter. And it is here correction must be made. The mind classifies what the body's eyes bring to it according to its preconceived values, judging where each sense datum fits best. What basis could be faultier than this? Unrecognized by itself, it has itself asked to be given what will fit into these categories. And having done so, it concludes that the categories must be true. On this the judgement of all differences rests, because it is on this that judgements of the world depend. Can this confused and senseless "reasoning" be depended on for anything? The body's eyes will continue to see differences. But the mind that has let itself be healed will no longer aknowledge them. --ACIM Manual for Teachers

While I have always admired those peeps who know how to set specific goals down to the "T" and manifest exactly as they planned, I must say that I admire MYSELF for following my own bliss...the unknown...when you do, it's true what they say, stuff just starts showing up.

This year I am flying higher and going deeper into portals and assemblege points as I shine the light on a new and different language in the art of film.

Production of new short films are forever ongoing for me. You'll be seeing improvements and more features on this blog and Itdonnedonme.com as I continue to grow on my own and as I team up with my fellow crew members right before your very eyes. I believe that language is an important element in film. And 2008 will be a great year to watch me craft a new language on film, language that is visual and not just verbal; language that you DO understand especially if you don't speak it. Sometimes words get in the way. Sometimes we don't even need words to get a point across. As a healing transmitter, it is my intention to show new and different ways of communicating with the world through the language of film.

I'd like to end with 2 profound quotes:

Avoid logic and go around common sense. --MELVIN VAN PEABLES

The body's eyes will continue to see differences. But the mind that has let itself be healed will no longer acknowledge them. - A COURSE IN MIRACLES

Thanks for being a part of my journey and the best to all of you.

It's a wrap Double 07...Whad Up 2008!

Out
D2

P.S. For your viewing pleasure I made a short piece as a "Birthday Tribute" to my mentor Evan Donn. Here you get a glance of me with my It Donned On Me Crew Members, the faces behind our Award Winning Movies made for the 48 Film Projects and the National Film Challenge.

ZimbabweOnTheWestCoast6

2007-12-13T11:45:00.000-08:00

Featured Zimbabwean artist Thomas Maphumo speaks on the children of Zimbabwe. Thomas Maphumo is in exile. He and his band, the "Blacks Unlimited", along with a local African American Jazz Trumpeter, Khalil Shaheed creates great "Afro Jazz Infusion". I cannot get the rhythms out of my head.
ZimbabweOnTheWestCoast 6

ZimbabweOnTheWestCoast5

2007-12-11T12:28:00.000-08:00

Zimbabwe's Oliver Mtukudzi and his band, The Black Spirits made an appearance in Oakland, CA in 2006. I had a golden opportunity to speak with him and some of his band members. Here's what they had to say.

2007-12-11T12:21:00.000-08:00

Episode 4

Featuring the music of Dominion Accapella, under the direction of Valerie Brown; and the KTO Project, a Zimbabwean/American band founded by Kelly Takumba Orphan (former student of the University of Zimbabwe).

More scenes of my Beloved Binga Rural Community and Lake Kariba and Ntengwe's own.
PlanetaryLiberation No. 4

2007-12-11T11:48:00.000-08:00

Episode 3

Ntengwe's children of Binga continue to sing their hearts out to the world in an attempt to share their feelings as we journey beyond the middle passage (the journey on slave ships from Africa to America) to present time...living and performing and remembering the dreams of those ancestors that survived the passage. We are all living the ancestors' dreams...as Composer, Jacquline Hairston and other well known musicians and performers share theirs.

Planetary Liberation No. 3

PlanetaryLiberation No.2

2007-12-11T11:10:00.000-08:00

The host of Echoes of Africa and I continue our radio interview on Ntengwe for Community Development in Zimbabwe. The episode features more photos of the elephants and nature scenes of Zimbabwe, as well as scenes from everyday life of the people. Ntengwe youth meet at their home office for meetings. This is where I stayed during the time of my 2004 visit to Binga, Zimbabwe. Also shown are photos from the opening ceremony for their new "Drop-In Center" which opened it's doors during 2006. The "Drop-In Center" was designed and donated by the Japanese Embassy. I saw the final blue print (2004)at while I was there, before it was actually built. The center provides a place for the children to come and have breakfast before school, in the mornings and do homework after school and have more meals.(when there's food in Binga) Some of the children are seen clad in new clothing and tennis shoes donated from Europe for the ceremony in honor of the opening of the Ntengwe Drop-In Center.

