6 Things I Never Told You Screening

6 Things I Never Told You

Wednesday, October 14th
New World Stages - Stage 2
340 West 50th Street
NYC 10019

6pm - Reception
7pm - 10pm Film followed by Q & A with directors

Tickets: $16.50

RSVP http://blackivy6things.eventbrite.com/


Hosted by Black Ivy Events and ActNow Foundation

Cookie's Fortune

I’m not big on fortune tellers or psychics, but I do get a kick out of reading fortune cookies. Every once in a while you get a good one like my colleague whose fortune read, ‘You will become a millionaire.’ I believe that one has come true for my colleague, or he’s very close to making it a reality. A couple of years ago I got one that read, ‘Never give up until you reach the finish line.’ This August marks the six-year anniversary of when I made my sojourn to South Africa to begin filming Dressed Like Kings. In doc years I’m apparently on track. But for Stacey’s timeline, Dressed Like Kings should have run the national and international film festival circuit, screened on television networks around the world, and should be enjoying the number one “queue” slot on Netflix accounts nationwide. These goals have not yet been realized. However, despite the turns, twists, jolts, jabs and dives, the vision remains and has now expanded to Tullahoma, Tennessee.

2008 ended with a plethora of love letters (i.e. “We regret to inform you…,” “Thank you for your submission, but…” etc.) from grant organizations. One of the aforementioned love notes boldly asked the question, “Why should we care?” I guess a story that depicts a positive side of African life that isn’t clouded by AIDS, genocide and war isn’t enough; for the letter-writer I have to go deeper, I have to connect the dots.

Sometimes scorned “love” imbues inspiration. Those heart-tugging dots led me to a black and white image of a man that I never met, John Henry Holman, my paternal Great-Grandfather and master tailor who lived in Tullahoma, Tennessee. My impetus for documenting the fashion-forward men, the reason for the film, and to be totally honest, my love for seeing Black men in fine tailored suits, resided with him. And as I dug deeper, John Henry’s keen sense of style has carried through the generations from my Grandfather, Father, and Brother, and ultimately leading me to a special group of men who have the same classy and self-respecting fashion sense, the oswenkas. What has started to unfold is a film that pays homage to a man who recognized the power Black men possess when dressed in a suit.

As I continue to press toward the finish line with Dressed Like Kings, 6 Things I Never Told You is making waves. I’m excited to announce the premiere of 6 Things at the Pan African Film & Arts Festival in Los Angeles and the FESPACO Film Festival in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, West Africa.

Pan African Film & Arts Festival
Culver Plaza Theatres
9919 Washington Boulevard Los Angeles, CA
(310) 836-5516
Saturday, 2/14, 7:00pm
Sunday, 2/15, 2:30pm
Monday, 2/16, 4:30pm

The actual screening dates and times of FESPACO will be posted at a later date, but the festival will take place February 28th – March 7th.

I look forward to posting regular updates on Dressed Like Kings, 6 Things I Never Told You, the other projects that are in development, and the ones yet to be revealed. If you’re working hard and running faster toward your dreams, but yet they seem miles away remember the encouraging words of the fortune cookie “Never give up until you reach the finish line.” It just might be right around the corner.

Pressing forward.

Stacey

Markers

It’s very ironic how things work out with out even planning it. Two weeks ago I screened Girl Talk at NY Perks in Brooklyn, not to be confused with the one on 124th Street which is called Perks. The collective that sponsored the screening was Act Now Foundation (www.actnowproduction.org), a non-profit group that supports screenings for filmmakers like yours truly.

I can’t tell you the last time I actually watched the film in it’s entirety, but I have to admit that a few of those butterflies did make a brief appearance but once the film began they quickly flew away. Not to toot my own horn… okay yes I will toot a bit, I really enjoyed and liked my film. I know it sounds crazy but for you filmmakers out there I believe you can relate. For months and sometimes years you’ve worked tirelessly on your film and of course you want it to be perfect… but that state of perfection is only in the heavenly realm so we aim for a great, excellent, or amazing film. Girl Talk encompassed all three for me that evening and I brag, confess (whatever you want to call it) that with really great good amazing people I made a really great excellent amazing film.

Upon further reflection, during the Q&A, it hit me that 2008 marks the 10 Year Anniversary for Girl Talk! It was funny how some of the questions took me back and gave me moments of pause as I shared: the inspiration for the film, the things I would change if I could, and how we raised the money. The later question I proudly shared the story of an angel, Mrs. Stewart, who wanted to make a contribution toward my film. After raising funds from fundraisers hosted by family, friends and receiving generous donations I was still $15,000 short and I had to shoot in less than eight weeks. One day, after I returned to New York to begin pre-production, my mom ran into Mrs. Stewart who said to call her because she still wanted to make a donation toward my film. When I did speak with her, she asked how much I needed, I gave her the figure, $15,000, which she responded, “Tell your mom she can pick up the check tomorrow.” You can guess the ending of this story, I was able to shoot and edit the film.

10 years later, Girl Talk is a marker not only in time but in what God can and will do.

