Monthly Archives: July 2011

PIFVA’s August Cinema Speakeasy

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WHAT: PIFVA Presents RAP CITY. 30 min. (1988), directed by Glenn Holsten and Lisa Marie Russo, a rare documentary featuring Philly Hip Hop Pioneers DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, Schooly D., E-vette Money and Lady B.
WHEN: Tuesday August 2, 2011 6:30pm Happy Hour/ 7:30pm Screening
WHERE: L’Etage, 6th and Bainbridge in South Philadelphia
Cost: $5 suggested donation.
In 1988, filmmakers Glenn Holsten and Lisa Marie Russo created their first half-hour documentary for WHYY-TV 12. RAP CITY profiles three of the top artists at the time—DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Schooly D. and Yvette Money. It is the earliest known film to document the burgeoning Philly Rap Scene and features tons of great footage. Schooly D performing live at the Spectrum; The Fresh Prince (better known today as mega moviestar Will Smith) receiving his first platinum plaque and candid interview footage shot in and around the homes of these pioneers of Old School Rap. This is a snapshot of an age when hip-hop expressed youthful energy, diversity and just at the start of what would become a global culture.

AMC Workshop Reportback #3: Reclaiming Muslim Identities in Media Making

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[I'm back after a much needed internet vacation!]

I was excited to attend a workshop at the Allied Media Conference that was a panel of organizations led by/for Muslims in the US and Canada that do independent media production.

One great group I learned about is the lovely folks at AQSAzine, a grassroots collective in Toronto of women and trans people who identify as Muslim. They have been not only producing this periodic zine but also do great cultural programming work including art exhibits and poetry readings.

Another resource I learned about is Muslimah Media Watch, an online feminist forum where articles and news stories on Muslim women that appear in the media are collected and people can critique and discuss the representation together.

AMC Workshop Reportback #2: Building Movements Through Touring

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This is the second in a series of reportbacks from my time at the Allied Media Conference in Detroit.

I’ve been scheming on curating a selection of shorts to accompany my film once it’s finished (soon! soon!) and attended this workshop to get inspiration as well as logistical tips from this seasoned group of touring artists. This panel was made up of folks from the Beehive Collective, Salt Lines Poetry, iLL-Literacy and Eggplant Faerie Player. There were a great group of artists in the audience as well from a variety of disciplines from filmmakers to musicians.

The discussion centered around the question of how to build a tour that is not just about coming to town and disappearing once you’ve performed/exhibited, but actually building on the momentum of local community organizing work for social change and linking with their work.

So much ground was covered, but here are some summarized highlights from the discussion:

  • The Beehive Collective sees its role as “cross pollinating the grassroots”. They share stories between cities they visit thereby connecting peoples’ struggles.
  • View your tour as building leadership, both internally in your group as well as building up campus and community organizers—in some cases you may be teaching people how to organize an event, go after funding, etc. and that is a part of touring!
  • Make sure there are interactions that carry on after the event  both with your individual contacts and the communities. How can your project/work continue? How do you maintain the relationships?
  • Talk/phone/skype with community organizers in the town you are visiting beforehand and find out what issues they are facing. How can your work link to those issues?
  • If you are on a campus, research the history of the campus and relate your work to some historical context there.
  • Set up your schedule so that you can stay for a week and engage campus activism and community through workshops.
  • Offer “open rehearsals” where audiences can attend and offer feedback.
  • Find ways for local artists to participate in the show/event/exhibit.
  • If you are doing the college circuit, look to build yourself as a “resident artist”  at about 10 schools. This will give you a solid base to sustain yourself financially.
  • Set a budget for how much you’d like to make. That way you are clear about when you can take a gig that pays less and when you need to ask for more.