http://www.filmaka.com/film.php?film_id=b85481ba-c606-102b-8633-00301b4506f4

WINGS
commercial - contest entry
TRT 1′07

Dana and I did it again with this short film we’ve dished up for the Red Bull Short Film Competition. No viewers’ choice for this one, but definitely be sure to check it out and let us know what you think!

UPDATE: Monday, September 1, 2008

Viewer’s Choice voting has ended. I’ll keep you posted as I find out if we won for any of the qualifying awards: Viewer’s Choice, Regional and Grand Prize. THANK YOU for all of your votes!

The short film I produced and edited is a finalist in the “I LOVE NY” short film competition.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1563681/i_dont_like_new_york

Vote for 14 — “I Don’t Like NY”
[trust me — we really DO LOVE NY!]

The short was written, directed and shot by by new partner in crime, Dana Verde. She recently graduated with her Master’s from London Film School, and we met through New York Women in Television and Film. I haven’t had this much fun making a film in a long time, nor have I found such a copacetic collaborator. This is the first of many to come from a duo of dynamic and driven Sista directors. Something else cool about Dana Verde — her name literally means “green light.” Robin means “shining with fame.” We were born to make films.

Originally, she wrote and I edited the short to Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. It was definitely hilarious, but we of course had to yank and replace it with royalty-free tracks. At the time of submission, I happened to be working on a commercial directed by the legendary Tom Schiller. I didn’t realize who he was when I asked if I could show him my short and get his feedback. He laughed, told me it was funny, and even gave me some music off his computer to consider for the re-edit. Then I went home and googled him. He is one of the original Emmy award-winning writers and filmmakers for Saturday Night Live. Whoa… Love the journey, y’all…

Our stars of the film were also the SWEETEST and SPUNKIEST little old ladies we could find! Both were not only pros and game for the concept, they also contributed many ideas that ended up in the edit. I have a new Jewish grandmother. And Dana is already writing another script for our star actresses, and might even bring my own comedy-telling mother in for the ride…

Funny what you come up with when you go through scraps in ‘the can.’

FERRET PORN
TRT 0′47

I spent a few weeks in June prepping for and teaching at Harambee Music Video Production Academy in East Orange, NJ, a program of Elmwood Presbyterian Church.  I also consulted on the edit for their entry in Verizon’s How Sweet the Sound gospel choir contest.  In this video, the youth choir, G Fy G, is opening for Cee Cee Winans at New Jersey Performing Arts Center.

It was a pleasure to do, and called on the memories of my Southern Baptist roots.  We found creative ways to present the single camera footage of their live performance and incorporate the rehearsal cutaways and make an energetic and engaging piece.  Enjoy the music and video, and let’s wish them great success in the competition!

WATERSLIDE
music video - HD
TRT 3′26

I had the pleasure early summer of working as a production assistant on the music video “Waterslide“, directed by Véronique Doumbé of Ndolo Films, and music artist Scottie Gage. The video is a runner up in Shooting People’s Grand Watch Film competition.