At a service at the East Bay Church of Religious Science in Oakland, CA, I managed to capture footage taken during a service that empowers children and communities.

ZimbabweOnTheWestCoast6

2007-12-10T12:35:00.000-08:00

Zimbabwe on the West Coast

Featured Zimbabwean artist Thomas Maphumo speaks on the children of Zimbabwe. Thomas Maphumo is in exile. He and his band, the "Blacks Unlimited", along with a local African American Jazz Trumpeter, Khalil Shaheed creates great "Afro Jazz Infusion". I cannot get the rhythms out of my head.
ZimbabweOnTheWestCoast 6

2007-12-08T12:40:00.000-08:00

Planetary Liberation Episode 1

This first Episode explains how it all began for me. A visit to Ntengwe for Community Development in Binga, Zimbabwe. Ntengwe is a not for profit organization which targets youth, orphans and vulnerable children, and women infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. Founded by my Sisteren, Elizabeth Markham who spent many years growing up in Africa. Many of her ideas and goals were conceived here in the Bay Area as a dream to empower the children of the Tonga and Shona Tribes of Zimbabwe.

This first episode introduces the children and their music from the CD, “Tuli Bamuchaala – We are The Orphans”. The creative process began with participatory research of over 500 children and the formation of a 200-voice children’s choir. The children composed their own songs, ten of which are featured on the CD. The children sing about AIDS and how it is taking the people they love away from them. World renowned Zimbabwean musician, Oliver Mtukudzi came on board in January 2003, when he traveled to Binga district to produce and contribute his much loved vocals to the recording of the CD.

I am proud to introduce the music of these beautiful african children. Their CD was first aired in the US in the summer of 2005 on Radio Station KKUP, in San Jose, CA.
Planetary Liberation No. 1

2007-11-25T14:56:00.000-08:00

Last week's screening of my latest video was good. Somehow I thought it was far from finished, however, it really was more complete than I thought. Sometimes my mind will work a little overtime. The video portion worked. Compression was a lot better than my last piece, my transitions and effects worked. My mentor, Evan Donn's comments were "very good".

As mentioned before in my October 17th blog, my lastest featured Zimbabwean artist Thomas Maphumo and his band, the "Blacks Unlimited", with a local African American Jazz Trumpeter, Khalil Shaheed. It was a great "music infusion". I cannot get the rhythms out of my head.

Next month I will be filming him during a live radio broadcast. This will be very interesting as well as exciting. Thomas Maphumo is one of those musicians in exile. Can't wait to hear him speak on it. I'll keep you posted.

I'm currently preparing two more movies. One on the first of a new concert series at the Jazz Conservatory in Oakland, and another one at a live jam session of jazz musicians in Berkeley featuring Jazz Trumpeter Rasul Siddik. Rasul, an African American Brother, is a trumpeter who has lived in Paris, France for over a decade. He made a rare Bay Area appearance in October. Some of the same guys who performed at the Jazz Conservatory were there jamming with him and MacDIVA was definitely in the House.

That's it for now. Thanks for hanging with me.

Peace & Love!

2007-10-17T02:09:00.000-07:00

Below I've listed three things I'm going to do differently on my next film.

1. Compression: I like working in several programs. Final Cut Pro, After Effects and iMovie. I find integrating FCP and AF with iMovie gives iMovie the pop it needs. However, the mistake I made with my previous film was not being mindful of the compression rates before transporting from one program into the next. With the compression rate being consistent in each program I can expect better clarity throughout the entire film.

2. "Thou Shalt Not Zoom". Instead of going from a wide shot to zooming in on a close-up, I will pause first and zoom second. No zooming! Why? Because it's all wrong! Over all, things will generally look better and be easier on the physical eye.

3. In this next episode I will bring in a different Zimbabwean Artist, Thomas Maphumo and his band, along with Africian American trumpeter Khalil Shaheed for the integration of African Music with American Jazz. Since my mission involves the Ntengwe Children of Zimbabwe's Orphan Project, the music from their CD will also be used as a backdrop. The results: melodies and beats that one will always remember.

Peace Out!

2007-10-15T22:44:00.000-07:00

The programming for HDTV article from the Mark Cuban weblog "blog maverick" is all about marketing and not digital workflow per se, but it is when you look at the future of technology which is marketing, marketing and more marketing. Just more creative, more expansive and very different.

