Dreaming Since 1980

Lesson Before Love POSTER!!!!!!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Dui) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 02:49:00 +0000

Year of AMAZING

noreply@blogger.com (Dui) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 02:20:00 +0000

Nowadays, everybody says EVERYTHING is AMAZING!! Lol. Mo power to you. But my 2011 was simply amazing. I can't really deal with how hard it was, cause it indeed was another tough tough year. But wow!!! My first feature film EVER!!!

That my friend, is simply AMAZING!!!!

Trusting in the process had truly been my problem. I wanted the result, but not the process. 2011 was about appreciating the process.

Each day unfolds another challenge. Some big, some small. But challenges nonetheless. How you overcome them defines who you are. If you deal with obstacles in a shitty way, you are a shitty person. (I'm just keeping it plain) If you deal with things in stride with appreciation, then that is the kind of person that you are. THAT, is the process.

I love the process. (NOW)

I see a lot of people getting a lot of praise and anticipation for their films. And justly so! I'm proud of how some many filmmakers are taking their discontent to action and not words. Its beautiful.

I know what I created. And I felt GREAT about it. Its beautiful all the way around.

My focus for 2012: NOW!

Dui

In Quotations

noreply@blogger.com (Dui) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:32:00 +0000

First say to yourself what you would be;
and then do what you have to do. ~ Epictetus

Yep, that's about right!

Dui

YES!!!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Dui) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 03:51:00 +0000

This song is another that is speaking to my heart.

Dui

Miserable People

noreply@blogger.com (Dui) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:00:00 +0000

Some people are simply miserable. There's no way around that. BUT unlike a much younger version of myself, I refused to be pulled into his personal self loathing.

Proper credit should always be giving to someone if they do a job. Its fair! A person that overstates their role in something, in an effort to receive undo credit is just sad. Even sadder the way they are going about to do it. And the saddest part of all, to be this consumed with getting something that doesn't belong to you, means you have absolutely nothing going on.

One must remember, building anything requires working with people. That's the best part and the worse part. Because, sometimes (and it will happen), you will meet a person who's regard for themselves is greater than there regard for their word. You must handle it simply, by continuing working towards the dream they seek to break apart.

Be encouraged by your journey! Forge ahead through all tribulation and malice.

Dui

Target Lady

noreply@blogger.com (Dui) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 06:05:00 +0000

BEST COMMERCIAL OF THE YEAR!!!!

CONSTANT REPEAT

noreply@blogger.com (Dui) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 06:02:00 +0000

Every time I hear this song it speaks truth to me. Amazing song! I can tell he lived this experience and that's what make the music so real. SPEAKING TRUTH!!! (Lyrics below)

Dui

Its Just In Me

noreply@blogger.com (Dui) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:56:00 +0000

I got back on FB recently, after I took sometime to think about my next moves and such. I think everyone thought that I had entered some mid life crisis, but it really wasn't that deep. I just wanted to gain some---CLARITY.

I recently got an inbox message that asked "Are you still doing your film thing?"

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL. Honestly, for as long as I can remember, this is what I have been doing. Long before the feature, the short or the traveling shows, I have been creating! Writing! Entertaining! It's just in me.

At this point in my life, I have thought about so many things, but the one thing that has never left my heart has been film. Partly because I have already sacrificed so much. But mostly, nothing ever made me happier. I can't help it. I think it terms of story telling. I want to write so much more than I do, because right now I have soooooo many distractions in getting this film off the ground.

Film is who I am. My one true passion.

And anybody out there that has ever experience a passion so deep, would understand. Even when it is hard and not feeding your stomach, it feeds your soul.

Soul brother number one!

Dui

Lyrically Speaking - Daley "Those Who Wait"

noreply@blogger.com (Dui) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:29:00 +0000

When I was a boy
I was always caught in the middle
I was never a winner
Just a loner in the crowd
Looking for a way out

Then I grew a little older
And a little bolder
I grew impatient
The future I was chasing
Never seemed to be within my reach
Til I heard somebody say

(Slow, slow down…)
Nothing’s gonna happen before it’s time
(Slow, slow down…)
Let the pieces fall into place and you’ll be fine

chorus
Take your time
So I’m waiting,
Cause I know I’m gonna be
Next in line
To claim my prize, and be all that I wanna be
I work so hard to earn my place
And good things come to those who wait

