All of the many ways one can shape the public perception of a culture through film were alive and well this month. From a visionary film maker and producer, marketing professional, events producer, to actors. If you weren’t in AZ for the Black Film Showcase, you should have been.
I interviewed Director Lee Daniels 
(Shadowboxer, Monster’s Ball, The Woodsman) who gave us the guerrilla film production background for his brilliant films and what it took to really get them produced. I found him to be upfront and candid, humorous and human. He’s a spiritual man. And spirited! The audience and I loved his verbatim’s. He directed the superstar Helen Mirren with grace, style and expletives deleted when needed he said. He shared his process for production and came prepared with audition tapes of a exceptionally gifted new actor starring in his upcoming film “Push” and out takes of her with Mo’nique. It was so real and raw, I asked (choked up) how it would end…but I won’t tell you here, you’ll have to see it for yourself in the theater. He also brought footage from “Tennessee” featuring Mariah Carey. Lee is amazing in how he casts his films and this songbird’s role is no exception. I’ll be there for anything attached to his name in the movies, you be there too. He deserves the Academy Award recognition and Cannes Film Festival wins.
Some distressing news though for Lee Daniels fans - he said only two more films, one of these would be a musical, and then he wants to teach. No more than two more films? Youch! He’s already involved with the Ghetto Film School.
When I interviewed Award winning actor Lynn Whitfield 
(Thin Line Between Love And Hate, Tyler Perry’s Madea, The Josephine Baker Story), she showed a humorous side that I have never seen before. She’s always a great and beautiful actress displaying a fine edge of intensity but this side of Lynn was fun. We saw her on the big screen in the video highlights of her career to date (check out “Kings of the Evening“!). Lynn shared some ‘for real’ remarks on the competition for roles, how she almost gave up in those early days before she became a star, and her love and appreciation of her beautiful daughter.
Lynn once again made history. She won Showcase Oscar Micheaux Award. This is the first time a woman actor has won the coveted honor in the seven years of its existence. Going back a bit, both Lynn and Lee have created successful productions that people in general want to see. Oscar would be pleased.
Oscar Micheaux, the first African-American to produce a feature-length film (The Homesteader (1919) in 1920) and a sound feature-length film (The Exile (1931) in 1931), is not a major figure in American film just for these milestones, but because his oeuvre is a window onto the American psyche as regards race and its deleterious effects on individuals and society. He also is a pioneer of independent cinema. Though the end products of his labors often were technically crude due to budgetary constraints, Micheaux the filmmaker is a symbol of the artist triumphing over long odds to bring his vision to the public at large while serving in the socially important role of critical spirit.
I also moderated a panel discussion with Hollywood insiders Felicia Bell, Jenean Glover, and actor Linara Washington. Felicia is a marketing and film distribution phenom. Jenean is a talent manager and consultant with her own company Screen Partners, Inc. and Linara, an actor in the film “Kings of the Evening” which had its Arizona premiere at the Showcase. What did the audience hear about what it takes to make it behind the camera where the office is and in front of the camera? Here are a few highlights: Never give up, learn how the money is made in films, and give yourself a time line. From a big money, big money perspective as Tyler Perry and others are proving, never underestimate the power of a cultural group’s desire to see a relevant, revealing, and reliable portrayal. Felicia and Jenean are making decisions for their organizations that are as green as dollars bills.
There was a dynamic Q and A with everyone. I asked tough questions and the audience did too. And like I said, “you should have been there!”
The mission of the Arizona Black Film Showcase is to become the premier, national media arts event dedicated to supporting Black film professionals through educational and networking opportunities. Founder Joanna De’Shay believes that “Black Film is American Film” and that Black Films have a significant impact on the broader Film and Television Industry and I share this vision with her. Her annual, competitive film showcase has supported, celebrated, and promoted the dynamic works of Black filmmakers locally and nationally for the past seven years.
My time and my company’s production efforts will be focused on women in May. Specifically, Scottsdale AZ, Chaparral Suites Resorts, the Positively Powerful Women Celebrate dinner, awards, and personal development workshop May 16 and 17. Another not to be missed event. And yes, we will be filming it for educational purposes. If you would like to become a sponsor, purchase the film, attend, register your Mom, receive a scholarship (we have a limited amount, first come first served) call Joel Martin, President Triad West Inc. Positively Powerful Events. For information call (480) 563-5585 or click here.
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This morning I attended a breakfast for “Girls for a Change” where girls talked about their young lives and the issues they face and what really matters to them. Their issues are those that we all know about and yet when hearing from these very young people that the support given to “Girls for a Change” has given their lives renewed purpose and direction I wonder why is it that we are not doing more.