2007-10-15T18:00:00.000-07:00

Production of Series 1 has been ongoing for sometime now. Approximately a month. I had been very busy rolling with my crew "It Donned On Me" Productions. We've been on a roll since the summer and we are now known as an "award winning" film crew, "I know that's right! More on IDOM later. As for the current episode I'm working on: It is a continuation of my shorts done on the African Diaspora. I've been at 4 minutes for the past week. Because it was not screened last week at CSM as planned, I've had an extra week to bring it down to 3 minutes. It's not been easy.

I've actually done two individual projects that are basically the same. The first one started out in FCP. I also did some editing in iMovie and exported that media into FCP, and also dropped in some AE. I have had some technical problems with my computer running slower than normal, files going off line and problems editing the audio in FCP

In the second one I exported some FCP and AF media into iMovie. Here, the audio is easier to work with. I managed to get more done in less time.

I actually like combining all three programs, FCP, AE and iMovie. Sometimes iMovie alone can be pretty weak. This is when I call in my back up team (FCP & AE). It is when I enjoy working in iMovie the most. I do however, know of some dudes that can work the shit outta some iMovie. Have you thinking you're having a conscious awakening while still in the dream state kinda lookin film. I'm talkin bout Joe Kirsch, Apple Store, Burlingame; and Lucky, Apple Store, Cupertino...yeah, he's that good. Lucky is really Da Man, he is also a DJ. Anyone who crosses paths with him knows it. Joe Kirsch did. Lucky was the first person I met when I lived on the penninsula. I guess there are no accidents in the Universe.

Gotta work out the kinks with the audio and be ready for screening tomorrow night.

I'll let you know how it goes.

2007-10-15T14:00:00.000-07:00

Since last year I've become a fan of Josh Oakhurst, kindred sprit to many of us. He is the perfect example of making shitty video look worth it. He literally turned shit to sugar in his "5 Star Basketball Camp" video made with shitty MiniDV. For me, it is the key to creativity. That's right...letting the creative juices flow. I am learning there are lotz o ways to get your work out there and money should not be an issue. You just gotta do something. Actually, I think it's not a bad way to start out. The more mistakes you make...sometimes...the better you get, and the more costly your project if you're working high end. And mind you, mistakes...they do happen. Sometimes they are blessings in disguise and sometimes not. I've learned that when you work cheap and get good, by the time u get the higher end equip, you're rocking and rolling. It's just a matter of "working that timeline" or making the timeline work for you. The secret is in the "keyframing" BA-BE...the keyframing. I'm working it.

Gone Y'all!

2007-10-02T11:22:00.000-07:00

Since the release of the music CD of the children's recording with Oliver Mtukudzi, Tuli Bumachala (We are the Orphans) I have worked diligently to promote the music of these beautiful children whom I spent time with. Aside from using their photos and songs as a backdrop for my previous short films, each year since my visit I've done a radio talk on San Jose, California's Radio Station KKUP's Monday show "Echoes of Africa". The show is hosted by Emmanuel Nado (a native of Cote Avoire). It is a music and news talk show on the "Continent".

Last year Oliver Mutazudzi once again made his annual pilgramage to Oakland, however, this time he'd joined forces with an African American Doctor, Dr. Scott and the community of Allen Temple Baptist Church of Oakland who journeys to Zim several times a year to bring medical services to the people and the area surrounding Harare (the capital of Zimbabwe).

2007-10-02T11:15:00.000-07:00

The first of this series focus is Oliver Mutakudzi and his band, the Black Spirits and their visit to Oakland, CA. in 2006. I was first acquainted with Oliver during my Ntengwe Visit in 2004. Ntwengwe Community for Development is a not for profit organization based in rural Binga. (See Photo) I spent time in the bush with the people and their experiences with HIV and AIDS. Around that time Oliver recorded a CD with the Ntengwe Orphans entitled Tuli Bumachalla which translates to "We are the Orphans". When I spoke with him in 2005 after his Oakland performance he told me personally that he was amazed at how these children wrote and composed their own songs and how talented these children are in their expressions of being alienated from the rest of society because their parents died of these deadly diseases.

2007-10-02T08:10:00.000-07:00

A TASTE OF WHAT'S COMING!

