FilmTVDiversity (FATDIVE)

Great Facebook Groups To Know About

2014-05-20T12:08:00.001-07:00

Adding Friends on Facebook is almost a given known task, but people often forget about Groups which very often are filled with communities of people dedicated to your area of interest. Networking in the Entertainment Industry is very important, so as a way to help we've come across some Facebook Groups to help our followers do just that. These in no way are a full list of Facebook Groups available, but a small sample so take some time and explore other possible groups available by doing a search on Facebook. These will at least get you started.

Note: In order to join or even see the Facebook Groups you must FIRST LOG IN to Facebook and request to be added. Also most Groups have pretty clear guidelines on what you should and should not post in the Group, so pay close attention to what they are or risk having your group membership revoked.

Once you are granted permission to join the Group:
A) you can opt to have notifications appear in your stream or simply check the Groups link which will appear on your dashboard.
B) You should also from time to time pay attention to the Suggested Groups which often appear to the right side once you join once you visit the Group's landing page

Group Name Must login to FB First to see (click link)	Description
Film & Casting Network of Atlanta	all who would like to be a part of Film Casting Network of Atlanta in some way be involved in the acting community in some way. This could be as an actor, filmmaker, director, producer etc.
INDUSTRY CASTINGS & AUDITIONS FOR ALL TALENT - West Coast	West Coast Castings and Crew Calls for all talent in the Industry.
INDUSTRY CASTINGS & AUDITIONS FOR ALL TALENT - East Coast	East Coast Castings and Crew Calls for all talent in the Industry.
Casting EXTRAS for Films!	A place to post and share castings and auditions.
Casting Actors of Color	Casting Actors Of Color is a community of Artists with diverse ethnic backgrounds formed to promote, educate, inform, & support each other in the pursuit of artistic excellence.
M.O.C.I.T.I. (mo kee tee)	Men of Color in the Industry. MOCITI is an outreach organization whose mission is to provide a support network and business vehicle for men of color in the entertainment industry. We are a service organization that believes we are to serve mankind.
Film Financing USA	This group is dedicated to Indie Filmmakers looking for funding, to Investors looking for projects, to Industry Insiders who want to present/speak/exhibit/sponsor my upcoming Indie Film Financing Conferences & Seminars

10 Little Known Secrets about #iTunes Store

2014-05-03T13:52:00.005-07:00

As an avid collector of Movies and Music and practically an #iTunes and DVD-Blu-Ray junkie, thought it would be helpful to let other's know some of the less advertised aspects of #iTunes and making purchases.

TV Shows

1) Often the Premiere episode of New TV series and sometimes the 1st Episode of Old Series are available for Free Download. (Example you can download for Free as of 5/3/2014 the First Episode of '24' Seasons 1 thru 8)

2) The Best time to buy a Season Pass for new TV series is often when it first comes out, often they are discounted quite substantially versus once the show becomes a hit. (Example before the CW Arrow TV show became a hit, its 1st Season Pass was available for nearly half the price it currently goes for of $49.99)

Music

3) Music albums go on sale from time to time, some as low as $7.99. So that favorite album you didn't get for regular price may show up in the Sales section, so check it out or include it in your #itunes Wish List (Example Latin Stars like Shakira, Marc Anthony and Pitbull + more with albums released just a year or less ago are currently on sale for only $7.99 as of 5/3/2014)

4) If you Pre-Order Albums, you can sometimes get a Single from the album early and Pre-Orders can also come at great discounted prices (Example: Coldplay's upcoming album is avail for $9.99 and you can get a new single from it now)

Disclaimer: Sometimes Music Pre-Orders do not include any Deluxe Editions that may be released later or only available if you buy Physical CDs which come with extras not available digitally, so if you're really into having the Deluxe Edition it may pay to just wait.

