The latest social media conference platform that will have my attention for a while is Blab. Still in BETA stage, Blab is a four-way conversation in open-air space. It can be downloaded, archived and shared widely. The Blab platform is rooted in Twitter. It's been fun testing it out and hosting my own #EConvo on Blab a couple of weeks ago with the new consulting firm Career Matters, founded by my friend Carol Ruiz. You can check that out by clicking here. My friend Dr. Vibe who always reminds us we're a "magnet for miracles" first told me about the Blab platform and had me on as his guest to talk about the importance of documentaries. We had a fun chat. The audio link may be found here. And the night of the first debate of the Democratic candidates had me on a Blab hosted by my friend Marie Roker-Jones who founded #CompassionConvos. Is there compassion in politics? We talked about all of the possibilities of what could be here. The usual suspects from our #EConvo conversations on Google Hangout last year are quickly finding our footing on Blab--and loving it. In fact, after only a month of testing out the platform my intern Janella Castro will host her first Blab "Ballin' and Talkin'" which you may subscribe to here. She loves the NBA. Hope you tune in to see just how much! So Blab with us and join the conversation! Let's chat!
Microbudget here we come
Our microbudget film set to shoot next June is quickly moving from development to pre-production stage. I met many members of our crew at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Morristown, NJ tonight. These students will be joining me as part of their thesis course. They're looking to learn from me and my core team. I know after meeting them tonight that we'll learn so much from them as well. Even more, I think we'll learn a lot about ourselves. Microbudgets (ours is hovering around $75,000) are designed to be semi-stressful vehicles. But I'm confident this crew, under the guise of Professor Howard Libov, are up for any challenge. These young technicians, art department, makeup and producer/AD teams seem terrific-ly excited and up for the challenge. I'm documenting our progress--starting with the adaptation of the screenplay-- with our behind-the-scenes story @Medium. Let's roll!
November
My birthday month is around the corner and I'd like to talk to all the young women out there who feel birthdays suck because you may not be where you dreamed of by the calendar date you set. Trust me, when you hear things happen when they are supposed to they do. Were your dreams too big? Nah. We're supposed to dream big. Dreams are our key to surviving any man-made situation meant to destroy our spirits. There's a morality game we are put on this Earth to play--win or lose. Others are in the same position and the good and bad choices need a partner in crime. Stay focused on the prize. Do daily maintenance on the strategy that gets you to your goal. Welcome the team members who join you. Recruit others who share your dream and nurture theirs too, which also serves as a quick background check to including them in your circle. You need a circle of friends. You do not need agendas that are meant to harm, not heal. What does all of this mean in plain English? Success is what you make of it, young women. There are risks, traditional patriarchal obstacles and setbacks based on your relationship with your self-esteem. Dream big and go hard. Enjoy the ride, though. The road behind you should be littered with small victories of both you and your running buddies lighting up the way for who will follow.
The Return of EConvo
After a one-year hiatus (feeling like an HBO original series) our #EConvo online social media conference events are returning. Thanks to #EConvo community member Dr. Vibe, we are true believers in the new online platform Blab. Have you tried it? If not, please check it out here. So far I've been a guest on a couple including one that served as a lead-in to the first Democratic Presidential Election Debate as part of the #CompassionConvos with Marie Roker-Jones. After a few trial runs we're now ready to host our own, bringing #EConvo back on a monthly basis. We talk global issues with the interesting people behind the stories. This Friday at 5pm please join our chat with career counselor Carol Ruiz. Are you beginning your career? Are you mid-career and interested in something new? Let's talk #Internship to #Mentorship. Ruiz is terrific and you'll soon see why. Subscribe here: https://blab.im/nicole-franklin-an-econvo-internship-to-mentorship.
Broadcast Schedule for This Week
Thanks to publicist Robert C. Walker (please contact him here) I have two radio appearances this week and a Blab conversation with my friend Marie Roker-Jones, producer of the #CompassionConvos. I'm hosting an #EConvo Blab chat of my own on Friday to wrap up this busy calendar of chatting. More on that later. Here is the schedule for the first three appearances. Will you join us?
Nicole on "Reel Talk" hosted by DaDirector via Blog Talk Radio. Monday October 12, 2015 at 9pm EST Hotline #: 646-595-4038.
Nicole and Marie Roker-Jones in a Blab #CompassionConvo. Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at 9pmEST. The topic: Compassion and Politics. #CompassionConvos challenge bias through compassionate action. Subscribe to the event here: https://blab.im/RaisingGreatMen.