Last time we spoke…

Goodness how time flies! Since my last update I continue to wait patiently for my grant responses of ‘YES’ for those fashion forward men of Dressed Like Kings who continue to be such a big part of my life: Buthelezi, Khoza, Thulani, Adolphus and the sage Mguni. I have been in contact with Khoza and Rebecca, Thulani’s wife, who have kept me abreast of what the swankas are doing and where they’ve been. Apparently, word has traveled to France and Australia about oswenka and my men (yes a bit possessive) have been invited to travel to these locations. Next stop, U.S? Only when I finish the film and please note, donations are welcome, and they’re tax deductible. Please email ‘info@blackbutterflyproductions.net’ for more details.

In addition, my writing partner, Tracee, and I have been dishing out a plethora of treatments for the small screen. Reality, scripted, docu-series, the list goes on. Currently we are pitching our ideas to networks and production companies and look forward to negotiating with the highest bidder – any takers.

Lastly, I have two screenings the month of August, one in my neighborhood, Harlem and the second in Brooklyn. First up is Girl Talk; yes, my fab four ladies are still kicking it on screens and I’m so delighted. Second, 6 Things I Never Told You will screen at the historic Studio Museum in Harlem. Dates, times and locations will be posted shortly.

So next time we speak (i.e. write) I look forward to saying, “Yes, Dressed Like Kings has received finishing funds.” “Stacey & Tracee Filmnatics have just sold (title of show) to a really big network,” and “We had an amazing turnout at the screenings.”

Until then, thank you for your continued support and keep on keepin on.

“This is the year of completion.”

Yesterday I spoke with a colleague who was kind enough to read through my ‘objective’ statement for a grant. These past two months have been lock down, hardcore grant submission time.

Once she gave me her notes, I asked how things were going with her screenplay. She indicated that she too was working on securing funds to begin production. Both of us have been working on our films for several years and are ready to finish our projects THIS year.

“This is the year of completion,” we both agreed.

Once we hung up I reflected on the state of both of our films. I have an award-winning documentary that is in the can and a fifty-five minute rough-cut. I need $204K to finish post-production (editing, color-correction, sound mix, etc.) and begin distribution/outreach. My colleague has: an award-winning script, notable talent attached, half the money to shoot and distribution in place. She needs the other half (of production money) to begin filming.

“This IS the year of completion.”

When I first became acquainted with the fashion forward men of Dressed Like Kings I was confident that I would: finish the film within two years, have a great distribution deal and be well on my way directing my next ‘great film idea.’ Well, the ‘great film ideas’ have continued but so has this journey of making this documentary. At this point, unlike any other point, I truly can see the finish line, in fact I can taste it.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1-5

"This is the year of COMPLETION."

No More Excuses

In October of 2007 I finally purchased a Canon HDV20 camera. Compact. Great picture. Easy to navigate. Easy on the wallet. It was time. After several months (years) of borrowing friend’s cameras it all came to an end when I started being referred to as “the second mom” of one friend’s camera. That and I just booked a job in Connecticut as an AP (Associate Producer) on a documentary and I was traveling to Mississippi for the New Media Institute.

At this point of the story I should say “… and I’ve never put the camera down since.” Not the case. I have gotten a lot of use from “my friend” (what I affectionately call my camera), filming behind the scenes footage of the documentary and footage in Mississippi. Oh, and how could I forget the hair brain production of Dating Miss Dillard with Tracee of Stacey & Tracee Consulting (okay a little plug), which we shot with "my friend".

Since that time “my friend” has racked up more miles going back and forth to CT than filming. Something is terribly wrong with this picture. Since graduating from the graduate film program at NYU (another plug, lol), I have observed that many graduates suffer from at least one type of post-graduate syndrome: intellectualizing one’s ideas to the point of it remaining just that, an idea or actually filming your great idea and taking FOREVER to finish it, if you ever finish. I will admit that I have experienced both syndromes, even recently, but today marked the day of breaking free of both.

As I returned home from an errand I walked by this little park around the corner that adds such a breath of fresh air to the neighborhood. Countless times I’ve passed by and seen a bird or a flower blooming and said to myself, “I really need to film this.” And countless times I’ve not done a darn thing, except today. Though I was strapped for time I grabbed my camera, headed out the door and walked to the park to film. It was beautiful.

On my way home from meeting family, I reminded myself of what was strapped on my back, “my friend.” Suddenly the world became my canvas; okay I know it sounds corny but work with me. The activities around me competed for a chance to grace the lens of my camera: a bird, men playing chess, girls double dutching, little children running down the street, brothers on the corner laughing, girls flirting with boys. At first I was hesitant. I didn’t want to draw any attention nor did I want to look like I was documenting “natives” in Harlem. I quickly got over that and began to film.

When I finally returned home I suddenly became intoxicated with the second syndrome of not finishing the film. Today that was not an option, I had to edit my piece and post it that instant. In little over an hour I had edited my piece and it felt GREAT! I reminded myself that I have the tools in my hand and for whatever reason I’ve taken them for granted. Was it fear? Doubt? Procrastination? Or was it the fact that I can be a perfectionist and quickly dismiss things that don’t turn out perfect? News flash to self, ‘Excuses will always be there but the opportunities will not.’

As “my friend” has settled back on my bookshelf I know it can’t be for long. There are many more things to film, edit and post, and whatever excuse I may give I don’t have time to analyze it. So today I’ve produced, directed, shot and edited my film with the quickest turnaround and have posted it. Perfect? No. Finished? Yes.