I'm listening to: "Kiss your Feet" by Delirious
Delirious is my favorite band of all time. I don't pick favorites either. Like I'll never have one favorite movie, but I do have an absolute favorite band, and an absolute favorite song. I'll tell you why it's Delirious later.
On Friday we got the chance to meet with the CEO of FAWN (http://www.fightingaids.org/) about Where You Are, he is from Detroit Michigan, and just happened to be in Miami the day Zack emailed him about Where You Are. We are really excited about partnering with them. If all goes well, they well be bringing food, and healthy liquid nutrition goodies to the camp kids in Swaziland.
Thanks for meeting Frank!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
C&I STUDIOS IS DEAD
I'm listening to: "You Will Pull Through" by Barcelona
Well the title is true....sort of :)
I run C&I with my two brilliant business partners, Zachariah, and Sarah. Smart, smart people. During the summer of 2009, we really started thinking about what we want out of C&I Studios. It really started with Where You Are, to be honest. We were thinking about Where You are, and how we didn't just want to do this "one time" project. Like, we don't want to go to Africa do this huge project, do the camp for the kids, the documentary, and the film, and then be done. The kids go back to their normal lives, and all is forgotten. We want to continue the work in Swaziland. But then it wasn't just Swaziland. Sarah has a huge heart for Africa in general. She spends quite of bit of time in Kenya, South Africa, etc. And we all have this passion for global change, and how America needs an upgrade so desperately. And we just began to talk about what we want. One thing that kept coming up was, its not about money, its not about money, C&I Studios isn't about the money. We want something more. We want an understanding of life. We want to shine light on stories that would otherwise be forgotten. We want to bring awareness and change....We want to change media. Everything that hollywood is about, we want to be about the opposite. So, we thought and thought. Man, there so many phone calls, Zach was still in DC during this time. We just wanted to analyze and evaluate everything that we were doing. We looked at our vision: Create Inspiring Art with Exceptional Quality to Reach Humanity 2.0
We hold everything up against that vision to stay on track with what we are suppose to do. So we looked at our vision. We looked at the three organizations that we support financially every month Flutemaker Ministries, SwaziChild.com, and Camp Sonshine International. We were finally able to see that we weren't acting like a for profit company...we were acting like a Non-Profit...
So in the summer of 2009, C&I Studios died, and C&I Studios Inc., a registered 501c3 Non Profit organization was born.
www.c-istudios.ORG
This has been the most exciting adventure for us. There are many non profit companies out there, but there aren't any non profit Film Studios. So different, so difficult, but we are doing it. We are shifting our focus. Instead of just doing corporate work (commercials, videos, training videos), we are providing severely discounted film services for organizations and people who can't really afford the industry standard rates. And any funds that we get from any corporate job goes to support the three organizations we sponsor, and our projects.
Our films lead the way, a different kind of story telling. We always want to make sure we are being inspiring, sparking change...thinking differently.
We then started a show called Reach: The Revolt (currently in production). The Revolt is a show where C&I Studios travels around the globe to find people who are doing amazing things. We are so excited about this. There are so many people doing great stuff, but no one knows about it, until now. So we are so pumped on traveling worldwide (America included, there are good people America).
So, it all changed. Including our website. Check out: www.c-istudios.org We have a global view now and we think that is vital to always keep our minds thinking bigger than ourselves. We have special hidden links in RED, showing special work.
Speaking of special work. THE WHERE YOU ARE WEBSITE IS ONLINE....YAY!!!!!!!!
www.whereyouareproject.com You can also go to www.c-istudios.org and click on the country Swaziland, or the feature films link.
So, there it is, I just vomited on you, verbally. Our hearts are on paper now, well...internet paper. But you get what I'm saying. BUT, I do need to say this as well. We need your financial help. All the things that we want to do, aren't free. The stories we want to tell through the Revolt, Where You Are, and sponsoring organizations sadly, aren't free to us. We need all the help we can get. So please, if you feel like supporting us (tax deductible of course), there is cool little link on the top right side of the blog where you can give online. And ANY amount seriously is a big deal to do us. $1, $5 seriously anything helps. $1 goes and incredible long way in Africa. If you would like give more than those selected amounts please click here to enter your own custom amount. This is a link to our PayPal donation page, and you don't have to have a PayPal account to send us anything. If you know of anyone who might be interested in what we are doing, or supporting us, please send them the link to this blog. So, Why give to us?