Thursday at 12:15amEST (right after midnight) join host Keke LiBron and guest Nicole Franklin on the Green Zone Radio Experience. The call-in number: 914.636.9847. WVIP FM 93.5 FM. On-line, www.wvipfm.com.
Looking forward to changing the world through our chats--a little bit at a time.
Photo by Francesca Andre.
It Takes a Medium
I'm having a great time on @Medium. Are you on it? It's a great place for storytellers. And since I am writing a screenplay at the moment, as part-procrastination/part-education, I'm sharing my story behind the telling of the story on @Medium. Really, it's not so complicated. It's actually quite fun. And yes, you heard that correctly. I'm writing a screenplay--my third adaption. I kind of dig those. When I can base the story on previous material--this being the first time as solely fictional characters in a novel vs. real people in a documentary I've had the luxury of filming--the structure is there as well as the enticing characters (hopefully) that drew you to the story in the first place. At least that's what I hope. It'll all unfold on @Medium. Will you follow me? Click here. And let me know if you're on as well so I can follow back!
We're on in the South!
The Southern States of these United States are now the broadcast region hosting Little Brother Chapters 1 through 4 on FUBU TV! Do you have Comcast VOD/Xfinity? Here is how to watch us ON DEMAND.
Instructions for finding FUBU TV on COMCAST (Big South Local - TN, GA, SC, AL, MS, LA)
Comcast VOD (Xfinity)
-Tabs to the left
-Scroll down to GET LOCAL
-Select MOVIE & ENTERTAINMENT SCENE
-Then scroll down to FUBU TV
I bounce from New York and New Jersey to Missouri from time to time. So I'll miss it. But if you're watching, can you let us know by leaving us a comment here? We'd really appreciate it! And our Little Brothers love your notes too. Thanks so much for watching! Please tell friends!
Watch us on Comcast/Xfinity in these States: TN, GA, SC, AL, MS, LA.
A Family Photo - Little Brother: The Fire Next Time (Chapter 4 - Muskogee, OK)
Nicole's Diary - Page 21
An amazing week has just ended. I can only call it the blessing of being In Good Company. First, his Holiness came to the East Coast and New York City where I live and work kept its cool through traffic tie-ups, large crowds and tight security measures. Everyone was on the same page. I also became an official member of a Manhattan co-working space for women this past week. I'm thrilled to have the opportunity for a desk outside of my home office, networking and conference room availability for the occasional meeting that must impress. Please email me here for details if you are interested. Women-only, please. Third, I had an amazing meeting about my first narrative microbudget feature in production for next summer. This is only possible because an angel came on board an offered the following: "I'd like to help you on your next film. Here's what I can do." What he is doing is making it happen and I could not be more grateful. When you spend your entire life committed to your craft--and all of the sacrifices that are involved--you hope someone notices. It feels like God always has. And for this and the people with whom he has me surrounded, I am truly grateful.
Pope Francis in NYC. Courtesy NBCNews.com.
Are you on Ebay? Me too!
People who know me really well know for some reason I always end up moving every two to three years. Now in addition to trips to the Salvation Army, I'm unloading some of the goods. If you're on EBay, please join me there. My handle: NicoleIsMoving123. Let me know you're on and we'll follow each other! First item up is quite Vintage!
Meeting A Princess
One of the highlights of this year's #TIFF2015 was meeting Princess Shaw of the documentary Thru You Princess. It was also a pleasure meeting her dedicated and talented team which include Kutiman and director Ido Haar! If you ever want to know what it means to have a dream and go after it, I hope you plan to see this film. It is truly a treasure. Please click here for my review in ByBlacks.com. What an honor.
A Bold Look at Egypt through Nasser
One of the highlights from covering documentaries for this year's Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) for ByBlacks.com was interviewing Egyptian filmmaker Jihan El-Tahri. Her film, Nasser, featuring the 1950s Egyptian ruler put so much into perspective. She tackled the unsteady foundation of a country rocked by politics through the decade-long efforts of this military man. And audiences at #TIFF2015 were all the more grateful for it. What an incredible breakdown of a presidency and a comprehensive explanation of a complicated religious and cultural history. Bravo to the filmmaker and TIFF who programmed the doc. Please click here for my article and be sure to catch the film.
Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser
Veteran documentary filmmaker Jihan El-Tahri
Racism in Canada: 1969
Back from #TIFF2015 to write a few more articles, but I was pleased to see that one of the earlier films I reported on had a welcoming reception from the festival crowd. The film team of Ninth Floor received a standing ovation. Please click here for my review in ByBlacks.com.
National Film Board of Canada
Black Dox at TIFF 2015
Currently attending Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) as it turns 40 this year and is still at the top of its game! I'm here as a filmmaker who writes about documentaries for ByBlacks.com where I have the column Black Dox covering Black documentaries and documentarians of Canada. I love having this opportunity to learn, network and share with our readers all of the exciting news and releases in the world of nonfiction (yes, documentaries can be sexy too! Be sure to hop on the bandwagon!). Please click here for the first in a number of articles I'll be filing from TIFF: A Q&A with Artistic Director Cameron Bailey. Thanks for reading!
A great week for Gershwin and Bess
Gershwin & Bess: A Dialogue with Anne Brown premiered on kweliTV this week. I first met the phenomenal woman and talent Anne Wiggins Brown in August of 2004. Now, 11 years later, we are able to present the documentary featuring her first-hand account of being chosen for her iconic role on the new streaming service. kweliTV, whose female CEO is someone I also very much support. I'm so honored and excited to be a part of this platform--especially with six films as the Gershwin & Bess... film was acquired along with five Little Brother film chapters as well. Please join me here for the films of EPIPHANY Inc.!
Anne Brown and Nicole Franklin in Oslo, Norway 2006. Photo by Barbara Meyer.
Q&A for the day!
I love answering questions from those curious about the business (how to get in...how to get out...haha) and I publicly post them on my TSU page. For a sneak peek of what we're talking about there, I'll post the latest Q&A with me here:
#Question of the Day: "One of our team members wants to be a film director. Can you tell me five basic things she needs to do. She has not been to college. But I want her to know her dream can be a reality. .. if she works for it. I'd love to tell her that these tips came from the very accomplished Nicole Franklin! Thank you so much!!!"
My #Answer: Sure. Without seeing her work or speaking to her, I'd offer the following "five basic things" per your request:
1) Definitely go to college, but not film school. You want to be a film director, then what is your story about? You can always learn the trade for far less money in weekend seminars or summer intensives, but having a degree in science, religion, languages, or social studies...this gives you material for the stories you wish to translate on film. What is your story about? Read, read, read and observe people, issues and institutions. Then you're off to a good start.
2) The type of camera you get is not important. Purchase one you're comfortable with spending the money on. Basic camera + basic editing system (available on most home computers) will basically get you filming. Practice shooting. Watch films and their camera compositions and start filming. If an audience can tell what your film is about with the volume turned all the way down then you're on your way to being a solid cinematic storyteller.
3) College is the place to meet friends and future fans. I went to State colleges for both my undergrad and graduate degrees. My grad degree was in Liberal Studies, by the way. For undergrad I was a Communications major/English minor and wrote for the school newspapers and newsletters. My advisor told me in order to be a producer I needed to write, write, write. And he was right. But more importantly, my posse was not only my newspaper team, but also the engineers, pre-med, accounting and architecture students I also met. If they aren't pursuing careers in film production and you are--you'll be the cool one. And they'll be your fans "who knew you when." Build those networks. They'll want to be there to support you in a myriad of ways in the future as well.
4) Post-college network, network and network some more. Join film communities where you can join a committee and show your talent and dedication toward moving your passion forward. New York Women in Film & Television and the Black Documentary Collective were two of the first film organizations I joined upon moving to New York. Incredible networking, sisterhood, African American community support and resources instantly available to me as well as a safe place to share ideas--and crew up! We are there for each other for many years now. They were the start of my film family and I am grateful. Plus most of my film subjects came through knowing members of these communities who believed in my vision as well (so definitely have a film idea and a purpose when you meet others whose livelihood depends on pursuing their passion as well).
5) Find a mentor. And this will be in the form of a few people throughout the course of your career. The mentors will appear when you are ready. Trust yourself. Ultimately, though, if you've proven after about a decade--or a body of work equivalent to that acquired over a decade--that you are committed to a career in this field and have been screened, showcased and celebrated then you may be still be in need of a mentor of celebrity status. Your work is proof that you're worth the time for a celebrity to meet. The sky is the limit as to your dream mentor whom you request to be your biggest fan who makes those important calls to give your career a boost.
That's all I got!
#IAMaBP. Are you?