So made it out, eventually
I took the leap
And I landed on my feet
Yeah I found my team, my family
And as I chase this dream
I know that they believe in me
And we’re onto something good (I know)
We’re bout to conquer this world
I’m so glad that I
Took my own time

I’m glad I did it the right way

(Slow slow down…)
Now I listen to my instincts when I lose my way
(Slow slow down…)
And that’s when they say

chorus
Take your time
So I’m waiting,
Cause I know I’m gonna be
Next in line
To claim my prize, and be all that I wanna be
I work so hard to earn my place
And good things come to those who wait

Now I know if I died tomorrow
I wouldn’t regret a single thing
I wanna look back on where I’ve been
And know that I made, my own way
That I lived each day, and owned it
Working for that good thing, that good thing

chorus
Take your time
So I’m waiting,
Cause I know I’m gonna be
Next in line
To claim my prize, and be all that I wanna be
I work so hard to earn my place
And good things come to those who wait

Good things, those who wait
I appreciate those who wait
Thank you to those who wait
Good things come
********

I personally feel every single word in this song. This artist spoke my heart! Thanks Daley!
Dui

Afro Blue - A Change Is Gonna Coma

noreply@blogger.com (Dui) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:07:00 +0000

Memphis, TN Screening

noreply@blogger.com (Dui) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:53:00 +0000

I am doing fine! LOL...

noreply@blogger.com (Dui) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:47:00 +0000

Hello fam!

So it looks as if everyone is super concerned about my well being. I AM DOING FINE!!! I think most are concerned with my recent exit from FB. Its really not that serious my people. All of the calls and emails truly make me feel loved, but I don't want anyone to be overly concerned that I'm about to jump off a bridge or something! LOL!!!

For me this is a time for clarity. I've had a very tough road and this year has been no different. I feel as if every other day I have been met with another challenge and I wanted to take some time and do what I really want to do.

WRITE and PONDER THE GOODNESS OF MY CREATOR!!!

Its funny how fast time moves. I remember being so hurt a couple of years ago when I had to walk away from the money that was offered on the film. I thought to myself, "MAN!! Its never going to happen for me."

But here I am, film in tote! What a blessing!!! Then since March its been FILM FILM FILM...WORK WORK WORK....PROMOTE PROMOTE PROMOTE!!!

I needed this time to just back up and breathe. No stress. I get to cook every day. Write every day. Think every day.

I FEEL GOOD!

Dui

On the Inside

noreply@blogger.com (Dui) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:57:00 +0000

The process is the hardest part. It really is.

I have bee on this road a long long long time. It has and is a great experience. Its really tough though. I can see it, not sure if the powers that be do. But I'm going to keep working hard and steady.

At some point, something has to shake. I been at the bottom for too long.

Dui

Take it Lite

noreply@blogger.com (Dui) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:04:00 +0000

I had a few experiences over the past couple of weeks. Primarily in LA for the Hollywood Black Film Festival. I truly realized that I want to enjoy this experience. Enjoy the film. Enjoy the moments.

People that don't understand the process of making or selling a film can often times take the joy away from the experience. I know how I got to this point. I know what it has taken. I know what it will take.

But I have to take care of the "experience" if you will.

Enjoy the moment in whatever you do. Don't let the "bizness" people take that away from you! They don't understand the beauty of creation. They don't understand your value because to them, its business, but to you, it art within business.

Today is Bronze Lens in Atlanta. This is an amazing achievement because I scoped this festival out last year and now, I'm in it!!! Who would have thought.

Taking it lite.

Preparing to enjoy the experience.

Dui

Thankfulness

noreply@blogger.com (Dui) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:34:00 +0000

Being thankful is not what you do. Its who you are.

And it should be displayed in every facet of your life.

Dui

Q & A at UMFF 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Dui) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 03:44:00 +0000

UMFF 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Dui) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 03:54:00 +0000

It was truly an incredible first film festival for "Lesson Before Love."

Dui

The Real from Harry Davis

noreply@blogger.com (Dui) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 03:45:00 +0000

My dude is telling the real. I saw his movie a year ago at ABFF and I truly wondered what happened. My heart goes out to him and his journey and I hope for his success.

Dui

Happy = Who You Surround Yourself By

noreply@blogger.com (Dui) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Being happy and having a peace of mind are two very important things that over the last couple of years I have come to appreciate greatly. That's a blessing really. I've been able to achieve this by surrounding myself if incredible people and an incredible energy. An energy that compounds and compounds and becomes more positive, more humble and more rich.

