Welcome to another segment of Become a Blogger Mondays! As a writer, a lot of power falls within our grasp. People can talk as much as they want, but putting something into print or into the cyber world holds weight. An imprint is left and can be accessible to billions in a matter of seconds. With that said, there comes a time when you must make a decision and choose to use this power for good or for evil. Example, I recently went through a situation where I lent someone money (mistake number one). I was promised a return that same weekend, so I took their word for it and was optimistic that this person would not let me down (mistake number two). Well, it’s been almost three weeks and this person has managed to disappear into the abyss somewhere lol. I could easily do a post where I reveal this person’s identity and include a photo (which I contemplated) only to embarrass the heck out of them, but I chose to hold off on that idea and take the high road (for now…Jesus take the wheel!). So, if you see a mention of this said person on my site again, it will be because I still haven’t received my money and I have climbed over the fence, cleared the barbwire and landed on the evil side of the cyber world.
If you had a choice, what would you use your power for…good or evil?
Around the holidays people tend to forget that there are many who don’t have the option to celebrate. There are so many people who are less fortunate in this world and I often believe that it is our obligation to look out for them when we can. So, this holiday season, try to give back to at least one person. It may be $5 to a homeless person on the street or it may be volunteering at your local shelter, but whatever it is MAKE IT COUNT! I don’t just talk about, I am about it as well. I will be sponsoring 2 children this year for the Holiday Gift Drive at the James G. Blaine Academic Plus school in Philadelphia. Each child in my friend’s class gets to pick 3 items that they want for Christmas and, those who are gracious enough to give, will buy the items for the child so that they can have a special Christmas! I don’t live locally so I will be making my contribution financially for this event. If you are interested and/or need something to give towards this holiday please let me know and I can pass you the information. If you think it’s just us normal folks who give back, check out a few of the top celebrity philanthropists; this should get you in the spirit!
Oprah has donated more than $41 million through the Oprah Winfrey Foundation which helps women and children gain access to education programs.
Meryl Streep has contributed over $2 million to the Silver Mountain Foundation for the Arts, which she and her husband established.
Mel Gibson, as crazy as some may think he is, has given over $6.85 million to the A.P. Reilly foundation to support the Holy Family Church!
Hello, world! Welcome to another installment of Become a Blogger Mondays! I’ve noticed that some of the main blogs I follow seem to never stop. It’s as if the person’s site is operating 24 hours and no beats are skipped. Naturally, that makes me go “YIKES!” because, as you all know, I don’t blog 24 hours a day. I’m still learning the ropes, therefore I notice major details like this and I wonder what makes the popular sites so popular! I’ve come to a couple of conclusions and one of them being that you can never tell when “life” takes over. I’ve got to be better at posting even when I have SO much going on (I’m slapping my own hand right now). The other conclusion that I came to is that they must be so successful that they have a staff of writers to help them out. They must be on a “life” schedule so that when “it” happens, someone else is there to pick up the slack. So, in ultimate conclusion, I don’t feel that bad anymore lol. When LIFE happens, just go with the flow and hope that a ghost writer shows up to help you soon (hee hee)! Happy Monday folks!
A while back, I did an interview with up-and-coming movie director, Corey Grant. He’s still making his way through Hollywood and picking up talent along the way. He saw much success with the release of Dysfunctional Friends and is enjoying the success of his latest project, Bigfoot: The Lost Coast Tapes. Check out what Corey says about his current film and how you can show your support!
Just looking at the trailer, we can assume that this movie will be a thriller, suspense, “scary” film, but what is the basic plot/storyline that will make it stand out from other films within the same genre?
It’s about a disgraced television host who was hoaxed by a fictional UFO story on a previous show, and it killed his career. He stages his comeback when he finds out there is a Bigfoot hunter who supposedly has a body of Bigfoot. He believes it’s a hoax so he figures he can do a show, but this time do it about people who pull hoaxes, then he can bring his career back. So, of course, they travel up to Northern California to find this Bigfoot hunter, but when they get up there…(he can’t reveal too much, you have to see the film!). This is a POV film and it’s a thriller/horror film. However, we blended the styles of traditional movies and POV movies and came up with hybrid, then I put my touch on it.. Its a fun movie to watch, but can be very disturbing and entertaining at the same time!
This movie is strikingly different from Dysfunctional Friends, how did you come up with the concept?
My producing partner, Chevez Frazier, and I are good friends, along with two writers, Bryan O’cain and Brian Kelsey. We wanted to work with them and told them to give us 5 concepts; Bigfoot: The Lost Coast Tapes was one. It was a no brainer because I’m a fan of the Bigfoot legend! All over the world, each continent has their own form or name for this creature. We wanted to switch gears and do something completely different from Dysfunctional Friends and you can’t get any more different than this. I gave them notes and ideas and they gave us a wonderful script! We raised the money and here we are!