Thrilled to participate in the final week of Black Philanthropy Month per the request of my good friend Kim Covington. #IAmaBP will hopefully be the hashtag that moves mountains. Please click here for my video supporting #BMP2015. I am a Black Philanthropist. Are you?
More on our Anonymous Dialogue on Black Men
We have an Anonymous link for a Little Brother Film discussion on "What do you Fear about Black Men." Answers have ranged from "That young Black men will continue to perpetuate the stereotype" to "I'm afraid that I'll get shot." Here is part of one woman's response as she recalled being "hit on left and right" while in her 20's:
"The only attempts at sexual attack made on me (2x as child) were by white men I might add. But this experience with black men was so yucky, so blatantly overthetop disgusting, that it downgraded my view of black men and put in my mind that they may/probably never view me as an individual, just a white woman to conquer and claim to show off how virile or whateverthef---- it was they try to prove by 'having' one of us .... Wow, haven't thought about that for like 30 years but it's still there. Goes to show."
We thank her for her honesty. Do you want to join her? Please click here.
Nicole's Diary - Page 20
Funny. I did a little experiment last week where I saturated my social media pages with news of our documentaries premiering on a new platform and posted one mention of the engagement of ballet dancer extraordinaire Misty Copeland. As of today, the Facebook post on Misty has received 192 Likes, 17 comments and 31 shares. The number of shares represents the total number of likes, RTs and comments received on any of the documentary activity all of the days this week combined. Why is that? It's actually not hard to figure out. It could be celebrity, a bit of escapism, complete voyeurism (of which I am guilty as well) and the occasional bad behavior if we look at the tabloids that get the public's attention. The films I pursued for EPIPHANY Inc. addressed a void and answered a need--I thought--from a public crying for more "why don't we ever see...[fill in the blank]" positive Black role models. Yes, Misty's a positive Black role model, for sure. But so are the people outside of reality TV stars who bare their souls on camera and do not have an internationally marketed platform such as the American Ballet Theatre to back them. I'm very grateful to the supporters through the years whose active enthusiasm has ushered EPIPHANY Inc. films into production and distribution. But it would also be nice if people noticed the irony every time they say, "I really want to see your film" and then turn around and tell me they just saw the latest blockbuster. A further deepening of the knife, "have you seen it to?" they ask. Me: "I have. I liked it. I'm glad you did too." I leave it there. There's no need to be preachy. I'm pretty sure in their minds, they feel that's what documentaries are there to do.
A throwback to the start of a personally rewarding career.
kweliTV Streams Little Brother Film
Thrilled to premiere the films of EPIPHANY Inc. on the new kweliTV. Today, Little Brother chapters 1 through 5 were launched on this new streaming platform that is currently being heralded as "the Black Netflix." Kweli means "truth" in Swahili and CEO DeShuna Spencer has created a new streaming service with the African American filmmaker at the forefront of quality content. Spencer tells me “we’re looking to go beyond a library of content, but to be an experience for our community where we can say ‘I’m getting something out of this’.” And yes, down the road, she is planning on producing original content as well. KweliTV, Inc., is an interactive, streaming TV network dedicated to the stories, issues and culture of the global Black community. Offerings include indie films, web shows, documentaries, and news programming exclusively for the entire African diaspora. Currently in BETA stage, kweliTV is set to launch in December with tens of thousands of subscribers already taking advantage of the free 30-day trial. There is no charge to browse. Join us today at www.kweli.tv for this very important launch! Stream one of our 15-minute Little Brother documentaries and leave us a review!
Nicole's Diary - Page 19
I had a very peaceful day today when working from home, running errands, and tending to a few calls. Tomorrow, August 12, I'm starting a new adventure. I've been so excited about it, that I haven't been able to stop myself from prepping materials and organizing in advance of the scheduled August 12 lunch meeting to launch it. Yes, this lunch will change the game in many, many ways. There comes a time in your life--usually around this time in our lives formerly known as middle-age, I suspect--when you take account of how you've spent your time and what you would do differently. I can't dwell on regrets, though I do have a few. Instead I summed up my experience and had a lightbulb moment when planning this new venture with a friend and said, this is it. It's time to jump. A meeting last week, an available intern appearing over the weekend and a plethora of resources answering just one call has assured me we have a safety net like no other awaiting what we know could be seen as "Let's risk it all!" Sometimes you have to because there's no choice not to and you can't turn back. It all starts tomorrow. Be sure to check back here for more. I'll let you know where and how soft we land.
LUNCH TO LAUNCH