Check out these pages about us, and our projects:
www.c-istudios.com/about
www.c-istudios.com/support
Or check out this cool video that Zack shot, explaining it in super cool black & white. Black & White rules!!
However, we don't just want financial support. We really need so much encouragement. It's so difficult to take on this task, but we don't feel like we decided to do this, it was just meant to be. So, we are just being willing and obedient to what we know we are suppose to do with the rest of our lives.
Thanks you so much. We love you guys.
P.S. Oh, we are trying really hard to go to Africa in April to scout for Where You Are, and just travel and film stories for the Revolt. Wicked excited about everything that is happening. 2010 is going to be a great year.
:)
Well the title is true....sort of :)
I run C&I with my two brilliant business partners, Zachariah, and Sarah. Smart, smart people. During the summer of 2009, we really started thinking about what we want out of C&I Studios. It really started with Where You Are, to be honest. We were thinking about Where You are, and how we didn't just want to do this "one time" project. Like, we don't want to go to Africa do this huge project, do the camp for the kids, the documentary, and the film, and then be done. The kids go back to their normal lives, and all is forgotten. We want to continue the work in Swaziland. But then it wasn't just Swaziland. Sarah has a huge heart for Africa in general. She spends quite of bit of time in Kenya, South Africa, etc. And we all have this passion for global change, and how America needs an upgrade so desperately. And we just began to talk about what we want. One thing that kept coming up was, its not about money, its not about money, C&I Studios isn't about the money. We want something more. We want an understanding of life. We want to shine light on stories that would otherwise be forgotten. We want to bring awareness and change....We want to change media. Everything that hollywood is about, we want to be about the opposite. So, we thought and thought. Man, there so many phone calls, Zach was still in DC during this time. We just wanted to analyze and evaluate everything that we were doing. We looked at our vision: Create Inspiring Art with Exceptional Quality to Reach Humanity 2.0
We hold everything up against that vision to stay on track with what we are suppose to do. So we looked at our vision. We looked at the three organizations that we support financially every month Flutemaker Ministries, SwaziChild.com, and Camp Sonshine International. We were finally able to see that we weren't acting like a for profit company...we were acting like a Non-Profit...
So in the summer of 2009, C&I Studios died, and C&I Studios Inc., a registered 501c3 Non Profit organization was born.
www.c-istudios.ORG
This has been the most exciting adventure for us. There are many non profit companies out there, but there aren't any non profit Film Studios. So different, so difficult, but we are doing it. We are shifting our focus. Instead of just doing corporate work (commercials, videos, training videos), we are providing severely discounted film services for organizations and people who can't really afford the industry standard rates. And any funds that we get from any corporate job goes to support the three organizations we sponsor, and our projects.
Our films lead the way, a different kind of story telling. We always want to make sure we are being inspiring, sparking change...thinking differently.
We then started a show called Reach: The Revolt (currently in production). The Revolt is a show where C&I Studios travels around the globe to find people who are doing amazing things. We are so excited about this. There are so many people doing great stuff, but no one knows about it, until now. So we are so pumped on traveling worldwide (America included, there are good people America).
So, it all changed. Including our website. Check out: www.c-istudios.org We have a global view now and we think that is vital to always keep our minds thinking bigger than ourselves. We have special hidden links in RED, showing special work.
Speaking of special work. THE WHERE YOU ARE WEBSITE IS ONLINE....YAY!!!!!!!!
www.whereyouareproject.com You can also go to www.c-istudios.org and click on the country Swaziland, or the feature films link.
So, there it is, I just vomited on you, verbally. Our hearts are on paper now, well...internet paper. But you get what I'm saying. BUT, I do need to say this as well. We need your financial help. All the things that we want to do, aren't free. The stories we want to tell through the Revolt, Where You Are, and sponsoring organizations sadly, aren't free to us. We need all the help we can get. So please, if you feel like supporting us (tax deductible of course), there is cool little link on the top right side of the blog where you can give online. And ANY amount seriously is a big deal to do us. $1, $5 seriously anything helps. $1 goes and incredible long way in Africa. If you would like give more than those selected amounts please click here to enter your own custom amount. This is a link to our PayPal donation page, and you don't have to have a PayPal account to send us anything. If you know of anyone who might be interested in what we are doing, or supporting us, please send them the link to this blog. So, Why give to us?
Check out these pages about us, and our projects:
www.c-istudios.com/about
www.c-istudios.com/support
Or check out this cool video that Zack shot, explaining it in super cool black & white. Black & White rules!!
