"Meet the Filmmaker" and Meet more of FUBU TV!

Very excited to be the first in our lot of 22 filmmakers in the #FUBUTV pilot programming schedule to be the focus of a Twitter Chat introducing the content creators on this newly launched channel. Please visit www.FUBU.com and watch the first four chapters of the Little Brother film series as well as the terrific independent films of my fellow filmmakers.  FUBU TV is set to broadcast to 55 million households. I've written about its inception here. This week, hosted by The Good Men Project, we will begin a series of "Meet The Filmmakers" Twitter chats that will offer a chance to chat with each of us about our films and our distribution experience on FUBU TV.   Little Brother Film is first up. I will be appearing along with our film consultant, psychologist Dr. Raymond Winbush, @RWinbush. Hope you join us Thursday, 7pmEST on Twitter with the hashtags #FUBUTV #GoodMenChat. You may also find information at any time by clicking on #LittleBrotherFilm on Twitter. Thanks so much! And please feel free to ReTweet one of the following phrases leading up to our chat:

@FUBUTVnetwork presents filmmaker @Nicoleedits for our #FUBUTV #GoodMenChat abt #LittleBrotherFilm, Thurs, 7pmEST

When do #BlackBoys learn about #Love? Find out with @FUBUTVNetwork and #LittleBrotherFilm series Thurs 7pmEST #FUBUTV #GoodMenChat

#NJ #Chicago #FL #OK #LittleBrotherFilm travels to film positive images of #BlackBoys. Thurs 7pmEST #FUBUTV #GoodMenChat @FUBUTVNetwork

Little Brother: The Street with video intro by @Common airs on #FUBUTV. Chat w Director @Nicoleedits Thurs 7pmEST #LittleBrotherFilm chat.

Socially conscious television is #LittleBrotherFilm on #FUBUTV. Chat w film team @Nicoleedits and @RWinbush Thurs 7pmEST #GoodMenChat

Shoutout to #Camden, #NJ featured in Chapter 1 of #LittleBrotherFilm. Meet the film team and #FUBUTV Thurs 7pmEST

"What’s the difference between a boy and a man to you?" Chat with #LittleBrotherFilm Thurs, 7pmEST  #FUBUTV #GoodMenChat @FUBUTVNetwork

"Is that embarrassing to talk about girls?"PATRICK: "Can we skip that question?" #LittleBrotherFilm Thurs 7pmEST Chat #FUBUTV @FUBUTVNetwork

"My mom tells me you can’t even spell love at your age" Chat w #LittleBrotherFilm @Nicoleedits @RWinbush Thurs 7pmEST #FUBUTV @FUBUTVNetwork
 
#Cherokee #Freedmen at odds in #OK as told by young boys to #LittleBrotherFilm. Chat w @Nicoleedits @FUBUTVNetwork #FUBUTV Thurs 7pmEST

Nicole's Diary - Page 3

Tons of random thoughts going through my head today. First, what a tragedy it is to today mark the one-year anniversary of #BringBackOurGirls. Second, April 15--tax day--is tomorrow, such a day of demarcation for so many in the U.S. In the light of things, this is not that tragic and so many people need to accept that. I, thankfully, have for years done my taxes on or around February 14. If there's going to be such a ridiculous holiday in existence as Valentine's Day (sorry to all of the devotees out there--but why can't every day be... nevermind), then I'd better use it to my benefit.  Love not having the stress of one more deadline.  Numbers...numbers...this year for me sees three weddings to attend, one baby on the way (not mine, thank you, but thrilled to be another "auntie"), and several of my projects which I protect like children--set to be birthed.  Yes, it's a good spot to be in but the year is flying by possibly too fast to enjoy the fruits of my labor. It's April. And with the recent climb in temperatures to 60+ degrees on the East Coast, it's finally Spring.  There's a lot that has been dragged over from the previous year and there's a lot still left to do. Here's a number I'm proud of: 4. We have officially launched Hack4Hope as the Hackathon + Hack4Hope Academy to little by little usher in the youth from my childhood neighborhood in North and East St. Louis into the booming tech scene downtown St. Louis now has become. This has been almost two years in the making. More details to come soon... In the meantime, I'm proud of my hometown. I'm aware of our issues. Since Ferguson has exposed our wounds, I'm grateful for the group that has rallied together with me to help turn around a stack of tragic situations and keep hope in the hearts of our youth with tangible paths through technology to problem-solving and success.  We can quantify that success later for posterity. For today, on this date of great stress, let's just be assured that as bad as things may seem, there will always be a young person who needs us to be strong, focused and prepared to fight for their future.  