As previously stated, the next five series will represent different view points and experiences consisting of art as culture and entertainment, weaving stories of experiences to the connection that is a direct result of the "middle passage" from Africa to America. Let's face it, we are living proof of the ancestors dreams. We all have come a long way baby. I will now reach back to Africa with the emphasis on Zimbabwe as we bridge the gap to modern day rural Zimbabwe, (a country governed by dictatorship) and the psychological and social issues surrounding these experiences as it parallels to what's happening in modern day America. Featured live musicians are Dominion A Capella and the TKO Project. Also, music from the CD "We are the Orphans" performed by the Ntengwe Orphan Choir featuring Zimbabwe's own Oliver Mtukudzi.

2007-09-25T10:14:00.000-07:00

The footage I'm using for the series is more about spontaneity then anything. At the present time I am working with already existing footage that needs editing. Realizing I've come a long way in a short time I am challanged with using my editing skills to make okay on the spot...no time to set up tripod or proper use of lights in a big crowd...this is a golden opportunity...ready, set, go kind of thing.

Not very easy considering shaky footage, no mics and crowds of people all around. I am determined to give it my best shot.

2007-09-25T08:39:00.000-07:00

I have five series that are now in progress. The series will be a continuation and expansion on the previous works done on the African and African American Diaspora with Zimbabwe and it's children as a backdrop. I've come a long way since last year and I'm continuing to grow and expand in my knowledge of producing film.

In the first of these next five series I will focus on Zimbabwean musicians and American musicians who share a strong connection to the Zimbabwean experience as they sometimes share the same stage in the Bay Area's Multicultural East Bay.

2007-09-12T21:45:00.000-07:00

Upcoming Internet TV Shows - Series 1 - 5

Most Africans and 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.

These next five series will represent different view points and experiences. The format will consist of storytelling, entertainment, art as culture, reality segments, current events - updates on what's happening in modern day rural Zimbabwe, (a country governed by dictatorship) and the psychological and social issues surrounding these experiences as it parallels what's happening in modern day America.

2007-02-20T20:05:00.001-08:00

FOR THOSE WHO DIDN'T START THIS JOURNEY WITH ME LAST YEAR (2006)

WHO I AM?

I am a woman of power. I am a humanitarian. 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 old school 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.

From 1976 to the end of 1980 I spent five years in what used to be West Germany. It was an opportunity to experience the value of that culture. There I lived on the Germany Economy. I was a student at the University of Maryland European Division, a Department of the Army Civilian, and a Fashion Model on the runways of Germany.

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 students stimulating cultural awareness and addressing the changing needs of various communities around the world.

As educator and filmmaker, I 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.

As a humanitarian I play a 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.

In 2004 I journeyed to Zimbabwe and independently established relationships with Ntengwe, Government Leaders, Anthropologist from the 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 the words. The media I will be presenting tell the various stories intermingled with the many similarities to African American culture. I am directing and producing 12 episodic internet TV shows. The name of the show is called "Planetary Liberation".

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 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. Included is audio and visuals taken of myself in conversation with Emmanuel Nado, Host/Producer of "Echoes of Africa" in June 2005, on KKUP (91.5 FM) radio station of our live discussion on the women and children, the organization and various updates on what's happening there.

Episode 2 PLANETARY LIBERATION

While in Zimbabwe I saw the plans and sat in on meetings with the Ntengwe staff on the proposed orphan center that was to be built for the children. In March of 2005 the Japanese Embassy funded the building for the Ntengwe children while here in the U.S. a man by the name of Scott Wright and I acted on their behalf as the financial liaisons for the organization. In October of 2005 Ntengwe opened it doors to their new Drop in Center. This episode featured current events of Ntengwe Orphans and their center since August 2005. In August 2006 Emmanuel Nado, Radio Host, KKUP and I discussed the footage shot during the Center's Grand Opening.

Episode 3 PLANETARY LIBERATION

The third episode starts integrating the people of Binga, Zimbabwe with the people of Oakland, California. It symbolizes and pays tribute to the positive state of consciousness around the journey of the middle passage African Americans made from Africa to America and the journey the women and children of this rural community of Zimbabwe are taking to self love, self discovery and self acceptance to the modern world. In addition, this episode celebrates the pride of the Oakland, California Community.

