Big Tings A Gwan

Hey folks. So it seems like we haven't been in this space forever, but believe me when I tell you that Curtis and I have been biz-ee! I know, I know what else is new, right? Oh there's lots. Like for instance...

Our August 12th premiere was a hit! Actually, it was so nice we had to screen it twice. (Photos courtesy of Jason John)

Uno...


Dos...

Yep, that's right the out pour of support was fierce that evening. Thanks again to all who came out! You made us feel loved.

Also, an extra special thanks goes out to these folks for the evening...

Our parents (Johns to the left, Woods to the right).

AND

Our cast members (left to right: Kaleber Soze, Marjuan Canady and Robbie Morgan). Michelle, Azariah, and Aaron were with us in spirit...

One last note before we move on: Purple. Heels. That is all.


Okay. So now that we've got that squared and out of the way, I bet you'd like to know what else we've been doing. Well, we've been talking to the kiddies. Yes, that's right. Team ZEMIRA took some time out this past summer to visit with students at the Drammeh Institute, a Bronx filmmaking program for youth.


During our visit we got to speak to them about overcoming challenges while pursuing a passion and the importance of the barter system in building a network. We even got to show them a few scenes from the short and offered them technical tips they could incorporate into their own projects. A huge thank you goes to Iman Nur, director of the program, for extending the invitation to us. Our visit even got us a mention in the Bronx Times!

Oh but that's not it people. I told you we've been busy!

Last Friday our good friends at Rise Up Radio(WBAI 99.5FM) brought us on the show (along with our star Marjuan Canady and phenomenal visual artist Marthalicia) to discuss ZEMIRA as well as the role of women in film and theatre. You can listen in from WBAI's archives to catch our September 3rd airing. Thanks to the Rise Up Radio family for looking out. We had a blast. Oh, and I'll try not to be so babble-ly next time. LOL.

Well...ok, folks. That is it for now. Whew!!

Love,
M.

Oh and PS, we got in our first review on the short. Read it on Society HAE.

It's Here!! The ZEMIRA Short Film Screening--August 12th!

The time has finally come for us to share the fruit of our labor with the world. Through the help of family and friends anxious to see the full length, 90-minute feature onscreen, we have been able to put together a 15 minute short version of the film to help us further this effort. We invite you to come and witness this vision firsthand. There will be a brief Q&A following the screening.

About ZEMIRA: About Co-written and produced by filmmakers Curtis John and Mecca Woods, ZEMIRA (www.zemirathefilm.com) is a film that focuses on a teenage girl's struggle to overcome the challenges of her impoverished, South Bronx life. However, ZEMIRA goes beyond typical urban fare by asking viewers to think critically about the socio-economic status quo that permeates the inner city. Not every young girl of color is destined for failure...right?

When: Thursday, August 12, 2010
Time: arrival time 7:30pm, screening starts promptly at 8pm
Where: Center Stage NY, 48 West 21st Street, #401
Hosted by: Curtis John and Mecca Woods (the creators of ZEMIRA)
Cost: $5 (at the door)
RSVP: mecca@zemirathefilm.com (space is limited)

Real Life, ZEMIRA: An Interview With Tasty Keish

Keisha "Tasty Keish" Dutes is something of a powerhouse. The NYC born and bred media maven has been making quite a name for herself on the entertainment scene. She co-hosts Rise Up Radio(WBAI 99.5FM), brings us exclusive interviews with emerging and established artists, as well as hosts her own web series, Taste of the Town. Still, that's not even HALF of her resume. The woman is a beast, people.

Given Tasty Keish's extensive knowledge on all things related to entertainment and the public eye, we thought she would make an excellent subject for this installment of the Real Life, Zemira series. So we asked TK to sit down and talk with us (thanks Keish!). Here, Tasty Keish and I chat about the current state of black women in media and the importance of positive role models.

--Mecca

When You Show Love...

