This week’s resource drop is a throwback and some new stuff.
Housekeeping
We just posted an article about The Black Lens and Pens Writers Group. Check that out.
The Resources Update
We added new resources. Check them out. Of course, if you need anything, please let me know, and I’ll help you best I can.
- Damn Write Originals (STUDIO)
- The CAMS Collective (USEFUL/CTA)
- Drew’s Script-O-Rama (APPS)
- Simply Scripts (APPS)
- Creative Commons (USEFUL/CTA)
- John Truby’s site. (USEFUL/CTA)
- Documentary Educational Resources (USEFUL/CTA)
- Center for Media & Social Impact (USEFUL/CTA)
- Dreadhead Films & Invisible Collective (STUDIO)
- Fractured Atlas (USEFUL/CTA)
- British Film Institute (USEFUL/CTA)
- BRIC Arts Media (USEFUL/CTA)
- Gathr (APPS)
- Box Office Mojo (APPS)
- The Numbers (APPS)
- The Ankler (USEFUL/CTA)
Creator Spotlight – Women’s History Month Edition
Women in my community have made exceptional moves in their careers. They have made their mark not only in Atlanta, Los Angeles, or New York. They’ve also succeeded internationally. From acting, camera work, business deals, and directing. They’ve done everything you can think of in the film business, and I wanted to highlight each one, their work, and continue to uplift these incredible women.
I’m so proud to know each and every one of them; whether we have connected, worked together, or laughed together, they mean a lot to me. So, I share them with you.
If you’re interested in working or building an intentional community with these ladies, their points of contact are below.
Deanna Griffin
Humble and Gentle Cinematographer. Intentional pictures in motion. Incomparable aesthetics.
She also co-founded Colour Co., a production equipment rental company in ATL.
Sydney Seabron
Magnificent Visual Eye. The indomitable human spirit. Soulful Artist.
Simran Modhera
Genius Marketer. Cinematographer. Effervescent and Sublime.
On top of
Colbie Inez
Magical Eyes. Perfection In Frame. Cinematography’s Blessing.
CEO and Founder of Dope AF (Artistic Focus) Films.
Sade Ndya
Director of Photography extraordinaire. Cultural Lens. Cinematic Visionary.
Brooke Sonenreich
Trendsetter. Community-driven. Creative Entity.
Jessica Imhotep
A dreamer and a doer. Anointed Creative. Creating a “reel” legacy.
Kaylee Jade Warfield
Avant-Garde Wild Child. The filmmaker’s Beyoncé. A mogul.
Support her next project: WAKE UP GoFundME
Alona Williams
Diviner. Spirit Whisperer. Artistic Tour de Force.
Read more here.
Christina Danielle Wilson
A prophetess, a disciple, a creator. God’s Gift to the Arts.
Upcoming Events
The Atlanta Film Festival – April 23rd – May 3rd | 50th Anniversary
LA Festival of Movies – April 9th – 12th
Phoenix Film Festival – April 9th – 19th
Overlook Film Festival – New Orleans horror-focused event – April 9th – 12th
Cleveland International Film Festival – April 9th – 18th | 50th Anniversary
Here: https://bricartsmedia.org/
Must be based in NY.
Vertical Microdrama MasterClass April 10th – Meg Messmer
National Canadian Film Day – April 15th
Remember, two days are left to nominate yourself or a colleague for The Epigraph!
CinemaCon starts in less than two weeks! – April 13th – 16th
The Rumble Report (Mini) | World Rumble 3/30
My thoughts on the Harry Potter remake. Just a “tinch of nuance,” as Dominique Morgan would say. The reason we have to have reboots and remakes of the same IP is because if they don’t make them often or cyclically in a timely manner, they lose the rights. Companies are not going to lose their money makers because they are sitting there. Just like you won’t let your cast iron pot sit there because it’s pretty or your Le Creuset stay with me now, go unused. You paid good money; you’re gonna use it. But I also want to get into the severe implications of Paapa Essiedu as Snape and the children of the franchise that is going to go on for the next decade. The implications of his casting will have negative consequences for the Black community and the Harry Potter community, which intersect. I would love if they had race-bent several other characters too, because as Snape, who goes through a great deal only to be Harry’s savior is going to land differently. Because people don’t study ethnic notions in literature and film. Mind you, I love Paapa, and I’m excited for his iteration of Snape, but I can’t help but think about how this will play in favor of racial dynamics conversations and also the villain conversation when we cross those bounds. Because we live in a racialized society, Harry’s instant dislike of Snape will have other notions tied to it. Also, the book’s still a reference point, so take the descriptions of Snape and now associate that with Black Severus Snape. I’ll wait. Paapa is attractive; Snape is not exactly that attractive, either. Shoot, my guy Alan Rickman wasn’t too bad on the eyes, either. Now, here is the other issue: J.K. Rowling is still a powerful woman in the U.K. and a TERF (trans-exclusionary radical feminist). The original trio and cast who disagree with her harmful comments and discriminatory remarks are not going to share that with the children, because they are CHILDREN, but let it be known. These children will grow up, and they will form their own consciences, and they will have thoughts about her, and the world we are in doesn’t take that lightly. So, it’s going to be a rocky and bumpy ride for this series. Hope it has success. I’m sure it will.
Read the latest Rumble Report:
Musings | For those feeling Lost
Feeling like Earn (Atlanta/FX) and Issa (Insecure/HBO) right now? I am thinking about how it was supposed to go in our late twenties and early thirties. The city lights in Los Angeles or Atlanta. The pivoting into a new role versus the long waits in between. The courage to start something new with what you have, while still fighting to be seen. 10 years ago, in 2016, both Insecure and Atlanta aired. Changing TV as we know it for the young, independent creative.
I reflect on watching Insecure again at 29, and how much I wanted life to be like what I saw on TV. I realized I’m like the real Issa Rae and Donald Glover, carving out a path for myself in this business. I can’t be like their TV counterparts, Earnest Marks or Issa Dee, but I can get there. There is a successful version of me on the other side of this transitioning period. I am deliberate and afraid of nothing, so I will stand in this power and continue to create my next opportunity.
I’ve definitely been in a defining part of my life, which will be used as a reference for the next generation. So, I’m taking this wisdom and experience. Defying the odds, one creation after another. My next piece, Upward Spiral, is about a wayward young woman, named Noa, who’s Black and Jewish; after attempting to take her life, she decides that because she exists in the world, and she is good, she will live. The story is hope-core meets nonchalance. A story of stoicism.
Concluding Thoughts
“Be passionate and move forward with gusto every single hour of every single day until you reach your goal.”
Ava DuVernay
CEO, Filmmaker ARRAY
PBS is launching a Documentaries YouTube Channel.
MACRO and Sony Films entering a multi-year deal means good news for Black, Indigenous People of Culture. This is a fight in the industry to preserve our stories and ensure they are platformed, which is MACRO’s mission.
Subscribe to The Cold Open Newsletter by Kayona Ebony Brown.
Autumn Bailey Ford’s company is seeking a talented screenwriter for a feature film about sexual abuse in the Congo. If you are interested in details, I’ll refer you to the LinkedIn page.
Proximity Media will be re-releasing episodes of #InProximity for your education and masterclasses on filmmaking and screenwriting.
Until next time, keep breaking ground.
World Rumble 
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