Leadership Value of the Day: Preparation

Leadership Value of the Day: Preparation

Sometimes we get so excited to do what we have been dreaming about that we get ahead of ourselves. We look to finish the race before we have even begun. This is a mistake that can slow and even finish a project before it has even had the chance to breath. As a leader striving for greatness not only in self but the projects we want to produce, we need to often prepare ourselves and the people we a leading for the tasks at hand. When many people think of preparation they think about the gathering of all the materials they may need and the drawing up of a game plan to help them achieve their measurable goals. This is a great step, however it is not the extent to which one must prepare. In order to truly prepare a leader must now where he or she is leading people, the goals that need to be achieved and must communicate those goals to the people that are making up the team. Sounds easy right? It is not as easy as it sounds because we all are subject to getting caught up in the heat of the moment and forgetting the purpose and our preparation. A great leader should always communicate the goals of the group in the simplest form. This allows all involved to know what is the collective goal. It helps to solidify the unit as a cohesive group, and not just a bunch of people with their own agendas. That leads us to one of the most important factors choosing your people wisely. Many leaders do not like to turn people away from their groups. However sometimes it is necessary for the whole group. It is the leaders job to make sure that the group embraces those that are coming fourth with a pureness of intent, and protect the group from ill will and malice. Sometimes that comes in the form of friends that fain to be champions of your cause. Finally in order to be completely prepared for the task at hand you must be able to delegate the right people for the right jobs. A great leader does not need to run around to every job to make sure it is done. A great leader instills confidence in the people that he or she has chosen. Letting them know that they are trusted and capable to perform the duties at the highest levels for the progression of the group.

Here is a little funny video that drives home the point of preparation.

Eddie Griffith opens the door for a conversation about faith and sex.

The tides they are a changing in the entertainment industry. We are living in exciting times for those of us who are avid creators of content for the web. We’re seeing more and more development of excellent ideas into well-executed web series that are shifting the focus of entertainment, as we know it. Eddie Griffith is a filmmaker that is at the forefront of these times, and his groundbreaking web series is sure to spark controversy and conversation within the black community as well as religious communities.

Eddie Griffith, Creator and Director of "Ken"

Eddie Griffith is a generation X filmmaker from Brooklyn, New York. It was in his senior year at Buffalo State College, where he became the Vice President of the college television station that had the most profound impact him. This is where he learned to love storytelling. It was in a class taught by Tom Fontana that Eddie learned how to tell stories and create characters that were authentic and diverse. Since then Eddie has worked his way from Production Assistant to Assistant Director as a member of the Directors Guild of America (DGA).

“Ken,” is a web series about a late twenty-something African-American man going through a second coming of age as he deals with his faith and sexuality. The series exposes a wall of silence that exist between sexuality and religion. This series has sparked conversations that might have otherwise not been had.  I believe it is an important conversation for many of our homosexual brothers and sisters to have, as it has been common practice for the church to condemn those who love members of the same sex.  Which in my opinion needs to be a conversation that we have. However the questions do not stop there. The fledgling series also quandaries the state of relationships, and how truth in all aspects should not just be the air between two people but the place where each individual resides and move from.

In order to accomplish the daunting task of creating a world that feels and looks real Mr. Griffith has assembled a cast that truly personifies the voice of a young African American generation that is conflicted between love and religion. Leading this cast is Jarret Janako, as Ken. Jarret delivers a convincing performance as the confused and tormented Ken. However it doesn’t hurt that he has supporting actors that can hold their own as well such as Krystal Farris and Yarc Lewison. Krystal is a native of Georgia and has honed her craft on the stage in off-Broadway productions, and Yarc Lewison is an actor with over 50 films under his belt and a growing list of notable directors for which he has given performances. The combination of talent assembled for this production is sure to provide Ken with ample drama, and character, while creating a conversation with an audience that is ready to be open, honest and truthful about sexuality and religion.

Here is the pilot episode, please feel free to comment and share.

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Awkwardness and Lyons draw large audiences to the web

     Early this week it was reported that Issa Rae of the web series Awkward Black Girl had inked a deal to bring her edgy brand of comedy to HBO. This is an excellent turn of events for many of the great shows and series that live on the web. This could possibly open the doors for many new filmmakers and writers that have taken the initiative to get things done on their own terms. One such production based in Augusta, Georgia is a series called The Lyons Den.