Movies

5) There's a Movie of the Week section where you can rent some of the Industry's Major Release for as low as 99 cents (Example 2013 Breakout Hit 'Fruitvale Station' is currently available as a 99 cents rental as of 5/3/2014)

6) If you Pre-Order a Movie that's coming to theaters it often comes at a Great Discount, plus may include extras, such as discounted prices for previous movies if it's part of a Sequel Series, which may not be available if you wait till after the movie is released in theaters and before it's official release on DVD/Blu-Ray (Example The Amazing Spider Man 2, in theaters as of May 2nd is available for Pre-Order at $17.99 right now, plus includes discounts on Previous Spider-Man movies)

7) Many Theatrical releases now get an Early Digital release and often at Great Prices versus waiting several weeks later when the DVD/Blu-Ray releases are set to drop, like recent Oscar Nominee 'Her' and Sci-Fi Comic Book film released earlier in 2014 'I Frankenstein' and based off work created by Kevin Grevioux (pictured for reference only, not an endorsement by him of this post in any manner) are both available for ($14.99)

Disclaimer: Digitial Releases aren't always cheaper than waiting for the physical DVD-Blu-Ray release, but for consumers of Digital releases the payoff of convenience often trumps the extra cost. You decide.

8) Wish Lists on iTunes is a Great way to keep track of the items you want to track for future purchase. The nice thing about them is if you purchase something from your wish list on iTunes it automatically gets removed.

9)These are just a few notables. Other things include You can Listen to some Artist's Music Albums in full before their slated Release, Exclusives for TV Series - only available on itunes, Indie Films, Theatrical Releases available at same time as in Theater albeit at higher prices sometimes. The list goes on

10) That being said the best thing to do is to: Explore, Explore, Explore the iTunes Store. There are often lots of hidden gems and discount areas you may be pleasantly surprised that could do wonders for your digital spending budget.

The Trip To Bountiful Preview

2014-02-22T02:02:00.000-08:00

Lifetime TV's Movie Adaptation of Tony Nominated 'The Trip to Bountiful' with Tony and Emmy Award Winner Cicely Tyson, Vanessa Williams, Blair Underwood and Keke Palmer premieres March 8th on Lifetime TV. Preview below following Advertising:

For more Photos and extras visit website: http://www.mylifetime.com/movies/the-trip-to-bountiful/
Follow FilmTVDiversity - FATDIVE Entertainment's board The Trip to Bountiful 2014 on Pinterest.

Gabby Douglas Story on Lifetime TV

2014-01-29T12:55:00.002-08:00

Black History Month 2014 kicks off on Lifetime TV this Saturday at 8pm 7/c with the biopic: 'The Gabby Douglas Story, the 2012 Olympic Gymnastic sensation and America's sweetheart by all accounts.

"Gabby made it onto the 2012 U.S. Women’s Gymnastics team, with whom she faced intense competition in the London Games. Her sacrifice and perseverance were triumphantly rewarded with Team Competition and Individual All-round gold medals, placing Gabby and her teammates – known as “The Fierce Five” -- among the world’s all-time greats in gymnastic"

Below is a Preview and two recent interviews on Arsenio Hall Show with Gabrielle Douglas and the two young women who play her Imani Hakim, Sydney Mikayla in the upcoming biopic which also stars Regina Hall and S. Epatha Merkerson
Interviews on Arsenio Hall:

Gabby Douglas: 'It'll Never be Normal'

Gabby Douglas Reacts to Imani Hakim and Sydney Mikayla playing Her:

5 Things You Should be doing for Your Film Festival Film

2014-01-28T15:00:00.000-08:00

5 Things Every Filmmaker should do once Your Film is accepted at a #FilmFestival. For context as a regular Festival attender and the Founder of FilmTVDiversity, I strive to help Filmmakers of color and for that matter all our followers reach their greatest potential. This post is in that vein and also a precursor of some of the things we will be expecting once we offer our first Film Festival and for anyone eventually accepted into it.

These are 5 simple things You should be doing for Your indie film regardless what others might be telling you, if You want to build an audience for You and Your work.

1. Be on Social Media

The days of simply ignoring social media are gone! If You want to expand beyond your “neighborhood” buddies and friends You need to really let go of any social media hang ups You may be harboring. It is the biggest and easiest way for filmmakers and content creators old and new to level the playing field in the Entertainment Industry.

Establish a Social media presence, especially on Twitter, because contrary to what You may hear, twitter provides the most up-to-date real time happenings at Film Festivals especially for those festivals that use #hashtags. Hashtags have only recently been instituted on Facebook, long after it was the norm on Twitter. Your presence on Social Media is an invaluable way for You to easily connect with others attending the Festival for reference. The Networks and Major Studios and Film Distributors get this and are doing it with Great Success. Don't be fooled you can't achieve the kind of reach you hope for without doing this.

