Interview of Safe Passage!

Graduate of the Communications program at Clark Atlanta University and President of Operation Safe Passage, Daniel “Messiah Equiano” Bolden has taken the time to share his inspiration for the start of his non-profit organization and also the thought behind his projects. Bolden is also the creator of Dreams Deferred The Stageplay and new project titled, History Lesson!

Ques: What is your ultimate goal?

Ans: To spread the message of peace! To save the lives and dreams of our youth through life changing media productions.

Ques:What are some goals that you have accomplished once the doors opened towards the creation of your organization?

Ans: Through the company we were able to produce the groundbreaking stage play  that touched thousands of lives. Also by donating food, clothing and resources to needy children and families and other organizations. Feeding families for the holidays, partnering with Christ Universal Temple and A.C.H.I.E.V.E.  to deliver life skills lessons for youth every Saturday. Thats to name some of the progress we were able to accomplish through Operation Safe Passage.

Ques: What are your future goals for yourself and your company?

Ans: To continue to touch the lives of others by using all the possible resources that I can.

You can find out more information on Operation Safe Passage at, http://www.saveourdreams.com/

The Hughes Brothers Strike Again.....!

I read an article regarding the Hughes brothers, Albert & Allen Hughes and the latest project that they worked on together. The Book of Eli which is a film that was released earlier this year is discussed.

The following information allows you to check out the original article: Topel, Fred. (2010, Aug. 06). Re: The Hughes Brothers talk about The Book of Eli. Retrieved on September 16, 2010 from craveonline.com. http://www.craveonline.com/entertainment/film/article/the-hughes-brothers-talk-about-the-book-of-eli-82437.

The article starts with The Hughes Brothers, who directed the film setting the record straight in regards to how the media is referencing the project. They are disturbed with the media using the words, “post-apocalyptic western” to describe the look of the film. Albert Hughes describes the main character, Denzel Washington who is protecting a book as he journeys across a wasteland 30 years after a disaster wiped out most of the world. Albert explains that the Eli character played by Washington was influenced by a character from “The Man With No Name.”

The directors have done their homework exceptionally well. Not only did they study to handcraft the look and style of the film but they also did their research on the mood and feel of how the world would be as a result of a nuclear disaster that would wipe out most of humanity.

The brothers explained that the movie was also inspired by references that were made by professors who in the 80s studied what would happen if a nuclear event occurred. As a result there would be a biological look of the atmosphere, and in the environment. Allen Hughes explains, “There’s like three definitive books on this. The environment, on humanity, on the animal kingdom and studied what the clouds, based on their research, to see what the reality was and if it wasn’t nuclear, if it was one of those 2012 things.” The Hughes described that everything along with the decomposition of the landscape, the color of the sky would be a certain way and there would be no vegetation. They assert that the conflict in the film is based on survival, human survival.  The Hughes brothers also explain that actor Denzel Washington was a great help in making this film work.  The brothers describe the battles that have occurred between them and the studio to make things happen and with the works of Washington the project was a success.

Versatility of Cubevision!

 I visited the official website of rapper/writer Ice Cube and his film production company, Cubevision at http://www.donmega.com/cubevision.php

In case you aren’t familiar with his work, Ice Cube has produced the following projects through his company: Next friday, Barbershop, All about the Benjamins and his most recent work, Lottery Ticket. On the site Cube includes an interview that he and actor Mike Epps did recently, speaking in reference to the the company as well as the projects that they have worked on together.

The interview on the site gives so much insight as to how Ice Cube contributes to the entertainment world and how his vision is unlimited. 

Remembering Cube in serious dramatic roles such as Three Kings and Boyz N The Hood make it almost ideal for him to stick to this genre but Cube however has turned the switch on his career and allowed us to see him as a versatile actor. Not only can he write scripts and cast but he can also star in comedies. Creating unforgettable everyday characters such as Craig from the Friday series. He can also make relatable expressions and effects that allow us to love him and his ingenuity as an actor. Being that none of Cubes films that he has ever worked on has ever lost money, Cube has not only seen a pattern of success but he has also shown longevity and growth in the film industry.

Cube makes a reference to production studios and the limitations that they put on marketing the type of movies that he likes to put out. “The studios, they're the ones with blinders on. They're the ones who don't understand that if people want to see it, they'll go see it. You don't have to target. People think they're so good at targeting. The people who make those decisions, they're not smart enough to see that it's a different world out there now. People just want to be entertained, they don't care about your color.”

 This quote hits the nail on the head to me. Cube is so genuine for telling it like it is. Studios are seemingly afraid to take the risk. Projects with a large black cast or with black supporting cast are often referred to as urban films or urban projects. Major studios don’t support a lot of urban projects because they feel that the audience will not support it or they aren’t so familiar with this target audience so they shy away from it, but the truth is that if you like movies you will go see it!

