We can't coddle our way to greatness

My Dad was the ultimate dream killer. My childhood was “interesting.”

“Wayne” he used to say. “Don’t waste your time on that if you are not fully committed.” Only he wasn’t that nice about it.

I’ve always been a creative, but it really was all I was good at. Everything else I tried could just fake it enough to get by. I played every sport he wanted me to, but at any given time I was only pushing halfway. It wasn’t what I wanted deep down I wanted to be a part of movies and television. My imagination ran wild with stories of comic characters and magic skateboards.

Although my father’s expectations would help me later in life, early on it only served to force my true potential underground.

By the time I made it to high school I was used to pretending to like everything everyone else did. Then on a whim, my Grandma Daisy convinced me Drama would be good for me to take. (Grandma’s see things us that others, including ourselves, don’t or can’t see in ourselves.)

In Drama and creative writing, it was ok for me to say the things that were really on my mind.

Wait!!! Thad, you’re getting off topic. My bad. Where was I?

Oh, yeah I can’t do anything else.

When did it become ok to not be honest about other’s skill level as a creative?

When I watch a movie I can clearly state this movie sucks, or I don’t get it. However, it’s that much better if I could reach out to M. Night and say… M…(cause we are comfortable with each other) what the hell was up with those killer trees?

I mean that is exactly what we have the opportunity to do when we know our independent filmmakers locally.

We have the opportunity; no we have the obligation as fellow filmmakers not to jerk each other off - for instant gratification but to prolong the experience for a tantric nirvana experience that will have us looking for the next chance to Netflix and chill.

Is that the correct thing the kids say, “…Netflix and chill?”

Whatever we want to call it we need to foster those who create quality.

We need to get rid of the participation trophy culture that has become our status quo. We can’t fear that our friends’ feelings will be hurt by our true and honest assessment of their work.

No, everyone’s baby is not cute. And if as a film community we want to get better, then we have to start pushing each other to do and be better. And part of that process is being able to give and accept constructive criticism.

Iron sharpens iron, people.  Iron sharpens iron.

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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New Web Series The Builder

Many people all over the world want to make films and be creative. South Carolina is no different in that respect. However we are very different in many other facets, the least of which being an outlet to show creative work in. I have had the pleasure to work with many people from all over the country, and by far I have found the people of South Carolina to be just as well informed and adept at there jobs as any other group of citizens from any other location. However there is one issue that continuously keeps South Carolinian's from joining the ranks of Georgia and North Carolina. That is a lack of support for their own natives. I have sat back and watched others put in work and bring great opportunities to the table for all to enjoy the fruit only to have that fruit spoil on the table waiting for people to get involved. I am hopeful that we will be able to break this trend with this project. The Builder was inspired during a 48 hour film festival in Atlanta. It is about a scientist who has the ability to bring peoples loved ones back, however the procedure does not always work properly then the builder is forced to reclaim the rebuilt individual, to the dismay of the loved ones of the newly resuscitated person. Check out the pilot and leave your comments. We need everyone's support to build something epic here in South Carolina. The Executive Producers, Director, and Editor of this series all are graduates of the University of South Carolina. Two of the members involved have also earned Master's Degree in entertainment business form Full Sail University. Let's prove to everyone we have what it takes and are capable of getting be hind our own people. click on the link below and support the kickstarter campaign. Your help is greatly appreciated. There are some great incentives being offered to supporters, so take a moment and tell a friend