Why especially Twitter over Facebook, little known to some is that Facebook implores algorithms for many posts that you make so that not all your posts are seen necessarily by everyone, unless you pay for more exposure, especially anyone that’s not “following” you on Facebook. In Contrast, Twitter on the other hand gives your posts free access to be seen by any and all who may be following you or doing searches on Twitter and consequently by others when the aforementioned discover and share what you have shared when they visit hashtags. Twitter does also offer paid targeted advertising for posts, but it’s not as much as a requirement to do so to reach more people via your posts.

2. Follow The Festival

Follow the Festival Page, on Twitter especially, and be sure you know what the Festival’s twitter #hashtag is and post to it, as well as browse it while you’re at the Festival. As an example is the recently held:Sundancefest and their hashtags #Sundance #Sundance2014 which many festival goers shared from and by the way I did not attend, but because FilmTVDiversity follows the festival and its hashtags we posted happenings for our followers to experience like these:

“@sundancefest US Dramatic Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Talent goes to @DearWhitePeople #Sundance http://t.co/ykifIwWfmt” Congrats
— FilmTVDiversity (@FilmTVDiversity) January 26, 2014

Native American themes get a fresh look in #Sundance 'Drunktown's Finest' by @sydneyfreeland: Review http://t.co/jn9XeB1XqJ via THR
— FilmTVDiversity (@FilmTVDiversity) January 24, 2014

Following the Festival and its Hashtags allows you to post your experience, photos and extras and create buzz for you and your film for future festivals, as well as future projects, not to mention helps connect you with others attending the film festival or your film’s screening. Stop following just your friends on Twitter. If you want to to focus solely on Festival happenings you can at a very minimum create a Twitter list with that particular film festival in it so you can refer to it easily while at the festival.

As another example, our recent visit to 2013's Hollywood Black Film Festival included building a list for the Festival: HBFF2013-Films-Filmmakers, which then served and also now serves as a great reference point for Filmmakers to know. In addition to this our own updates like these below were made while at the Festival using the Festival's hashtag #HBFF2013:

Up next at #HBFF2013 "A Conversation with Writer-Director @malcolmdlee" pic.twitter.com/tImJb9MhsZ
— FilmTVDiversity (@FilmTVDiversity) October 3, 2013

"Every interaction you have at a #FilmFestival is a down payment for future work" Jordana Oberman #HBFF2013
— FilmTVDiversity (@FilmTVDiversity) October 3, 2013

Your film and ideally You are headed to a Film Festival for goodness sakes, not an easy fete by any account. You’re also trying to build buzz for your film and yourself as a filmmaker, that is unless of course you don’t care about building more buzz for your film or your work, be it current or future. Some festivals like Sundance even follow back, but don't be so focused on getting a followback, because the Festival you follow today may be the one that gives you a leg up for your next project tomorrow.

3. Have a Trailer

Ensure that the Film Festival has a copy of your film’s Trailer on their website, and a link to your film’s website, if any, plus any social media links related to your film, if they also take social media links (ie Twitter/Facebook). More importantly be sure your trailer is uploaded to a service like Vimeo or Youtube, both of which are free services for uploading videos. These services allow for the ease of the trailer being directly embed on the Festival’s Page or for that matter a bloggers page. Website visitors don’t like jumping through extra loops just to see your trailer, ie going to your web page from the Festival page. Take the time to make sure the festival has a link to an easily embeddable copy of your trailer and that the festival has actually posted it on your film’s landing page for the festival.

Almost every festival creates a landing page for the films they are screening with related info. As a Great example look at the landing page at the upcoming 2014 Pan African Film Festival for the film "Jaimeo Brown's Transcedence". If you look at each of the three tabs: Film Info, Trailer and More Info you'll see a complete picture of the kinds of things you should be doing. This related info is your resume and calling card to get people to see your film over what in some cases may be tens or even hundreds of film’s. Visit your Film’s info page at the Festival you’ve been accepted at and make sure it is as complete as possible.

Your friends attending the festival may go see your film to support you, but the average film festival goer who is not your friend needs some kind of hook to draw them in to commit to seeing your trailer less film over one that has a trailer other than a write up on the festival’s page.