First Impressions

We have a gift for you! For our popular Little Brother film series, we now have available a 67-page curriculum guide to accompany screenings everywhere.  Now, ideas for discussions and activities for pre- or post-screening of these 15-minute documentaries may be done with ease. And the cost?  Pay-what-you-wish!  Our text, First Impressions and the African American Male:  a Guide to Experiencing the Truth about Little Brother is affordable for schools, community organizations, houses of worship or small groups.  You'll see in the opening acknowledgements that I personally took a lot of time writing this guide as it was my master's thesis.  I wanted to share why we as a film team felt the need to improve upon decades of media images when it comes to this specific population of African American males.  After many trips to the library, I am happy to say we are a becoming a part of the nation's library system as well. This is exciting for our mission in media literacy and responsibility as filmmakers.  Click here to purchase our (pay-what-you-wish) curriculum guide. And please purchase and encourage others to purchase our educational DVDs at Third World Newsreel. You may also watch our chapters on FUBU TV.  Thank you and happy reading!

Spring Intern Needed

Intern needed for EPIPHANY Inc. Filmmaker Nicole Franklin needs assistance with administrative assignments and social media posts.  Three-month internship, 10hrs/wk. Great opportunity to get acquainted with potential hires.  Please send resume/website to Nicole Franklin, Nicoleedits@gmail.com by April 15. Thanks! 

My News

So honored to be interviewed for an article on the career I'm very passionate about. If you're a regular visitor to these pages, you already have an idea.  If not, take a read here. Great questions by Robert Walker! Thanks for the curiosity!

Nicole's Diary - Page 2

It's Easter and as a woman raised in parishes that religiously welcomed back its flock this time of year, I feel the annual pull to take time, reflect and celebrate a renewal.  It is not easy after a week of awful news.  I don't want to re-read this post in the future and be taken back to the memory of this week's events in terrorism, so I won't detail them here. No matter if atrocities happen overseas or in the next town over, lives lost in senseless killings always take the shine off the finer things in life. Because I cannot harbor a feeling of helplessness, I react--some say over-react--to things out of my control.  I wanted to accomplish so much this week, and I have in my career, for which I am so grateful... but there is still the issue of some illegal activity happening next door to a property I own in New Jersey. The perpetrators know me, they know my disgust and yet in any attempt I make to shut them down, they outwit me in the simplest of ways:  ignoring citations, waiting out the heat, friending the police.  I am told over and over to wait it out. Well, it's been five years now.  Five years with an abandoned house next door to mine on a block whose only problem is this eyesore.  Five years in a cat and mouse game with squatters where it seems only I am the one who gets years taken off of her life because of my frustration.  This is the year it stops. Now is the time for change.  Trespassing, operating an illegal mechanic shop, siphoning electricity may seem like petty crimes to some, but living as 50+ year old men who perpetuate a culture where no one applies themselves, means you're ultimately not free. How many have died before us just for the right to be free? Since there is not a care in the world if they have made it to sundown without an arrest, then they probably missed the news. Nearly 150 students with dreams and ambitions were gunned down before sunrise at their university this week. You see to me, choosing hustling as a day job means you think their lives meant nothing. And I can't stand that.

Buyer needed for the abandoned house and large lot to the right of this beautiful home in Newark, NJ.  Grab this opportunity for a steal and help us keep the peace.

Time to Chat about FUBU TV!

Thrilled for tonight's Twitter chat, hosted by The Good Men Project with guest J. Alexander Martin, CEO of the newly launched FUBU TV.  Martin will take questions about the genesis of this new network for multicultural programming (including our first four chapters of Little Brother-yay!) and socially conscious television.  Join us at 9pmEST, Wednesday, April 1 (no joke!) at #GoodMenChat #FUBUTV. And please join me on Twitter 24/7 @Nicoleedits. Twitter's one of my favorite platforms for socializing and social change. Thank you for helping us launch this exciting new channel! All your questions answered tonight. See you online!