Profound Peace! & Thanks for hanging out!
D2

FYI: Episode 3 is located in the February 10, 2007 post
Episode 2 is located in the May 10, 2006 Archive (the archives are listed directly on the right hand side)
Episode 1 is located in the April 8, 2006 Archive

2007-02-10T13:27:00.000-08:00

Planetary Liberation, 3rd Episode

2007-02-02T17:18:00.000-08:00

It's a Wrap 2006! Hello 2 double 07. Last year 2006 was filled with excitement and anticipation and success for me. A lot of connecting. Just stuff showing up all over the place. I AM SO GRATEFUL! I started 2006 with the intention of inhaling as much about multimedia as I possibly could. I had another radio interview on KKUP Radio Station down in San Jose on a show called "Echoes of Africa" where I once again presented the music (written and composed by the children who's parents are either living with or died of HIV and AIDS related diseases and other vulnerable children. The organization is called Ntengwe for Community Development. Once again it was an honor to be representing the organization I spent time with in Zimbabwe. I presented my 3rd Episode of Planetary Liberation at Dolby Digital lavatories in San Francisco. Learned a lot from just hanging out in the multimedia vib. Met lots of cool people along the way.

Completed 3 of 12 episodes on my African/African American Diaspora presentation. And started editing episodes 3 through 6 simultaneously...Don't ask why...It's just the way things started showing up inspite of some of the technical difficulties I experienced.

The year started with me taking a long look at all the footage I have that was shot in Africa and repeatedly looking at and trying to decide what footage represents the messages I'm conveying. Shot some good stuff from the hood (Oakland/Berkeley). Especially a lot of music. Things jumped off with the TKO Project, featuring Kelly Tukumba Orphan, American born young woman who studied at the University in Zimbabwe, came back here and formed a band with other Zimbabwean musicians and Americans. The Great Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits, Zimbabwe's largest music maker made his annual stop at Yoshi's Jazz Club in Oakland's own Jack London Square where they "Tore the Roof Right Off the Mother". Oliver's shows are not to be missed. You get two shows in one...their performance on stage as well as the Zimbabweans dancing in the audience. I also got good footage featuring, Dr. Jackie Hairston, Arranger, Composer; Sistah Linda Johnson, choreographer; and other great singers and musicians. I later caught the TKO Project performing at another function honoring Dr. Jackie in Oakland.

Flipping the script to the political side of things, I've got good footage of our California Congressman Ron Dellums (in the running for Mayor of Oakland) giving a speech at a local union hall to a group of union members and volunteer supporters (including me) campaigning for his colleague Sandre Swanson who was in the race for the 16th District Assembly Seat. In his speech Dellums said he would win and why. (smile) A profound speech it was! The energy that surrounds that man is incredible.

And he did, by the way, win...And also, by the way, I was at his Black & White Inaugural Ball on January 8, 2007 with the camera in hand...Happy New Year to me, huh! Saw some familiar faces from the black side of Hollywood. I did have an opportunity to speak with the beautiful Kellita Smith, actress on the Bernie Mac Show (she plays Bernie Mac's wife, Wanda; Actor, Richard Gant who is actually a bay area native (Berkeley). A lot of us know Richard Gant from Eddie Murphy's Nutty Professor II where he plays the father of a character played by Janet Jackson. How do I know him? We go way back...I was his student back during my college days back in the 70's. The best is yet to come with all the editing I'm doing. Production is still ongoing.

Thanks for being apart of my journey and the best to all of you.

It's a wrap 2006...Whad Up 2 Double 07!
Profound Peace
Out
D2

2006-10-16T21:26:00.002-07:00

A few months have past since my last blog and now she's back in da house! In the meantime...in between time I have been busy shooting a lot of media and now having to edit it. All this in prepration for my next 3-4 episodes. I'd had a lot of plans to do this and to do that...things/goals that never came to fruition. Everything suddenly changed. So I've been just going with the flow. My sisteren from Zimbabwe, Elizabeth Markham, Director of Ntengwe was scheduled to be at an AIDS/HIV Conference in Toronto this past August before joining me here in the Bay Area. Immigrations is not allowing her to leave Zimbabwe without the possibility of not being allowed to re-enter. So as I continued with the flow...in the meantime, in between time, I did get to spend a little time with Oliver Mtukudzi (Zimbabwe's most popular music maker) and his manager Debbie Metcalf after the late show on opening night at Yoshi's in Oakland. I was both seduced and haunted by the sounds of Zimbabwe even though my Sisteren could not be here with me. Nights before seeing Oliver and the Black Spirits, I had a time with other Zimbabwean musicians visiting in Berkeley you'll want to know of.

And I will be bringing it on home to Oaktown with a visit with our own Congressman Ron Dellums and his plans to succeed taking Oakland to the next level while keeping it real!

