Three Kings ...a Holiday Wish.

Merry Holidays everyone! I am not doing anything out of the norm this holiday season. I will be here in LA missing daughter #1, who remains back east with her mom, but thankful to be with my wife and youngest, daughter #2, in the sunshine city of Los Angeles.

Not likening my self to the one, true King, but as I lay on my straw matress this winter I hope that the north star hovers high above my apartment this Christmas, shininng bright for all to see. I can see the three kings now, driving sepatately of course, across the desert in their Hummer or Aston Vantage, chins skyward with hope to find the new visionary leader that lay beneath the star to bring change to storytelling in the kingdom of Hollywood.

Jamie Foxx, Wayne Brady and Byron Allen have gained their riches and done crazy work before me. These Three Kings of Hollywood, regardless if one married a snow queen or not :) all paid theire dues and have laid a blueprint for success for babes in the game like me.

I mean Foxx has been in Hollywood for 22 years! Wayne Brady, host, comedian and now singer has a hit record on his hands and now thanks to Jamie will have a legitimate chance to be a R&B superstar too. Perhaps the biggest king is big Byron A.! Byron's global entertainment company, Entertainers produces content worldwide for network, cable and internet programming. Most recent, as reported by TargetMarketNews.com, Allen inked a deal to become the single largest provider of video content for MySpace. ...Bold Move. Bold Vison. Big $$

Pray for me family. Like the babe before me, I hide from my enemies to safeguard my birth. I changed my address so I could change the game.

Star light, star bright, let the kings see my light one starless night!

written by: The Black Fellini

The Blagojevich Fellini

Man, I am think I need to rename the blog from the Black Fellini to the to the Blagojevich Fellini, that's right, Blagojevich, Blagojevich, Blagojevich, because for a blog dedicated to bold vision, bold moves and big pictures, its all in the name!

But your man, Blagojevich mixed the discriptors around a bit he is more like bold moves, big vision and big movies, as in, 'I wanna play in real life like they do in da movies.' (say it with a James Cagney or Tony Soprano accent and you get the picture.)

Blagojevich proves that power is more addictive than crack or powder, but you've got to chuckle at the audacity of it all. The man talks like a Martin Scorsese character, he uses the 'F-word' more than Joe Pesci in Good Fellas. Suffice it to say, Blagojevich in not a funny guy, we are talking about an Illinois elected Governor. Either Blagojevich is a master of two faces in politics, or the good people of Illinois got hoodwinked.

One does wonder why Blagojevich displays such a cavalier, almost flippant attitude about selling the President Elect's Senate chair. How often do moves like this really go down? I mean he calls the President Elect a "motherf$@#er! Big, bad and bold; dare I say this dude is Shaft-like.

Republicans and anti-Obama pundits will have a field day with Blagojevich as the most recent blemish on the Democratic party. They will try to link the mob to Obama, now along with Al-Queda and the rogue special task force of the Amish armed forces. But I think we as a nation should probably bare the shame together because Blagojevich represents our level of involvement in the democratic process. But what do I know, I am just a storyteller, a director trying to make a movie out of .15 cents!

written by: The Black Fellini

Photo from AP Photo by SETH PERLMAN

Self-Indulgence

I am gonna indulge myself from time to time. Call it vanity, materialism or commercialism, but I believe that one must use vision in all aspects of life. By vision, I don't mean "to think" about a particular thing, rather to listen to how things speak to you. Not to say that the Cellini Cellinium and the Oyster Perpetual spark violin music in my mind or inspire a vision of a flowery meadow but in some manner, they do.

For instance, I have gone so far as to design my Oscar cabinet now. I don't have a movie on slate to direct and I certainly haven't been nominated for Best Director by the Motion Picture Academy, yet by spring 2009, I will have my Oscar cabinet built to spec to hold four Oscars snugly and set in my living room ready for Oscar I, II, III and IV to arrive! Vision at work in everyday life is to look at the negative space around obstacles that may be before you and focus instead on what lay ahead.

To re-iterate, I do not get paid to advertise for Rolex or any other product I write about, (at least not yet, but I am accepting offers!) I try to live and prepare to live the dream, so I stay ready. Someday when we meet and you glance down as I shake your hand you will say, 'Hey, I see you finally got it.' And I will smile and say, 'I see you did too.' (Smile and a wink.)

Lead Us, Don't Feed Us....Hammertime!