Hollywood doesn’t release films without trailers and expect a film to do well, neither should You, even if it is a short film. It’s even more important at Film Festivals because as mentioned there’s even more to choose from.

Breaking News: Yes even film festival goers are selective about which films they go see just like everyday movie goers.

Get your Trailer to the Film Festival you’re accepted at. Film is about visual media not write ups. It’s simple marketing.

4. Promote Your Film

At a very minimum, at least once a day til the moment your Film screens, regardless if you can or can’t attend the Festival screening you should at least be posting to your followers on Facebook and/on Twitter that your film is screening and include a link to the screening info which is almost always found on the festival’s website.

If you’ve connected with the Film Festival as noted in 1 or 2, make use of the hashtag and/or @ the festival in some of these postings, you don’t necessarily have to include these in every posting, but within some of your postings it will help to at least acknowledge the Film Festival and more often than not the Film Festival itself will share the posting you’ve created to their followers, because you see, “they want people to come to the Film Festival just as well” and what better way to build buzz than for the Festival itself to share Filmmakers who express some kind of excitement about their own film by reposting something the filmmaker themselves have shared.

Mix up the time you post daily reminders and the types of posts to maximize who among your followers becomes aware of it, given that your follower’s all hang out on social media during varying hours: ie your morning only posts may never be seen by your late night followers nor are they likely to single you out and go check what you posted in the morning.

In addition, consider including in your posts behind the scenes photos or even simply the film’s poster or trailer. The reality is that posts with pictures or visual content are the most likely to be shared by others by an almost 10 to 1 ratio vs those without. Why is having other’s share your screening important, because if the person sharing it can’t attend they may be able to reach someone who follows them that can attend your screening.

As an example , you might send a tweet that looks something like one's we've been selectively posting for Films at the upcoming @_PAFF like these:

#Festival Spotlight ‘The Trace’ by @PascalAtuma http://t.co/OLSEFWU7vD Screens @_PAFF http://t.co/7wp5FVV5ja
— FilmTVDiversity (@FilmTVDiversity) January 28, 2014

#Festival Spotlight: @LWJFilm w/ @fredfrazier @ElijahRock by @sheltonmack Screens @_PAFF http://t.co/2imONjF2Q1 http://t.co/47yURBTgbH
— FilmTVDiversity (@FilmTVDiversity) January 23, 2014

Repeat this or something similar, being sure to mix up both what you post and when you post.

The Film Festival is focused on promoting the Festival overall, not necessarily promoting Your film at the Festival, that’s Your job. Take ownership of it!

5. Be There or Find a Surrogate

In General Film Festivals follow up screenings with Q&As with the filmmaker/content creator which is a Great way for you to gain exposure. If you can’t be there or have no intention of attending a particular film festival, this begs the question, why are you even spending, maybe even wasting, money to submit to it. On the flip side, it’s understandable if you for example get accepted at multiple Film Festivals and have to pick and choose which to attend, but that’s still no reason to simply not have anyone show up. In the latter case, consider asking someone associated with the film to attend or even ask a friend whose familiar enough with your work and the film that may be going to the festival, if they’d be willing to stand in for you.

In the event You can’t attend nor find a surrogate it becomes all the more important to make sure you’ve done items 1 and 2 above, that way you can at least do follow up to maybe people who did attend your film’s screening and simply Thank them for attending it. The reason you’d know this is that you’ve already put into action numbers 1 and 2 of this list.

It’s simple marketing not rocket science, help build buzz for your current film and Future projects, you don’t need a marketing manager per say if You simply apply these 5 simple basics, You become the Marketing Manager.

What’s the point of all this you might ask, you never know who is attending a Film Festival and you want to be the person that stands out among the crowd of filmmakers, because it’s the person that stands out that will likely get noticed by people who could do something to boost your film career. These people are not looking for nor taking much note of the filmmaker who doesn’t attend their own screening nor promote their own film, because it says to them if you’re not using your own energies and resources to promote yourself and work you almost most definitely will not wisely use their resources, financial or otherwise, they may be willing to offer.