What do you say to the critic who compares “The Lost Coast Tapes” to the “Blair Witch Project”?
All found footage/POV movies are compared to The Blair Witch Project, as it was one of the first to use this style in a fictional movie. It was a trend-setting movie! However, other than its POV and in the forest, it’s completely different.. The story is stronger and the camera, acting and effects are on a much bigger scale than what they were doing at the time. I love Blair Witch [though];truly scary when first saw it.
When is the movie slated for release?
It opens in Los Angeles at the Lamele Theater in Beverly Hills on October 19th. On the 26th it opens in SanDiego, then moving on to San Francisco, Seattle, Portland and Austin… It’s also available right now on Premium VOD from your local cable or satellite provider. It will be out on Blu Ray the second week in November. The movie was released last month in JAPAN, GERMANY, SCANDANAVIA, NETHERLANDS, JAPAN and ALL over the UK and has been a big hit over there… It’s my first worldwide release!
You wasted no time getting right into production for this film so soon after the release of “Dysfunctional Friends”; how do you manage to keep sane with everything that’s going on?
Im driven…I have to make movies to live. I die when I’m not on set or writing a new script or preparing a new movie to shoot…I live for this. I’m the happiest when I’m on set.
What breakout actors should everyone be paying attention to in “The Lost Coast Tapes”?
Drew Rausch, our lead, gives a great performance as “Sean”. The ladies will love Rich Mac Donald as well and veteran, Frank Ashmore, gives a great performance as the Bigfoot Hunter “Drybeck”. I was in awe working with him! Great acting in this piece! Ashley Wood, our lone female, is also going to raise some eyebrows. She’s gonna be big real soon.
As always, how can fans show their support and/or get updates on any current/future projects you’re working on?
Follow me on Twitter @Corey_Grant and hit me on Facebook. For all the fans of Dysfunctional Friends, I’m gonna be revisiting that world and style with my new romantic comedy, The Next Ex, which will have an all-star cast. If you liked Dysfunctional Friends you will love this. My company, New Breed Entertainment, is co-producing it with Tri-Destined Studios and producer, ND Brown. They have a new movie out called, Note To Self, starring my boy, Christian Keyes and directed by Trey Haley. Great people and a great company to work with. More quality black films to come!
Lastly, which of your projects is your favorite…and why (putting you on the spot with this one lol)?
LOL…Hard question to answer… I would have to say Bigfoot: The Lost Coast Tapes because nobody expected this type of movie from me, let alone for it to be good. The fact that it is worldwide is major for a filmmaker of color and I want to be known as just a storyteller who isn’t boxed into any one genre..just good movies!
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Well, there you have it! Corey Grant is doing well and seeing so much success! He is bringing so much attention and positivity to black films; something that is still long overdue. Please be sure to support this young man and check out Dysfunctional Friends and Bigfoot: The Lost Coast Tapes! Here’s the trailer:
Well helloooooooooo, world! No, I haven’t totally gotten rid of my Become a Blogger Mondays series, but you all know that I won’t write if I’m not feeling it. With that said, we can all assume that there must be SOMEthing that I’m feeling! I’ve sat back and watched and observed and pondered and…OK you get the point! I’ve just been taking note of all the brains going a million miles a minute. I’ve paid attention to those around me who are pursuing their dreams and it’s so great to see the creative wheels turning…it’s a source of inspiration for everyone when this happens.
However, I think for some it’s just a fad. Like, do you get the impression that everyone has a blog? Or a clothing line? Or they make jewelry? Or they rap? Or they sing? That kind of annoys me. It makes me wonder, are you doing this for you? Or are you doing this just because you want to be like everybody else? Or because you THINK this is how you can get rich? If it’s coming from the heart and it’s something that you genuinely love to do or you take seriously, I 100% support it, but if I get the feeling that you’re just doing it “just because” then I may give you that “look”. Follow your dreams and passions, but make them your own…add your own spin to it…be original and even when it gets hard, KEEP going…that’s how I can tell if you’re really about business or just herding with the masses.
Let others inspire you, but don’t become them! BE YOU!
In honor of me LOVING Rihanna’s new album, Unapologetic, here goes the video for one of my favorite tracks. Diamonds has definitely grown on me…it may even be my best friend! Love, love, love…enjoy!
There’s been much talk about Shyne’s recent release from prison and the unfinished business he’s had with certain members of the hip-hop community. His most recent mixtape, Gangland, was dropped on the anniversary of his debut album on Bad Boy. Shyne has taken a new artist under his wing, who goes by the name of “World” and he’s come with a banger! Check out Angel of Death which is a heavy diss record aimed at The Game (click the link below).
Danithedreamgirl 