Joe Prude...

Lately we have been shooting and interviewing like crazy. I was able to finally meet Joe Prude, the brother of Daniel Prude. His soul has been hurt from the loss of his brother Daniel Prude and he is fighting to have his death recognized by the court system. It is evident that Rochester City Mayor, Lovely Warren hid the fact the police suffocated Daniel Prude and caused his death. The coroners report stated it was a homicide though city officials are still pushing the agenda he was on drugs and that is what killed him. The whole situation was depressing because as Joe stated, he called the night prior and that Strong Hospital released his brother anyways.

I don't want to share that much of my interview on my blog. My Sony microphones seemed to wanted to die during the interview so I have to re-shoot him again. No worries I just ordered some wireless microphones on Amazon so they should arrive by the end of the week.

Caylah & Siraya accompanied me to the interview and played with his dog who was quite friendly.

I look forward to re-shooting his interview and possibly shooting it outside in some great weather.

Joe went out of town to support the other families in Minnesota which I find honorable. I am supporting his family with a fundraiser to assist his family and my film in May. I want to sell images of Rochester and iconic spots so that everyone will want to purchase some merchandise to support the film and help his family as well. Folks forget that the victims families not only loose a family member but finances when they have bury a person and other expenses that the public is not aware of.

I truly am dedicated to honoring the families that have allowed me to capture their voice.

Blessingz...

Pre-Production...

Lately the crew and myself have been really exhausted with trying to reach people for the documentary. I reached out to the folks who knew the families of the victims and to no avail they have not contacted me back. Wonder if Ava Duvernay goes through this drama when she is developing a documentary? I finally was able to get my logo developed for the film with Equan from Harlem. I asked a dude here locally in Rochester he wasn't professional about getting back to me, so I called my people in Harlem and here is our logo for the film.

My staff is checking the prices for sweatshirts so we can raise money through some merchandise online. It's been a challenge with a small crew because they are all young so sometimes they don't stay as focused as I would like. Overall I am pleased with teaching them as we proceed today I am going to a food drive and will catch some footage for the film. I haven't raised any money for the film and have maxed out my credit card with just getting some of the basics to get the process started.

I feel like I am all alone on this project and the community sees my plea but for some reason ignore my cries for help. Much like the victims I am helping I feel nobody hears my voice to change this injustice we have in this beautiful city of Rochester. I have spent over $5,000 in producing it myself and I am quite tapped out.

Praying the universe will assist me in producing this phenomenal film for the people by the people. We are trying to raise $9,500 on Gofundme which isn't a whole heck of a lot but will get me started. I need some professional key staff and without funding folks are reluctant to come on board. Where is Eddie Murphy when I need him...lol

I tagged Tyler Perry in my twitter post for funding, I know he has a big heart in helping others. I hope our project makes the list for helping an independent filmmaker.

Well, I am writing for a few grants and pray that one reaches the soul of a grantor.

"Once a task has first begun,

Never leave it till it's done

Whether the task be big or small

either do it or don't do it at all.

Addie V. Keaton (my grandmother)

Daniel Prude...

Yesterday the State Attorney General, Leticia James found the Rochester Police NOT GUILTY of murdering Daniel Prude. The decision of them finding the officers NOT GUILTY came with repercussions of concerned citizens taking to the streets yesterday and this evening protesting the outcome. This afternoon I had someone from Free The People Rochester (FTPRoc) text me at the last minute there was going to be a protest at Liberty Pole downtown Rochester, New York. Though I debated on going because I was stressed out about loosing all my footage of the protests on my external drive. I had about two days feeling low and vexed on what was I going to do. I was able to reach out to a woman via facebook and her husband may be able to help to extract the footage from the drive on Friday. I did attend the protest and glad I went. I met folks who have been going to the protests since last year and met some photographers and videographers that were willing to share what they had. I felt so blessed just to hear that after going through a breakdown at home of loosing my footage.

It was good to see one of my subjects, Anthony Hall was out there protesting this afternoon. He is the only interview I didn't drag to that drive Thank Gawd! I'm feeling better about the documentary now because I was like how could this happen when I was saving the footage as soon as I got home. Now I am considering on saving my footage online cloud storage. I can't afford for this shyt to happen to me again the feeling of my stomach falling out is NOT a good feeling whatsoever. I wonder if Shonda Rhimes or Ava Duvernay ever went through this... probably not they have money for a lot storage.

I was able to get phone numbers and emails of some the folks that attended. It's critical that I still get their voices documented while the fire is still burning in their souls. I'm going to pray this dude can extract the footage I have kids on that drive, intimate interviews with some good subjects that had some real shyt to say. My attitude going forward is that if it's the creators will I will be able to retain it if not that means I need to shoot and keep it moving it's just that simple. Perhaps the universe will bless me with better footage than what I had, who knows.

I am truly grateful my old azz went to the protest....