If I have stated on this blog once, I've said it a million times. Be conscience of who you surround yourself with. You really have to be careful.

There are a great number of people that feel I'm cold and don't open myself up to others enough. But on many many levels it is more of a way of staying happy.

If people around you aren't adding anything, trust me they are taking away. Many things could be adding but the x-factor I learned is this. Adding has much more to do with the nurturing of your spirit, not adding to the project.

For instance.

You could have a great basketball team. Then add the BEST CENTER in the country. But if that center comes to the team with a self serving attitude and no ability to pass the ball. Your addition becomes a negative one.

I'll give you another one.

My play, "The Story of Us" in Baton Rouge. I really wanted to add a band component to the show to give it a little something extra! NOT ONE musisican had ever been in a play before. NOT ONE!!!! But it came together so beautifully!!! Just wonderfully. It seemed like a negative to have a team with no experince, but in the end it was an incredible positive.

I work off of vibes. If the vibe is good, then I know its right.

Dhj

In Quotations

noreply@blogger.com (Dui) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:23:00 +0000

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.' We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
-Marianne Williamson

Yep, that's about right!

Dui

He Spitting the Real

noreply@blogger.com (Dui) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 03:30:00 +0000

Rejected...but I Came Back

noreply@blogger.com (Dui) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:50:00 +0000

Everything counts. It may not seem like such is the case but it absolutely is. EVERYTHING COUNTS.

I have had an amazing past few weeks. Simply amazing. But a little while ago I was reflecting on my first rejection letters for a major festival. It most certainly wasn’t my first one, as a matter of fact, I have encountered a GREAT deal of rejection over the years. A GREAT DEAL. (But I’m not going to get into all that)

The initial response from a film festival that I didn’t get was jarring, but for the first time it wasn't debilitating. Oh goodness. YEARS ago, I was was really really trying make it as a screenwriter. (I still am in fact, lol) But I got in contact with an executive whose perspective was remarkable. I wanted really badly to be apart of a brood of “talented” writers that he was putting together.

I contacted. He responded.

I sent my screenplay. He responded.

“Writing not for us.”

HOLY MOLY!!!! You have no idea what that did to me. I knew that I wasn’t the best writer in the world but I also know that I had truly studied and what I had written at the very least displayed promise. But nope! That didn’t happen.

Aside from thinking I had squandered “my one shot,” I had to deal with rejection on another level previously not experienced. I WORKED REALLY REALLY HARD and was told no. That hurt.

I moped around for several days before having enough courage to sit at the computer and find the flaws in what I sent. Eventually, I learned some of the flaws and strengthened some of my scripting weaknesses, but more than anything, I went back to writing.

I got rejected, but I went back to writing.

That experienced prepared me for the moment I got that letter that started, “Thank you for submitting, unfortunately....”

I took it like a champ. Hurt, yes. But devastated, hell no. Because over the years I have become increasingly aware that EVERYTHING has a purpose. Not to get too caught up in the emotion of the moment, but rather feel it and continue moving forward.

About a month later, there I am, checking my texts and I see and email come through from Hollywood Black Film Festival. The letter began, “Congratulations.”

Nothing felt sweeter. NOTHING. That moment became more profound and satisfying because of the rejection. I walked lighter. I felt stronger. That letter was exactly what I needed to finish the last leg of this “Lesson Before Love” race.

I write to say, life is incredible and beautiful and difficult. I can’t deny any of those things. But life comes with purpose. Everyone’s journey is both individual and personal. You are experiencing the things that you experience, because everything you are dealing with is relevant to that personal road of discovery. Let the experiences take you. Let life lead you.

I spent that first 29 or so years of my life, thinking everything was offensive. Its not, its not about what you do. But much rather, how you respond. Especially to adversity.

Dui

The Mountaintop

noreply@blogger.com (Dui) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:11:00 +0000

Excited!

noreply@blogger.com (Dui) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 14:50:00 +0000

What a great week this has turned out to be!

Things are progressing so beautifully and it has so little to do with me. At this point in my life I realize that I am apart of a creator much bigger than me. He is the one that is allowing me to grow and have the success that I have most recently had. There are no doubts about that!

Tonight I screen the film where I created it and that is sooooooooooo damn cool. I look forward to sharing my work this evening! I really do. Just continuing to count the blessing and live in my "I AM."

Dui

Bridget Kelly - Thinking About Forever

noreply@blogger.com (Dui) — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 13:21:00 +0000

MOVIE MUSIC to the 3rd Power!!!!