Cube continues, “It's hard to change Hollywood — that's some old-school money. It's real hard to change their minds.” Cube gave a perfect example of this in reference to the success of 
the movie, Barbershop which was distributed through MGM.  Cube states that MGM didn’t target a particular audience so they marketed the project the same as all the others and got a great return. Hopefully what Hollywood views as the small scale urban market will soon be obsolete. Maybe we will soon have an opportunity to see more creativity on screen because we are allowed more room to do what we do which is be creative and not worry about if its been done before. Artists like Ice Cube have handcrafted a model for success that has proven to work yet they are still limited as to what companies will spend to market those projects. If more studios took the chance that MGM took they would  be sure to reap the same or maybe even greater rewards!  Cube also explains that for a future project he wants to work on a hard-core crime story...we truly hope to see it Cube.

Starring in the comedy film Lottery Ticket, alongside Bow Wow, Mike Epps, Naturi Naughton and Teairra Mari, Cube also has a new album, I Am The West that is due to be released September 28th. The project is his ninth studio album and also includes West side veterans DJ Quick, E-A-Ski and Sir Jinx.  You may send Cube a message on his blog or simply go out and see his latest project, Lottery Ticket which is now in theatres.

Interview of opportunity....

 This year I was blessed to attend a free webinar with screenwriter Michael Elliot in regards to an online forum that Mr. Elliott started which allows aspiring screenwriters an opportunity to get hands on advice from him through live video conferencing. Well, Mr. Elliott has set up a packaged Webinar titled, "PITCH TO SELL" Part 2 for the month of September and of course I also participated....After attending The Ladder: Produced Screenwriters Helping Aspiring Screenwriters once again I am definitely on fire with ideas!

His goal is to give ‘insider’ tips and advice from a self-taught writer who has sold over 25 projects and written four studio produced films including Like Mike, Brown Sugar and Just Wright. Im here to tell you that he did that and a lot more. He allows you, the participant to be interactive as we ask questions that he responds to while sharing his story and techniques. The package that I purchased included a copy of pitch materials that he used to sell his ideas and win over the executives that he met with.

Ques: when it comes to writing, why is it important to use a beat sheet?

Ans: its important to use a “beat sheet” as a blueprint for writing your script from beginning to  completion. Its important to write without stopping. Don't even stop to edit until you have a complete story. It's important to get the story out of your head.

Ques: Why is it important to have pitch materials?

Ans: Its not really about the materials more so than just being prepared. You have to command the attention of the room and show that you know what your vision is.

Ques: How did you pitch Brown Sugar as a project?

Ans: Well I didn't pitch Brown Sugar I sold it as a Spec script.

Ques: What advice would you give to upcoming writers and directors?


Ans: Make a list of the last twenty films that have come out and study them. If your craft is film, then you should know film. Know your craft. Don't be lazy because it will show.

Mr. Elliott not only sold us an idea and gave us an opportunity but he also gave us tools. I’m preparing to use those tools and not sit them on a counter to collect dust. Indeed, I would like to thank Mr. Elliott for sharing his story and his time. :)

A few steps forward, A few steps back.......!

I read an article and I'm a bit disturbed by its contents....... the following information will allow you to locate and read the article:

Thomas, S. Geneva. (2010, Sept. 10). Re: Sidibe’s Elle cover makes case for black fashion directors. Retrieved on September 11, 2010 from www.thegrio.com.
http://www.thegrio.com/entertainment/sidibes-elle-cover-makes-the-case-for-black-fashion-directors.php      

This article asserts that actress Gabby Sidibe, who starred in the movie “Precious” has recently graced the cover of Elle magazine. The writer argues that the staff at Elle magazine and perhaps Sidibe’s team are at fault to how horrible her hair was on the cover. Sidibe was seen earlier on several red carpets and on Oprah with her hair looking great so they argue that the Elle magazines cover is the exception....

Perhaps we are a society that does not allow Hollywood to take a day off. If the issue at hand is really due to the ill regards that magazine staff have towards black celebrities and their hair then lets address that....

On several occasions, I have seen Beyonce’s edges along with her blonde hair and sandy roots (while the hair is two different textures), being featured on magazine vanity covers and in hair magazine spreads. This has happened more than a few times yet none seemed to have noticed or blantedly disregarded it what so ever. This is not to mention the braid styles that needed to be redone and touched up. But are we so shallow as to ignore a celebrity that is often regarded as a sex symbol who is sure to wear a body suit in her music video despite the fact of what the storyline entails. However, a new actress that does not have the 5-7-9 shape and the cosmetic model look, is under constant attack although most of America looks like her!