Nicole's Diary - Page 1

Yes, there is a diary I have that's more than 15 years old (time flies!), but here--on my very public website--I think it's time to bite the bullet and start another.  I'm a busy filmmaker, single, passionate about life and my career and because I am involved in so many projects the question I get asked most is "How are you doing it all?"  My immediate answer:  "I don't have a husband and kids to take care of and I'm good at time management, I guess." That still leaves so many unsatisfied looks and stares.  It makes sense to me, but then again, I'm still making sense of it all. So at this time in my life as a 40-something New Yorker from St. Louis, I am opening the door to a journey that includes a number of current projects and life experiences that are making waves and past projects and life experiences that probably didn't. I've been extremely blessed to pursue my passion and inspire a fellow talent here and there to possibly do the same.  I invite you all to please leave questions in the comment section of these posts and I'll be happy to address them. And please share with others--this may be the closest I get to writing my memoir, which includes step-by-step instructions on Filmmaking 101 - The Nicole Franklin Guide. :) But most of all, I expect that these diary entries online may be the best way for me to share insights on life, career and spirituality (if you allow me) all while working on the stories I still, as a filmmaker and writer, have in me to share.  There are many tales out there of breaking down barriers in order to claim the life, love and happiness that is one's inalienable right to have. Thank you for taking the time to check in every once in a while for mine.

I'll Have What She's Having...

For Women's History Month I received a master class when interviewing the tenacious filmmaking pioneer Christene A. Browne of Toronto. Browne's film, Another Planet (1999), is the first dramatic feature to be directed by a Black woman in Canada.  Her thirty-year career is only a few years beyond mine, but there was plenty for me to learn from this groundbreaking storyteller. And I'm thrilled to share our conversation with the readers of ByBlacks.com.  Please check it out here and share. It's our Women's History Month special. Thank you, Christene.

Still from Christene A. Browne's film Sena, currently in development.

The Films of EPIPHANY Inc.: A Vital Role in Public Health

The end of Black History Month 2015 marks an incredible milestone in our 15-year existence as EPIPHANY inc.  We were busier than ever speaking at college campuses, hosting Twitter chats and completing post production on Little Brother:  Manchild in the Promised Land (Chapter 5, filmed in Tucson, AZ). We feel truly blessed.  Most welcome this month was our invitation from the Mayo Clinic's Office of Diversity and Inclusion to present the films of Little Brother and a panel of experts to speak on the public health impact of positive images and encouragement on young men of color. So many specific paths to success on this topic were discussed by a terrific panel of four extremely involved men from the Rochester, MN community. Our program, "A Century of Black Life, History and Culture," was envisioned by my family friend, Dr. Joy Balls-Berry, who I am so very proud of and thrilled that her colleagues at Mayo Clinic get a chance to see her brilliance as well. She is passionate about research and an advocate who champions science. Please click here and on the photos below to see our local news coverage as well! Thank you, Everyone, who celebrated Black History Month this year. Let's make this a year-round conversation that will change a generation.

Photo by Dr. Joy Balls-Berry.

We're on TV: FUBU TV

I've always admired the four guys from Queens story of Daymond John, J. Alexander Martin, Keith Perrin and Carlton Brown starting an iconic clothing line of "For Us By Us" fashion with keen entrepreneurship and focus. Their longevity for more than 20 years has proven this team holds the key to success and J. Alexander Martin, is once again on the cutting edge by bringing multi cultural content to a variety of broadcast channels as CEO of FUBU TV.  What's on the schedule? Our first four chapters of Little Brother films! We're very excited to be a part of this launch. And we know we are in great company when the company's mission aligns with our own:

"FUBU Television is the provider of media and entertainment for multi cultural consumers globally. Our brands reflect a range of experiences and connect with fans of hip hop, gospel, jazz, comedy, drama, news, lifestyle, sports, with a pro-­‐social agenda. We stay connected to our diverse audience through our television networks, video on demand, mobile and home entertainment. FUBU TV reaches over 55 million homes, provides contemporary entertainment that speaks to the youth and adults from an authentic, unapologetic viewpoint. FUBU Television serves a broad and diverse audience with inspiring content that seek to make a difference in the communities."

