5 posts tagged “simone”

I am a big sucker for research. I research everything. I don't know when I started becoming interested in doing research. Maybe when I first started working in non profit, or maybe years before when I became a screenwriter. I realize how research is a powerful tool. Before I get involved in anything, I do research and observe. I am spending today researching China, it's culture, lifestyle, people, entertainment and youth. My goal is to use the information I compile to create ideas for t.v. shows, short films and movies. I already came up with an idea in the short time on google, that I plan to share with my business partner, Simone.

I think with the right equipment, if done right, it will be great. We are not going to be using my camera for our projects. Our goal is to be able to use the funding or equipment that she can get us to film our work. She is going to film school and will be teaching me what she learns. I am planning on teaching her the small things I've learned through researching and trying on my own. I've learned how to edit, not well...but still learning. This week I am teaching her how to edit, so when we start working on projects, we both can edit. What I like about Simone as a person and business partner is how laid back she is. She is very much in control of her emotions and mature. I find it hard to relate to a lot of people. I find it even harder to form relationships with people who are overly emotionally.

I am an emotionally person and have no problem expressing myself. I will tell a person off, if they offend me. At the same time, I try to be professional and respectful as much as possible. I try to treat people how I would like to be treated. That is what I love about Simone and that is why I value our friendship and partnership. I don't want to jinx anything because it's a new partnership. I would say this, I think God puts different people in your life for different reason and to fill different positions. I wouldn't trade Simone as a business partner with anyone.

Her personality and ideas fits with mine. I feel comfortable with her. There is a level of respect and trust shared between the both of us and it was created within one day of meeting each other. That doesn't happen often. Sometimes you meet a person and there is a curiosity; which leads to you wanting to know the person better. Than as you get to know the person, you start to feel a distrust either coming from you or them. Sometimes it's extra baggage that they are carrying around and unload on you. I am not saying that Simone and I do not have extra baggage. I am just saying that when we work together, it's so peaceful and spiritually calm. The baggage does not get in the way of our friendship and partnership.

It's rare now a days that you would meet someone who is very gracious, which makes you equally generous. It's the will to trust that this person is supporting you and you are supporting this person because you know that even though you might not see their potential as of now. In the future they are going to be a force to be reckon with. I see that in Simone and she sees that in me. It doesn't matter who we are now, it matters who we are going to be in the future. Those are the people I need and want in my life. I have no problem eliminating doubters, disbelievers,selfish and people of little faith from my life. It's about good intentions.

I've come across people who I saw greatness in and all they could see in me was, "What is this person going to take from me?"  To those people I say, "You are still great and always will be. You are just not great with me." Those people know who they are. I have no problem with small talk. But letting selfish people into my vision of the future is not a possibility. I only create important relationships with people who can see the big picture without results. I am happy with whom I was in the past, I am happier with whom I am in the present; I am going to be the happiest with who I will be in the future. Create your own dreams and don't ever let anyone tell you or make you feel that you are just not good enough.

So if people don't already know, I'm a part of two productions companies. One is my own Trinity Films Productions, which my sister is a silent partner...until I make money and buy her out. Did I say that out loud? It was a joke! a joke! The second one is with my friend, Simone. We haven't figured out a name for it yet, but it will be an Asian name, maybe an Asian and African name. I don't know how to write in my dialect, so we will stick to an Asian name. Africans might get upset with me for that, but who cares. I am first human before African. I am African, before Nigerian. It doesn't matter the origin of my company's name, once I am working with people I trust and respect.

Enough of the small talk, so Simone called me to let me know that we already have an investor who is willing to fund our project. Get this, we haven't even written our project yet, and we already have money!!! Tell me Chinese investors are not hott!!!! We are going to get together over the week and start writing some stuff. This is so freaking cool. I need some cash flow. I want to start traveling this year or next. Simone and I want to make our films international. We don't want to just shoot in USA. I am going to start researching topics that Chinese people find interesting. I know a little about China from all the kung fu movies I've consumed over the years. I would love to do a short film about a secret society, but Simone says politics are out. Damn, it would be so good. I know we wouldn't get funding for that. It has to be something carefree. Simone is thinking about interracial relationships. I'm pretty good at that topic, so we will see. I have no problem doing films with one race, even if it's not my race; once the idea is good.

On my list of places are:

Africa (great for enjoying life)
China (great for making money)
New Zealand (great for shooting film)
Japan (great for shopping)
Canada (great for health)

So I have pictures of the cast getting to know each other. Simone just came back from New Zealand the day of the shoot, so I am pretty sure she was tired, but she was a trooper. I am very proud of her. It's good to have good and supportive friends. I bonded with Clarissa and Simone right from the start and besides working with them, I consider them my friends. I see us hanging out even when there is not a camera involved. The whole cast is what this series is about, whether it has substance or not. I skimmed the topics with this show b/c I didn't want it to be too deep. In the future I will create shows and short films with darker subjects. For now, I just want to have fun. Simone brought me back a gift from New Zealand. I love it, when I get a nice place, I will put it up where people can see it. I'm not a big fan of dolls, and I hate teddy bears, but this gift is a collectors item, so it's great. I love anything that comes from outside of America. It makes it more a must have, because you can't get it here. We were waiting for our guy to come, so we fooled around, talked about life, love and relationships.

My friend and future film partner Simone has a friend who owns a tv station in LA. He is interested in working with us in the future. I am excited about that idea. Simone is on her way to New Zealand right now. When she gets back, we are shooting the second episode of Matchmaker cafe. I have to have the first episode finish by this week or next week, so that I can give out copies to cast at the next shoot. Simone and I are also going to be working together to come up with an idea for a show that can air on her friend's station. 

So I've finally found a program that might actually allow me to edit my work the way I want. I am test driving it today and if it works out, I will get the full version. Window Movie maker is good for editing work because it's easy but for some reason everytime I put my MPEG-2 clips in, it crashes. I've had a problem with this software but I'm hoping it's because I didn't have the right decoder. I installed the MPEG decoder today so I am hoping that I'm on the journey of finally editing my first project. I am spending all day today working on my project. I want to have everything finished by tomorrow.

INTRODUCING OFFICIAL CAST: Madison, Shena, Hamako and Agatha