As a BONUS: FilmTVDiversity is here to help You as well, if You are our follower on Twitter or Facebook did you know You can submit your upcoming general Screenings or Film Festival screenings to us and we’d be happy to help promote it at no cost other than making sure you are following us. Simply submit the info: Including dates/times website or social medial links, Trailer, Poster or even photos to us at diversitypromos@fatdive.com and we’ll work up something to help your general screening or upcoming festival screening build buzz.

Film meets Music: Previous 12 Grammy winners : Best Songs in Visual Media

2014-01-25T00:36:00.001-08:00

In keeping with a special Focus on Music, hence Film Meets Music, on FilmTVDiversity's timeline during Music's Biggest Weekend: The Grammy's. Here's a little Nostalgic look back at the 12 Grammy Winning Best Songs written for Visual Media (also referred to as Motion Picture, TV or Other Visual Media) of the 21st Century.

One thing is clear Songs from Animated films are the biggest winners in this particular category during the 21st Century.

(Award nominating Year: Film/TV Name : 'Song' all noted in GOLD)

2000: Toy Story 2: 'When She Loved Me'

2001: Malcolm in Me: 'Boss of Me'

2002: Monsters Inc.: 'If I Didn't Have You'

2003: A Mighty Wind : A Mighty Mind

A Mighty Wind from The Folksmen;Mitch & Mickey;The New Main Street Singers on Myspace.

2004: The Lord of The Rings: 'Into The West'

2005: Polar Express: 'Believe'

2006: Cars: 'Our Town'

2007: Dreamgirls: 'Love You I Do'

2008: Down to Earth

2009: Slum Dog Millionaire: 'Jai Ho'

2010: Crazy Heart: 'The Weary Kind'

2011: Tangled: 'I See The Light'

2012: The Hunger Games: 'Safe and Sound'

Single Ladies - Season 3 - Extended Preview

2014-01-05T19:40:00.001-08:00

VH1 Single Ladies Season 3 starring Lisa Raye McCoy, Denise Vasi, Charity Shea, Terrell Tilford, DB Woodside, Travis Winfrey, LeToya Luckett plus new cast members Lesley Ann Brandt and Damien Dante Wayans Premieres Monday Jan. 6, 2014 at 9pm/8c.

Below is a 10 minute Sneak preview featuring guest Laz Alonso.

TV Shows - Full Episode Video - Reality TV Shows

For extras and more visit the show's: Website: VH1 Single Ladies Season 3
Like FB: https://www.facebook.com/vh1singleLadies

Here's Executive Producer Queen Latifah and Creator Stacy A Littlejohn plus some of the Cast past and present we're Following, you also may be interested in Following on Twitter:

Follow @IAMQUEENLATIFAH Follow @StacyALiljohn
Follow @denisevasi Follow @TheRealLRaye1 Follow @RealCharityShea
Follow @TerrellTilford Follow @TravisWinfrey Follow @TheReal_Db
Follow @LeToyaLuckett Follow @LesleyAnnBrandt Follow @DamienDW
Follow @lazofficial Follow @MrRickyWhittle Follow @MrAMontgomery

The Butler - Academy Panel with Lee Daniels, Oprah and Cast

2014-01-05T13:47:00.001-08:00

An Academy Interview Panel with The Butler's Director 'Lee Daniels' and cast members including Oprah Winfrey, Forest Whitaker and David Oyelowo.

The film featured a virtual who's who ensemble cast including: Oscar winners: Vanessa Redgrave, Jane Fonda, Forest Whitaker, Robin Williams and Cuba Gooding Jr, plus Terrence Howard and Music Legend turned Actor Lenny Kravitz.

The film marks Oprah's return to the big screen, after a 15 year hiatus. The OWNTV and World renown icon is considered by many to be an Oscar contender.