So you have a preview of what's coming in the next episodes.

Thanks for hanging! Peace Out!

2006-06-22T21:18:00.000-07:00

Well folks, last night (6/21/06) "Dinah did Dolby". This was really a way to kick off my earthday season. My 3rd Eposidic presentation on African and African American Diaspora, All Power to Planetary Liberation. The audience really liked it. I got good feedback. All Power to Planetary Liberation! Will post to blogspot soon.

Peace Out!

2006-05-10T18:51:00.000-07:00

Well folks, tonight is the night. My 2nd Episode is done (for now that is). I feel there is a lot more to do to make it real slick...but soon come. Had a few technical problems...but I just rolled right through them and will roll again when I have to. Here I am for now. So check me out. MacDIVA is still in the House!

Peace Out Y'all!

PlanetaryLiberation2ndEpisode

2006-04-19T16:48:00.000-07:00

Spring break was tres bien. Saw three good films during this time. "Tsoti" , the foreign film from South Africa, "Celestine Prophesy", and Spike Lee's "She Hate Me". I thoroughly enjoyed all three, especially the effects in Celestine Prophesy. Really wanted to experience some good bands but nothing of great interest showed up for me then, but it's showing up at Yoshi's in Oakland tomorrow night... Omar Sosa (AfroCuban piano player from Cuba).

I also met a young man (teenager) in Oakland who wandered away from his class on a field trip. We chatted a little as he came to my work place inquiring about the Black Jazz Musician Sculptures. Finally, his very young cool teacher found him and escorted him away. Thirty minutes later I go for a break next door at "Gaylords" (a cafe on Piedmont Avenue in Oakland) and the class is hanging out there. After talking further with the teacher and the student, they told me that they are a poetry writing class (where hip hop meets punk rock...this is how they look) at a private school in Berkeley. The teacher told me that the young man I connected with is a young rapper and invited me to film them performing in two weeks along with another young man (not present) who they refer to as the "Panther Baby" (his parents were in the Black Panther Party during the 60s. This is actually more media for future episodes. This will work very well with the AfricanAmerican aspect of the diaspora I'm presenting.

On another note, I've been maybe too involved with the post production of the first episode. Thanks to Rob, I have a better understanding of how to put it on my blog. I just needed to take a break from looking at it so much and stop thinking I have to keep tweaking it so that I can just focus more and keep working on the second episode.

I so much appreciate the comments from everyone...Tony, Penny, Joe... everyone on my first episode, including and especially "Da Donn".

Peace Out!

2006-04-08T11:49:00.000-07:00

testing

2006-04-08T11:38:00.000-07:00

PlanetaryLiberation

2006-04-05T10:19:00.000-07:00

The 2nd episode of "Planetary Liberation" goes deeper into the Ntengwe Organization and it's children. I am using most of the the same titles that I initially created in After Effects, but different songs from the Tuli Bamuchaala CD created by the orphans. My goal is to use different songs for each episode so that this beautiful music not only gets out there but it also tells their story. I have started extracting audio from my previous radio interview to put behind some of the pictures as well.

In February of this year I had my second radio interview with KKUP planned. It didn't work out for me because I was sick with the flu. I'm told things happen for a reason and there are no accidents in the universe. Such is the case here. My interview is being rescheduled in weeks to come so that when it happens the 1st episode will already be on the internet or my blog site, and I can have the radio listeners to check me out. I think it's important to at least have an episode or two already in place for them. Immediately after that 1st interview, there was a response from the audience. The phones at the station started ringing the minute the show was over. And there were requests to have me back. This I feel is a good way to give them the visuals which accompanied the radio dialogue and perhaps sell some CDs for the organization.

More to come next week...

2006-03-21T15:21:00.000-08:00

At this time I'm looking over my media for the second episode while thinking of ways to trim and polish my first episode. I must admit I was a little nervous about unleashing it last week while being critiqued. However, it was constructive for me (especially coming from Evan Donn...after all he is "da man".

A few changes I've made...

I've slowed down my stills

Broken the wordy introduction into shorter individual clips and mixed it in with the stills. And of course, it's taken my 3 minute 8 second piece to 4 minutes. I hope to have it trimmed down by Wednesday night.

The next thing I need to do is figure out how to eliminate the shaky stuff happening at the top of two of my video clips. If anyone has any ideas for me I'd appreciate it.

