Loss

Life

 

Poetry Book!!

After 18 years of wanting to put together a poetry book I have now completed it! I finished it this month; it's been such a great journey, which really began in September 2016. So it took less than 2 years to complete. I'm now on the ride to get some poems published in literary magazines, etc. and then get the book published with a major publishing company! It's been an exciting ride writing these poems that was a big release for me, based on so many things that have been happening over the years in this world- I used poetry to express my thoughts and the history of black people and female oppression, and empowerment, etc. I'm looking forward for you all to read it.

I'll keep you informed here on my blog!

Be well

Director's Quote Pt. 7

Ideas are like fish. They just come to you sometimes and when you're really lucky, you fall in
love with them and know exactly what to do.

-David Lynch

'I'm saying now each movie really does count, you put your heart and soul in it and you can't take
it lightly. So every time you invest a piece of yourself or peel off another layer of skin, it's gonna cost you.'         

-Oliver Stone

'Directors grow great by subtracting, not adding.'

-Roger Ebert

"At a certain point, you can actually feel it go through your body. It's part of you. And
sometimes, when it all comes together on the set, and especially when it comes together in the cutting room, it becomes part of you. It's like it just seeps out of your body. And...you become the film you're making".

-Martin Scorsese

'There's something very important about films about black women and girls being made by
black women. It's a reflection as opposed to an interpretation'.

-Ava Duvernay

'I made my first film when I was 35, so I firmly believe that you don't have to be one thing in life. If you're doing something and you have a desire to do something different, give it a try.'

-Ava Duvernay

'To be a filmmaker you are almost forced to be surrounded by contradictions. It is a social act unlike
the work of a painter, who attempts to impose his individuality on society. As a filmmaker, you must work alone and yet you must handle actresses, you must deal with producers who may work against the best interests of your picture, you must face technicians who only want to go home. You must have talents of so many different kinds of talents that are contradictory. You must be timid and bold. You must be modest, in order to create scenes that are intimate, that are delicate, yet you must be authoriative and arbitrary, to enable yourself to do it as you must."

-Francois Truffaut ('64)

Overview- 2017

Hi Everyone! I know it's been awhile. I've been extremely busy revising/writing stories of my own. This year has been the most rewarding as far writing goes. The writing process for me this year has been like no other! I can tell the difference in my writing, which really excites me- and the challenges I faced as a storyteller, I can thankfully say I faced it, and conquered!

Overall, I've written SIX new scripts (3 feature lengths/3 shorts) and revised 5 scripts (yes, all feature lengths).

It's been over a year since I've directed a movie, I miss it extremely! But the work had to be put in and now the next step to this journey called life continues...continues into a NEW YEAR...!!!

Book of Towers Pt. 10- Gordon Parks

Reading Gordon Parks autobiography 'Voices in the Mirror' was one of the best experiences I had reading a book! It's an inspiring book. The troubles this man goes through and how people are used in his life to help him get ahead in life is remarkable.

I like it when he talks about learning from the situations and people in your life, not to judge, but be open to the opportunities that are presented to you. Gordon was intelligent, persistent but without being aggressive, he seemed calm and collected, respectful, and extremely talented.

He was a composer, film director, journalist, pianist, photographer, father, husband, son- he learned to use his skills (even when he didn't think he could do it). He became the first black male film director to work in the Hollywood system. He was the first black male journalist to work for Life magazine and Vogue. He was afraid of failure but he used that to compel him to do the best work he knew how. He worked with gangsters, movie stars, studio heads and musicians, etc.

I watched a documentary of Gordon Parks years ago but I never read his autobio; I'm so glad I did. He was born in Kansas, died in New York, with now his name on a museum, his own foundation and his works reserved in the Library of Congress.

Wonderful man!!

'Clara' is now online!

Here it is everyone! My new short movie 'Clara' has been released online (since last friday)!!
There have been many great responses already from viewers. The movie stars Nana Ponceleon (who also stars in my not-yet-released experimental short movie 'Beautiful Women Live By Night') who plays the lead role. The movie touches base on depression and insomnia.

'Clara' was filmed in Queens, NY early last year; one camera, one actress (on screen), one location, filmed all in one day. It was an emotional filming day and very fulfilling. It was a thrill working with Nana again and I'm happy people are able to view the final cut of the movie!

Here is the link, enjoy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RuNeE-SX9s