The Film's, Daniels, Oprah and Whitaker are all SAG nominees, however notably was a complete shutout in Golden Globes nominations. In addition Oprah and the Cast Ensemble received Critics Choice nominations. Three of the biggest precursors leading up to the Oscar nominations announcement which are set to be revealed Thursday Jan. 16, 2014

The film debuted in First Place its opening weekend at the box office in 2013 with $24.6 million and remained in the Top spot for 3 weeks running in the North American Box Office . Through the end of 2013 it had grossed $160+ million Worldwide ($116+ million Domestically)

ICYMI: For a limited time, You can download the 'The Butler' screenplay at the Weinstein Company's link http://twcawards.com/assets/downloads/pdf/lee-daniels-the-butler-screenplay.pdf

The film is available for purchase on Digital outlet iTunes now and Blu-Ray/DVD Jan. 14, 2014

Links to its official website: http://weinsteinco.com/sites/leedanielsthebutler/

The Butler: Trailer

12 Years a Slave - Part (3/3) Academy Conversations: Panel with Director and Cast

2014-01-04T13:10:00.001-08:00

(Click title to see full Article)

This is the last in a 3 part series taking a look at the much talked about 2013's '12 Years a Slave'. Like it or not the film is considered by many to be an Oscar Front-Runner as well as winner of numerous Critics Awards.

In full disclosure, the film has not been seen because of its narrative. Its narrative is simply one too raw for a movie going experience to sit through in public (see our Founders post: Different Narratives to Celebrate ). It'll likely and eventually be seen when it comes to DVD or VOD, but for now just observed through the discussions of others.

This series is not per say dissecting the film or discouraging others from seeing it, but simply a look at the people behind the film. Parts 1 and 2 is a series of youtube posted interviews with the Director, Screenwriter (Part 1) and Actors/Actresses(Part 2) conducted by someone else. Part 3 is an Academy Panel with some of the Film's aforementioned players. We leave it to You to make your own judgements.

Part 3/3:An Academy Interview Panel with '12 Year's A Slave' Cast, Director and Screenwriter and as mentioned previously a top pick among numerous Critics Circles and many of the major awards organizations thus far. Most notably in the Golden Globes the film has a practical full slate of nominations including:
Best Director(McQueen),
Best Screenplay(Ridley),
Best Actor(Ejiofor),
Best Supporting Actress(Nyong'o),
Best Supporting Actor(Fassbender),
Best Original Score(Zimmer)

ICYMI: You can download the '12 Years A Slave' screenplay at the Blklist/Go Into The Story link: http://gointothestory.blcklst.com/category/screenplays

Links to its official website(s):

Fox Searchlights Promotional Pg: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/12yearsaslave/

Movie Page: http://www.12yearsaslave.com/

12 Years A Slave: Trailer

12 Years A Slave - Part(2/3) Cast Interviews: Nyongo-Ejiofor-Woodard

2014-01-04T12:47:00.002-08:00

(Click title to see full Article)

This is the second in a 3 part series taking a look at the much talked about 2013's '12 Years a Slave'. Like it or not the film is considered by many to be an Oscar Front-Runner as well as winner of numerous Critics Awards.

In full disclosure, the film has not been seen because of its narrative. Its narrative is simply one too raw for a movie going experience to sit through in public (see our Founders post: Different Narratives to Celebrate ). It'll likely and eventually be seen when it comes to DVD or VOD, but for now just observed through the discussions of others.

This series is not per say dissecting the film or discouraging others from seeing it, but simply a look at the people behind the film. Parts 1 and 2 is a series of youtube posted interviews with the Director, Screenwriter (Part 1)and Actors/Actresses(Part 2) conducted by someone else. Part 3 is an Academy Panel with some of the Film's aforementioned players. We leave it to You to make your own judgements.

Part 2/3: A series of 2013 Interviews featuring '12 Years A Slave' Golden Gold Nominees Lupita Nyong'o and Chiwetel Ejiofor, also considered Oscar contenders plus cast mate Alfre Woodard . The series of interviews was conducted by D/P 30: David Poland of Movie City News http://www.moviecitynews.com and took place during the Fall before the 2013 awards seasons announcements and Critics picks started rolling in.

Lupita Nyong’o
(Golden Globe nominee for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role).
Note: Per this Interview, we've also discovered Lupita is NOT on Twitter, so any previous references on our twitter TL about her were to a fan account.

Chiwetel Ejiofor (Golden Globe nominee for Best Performance by an Actor)

Alfre Woodard

ICYMI: You can download the '12 Years A Slave' screenplay at the Blklist/Go Into The Story link: http://gointothestory.blcklst.com/category/screenplays

Links to its official website(s):

Fox Searchlights Promotional Pg: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/12yearsaslave/

Movie Page: http://www.12yearsaslave.com/

12 Years A Slave: Trailer

12 Years A Slave's - (Part 1/3) McQueen and Ridley Interviews

2014-01-04T12:00:00.000-08:00

(Click title to see full Article)

This is the first in a 3 part series taking a look at the much talked about 2013's '12 Years a Slave'. Like it or not the film is considered by many to be an Oscar Front-Runner as well as winner of numerous Critics Awards.