      The Lyons Den is the creation of Karlton T. Clay. Karlton began writing at a very young age, however it wasn’t until his time at Davidson Fine Arts School in Augusta, GA that he began to get involved in productions. At the age of 16, Clay was diagnosed with acute lymphoma leukemia. During his time in recovery VICTORY PRODUCTIONS was born. Clay credits his close relationship to his family and his continued faith in God for strengthening him during his battle with the disease. Karlton graduated from Davidson Fine Arts School in 2004, he went on to graduate from Georgia State University in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in film and television production. Now at 26 years old and in remission, Karlton produces family-oriented stage plays, films, and television programs. Karlton also written, produced, directed, and starred in College Daze, an internet drama which began in September 2007. He also wrote and produced two shorts films - Surrender (2011) and 20something (2012). Both were accepted into the Poison Peach Film Festival in 2012 and 2013 respectively. Currently Karlton is in production for his second web series entitled, The Lyons Den. The show is airing its 4th seasons season finale Friday night at midnight. It has been accepted into 3 festivals: 2013 ATL Web Fest, 2013 Urban Media-makers Film Festival, and the 2013 L.A. Web Fest - there it won 5 awards (Outstanding Writing, Outstanding Producing, Outstanding Ensemble Cast, and Outstanding Supporting Actress for Reishal Monique and Victoria Wilson).

 The main cast (Season 4): 

•  Victoria Wilson as Raven Lyons Taylor 
•  Shantelle Wheeler as Keysha Lyons Monroe 
•  Reishal Monique as Sherri Lyons 
•  Sam Evans as J.C. Lyons 
•  DJ Jackson as Ryan Lyons
•  Torrence White as Malcolm Lyons
•  Antrinese Snell as Crystal Kingston/Aisha Lyons 
•  Kendra Clay as Shayquan Turner 
•  Stacy Camille as Ashley Murphy 
•  Altina Menefee as Tammi Covington 
•  Matt Calcutt as Charles Covington 
•  Kwashane Dijaire as Eric Patterson 
•  Shatareia Stokes as Bobbi Ward 
•  Karlton T. Clay as Jay Sean Turner 

        The web-series has made great strides since its first episode, and there is plenty of drama to be had for all. While in some of the previous seasons the episodes were a little lengthy; it seems that Clay and his crew have found the formula for infusing the most drama into a shorter amount of time, making it well worth your time. In this new frontier we are able to watch new artists grow and come into their own right in front of our eyes. It is clear with such determination and a willingness to grow and embrace the possibilities of the platform shows such as The Lyons Den and Awkward Black Girl are here to stay. So since you have been living under a rock and have not seen either of these wonderful series I have posted both for your viewing pleasure, you can thank me later.

Season finale of season 4 airs on Friday. Season 5 will premiere either late February or early March.

Independent series runs into local problem

Many of you that follow this blog have been hearing for months about an independent series we have been doing called 16 bars to be a star. This program is a reality competition that takes many of its cues from other reality shows. There has been plenty of drama and unexpected twists during the filming of this series, which started back in August of this year. Up until recently we had the backing and support of Clear Channel Communications. Unfortunately towards the end of October, Clear channel, the parent company of Iheartradio.com and several other localized radio stations decided to change the format for the radio station that was sponsoring the reality show. This left many of the crew and contestants with many questions. We were nearing the completion of the first season. Many of the participants in the actual filming of this reality show had been working for free and donating all their skill and free time towards producing a stellar, local reality show.
This also left many of the contestants, who had made it through the preliminary rounds, what was going to happen and would they get to compete still for the 360 deal that was promised to them if they won the competition. Sadly the answer to that question is no. There will be no 360 marketing deal for the winner of the reality competition. However there will be a large cash prize given to the winner courtesy of Clear Channel Communications. So to answer all the questions in one swoop, yes we will be shooting one final episode this season to determine the winner of 16 bars to be a star. This will be all competitors’ last chance to prove they are the best in South Carolina and take home a serious cash prize. So in case you have not been out to any of the filming here is the first episode pt1 and 2. If you are looking for more independent film shorts check out www.fanatikproductions.com. Episode 2 is coming soon. Enjoy and feel free to leave comments.




Pt 2