Meanwhile, I am excited about putting my first episode of Planetary Liberation on internet TV. Trying to get kinks out as best I can, while preproduction ideas flow in for Episode 2. The two are happening simutanously. I feel good about all the footage I have. My whole story (along with the footage) was not something that I just thought of recently. It's been with me since I was in Zim in 2004. The classes I've taken with Evan and the time I've spent with the Mac Genius' have been more of a structure for me to follow while learning new techniques on how to create an educational documentary that's inspirational, educational, and uplifting to humanity as I experience my creative process and life purpose more deeply. Its kind of like the grad school student writing her/his thesis. The thesis is pretty much a book and it can be published as one, if one desires. Get it... I'm definitely enjoying the ride and it's for a good and meaningful cause.

I had no idea I would be in it. That was not a part of the plan. It just so happens that when I show up with a camera, there are those who insist I get in front of it. In this case I think it works at this point.

In the second episode I plan to use more audio from my radio interview to describe what's happening in the stills.

That's it for now. Until next time...

Peace Out!

Dinah

2006-03-15T15:51:00.000-08:00

Hey What's Up!

Feeling pretty good about what I've created even though it is still a work in progress. I feel my content is pretty good. I like it a lot. All of my media was shot some time ago without really knowing what I'd be using it for. Some of my stills were shot by friends who were in Africa when I could not be there. Yesterday I received more footage from Rome. This will cover my next few episodes. I just took advantage of some opportunities as they come up. The editing have been long but fun. It actually helped to relieve the personal stress in my life. (smile) It just made me feel good. I'm getting the bigger picture as to what my shows will be about. The contents of my episodes that I previously blogged about are shifting and changing some. Editing keeps me ahead of myself, so it's almost as if I'm not sure where I'm going until I get there. And I'm just letting each piece I edit evolve on it's on.

I found that using my already existing media helped me a lot. I've had a lot of time to look at things in different ways and from different perspectives. The live interviews were done in June and August of 2005. I'd actually started creating some of the graphics last summer while taking After Effects class with Evan. My original plan was to work in Final Cut Pro and After Effects. However, given the time it took me think on some things, I got inspired by Mr. iPod Dad and pulled my After Effects files into iMovie. I've used iMovie and feel very comfortable with it. But things were getting down to the wire, and then last week Evan gave iMovie a few props, then I just told myself that's on now! So my 1st Episode is complete for now. It was fun. Still a work in progress.

Thanks for rolling with me.

2006-03-06T23:21:00.000-08:00

Still looking at and trying to decide what shots to use and how I want to cut it up. Kinda been kicking it around in my head. Yes, no, and maybe. I just received word today via email from an italian couple in Rome (who also know my contact in Zimbabwe) that they sent out to me today via Fedx, footage they shot at the grand opening of the orphan center in Zim last fall, since I could not be there. This will be the second package of footage I will have received from them. Their names are Anna & Giancarlo Gigli. We all know the same folks back in Zim, however, we've never met face to face. Our relationship as humanitarians supporting the same cause with our best friend who started this organization has been developing over the past year and a half via email and a few short phone calls. So, I look forward to receiving this gift this week. I tell you, networking can be a power thing. So...it's time for me to suit up and show up. Next?

Dinah

2006-03-01T15:27:00.000-08:00

Episode 1 PLANETARY LIBERATION

In the first episode I will present 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.

The media I'm using for the first episode was all shot sometime ago. I have a lot of footage. Mostly stills. It's actually a great big challenge for me because I have so much to choose from. I didn't realize I had so much. But that's okay. Now I get to choose the most powerful pieces to tell a story in 2-3 minutes that make sense to others. The process is very time consuming. This week I will be playing around with creating effects and audio that will give it life. I will be working in After Effects and Final Cut Pro.

As far as audio goes, I will be using the original music. 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. I will also use audio from the radio interview I did with Emmanuel Nado of Radio Station KKUP.

I'm very excited at this point. It all feels good. I do feel that this is something I can do on a monthly basis provided I work my ass off getting enough footage for 2-3 episodes per month, while editing 1 episode per month.

Thanks for checking me out.

2006-02-22T16:33:00.000-08:00

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!

2006-02-15T11:56:00.000-08:00

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.

2006-02-07T08:52:00.000-08:00

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.

2006-02-01T18:41:00.000-08:00

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.

2006-02-01T18:32:00.000-08:00

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.