"La Belle Vie: The Good Life" heads to TV

Set your DVRs! Filmmaker Rachelle Salnave's documentary "La Belle Vie: The Good Life" will have its broadcast premiere on September 21st, 2015 at 10pm on WPBT2 in South Florida. Check your local listings for specific channels.

"La Belle Vie: The Good Life" chronicles Salnave's journey "to discover her Haitian roots by examining the complexities of the Haitian society as it pertains to the overall political and economic dichotomy in Haiti" (La Belle Vie website). The film has been on the festival circuit since the beginning of the year and most recently screened at the esteemed BlackStar Film Festival where it won a "Special Recognition in Directing."

Check out the these clips from 'La Belle Vie: The Good Life' below!

 

RIP Jacques Edmond AKA Gracié

 

La Vi Nan Bouk

Une etoile s'est eteinte. Jacques Edmond star of "La Vie Nan Bouk" passed away in Florida today. Best known for his role as Gracie in "La Vie Nan Bouk", Mr. Edmond always kept audiences laughing with his trademark 'fro and hilarious pranks on Bos Masel and Frederic.

Jacques Edmond as Gracie in 'La Vi Nan Bouk'.

"La Vi Nan Bouk" was a revolutionary Haitian TV show that put rural Haiti front and center and confronted social issues with humor and dignity. Mr. Edmond was 70 years old. 

Check out one of our favorite episode of "La Vi Nan Bouk" titled "Fifty fifty". This is part 2. Part 1 is available on Youtube as well.

 

The Silent Treatment is back on television!

I shot this film almost 3 years ago. It had a great festival run followed by another great run on Aspire Tv's short film showcase hosted by Omari Hardwick. Thanks to Badami Tv's African American Short Films, 'The Silent Treatment' is getting a second wind! It will air as part of a short film series on different television stations across the U.S. This morning, friends and family sat in their homes and watched "The Silent Treatment" on CBS in Los Angeles. How cool is that! It was a lot of fun making the film and it's so rewarding to watch it on the small screen. 

Below is a link with updated cities and air dates every Thursday. 'The Silent Treatment' will air in different cities and stations every week until September. It stars Emayatzy Corinealdi ('Middle of Nowhere', 'Miles Ahead', 'Hand of God'), C. Malik Whitfield ('The Temptations', 'Tyler Perry's If Loving You is Wrong') and newcomers Jacoby Mosby and Mo. E. (I'll be sure to keep you posted as much as possible. This week's remaining air dates and cities are below.

Check dates and cities every Thursday --------> HERE

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Make a movie with your phone

Sundance hit "Tangerine" was shot on an iPhone. Not just any iPhone. An iPhone camera "enhanced" with anamorphic lenses. This reinforces the notion that you can make a movie anywhere you are even with very limited resources. Filming in the mountains or in rural parts of Haiti could be less of a challenge with the iPhone and the correct accoutrements. 

"Tangerine" is about two Trans women prostitutes in Los Angeles on a mission to get to the bottom of a rumor. It's a colorful story both in tone and on screen. The colors pop on the big screen (it was released theatrically!). So if you're a Haitian filmmaker in Haiti or anywhere in the world for that matter, how do you accomplish the same feat? 

First, Tangerine was shot widescreen, 2:35:1 aspect ratio. Second, the filmmakers used a steadicam to minimize shakiness. Third, they used an app to control the focus and color temperature. There are a few apps out there but the Tangerine filmmakers used Filmic Pro. And last but not least lenses. Even with DSLR cameras, there is a dizzying array of lenses: macro, zooms, super telephoto, primes, tilt-shift etc. Your choice of lenses depends on what you're shooting, how you want to capture it and your location. Tangerine filmmaker Sean Baker says he used a set of anamorphic adapter lenses from Moondog labs to create the look for the film.

All of that being said, you'll need a solid team of pros for post production. You'd need one anyway, but when using a camera phone you have to make sure you get the same quality you'd get from professional cameras. 

More details on Moondog Labs website. http://www.moondoglabs.com/blog/sundance-premiere.html

WATCH THE TANGERINE TRAILER BELOW.

The.Haitian.Is.Back

"Heroes: Reboot" is upon us! Of course, Jimmy Jean-Louis is back as The Haitian, trusted right hand man of Noah Bennet, erasing memories left and right. Jimmy will reprise the role when the series airs on September 24th at 8/7 central on NBC. The trailer for the show was posted just moments ago on Shadow and Act. Check it out,scroll to the bottom for the trailer -------> HERE

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On collaborations: How to approach other filmmakers.

I've approached many filmmakers for collaborations in the past couple of years. Some have said yes and some have said no and some have completely ignored me. It's part of the process. But I wanted to give a few tips on how to approach other filmmakers for collaborations (usually via email).

I'm no expert. These are tips I've amassed based on what has worked for me. Some of them seem obvious, but you'd be shocked at the emails I get in my inbox. With that said, here are a few things to keep in mind when emailing another filmmaker about a potential collaboration. Are you ready? Let's go!

1. OTHER FILMMAKERS OWE YOU NOTHING. YO ACHTE KREDI NAN MEN'W?

This is some tough love for you. I approached a world renowned Haitian filmmaker about a project once and the person never responded. What did I do? I MOVED ON. I didn't assume that just because we're both Haitian, this person HAS to work with me. It doesn't work that way. There may be a variety of reasons why this person said no, but I refuse to speculate because frankly, it doesn't matter. Other filmmakers owe you nothing so continue in your path and blaze your own trail!

2. INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

Don't assume other filmmakers know who you are. Who are you? What have you done? Movies, TV, Webisodes? Even if your name is in lights everywhere, tell this person who you are and what you do. 

3. ATTACH LINKS.

If emailing, be sure to attach a link to your website or to your work on Vimeo or YouTube. Perhaps a link to press you've gotten for your projects. Anything that can give more information about your magnificence helps!

4. SA'W BEZWEN? BE SPECIFIC.

What do you want? Ask for it! Example: "Hi: I wrote a script about XYZ and I'd like you to come on board as a producer" or "You would be ideal for the role of ABC in my new script XYZ." Is funding already in place? What would this person contribute to your project? DO NOT send generic emails only saying you want to work with that person. That's great and all but you'll rarely get a response. Be clear about what you want and you'll yield greater results.

5. WHAT'S IN IT FOR THEM?

When approaching another filmmaker, let them know what's in it for them. What is the benefit to them? IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE MONEY. Is there exposure to a different market? Is there an actress that you think this person would love to work with? Is the subject matter of particular interest to that filmmaker? Why would this filmmaker want to collaborate with you besides your awesomeness? Maybe you're so dope that one look at your projects and this person will leap at the chance to work with you. Whatever your angle, WORK IT!

6. BE BRIEF. 

Get to the point. No need to write your entire bio in the email. A couple of sentences will suffice. Be concise and to the point. 

7. DON'T SEND SCRIPT UNLESS ...
Don't send a script unless the person responds and asks. Just don't. In your first email, you may offer to send a script. And if and when you do, make sure it has the extra layer of either copyright or WGA protection. 

8. DON'T BE DESPERATE.

You're awesome. You're amazing. You're creative. There is no need to sound desperate or to beg. Ki mele'w moun nan se sipesta! He/she is human just like you! Be polite and professional but never beg or come off as desperate.

9. IT' NOT PERSONAL.

Obvious, right? Most of us are in the same boat, trying to make our movies, struggling to get traction. Even the celebrities struggle sometimes. All is not what it seems in Tinseltown. So if you approach a filmmaker and get a negative response or no answer at all, move on. Don't assume that it's personal because 9 times out of 10, it isn't. 

10. Come again?

This one will seem awkward at first but don't hesitate to contact that person again, even if they did not respond or said no the first time. The successful people in the entertainment business are persistent. Sa ki pa touye'w, li angrese'w. Of course, being persistent does not mean being overbearing or harassing and bullying someone. Again, always be polite and professional. Perhaps this time you have a project that would be of interest. Don't let your pride get in the way. You've get nothing to lose. Go for it!

DREAMERS: Trailer is here!

Here is a project we mentioned on this site a few months ago. The trailer for the feature film "Dreamers" has been released! Directed by Jean Calixte, the film tells the tale of Monika, an undocumented Haitian immigrant in Philly who falls prey to a handsome lawyer. Monika is held captive and subjected to unspeakable acts and must find the strength to break free. 

The filmmakers aim high. One of their goals is to expose the abuse that many nameless, faceless immigrants suffer on a daily basis. How often do we hear stories of victimized immigrants who refuse to seek help for fear of deportation? I'm happy to see filmmakers tackling serious issues that affect our Haitian community. Looking forward to watching this film. Watch the trailer below!