In full disclosure, the film has not been seen because of its narrative. Its narrative is simply one too raw for a movie going experience to sit through in public (see our Founders post: Different Narratives to Celebrate ). It'll likely and eventually be seen when it comes to DVD or VOD, but for now just observed through the discussions of others.

This series is not per say dissecting the film or discouraging others from seeing it, but simply a look at the people behind the film. Parts 1 and 2 is a series of youtube posted interviews with the Director, Screenwriter (Part 1) and Actors/Actresses(Part 2) conducted by someone else. Part 3 is an Academy Panel with some of the Film's aforementioned players. We leave it to You to make your own judgements.

Part 1/3: A series of 2013 Interviews featuring Golden Globe Nominees and Oscar Contenders from '12 Years A Slave' Director Steve McQueen, Cinematographer Sean Bobbitt and Screenplay writer John Ridley conducted by D/P 30: David Poland of Movie City News http://www.moviecitynews.com. Most of the interviews took place in the Fall before the 2013 awards seasons announcements and Critics picks started rolling in.

Director Steve McQueen and Cinematographer Sean Bobbitt
(McQueen is a Golden Globe nominee for Best Director).

Screenwriter John Ridley(Golden Globe nominee for Best Screenplay)

ICYMI: You can download the '12 Years A Slave' screenplay at the Blklist/Go Into The Story link: http://gointothestory.blcklst.com/category/screenplays

Links to its official website(s):

Fox Searchlights Promotional Pg: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/12yearsaslave/

Movie Page: http://www.12yearsaslave.com/

12 Years A Slave: Trailer

Interview with Gravity's Alfonso Cuarón

2014-01-03T15:51:00.000-08:00

(Click title to see full Article)

An interview featuring 'Gravity's Alfonso Cuarón, Golden Globe Nominee for Best Director, who is also Co-Writer of the Film, interview conducted by D/P 30: David Poland of Movie City News http://www.moviecitynews.com. This interview took place in September of 2013 before awards seasons announcements and Critics picks started rolling in.

Alfonso Cuarón

ICYMI: You can download the Gravity Screenplay at The Blacklist/Go Into the Story website link http://gointothestory.blcklst.com/category/screenplays

Gravity: Trailer

Fruitvale Station's Ryan Coogler and Michael B Jordan

2014-01-03T15:16:00.000-08:00

(Click title to see full Article)

A series of 2013 Interviews featuring the Director and Actor of 'Fruitvale Station' both considered Oscar contenders and both, as well as the film of late have been picks in several Critics and Newspaper's Best of 2013 lists. The series of interviews was conducted by D/P 30: David Poland of Movie City News http://www.moviecitynews.com the interviews took place in July 2013 long before the awards seasons and critics pick started rolling in.

Director Ryan Coogler

Actor Michael B Jordan
Connect with him on Twitter: Follow @michaelb4jordan

ICYMI: You can download the 'Fruitvale Station' screenplay at the Blklist/Go Into The Story link: http://gointothestory.blcklst.com/category/screenplays

The Film is also available on Digital Outlet #iTunes, Blu-Ray/DVD release Jan. 14

Fruitvale Station: Trailer

Fruitvale Station's - Octavia Spencer and Melonie Diaz Interviews

2014-01-03T14:57:00.000-08:00

(Click title to see full Article)

A series of 2103 Interviews featuring the Actresses of 'Fruitvale Station'. The series of interviews was conducted by D/P 30: David Poland of Movie City News http://www.moviecitynews.com. Both interviews took place in July 2013.