Words cannot express the gratitude we have for the talented actors, crew/technicians, friends, family and supporters who enabled us to complete filming of the ZEMIRA short. For all of you (way too many to name) we are extremely grateful. We could not have accomplished this without any of you.

Extra special shouts (in no particular order) to our cast (Michelle Nicholson (Zemira), Robbie Morgan (Darryl), Suzette "Azariah" Gunn (Jeanette), Marjuan Canady (Robyn), Aaron Conley (Amir), and Kaleber Soze (Shane)) and crew (Casting Director, ChiChi Anyanwu; Cinematographer, Francisco Escobar; Assitant Directors, Kissa Starr and Jasmin Tiggett; Asst. Cameraman, Chris Anthony Hamilton; Sound Recordist, Matt Perry Thomas; Audio Tech, Dmitri Tssayre; Super Grip/Gaffer, Gene Malkin; MakeUp Artist, Faatima Hall; Still Photographer, Evita Robinson; and Productions Assistants Andres Chuck Valencia, Kojo, Ronnie Davis, Hugh, Cameron Bhola, DeLana R.A. Dameron, Yohanna Florentino, and others)for their motivation, professionalism, and dedication on this project.

Also, special, special thanks to Dyalekt for opening his home to us for two long days of filming. Dyalekt, you saved us both time and money and for that you are totally rad!

Thank you also goes out to Adrienne Anderson, DeLana R.A. Dameron, Noelle Ito, Nana Mensah, and Sinyan Whitfield for feeding us while filming. We are happy to report that no one passed out from hunger or thirst during the long, hot hours on set. We love you guys for that.

As we move into the next phase of this project (editing. yay!)we look forward to sharing the finished product with the world (very soon) while getting closer to producing the full feature version of the film. Below are a few behind the scenes photos from days 2 and 3 of shooting.

When you show love, see what happens?



Our Director of Photography, Francisco Escobar, behind the camera.



Make-up artist, Faatima Hall preps actor Kaleber Soze (Shane) for a scene.



Exterior shot with actors Kaleber Soze (Shane) and Michelle Nicholson (Zemira) (Photo courtesy of Celeste Nogueras--photographer in training.)


Curtis, director of ZEMIRA, talks with Assistant Camerman, Chris Anthony Hamilton.


Kissa Starr, 1st Assistant Director, readies set for filming.


Curtis provides notes on a scene to cast members.


Left to right: cast members Marjuan Canady (Robyn) and Michelle Nicholson (Zemira) on set.


Audio Tech Dimitri Tssayre chats with the stars.

It Was All A Dream...

On location at the ZEMIRA short film shoot. Day 1: Orchard Beach, Bronx, NY. Photos courtesy of Celeste Nogueras.

Production Help Needed

Hello all,

For those who are still unaware, next week Mecca and I are filming a short version of our soon-to-be produced movie ZEMIRA.

We still need and are very open to either help on the set or donations so we can ably feel our actors and crew.

For the set, we still need a Script Supervisor, Boom Operator and Best Boy, and an affordable Make-Up person. But mostly we Production Assistants (PA) in which you'll basically just need to either help myself, Mecca or various crew members with different things we need for that moment. We'll be shooting on Thursday June 3, Friday June 4th and Sunday June 6th. If you're able to help, please contact me by email or by phone (917-697-4157) and I'll give you even more details.

Thank you to those who have already promised to volunteer their time to help us on set. I'll be contacting you all individually over the next few days on which positions I'll need you to fill.

Thanks also to those who have promised to provide some extra money or supplies for food for the cast and crew. Please send any monies for that to our Paypal donation page at: http://www.zemirathefilm.com/donate_now. Just click on the Donate Now button which leads directly to our PayPal account OR enter my email address: curtis.john@gmail.com to send funds directly to me.

We realize that some of this is very last minute so any help you can provide will be more than appreciated. We look forward to making movie magic happen with or through your help.


Sincerely,

Curtis John
Director, ZEMIRA

Real Life, Zemira: An Interview With Charlotte Mishell (Part 2 )