I sure hope we don't Hammertime Obama. Remember the mega, big star of the 80's with hits like "Can't Touch This." Hammer was about as big a celebrity as you can get. Now I can hear all of the detractors saying right now; "Is he really about to compare Obama to Hammer? Oh-hell-to-the naw!" But before you go for my throat, hear me out.

Hammer or the people behind him were visionary. Just when rap's biggest stars were the gangstas of NWA or thugs from NYC, Eric B. and Rakim, someone thought up Hammer with Rick James-funk, cross-over appeal. Hammer with his giant heart and ever growing wallet tried to single handedly save his hood. He tried to feed all his people, by giving them jobs and after a series of bad investments, in both people and horses, Hammer eventually failed his underlying mission for saving others. Salvation is Jesus work! You teach people how to feed themselves, you don't feed them. (Man I am about to go somewhere else here so let me bring it back.)

I think that Obama has an equally compassionate heart as Hammer and Jesus did for that matter. But what I need Obama's camp to recognize is that publicity for doing random acts of kindness is not much of a priority right now. Being America's 1st black president and an effective change leader is important.

Obama will be held to a different and higher standard. His every move watched, monitored and criticized (I mean I am doing it right now.) I' m not mad if that brother goes into the Whitehouse tomorrow, rolls up his sleeves and doesn't see us, the American people, for the next four years, as long as he improves our collective situation and standing in the world. I mean he is responsible for doing exactly that.

An article on The Daily Voice, titled Thanksgiving with the Obama's reports that the Obamas have been doing this for four years. Furthermore, that the number of families looking for charitable dinners jumped from 270 last year to 600 families this year. Obama's camp sites that this is an indicator of the tough economic situation. I say, the power and celebrity of being President elect may have may push actual needy families away as new found, Joe the Plummer-esque lobbyist have access to the president as they can get his ear along with a free turkey dinner. A bit cynical, but a bit true.

I think that 'being a man of the people, for the people' is great but may have its limits in an age of celebrity. Were the needy really served or the people because the President Elect is humble enough to serve? Barack Obama has a bold vision of this country. I support his leadership. His graciousness is wonderful too but I have a favorite quote from one of my all-time favorite movies Gladiator; 'I don't pretend to be a man of the people. But I do try to be a man for the people.' (Gracchus) To Obama: Don't feed us, just lead us!

Original Story, Thanksgiving with the Obama's published Nov., 26th on The Daily Voice, by an unnamed Staff Writer.
http://thedailyvoice.com/voice/2008/11/thanksgiving-with-the-obamas-001392.php
http://a.abcnews.com/images/GMA/nm_obama_080303_mn.jpg

If Beale Street Could Walk the Talk

I know that big moves in Hollywood are typically made behind the scenes, but Ima (a combination of I'm and 'a') need ya'll for this one. I need to know what you think.

I have a litany of novels that I intend to option for films but the first is from my man, James Baldwin, titled If Beale Street Could Talk. For a great summary and review check out Blues Lament, by Robert Detweiler. It doesn't matter your weight, age, sex or religion, I just need you to have some familiarity with the story in order to leave comments. If you are not familiar, I recommend picking up a copy today; it is a very quick read and a great story. 

Talk about big moves, James B. was a freedom fighter, world traveler and hell of a writer. James overcame a lot. He was gay way before it was as readily accepted, came from a poor, single parent household and grew up during one of the most racially embattled times in US history.  Perhaps that is why he was such a soldier for the cause. But, what I feel is most laudable about Baldwin is his challenge to, Richard Wright, the Tyler Perry of Baldwin's day. 

Wright's famous book with lead protagonist Bigger, rhymes with *igger, was elevated by critics as a literary masterpiece. I recall reading Wright's book in the 5th grade thinking 'What the..."

Fast forward to today and Follywood has done enough misrepresenting stories for which they have no intrinsic passion, nor perspective. I want to make this movie. I feel that not only is the African-American market ready for a story of substance and prose, but the world is ready to know. This will be a big picture! The Black Fellini with style, grace and his famed composition for portraits will make this a number one box office movie! Street contains themes of isolation, psychological terrorism aka (racism), religiosity, working class economics, features a love to remember and it has a blazing hot love scene too!

Street’s themes are all very contemporary for today's audience. And even tho’ the original author was gay, there is no role of a large black man, dressed as large black woman. The subject matter is too beautiful and intellectual for buffoonery.  Imagine that!

Sexy Saab Aero Blackbird

Dang, this is a sexy ad and even sexier car. This is the type of car spot I will make. Just stay tuned!