However, we don't just want financial support. We really need so much encouragement. It's so difficult to take on this task, but we don't feel like we decided to do this, it was just meant to be. So, we are just being willing and obedient to what we know we are suppose to do with the rest of our lives.
Thanks you so much. We love you guys.
P.S. Oh, we are trying really hard to go to Africa in April to scout for Where You Are, and just travel and film stories for the Revolt. Wicked excited about everything that is happening. 2010 is going to be a great year.
:)
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Happy Birthday
I'm listening to: the sound of an air conditioner.
While Zoe and I were at lunch yesterday,it was someone's birthday in the restaurant. The whole place started singing...NYC. This world seems so stinkin cold all the time, but it's so cool that people will stop their meal, their conversations and sing (whether they can or not) all for someone they don't even know. Gives me hope.
America..
We haven't lost it yet.....
While Zoe and I were at lunch yesterday,it was someone's birthday in the restaurant. The whole place started singing...NYC. This world seems so stinkin cold all the time, but it's so cool that people will stop their meal, their conversations and sing (whether they can or not) all for someone they don't even know. Gives me hope.
America..
We haven't lost it yet.....
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
5am NYC
I'm listening to: "a conversation in my head I just had"
Today I woke up at 5am, it hurt. But I'm glad I did.
For those of you who don't know I travel a lot to DC for C&I corporate work and film work. On Sunday night we had a client meeting, and then on monday night we shot a film called (he is my brother) very exciting, and then Today (tuesday) I didn't have any plans….so I went to New York City, my favorite town in the whole world. It is so cold here, but so awesome. I don't know many other cities that when you come up from the tunnel you are just excited, hopefully. Its pretty intense. I love it.
Then I thought since i'm here, why not link up with Zoe (one of our leads in Where You Are). Man it was awesome!. We met up at Balthazar in Soho, and we talked laughed, shared together for 3 hours. It was awesome. Very rare do I have a good chance to really just talk to someone for that long and have it just continue to be so interesting and awesome. I was amazed.And we didn't just like "talk" we really tallied in depth, bonded, and grew together. Zoe is so passionate about what we are doing. Here is a quote from her, verbatim:
Zoe: "I'm so excited about the camp, that is my favorite part of the whole project"
That pretty intense for an actress to say. Don't get me wrong she loves the film, but to know that she is just as passionate about the camp, and the kids, really makes me feel good about what we are doing. Its been so hard trying to find the right kind of people for this project, but its good that i'm continuing to learn that the people we already have, really have a heart for others. Everyone single person involved with this project so far, (and there are many) all have that same heartbeat, they all care, they have all said to me at some point "this project is bigger than all of us"
So as I ride back to DC…I'm just so reflective and happy that I went with my gut. I think sometimes, we get to caught up with our grown up lives, that we forget what its like to drop everything and be random, spontaneous. Maybe its not the best way to live, but everyone once an a while you gotta break the routine and live.
I should have taken a photo, of me an Zoe, but it was too cold outset, and…whatever sorry. But Since I've been shooting everyday, there will be a film of my trip. You'll see it on our Vimeo account
I'm grateful. Super awesome christmas gift.
Zoe you rock pretty hard!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Africa
I'm listening to: "All I Need" by Radiohead
This Christmas is different....
Anyway. I'm at the point in the project where I just need to go to Africa. I'm tired. I need to see it. As a producer/director I want to go to scout, look, explore, but for Joshua....I just need to go see. I'm hoping that i'll get to do that in the next few months. Thank you for supporting this project.
This Christmas is different....
Anyway. I'm at the point in the project where I just need to go to Africa. I'm tired. I need to see it. As a producer/director I want to go to scout, look, explore, but for Joshua....I just need to go see. I'm hoping that i'll get to do that in the next few months. Thank you for supporting this project.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Faces to the Names
I'm listening to: "Love Minus Zero/No Limit" by Bob Dylan
Well friends, I've been wanting to post this one for a long time. While I'm silent from writing this blog, I'm working on Where You Are. We have been working on casting for such a long time and we are finally at a place where we have locked in some amazing actors/actresses to play these special characters.
One thing that I love most about film, is...Well let me tell a little story.