Visit FUBU.com for access to FUBU TV and distributor Simply Me.
For educational distribution in schools, libraries, house of worship and community organizations, all Little Brother chapters are still available for purchase with our distributor Third World Newsreel. Now with FUBU TV, our young men's voices are capturing the hearts and minds of audiences everywhere.  Little Brother is "a conversation that will save a generation." Help us continue the "For Us By Us" spirit and share our good news!

Special Lessons for Those Working with African American Boys

Thrilled to kick off Black History Month activities with a Twitter Chat for one of my favorite publications where I'm a contributor, The Good Men Project. I've been inspired by my mentor and senior editor there, Marie Roker-Jones (also of www.RaisingGreatMen.com) who offered our first Wednesday night #GoodMenChat of Black History Month to a topic my producing partner, J. Tiggett, film consultant Dr. Raymond Winbush and I hold close to our hearts:  The mis-education of our Black Boys.  I was fortunate enough to meet Roosevelt Mitchell III, M.ED over the holidays back home in St. Louis, MO and he's doing incredible work in special education. And he's a really cool children's book author! I thought why not have a real discussion on what has become an industry with special education and African American boys? Let's start hearing about some hard core numbers and how a number of children are set up for failure and those really needing assistance are blocked from reaching their full potential.  Is this your child? I believe they're all our children. Let's chat. #GoodMenChat on Twitter, Wednesday, February 4, 9pmEST.

Sundance Special

Last week was packed for me with the beginning of the 30th annual Sundance Film Festival. I'm not in attendance, but I had the honor of writing two preview pieces for NBCBLK.  Our NBCBLK snapshot is a quick guide for which films to watch involving African American filmmakers, actors and subject matter. You can click here to read and share.  My favorite conversation of the week had to be hearing and reporting about Firelight Media's eighth appearance at this pinnacle of indie film exhibition and market with The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution.  With this documentary, Stanley Nelson is the director with the most documentary feature premieres--Black or White at the Festival. This is an incredible feat. Please click here and below for the article. I really enjoyed interviewing my friends and colleagues whom I've admired for years.  Writing for this new vertical for NBC News, I'm also privy to a number of comments from some who would rather there not be a division dedicated to news of the African Diaspora.  I hear you. And managing editor Amber Payne has given eloquent responses to the criticism in an interview you may find here in The Wrap. My two cents:  Once mainstream media are covering the news that's equally good, bad and controversial on a daily basis for all communities of color then I feel it is within our best interests to provide a platform for reporting and broadcasting to a specific niche. Are mainstream media there yet? For some people, they feel it is. I feel the launch of NBCBLK is a strong step toward keeping me as an African American well informed, well represented and--hey--working.

Still from Firelight Media's The Black Panthers:  Vanguard of the Revolution

Academy Schmademy

When 2015 made its debut less than a month ago I was quite excited for several new projects.  One I can share with you now is a new writing assignment I have with NBCBLK.  The new vertical for NBC News, with managing editor Amber Payne, is described as elevating America's conversation about black identity, politics & culture. I was thrilled to help launch its debut with an article on Ava DuVernay. This talented, dedicated and generous film professional has been thrown into the spotlight for all of the same reasons featured in the screenplay of her directorial achievement Selma set in 1965. She and the we’re-so-over-the-lack-of-diversity Oscar nominations have the civil rights conversation in the news again. What I hope DuVernay and those who appreciate the art of film realize is that the reason her name brings up such a heated dialogue about race is because she did an excellent job directing a now Oscar-nominated film.  In the history of the Academy, there have only been two films nominated by African American female directors:  Selma for best feature and Tuesday Morning Ride by Dianne Houston for best short film (live action). Hollywood seems to think we still need time to become the best. Since the days of Oscar Micheaux in the early 20th century, and, for women, the days of Alice Guy-Blaché in the late 19th century, we’ve always been there, guys.  Our excellence in filmmaking covers all categories.  No Academy Awards for us? Alrighty, then.  It’s not our fault you’re diminishing the value of the Oscar you hold so dear.

Please click here for my interview with Ava DuVernay.

Let's Connect!

I'm hosting a teleconference--the first of many monthly calls--on Monday, Feb 2 at NoonEST. We'll catch everyone up on our projects and opportunities to volunteer. Please call in: 567-704-9617/Primary Passcode 501505#.