The average woman is a size 14-16, although Hollywood does not seem to acknowledge her as a woman as much as they acknowledge her flaws. We have few characters that we can give reference to in the film area that are allowed to remain in our sights on our television screens. These characters include, Queen Latifah, and Monique who have taken leading roles and have more to handle than the  overly exploited 5-7-9 shape. i.e. “Just Wright,” “Bringing Down the House,” “Phat Girls,” and even Nia Vardolos in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding!”

It seems as if celebrities with light complexions are allowed to “get away”  with a lot more. As the author of the aforementioned article failed to mention that Gabby Sidibe was dolled up wearing flawless makeup and a cute frilly dress. Instead there was an entire article addressing the issue she has with her hair. Not only does the writer Geneva S. Thomas use the words ‘brillo’ pad to describe how coarse she feels Ms. Sidibe’s texture was. I am not mad at the author of the article. However, I digress that her opinion may be similar to how other journalists in a similar position may feel. Our homework as a culture and as a society should be to step out the box with our opinions! Perhaps we’ve stepped back into the 80s version of the film “School Daze” created by Spike Lee where he portrayed the “gigaboos against the wannabees” whereas the gigaboos were of a lighter complexion with fine hair and the wannabees were of a darker complexion and had a more coarse texture of hair. Have we stepped back into the dark skin nappy hair, light skin, fine hair concept? Or have we always been stuck with this concept, never growing nor pulling away from it?

Education in the Media

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The Education system in Los Angeles, California is it structured for failure? Why is there no talk of a shift in education in the media at all?

I'll start by saying, I’m not sure how many states utilize this new system but the media isn’t talking about it & parents should know whats going on! Its only happening in low economic counties of Los Angeles ...go figure!

 There are certain cultural norms such as education that plague African Americans far more than any other group in America. This has added to a structured system of despotism. There has been a recent  breakdown in education. This system is referred to as “being in compliance,” which canceled reading intervention for a class called ELD which is equivalent to ESL classes for second language learners. Along with elective courses these necessary classes were eliminated and speech and drama were among them.

ELD is a sheltered English class that allows 140 minutes of English instead of 50 minutes so they have more time to practice reading and writing. The majority of these students are natives of California which should put them at an equal status to African American English learners but there are no programs to recognize these students. Although this new program is being afforded necessary and continued attention there has been no discussion of any particular consideration or subversive activity towards participants who meet the requirements of being in need of remedial reading resources. 

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Is the purpose of this endeavor to condition African American children whose minds need to be structured and nurtured or is its purpose merely a ploy to cut costs and reserve teaching staff? We must ask ourselves, why aren’t children being equally represented in the classroom? While we must be alert of misappropriation of funds we must also be aware of what is affecting our children, the very leaders of our future and those who depend on us to lead them and pass the torch to younger generations.

Why is the structure being disturbed to counter African American children’s propensity for growth and literacy? If this continues to be positioned as it stands, these youthful minds will not exist in a future atmosphere that is currently disturbed by past, painful experiences of neutralizing action that may have led to increasing awareness in the status quo of white superiority and racial awareness in the future. An anonymous author once wrote, "Part of the mechanics of oppressing people is to pervert them to the extent that they become the instruments of their own oppression." SO, if these children are constantly ignored in the education system, they are prone to establish an unfavorable assessment of education in general. The question then becomes, why is this a necessity? The result is that a lack of mental activity may indeed result in future high school graduation rates (or lack thereof) and college admittance rates of Black people, Black males in particular.

 Literacy not only shapes consciousness and development, but it also builds confidence and guides young minds to unprecedented lengths. To expose an offensive system is one thing but the goal should be to implement a new force, whereas possible effort should be made to insure that a practical program be instituted. To upset order, breeds chaos. If plausible activities are not met towards equality, it will not take long for us to be affected by such a direct attack on the young mind. Evidence of these contradictions include but are not limited to, disruption of programs, and undermining activities that has set back the developing African American citizen deep into history. The government has African Americans living under economic prostration by using devious maneuvers and implementing specific operations to capitalize on existing conflicts in society and among organizations and groups that may encourage liberation or any impression of possible social progress. i.e. the development of the FBI’s counterintelligence program, false imprisonment, not to mention a lack of education and resources. These actions lead to recidivism, broken home structures and build barriers to success.

Today’s coalitions of intellectuals have acknowledged actions of subordinated interest that convey a superficial impression of progress, although there is little effort being made to encourage affiliation or promotion of liberation. The government has indeed found another direction to apply internal colonialism to the African American race.