I love the film "Blood Diamond" when I was done watching that film, I felt like changing the world, like saving all the children from Africa. I thought about how Leo's character was struggling to do the right thing, like I feel sometimes. When I was done watching it, I remember checking into my wife's wedding ring, to really see where it had come from. I remember talking with Sarah, and Zach about it, and then, random people that I saw in the elevator. People have used clips from that film in speeches that I've seen, and presentations. People were changed. These characters who do not exist changed real peoples lives...I think that is so interesting. And its all because of how talented these actors live out the story on film. They can bring to life a person who only lives on paper, create them, and play them so well that in return it can inspire us "real people" to change...or act...to dance.
That is why I love film...cause when you are done watching them there is so much more to say, to question, to discuss, unlike Transformers, as when you are done with that Movie (yes movie) all you can say is "yeah it was cool"..."yea..the special effects were awesome"...thats it. I love film. .
And I love talented actors/actresses that create these films and we are so honored to have these people star in "Where You Are".
First. Zoe Mclellan.
Playing the lead role of Jessica Reynolds.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0572721/
You'll recognize Zoe from projects like "Dirty Sexy Money", "Jag", "Star Trek","Mr. Holland's Opus".
Zoe is an amazing actress, and extremely passionate about this project. We are so honored to have her on board. You should also know that she makes me laugh, pretty often. :)
Second. Andrew Roth.
Third. Windy Marshall.
Playing the role of Laura Hunter.
Forth. Julia Broder.
Well friends, I've been wanting to post this one for a long time. While I'm silent from writing this blog, I'm working on Where You Are. We have been working on casting for such a long time and we are finally at a place where we have locked in some amazing actors/actresses to play these special characters.
One thing that I love most about film, is...Well let me tell a little story.
I love the film "Blood Diamond" when I was done watching that film, I felt like changing the world, like saving all the children from Africa. I thought about how Leo's character was struggling to do the right thing, like I feel sometimes. When I was done watching it, I remember checking into my wife's wedding ring, to really see where it had come from. I remember talking with Sarah, and Zach about it, and then, random people that I saw in the elevator. People have used clips from that film in speeches that I've seen, and presentations. People were changed. These characters who do not exist changed real peoples lives...I think that is so interesting. And its all because of how talented these actors live out the story on film. They can bring to life a person who only lives on paper, create them, and play them so well that in return it can inspire us "real people" to change...or act...to dance.
That is why I love film...cause when you are done watching them there is so much more to say, to question, to discuss, unlike Transformers, as when you are done with that Movie (yes movie) all you can say is "yeah it was cool"..."yea..the special effects were awesome"...thats it. I love film. .
And I love talented actors/actresses that create these films and we are so honored to have these people star in "Where You Are".
First. Zoe Mclellan.
Playing the lead role of Jessica Reynolds.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0572721/
You'll recognize Zoe from projects like "Dirty Sexy Money", "Jag", "Star Trek","Mr. Holland's Opus".
Zoe is an amazing actress, and extremely passionate about this project. We are so honored to have her on board. You should also know that she makes me laugh, pretty often. :)
Second. Andrew Roth.
Playing the lead role of Tom Dalton.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1408714/
You'll recognize Andrew from projects like, "Transcendence", The Rise and Fall of Their American Dream", and "Elysium". Andrew is very talented and we are very excited to get him in front of the camera.
Third. Windy Marshall.
Playing the role of Laura Hunter.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2688758/
You'll recognize Windy from projects like, "Harts Ridge", "Eat, Sleep, Repeat", and "Incubator"
We had the pleasure of working with Windy on a previous film and I can't wait to film with her again.
Forth. Julia Broder.
Playing the role of Sheryl Hunter.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2204590/
You'll recognize Julia from projects like, "Remedial Attraction", "Bible Battles", and "Roller Place"
Julia is really special and talented. She is a great additional to the cast.
Well that is all for now. We will have some more cast announcements in the next few week's, but we wanted to share that with you guys now. We appreciate all the encouragement and support. This has been so hard, and the emails, the encouragement, fuels us to keep going no matter how much my flesh tells me to give up. We hold on, we press in, and move forward...together.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Turkey Day
I'm listening to: the chatter in the car. I haven't listened to music in a while.
It's really foggy in North Carolina as we leave for the airport. For the past three years my family has flown on holidays...like today. I wonder if the fog will make it hard for the pilots to see. I wonder if our own arrogance, pride, and materialistic attitude will make it hard for us to see.
Eat up Americans.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
It's really foggy in North Carolina as we leave for the airport. For the past three years my family has flown on holidays...like today. I wonder if the fog will make it hard for the pilots to see. I wonder if our own arrogance, pride, and materialistic attitude will make it hard for us to see.
Eat up Americans.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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