Bold Vision. Point Blank.

This a riveting artistic display. I don't need to crowd the post with words it speaks for itself. If you are out there Pierre, holla at ya boy! I wanna collaborate on something!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45RXBjwgUIg

Lil' Romeo

P-Squared

Big Ups to Master Percy Miller and number one son Lil' Romeo,

 

Talk about bold vision! As if the name of the lead protagonist of one of the world's all-time greatest romance novels wasn't enough vision to bestow upon a child. Lil’ Romeo, the once lil' rapper and famed son of former rapper turned Master CEO P (Big-ups to Better Black Television) got a highlight and shout on the local LA news last night for his role as a guard for the USC Trojans, which is an appropriate nickname for a young man who is going need jock protection in a major way.

 

In LA were cash is king and celebrity status is the Joker's Wild, young Miller has already been a world famous rapper and is currently on track to be a pro baller. Not sure what type of whip he is pushing but Romeo is pushing the rock up the court! Although in high school he only averaged 8.6 pts a game, but Lil' Romeo ain't so little anymore.

 

Despite what Romeo’s many detractors may say; this is the type of big time flossing, dreaming and achieving I am talking about.  As I plod on my path to become a successful and respected filmmaker. I applaud the idea of a man living his dreams as if it were part of a Three Act Narrative Structure.

 

I believe vision comes from above and is planted deep in your heart. I think Napoleon Hill said it best when he spoke out ever so plainly 'What the mind can conceive, it can achieve through discipline and a positive mental attitude.'  Of course, millions upon millions of dollars doesn’t hurt either. But I ain’t mad at you P², keep doing your thing!

Kat Williams

Negative Space

 I remember when I was getting my motorcycle license I learned a crucial lesson. The instructor told us that when you are going to crash - say you loose control and are about to run off the road or need to escape crazy drivers on the highway - 'Always, he said, ' look at the empty spaces.'

 

My instructor informed my class that when you ride a bike, you drive in the direction you look. Most people are afraid of the rapidly approaching trees or objects as they veer off of the road and slam! They plow right into a tree because they were staring right at it; a clandestine rendezvous. He said, 'to avoid the accident look instead at the space between the trees, the space between the cars and you will steer clear.'  Hopefully to a better place to regain control of the bike or at least avoid maximum damage.

 

Of course conventional wisdom holds to not loose control in the first place, but just in case you do, to save yourself don't look at your mark, rather, hold tight, keep your eyes wide open and stare into the negative space, because it is there that you will find salvation.

 

I send this bit of wisdom out to Kat Williams because there is no bigger comedian in the game right now. Especially with the loss of Bernie Mac and the low key profile of Martin Lawrence, Kat is King. But when you are high up (no pun intended) (…ok, maybe a little pun intended) the harder your fall.  Kat did all the right moves and had a renaissance vision of himself and achieved that goal. For such a little man he achieved big results. However, recent antics, and altered states of mind have landed Kat in a mental ward. Not really a place to be trying out your new jokes, if you are the punch line.

 

Negative space interred in a wall is a door way, a portal to freedom. To Kat: Raise up son, reclaim your status, there are a lot of weed heads that need to laugh, plus don't you have an album coming out?

 

http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9356844&nav=0RaPI2hs

(WIS News 10, South Carolina)

 

Welcome

Welcome to my blog, I am Director Changa, a quality purist of sorts because quite simply I like GREAT things, great people, great fun, great movies, and great adventure: just overall greatness!

Many may wonder why I choose my moniker as that of the late storyteller. It is simple, because he was great. Mind you the Rolex Oyster Pearl is also great, but the Black Oyster Pearl isn't appropriate for what I have in mind, that name sounds more like a Johnny Depp ship from Pirates of the Caribbean 5. The Black Fellini sounds more like a cool black man's blog about bold vision & big movies, which means somewhere along the line someone is making big moves!

Fellini had a big vision for ordinary things and he was a great storyteller! A Fellini film was like a long country drive with a friend or a party and quite often his films literally were long drives down a country road and parties! And Fellini was a master of continuing the story? He threw his films back into his audiences laps, as if to say dream about it, live it, think about it some more, continue!

With this Blog I hope to engage in dialogue with some, get a laugh from others, and provide an interesting perspective on small things that turn out to be big, because really it is all about perspective. And that’s where Black becomes relevant. Welcome to The Black Fellini, I hope you enjoy the ride!