Phone in, let's chat and let's also hear your ideas! Let's also discuss the news of the day and how our work at EPIPHANY Inc. addresses it through our EPIPHANY Conversation (#EConvo) events. It would also be great to meet! Please RSVP here at Nicoleedits@gmail.com. Thanks!

Thank You for the Thank You's!

Just wanted to say thanks again to everyone for the kind notes in response to my Happy New Year email. Are you on the Nicole's News subscription list? Please sign up for it here.  You may read our New Year update at this link as well.  Cheers to a glorious 2015, Everyone. Thank you.

Building Our Mission

Thrilled to say Nomad Builder:  On Assignment is a new TV/Streaming show we have in development with creator/producer/host and contractor Nick Jardine. Nick is a popular on-camera contractor with experience all over the world. We thought why not incorporate these talents and help communities in need? Please tune in to our production meetings by clicking here, as we build our online web community. Soon we'll release our show website where you will be able to track the progress of our show and the community capacity missions we will travel to serve. We will travel safely and more productively with your messages and posts of support. For more info on Nick, please read all about him and watch his on camera home improvement tips here.  And may we also ask for about a minute of your time to complete a superquick five-question survey? This would really benefit our research in a huge way. You may submit your answers by clicking here. And please share. Looking forward to having all of you watch our broadcast this time next year!

The List

Here it is:  The ultimate production resource, "Nicole's Curated Crew List." I have wanted to do this for years! And now with List.ly we have the perfect platform.

No more private messages of "Nicole, who would you recommend for…." Let's search this list, share throughout the industry and get to work! Check out the list by clicking here and crew up! Not sure how to join? Click here for clear instructions on how to add your entry.

And if you have not been contacted by me and wish to be on the list, it's quite easy: Please contact me directly with two professional recommendations. That's it! Also, please be upfront about if you're just entering the business as an intern or an assistant. We'll take care of you.

Joining our list is quite seamless. We're listing crew from Line Producers, to AD's to Wardrobe Dept, to Dramaturgs, to Caterers, to Boom Operators, to Visual EFX Artists, to Publicists, to Payroll, to Web Design, to Distribution. All positions and departments are a must.  Let's promote the talented crew behind Film, TV, Theatre and Digital. Check us out here and please share!

Hold on! It's the end of the year!

It's the end of the year and I've been honored to be so busy getting everything off my plate.  My plate is still full and I have everyone of you to thank for it.  First I wrapped up our #EConvo series with a 10-minute sponsored segment with my friend Mali DeSantis who does incredible work with children with autism. We featured her holiday gift guide for these special children with special needs. Watch our web conversation here. So proud of her and honored to have her sponsorship.  Also thrilled to be sharing our Little Brother:  Chapter 5 (Tucson, AZ) editing room links with all of you.  I'm always honored to bring the voices of our young men to the screen. Check out our clips on my Patreon channel and please let me know what you think? What do you want to see more of? Or less? We love hearing from you--especially before final cut! I have also been quite moved, as you probably have, by all of the protestors staying on message with #BlackLivesMatter during the aftermath of a rapid-fire series of high profile Black male killings.  A couple of tours around Twitter will show you that #PoliceLivesMatter is also a response. Are there two sides to this story? There usually are. So I'm hosting my first Twitter Chat with my colleagues at the Good Men Project this Wednesday at 9pmEST. We're talking good policing. Let's see where it leads--hopefully to a productive, healthy and prosperous 2015.

The Heroine's Journey - Not so Heroic

Just published in The Good Men Project is my interview with the very talented Alice Meichi Li.  While attending Comic Con in NYC this Fall, I heard Alice speak on the intricacies of The Heroine's Journey vs. The Hero's Journey which is the go-to story structure for the majority of film school and literary graduates. According to Alice, being the female star of books and films leaves our so-called heroines in a grave deficit at every single turn on her adventure. And this opens up the door for real-life demons and dragons to enter our lives.  Ultimately the proposed setup does not just bring the possibility of grave danger, but instead inevitable failure. Maybe a new solution--as brought up by the panel--is to just replace the same three act story structure, character development and dialogue of our heroes with a female in the role. What a different world.  Life and art often intersect. Come study this writing analysis with me by reading our article here.  And please leave us a comment--especially if this changes your mind on the last bedtime story you read aloud. (smile) 

Illustration by Alice Meichi Li