Octavia Spencer
Academy Award winner for Best Supporting Actress 'The Help'.
Connect with her on Twitter: Follow @octaviaspencer

Melonie Diaz
Connect with her on Twitter: Follow @Melonie_Diaz

ICYMI: You can download the 'Fruitvale Station' screenplay at the Blklist/Go Into The Story link: http://gointothestory.blcklst.com/category/screenplays

The Film is also available on Digital Outlet #iTunes:

Fruitvale Station: Trailer

Deception - Freshman TV Series of 2013 (13 of 13) + Groundbreakers (4 of 4) FilmTVDiversity Celebrates

2013-12-31T23:15:00.003-08:00

(Click title to see full Article)

A year end look back at 13 Freshman TV series of 2013 @FILMTVDIVERSITY applauds and celebrates for their Diversity in featuring people of color in prominent roles, in random order.
#13 of 13 Overall and (Ground Breakers #4 of 4)We save the best and what is considered an unlucky number 13 for NBC's Deception which aired at the beginning of the year and featured not 1 but 2 lead characters of color in Meagan Good and Laz Alonso, almost unheard of for Network TV.

Unfortunately the show was cancelled after one season, but is available on Digital release format Amazon or also iTunes at a reasonable $20 for the entire series(see below). Indeed a show sorely missed for its Groundbreaking Diversity with casting multiple leads of color.

Although the show is no longer You can still Follow Leading Cast members Meagan Good and Laz Alonso to keep up with their for future projects:
Follow @lazofficial Follow @MeaganGood

ICYMI
The Series is Avail on NBC online http://www.nbc.com/deception/ and #iTunes Digital outlet for purchase

below is a Promo on NBC's Youtube channel at least available still as of this posting. We anticipate eventually the video and web content link will be removed.

The Hustle - Freshman TV Series of 2013 (12 of 13) + Groundbreakers (3 of 4) FilmTVDiversity Celebrates

2013-12-31T22:40:00.004-08:00

(Click title to see full Article)

A year end look back at 13 Freshman TV series of 2013 @FILMTVDIVERSITY applauds and celebrates for their Diversity in featuring people of color in prominent roles, in random order.
#12 of 13 Overall and (Ground Breakers #3 of 4)Fuse TV's The Hustle - the first scripted series created by music channel Fuse, it focuses on hip-hop/rap musicians friends who are navigating the music industry, a hip-hop dramedy. The series made its debut in Summer of 2013, no official word yet on a Season 2.

The show offered an introspective look into the industry, from an artist's perspective, A&R and others. A rare enough show that it makes the cut for our Ground Breakers category. It's now available on iTunes with extras including Cast interviews and as a fan of music and hip hop is one of the series Our Founder has added it to his collection.

That's our take, but Here's what the Creator and Producer Prentice Penny had to say about his show.

Web: http://www.fuse.tv/shows/the-hustle

Besides the Creator here's Cast of the Show We're Following that You may also be interested in following:

Follow @The_A_Prentice Follow @REALLONDONBROWN Follow @watcherica
Follow @clinton_lowe Follow @davettasherwood Follow @WhereBrklynAt
Follow @ylanoel

ICYMI below is a Playlist featuring Cast Interviews, as well as a Trailer :

ROGUE - Freshman TV Series of 2013 (11 of 13) + Groundbreakers (2 of 4) FilmTVDiversity Celebrates

2013-12-31T20:32:00.000-08:00

(Click title to see full Article)

A year end look back at 13 Freshman TV series of 2013 @FILMTVDIVERSITY applauds and celebrates for their Diversity in featuring people of color in prominent roles, in random order.
#11 of 13 Overall and (Ground Breakers #2 of 4)DirecTV's Rogue starring Thandie Newton

Rogue made it's premiere on DirectTV April 2013 and did so well it's set for a second season in May 2014. It's unfortunate that one of the only few shows available with an African American female lead character is only available to subscribers of Direct TV, nonetheless, we pick this show for its Groundbreaking example which we hope that the major networks and even new entries into the scripted series arena Netflix and Amazon take queue from and create shows such as this where the lead character is a woman of color.

Be sure to follow Leading Lady Thandie Newton on Twitter: Follow @thandienewton

Below we include links to follow the show on Twitter on Facebook to keep up with the show whether you're a subscriber or not. For DirecTV subscribers be sure to check it out Audience Channel station as well as on-demand.
Web: http://www.directv.com/premiums/audience/rogue
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RogueDIRECTV
Twitter: Follow @RogueDIRECTV

ICYMI below is a brief Promo for Season 2

Haunted Hathaways - Freshman TV Series of 2013 (10 of 13) + