Still in the lab...the struggle continues

Still in the Lab…

It's been a long time, I shouldn'ta left you
Without a strong rhyme to step to
Think of how many weak shows you slept through
Time's up, I'm sorry I kept you…

- Rakim, from “I Know You Got Soul, by Eric B & Rakim (Paid in Full)

Yes, it has been a long time, and I am not the true blogger, but…um, a brother has been busy. I am still wrapping up the script for “The Beat,” which has sparked a new idea for a new short film and one that will address the topic of police brutality and killings and Black Folk. This has unfortunately become all too familiar with the many stories of these victims, and these are flooding the headlines and social media that I had to respond to.

This is also a continuation of my thesis in grad school at UMBC for my graduate thesis installation and exhibition titled Me/More/I/All: A Visual Libation. However, with this approach to this story, I do not want it to be so predictable. This may seem like a crazy, outrageous, far-fetched idea and response to a very sensitive issue in our community. However, there is nothing more crazy and painful than the constant murder of our people at the hands of the police.

Stay tuned…A Luta Continua. Peace.

Y’all know that music is often the spark for my work, and the same is true for this jon’t I am working on. Also, this is what is on the playlist for this project.

Conversations with Artists with The Phillips Collection (April 14, 2022)

Here is my artist talk as part of the Conversations with Artists series with The Phillips Collection in Washington, DC. It was moderated By Renée Littleton, Chief Communications Officer and Director of Marketing at the Phillips Collection. Thank you to Nehemiah Dixon III, Renée, and the Phillips Collection for this opportunity.

Conversations with Artists at The Phillips Collection (DC)

Adding some afrofuturistic fire to the Black Fire documentary

I was fortunate enough to create some motion graphics and animated sequences for a new documentary “Black Fire” This exciting film explores the story of the musical and afrofuturistic pioneers of the DC music scene, Black Fire Records, and is produced by The Home Rule Music and Film Preservation Foundation. The Black Fire Documentary uncovers Washington, DC’s music and its cultural heritage by highlighting the documents, images, photographs, art, video footage, music, and the people behind Black Fire Records. Through the use of primary and secondary research methods, in-person interviews, and archival and media footage and photography, the documentary shines a light on a Black-owned independent jazz record label started in Chocolate City, aka the nation’s capital in the 1970’s.

blackfireculture.com


Check out the trailer:

Can you feel THE BEAT?

Okay, so I am bad with this blog-thang! But I have been busy finishing the script for my latest feature-length film project, THE BEAT. We are getting very close and hope to move forward very soon more updates are to come soon. The goal is 2025-26 and moving into preproduction. Below are some more production design and mood board examples, to give you all a vibe. I am in the lab here at Visual Jazz and GMAL. In the meantime, check out this dope joint from DJ Mark Farina, “Shortie No Mas - You Like My Style” and be sure to support his music.

Peace

ABOUT THE BEAT! Feature sci-fi film with some dope beats of course.

So, I am usually working and collaborating with others on their film projects and it is all love. However, now the time has come to get crackin’ on my own. I am in development and moving into pre-production and fundraising for my feature sci-fi, hip-hop feature film. I will be posting more goodies soon as well as the Kickstarter or Seed & Spark soon. In the meantime think dope beats, aliens, and the sustainability of our planet. Here is my really rough mood board to spark some ideas. See y’all in the future. Peace!

Rest in beats and power to MF DOOM. One of the dopest MCs ever and shout out to Tom Misch.

ProductionDesign.jpg

Take a cinematic journey with me with "AS ABOVE" directed by Sewra Kidane

AS ABOVE


"AS ABOVE" directed by my cinematic sister and comrade Sewra Kidane is an official selection in the Croatia Fashion Film Festival taking place Aug 27-28th! Most recently it was also screened in the LA Fashion Film Festival. I contributed motion graphics and animation to this dope film.

Shout out to the entire production team and I so hope we can screen this here in the DMV and elsewhere soon and so happy to have been a part of this. Check out the trailer: https://vimeo.com/339373103

#AsAbove #GeeSpotCine #FashionFilm #FashionFilms #Afrofuturism #DopeIsh #MotionGraphics #CinematicDiscotheque #SoulCinematic #VisualJazz

GIMME MY PROPS: Production design for "The Available Wife"



Just wrapped with production design and props for THE AVAILABLE WIFE based on the book by Carla Pennington and screenplay by Tressa Azarel Smallwood and directed by Jamal Hill. So happy to be apart of this dope project.

This is filmmaking in the DMV! Couldn’t have done it without a dope team @worterbabe @ruviesinat @hellobunmi @rochelesmeralda @akeydrug @angelinamushala

A special thanks to co producer @authorkendallb (thank you my sister you are indeed the glue) and many others (Jannie, students from @vcdma @bowiestateuniversity and more and also featuring selections of the wonderful artwork of @keionaclarkart @dmvleagueart

Thank you all! I have to thank my 👑 Empress, Queen, Rock and family for putting up with my madness and holding me down for the past few weeks! Stay tuned to @megamind_media for more!

🎬🎥🎞🙌🏿

#theavailablewifemovie #setlife #megamindmedia #productiondesign #props #artdepartment #film #dc #pgcounty #wemakemovies #ahtdepahtment #gimmemyprops

DRIVING MISS DAISY | Projection and sound design

Just wrapped sound and projection design for a wonderful production of “Driving Miss Daisy” by Alfred Uhry and directed by Ella Davis. Now playing at the Anacostia Playhouse and here in DC until 12/23. A great show for the entire family and very timely given our current struggles in regards to race, religion, hate and tolerance in this country. Come thru and support great theater in DC.

#anacostiaplayhouse #DC #drivingMsDaisy #dctheater #projectiondesign #sounddesign #visualjazz #tolerance #diversity #peace #love #unity

BLACK LOVE EXPERIENCE 2018 (DC)

Black Love Experience panel: L-R: DJ Jahsonic, Ytasha Womack, L Penelope, Risikat Okedeyi and not pictured (photo credit) Jennifer White-Johnson

Black Love Experience panel: L-R: DJ Jahsonic, Ytasha Womack, L Penelope, Risikat Okedeyi and not pictured (photo credit) Jennifer White-Johnson











 

 

 

 

 

 


BLACK LOVE, COME AND GET SOME

I was blessed again to participate in the BLACK LOVE EXPERIENCE in DC. I was part of the panel BLACK TO THE FUTURE: INSIDE SHURI'S LAB PANEL

The Black Love Experience (BLE): Using an Afrofuturistic lens,  this panel will look at literature, film, music, and graphic design that centers Black people and cultural themes. Panelists included yours truly Tewodross Melchishua Williams, Jennifer White-Johnson, DJ and music connoiseur Jamil Hamilton (DJ Jahsonic), paranormal fantasy writer L. Penelope and moderated by Risikat Okedeyi of Lil SoSo.

About BLE Originating from the masterminds behind Nubian Hueman, The Black Love Experience is a conglomerate of artistry and inventiveness geared towards creatives, revolutionaries, kindred souls, and fearless visionaries celebrating ourselves under the canopy of all things Black. This event connects the vibrant creative community of the Washington DC Metro Area and beyond, through expressions of music, art, wellness, and creative commerce, but most of all it's good vibes and togetherness. To contain it under the guise of a party, pop-up, concert, or gathering of any kind would be an understatement. A portion of our proceeds go towards organizations and schools in our local community.  

AFROTECTOPIA

WE ARE THE VIBRANIUM...

Afrotectopia


WE ARE THE VIBRANIUM

I am still in awe of the amazing talent, creativity, intelligent, beauty, integrity that I saw from these wonderful brothers and sisters @ Afrotectopia that took place at the dope ITP - NYU. This all took place March 10-11th in NYC.

Thank you to Ari Melenciano for putting together a wonderful event that I hope will be an annual experience and that certainly needs to grow.

We will do our best at Visual Jazz as well as working with all of the other artists, filmmakers and HBCUs to continue to push the intersection and integration of the film, arts, technology (STEAM) and media. Can’t wait for the next one and will of course sharing with our students, colleagues and other creatives here in the DMV area.

Peace!

#afrotectopia #itp #afrotech #visualculture #nyu #blerds  #blackpanther #wrinkleintime #wearethevibranium
#yallarethevibranium #wakanda #afrofuturism #VR #AR #AI #nyutisch #interactive #film #hiphop #animation #music #theatre #bowiestate #vcdma #visualjazz #dopeness #blackgenius #wearethefuture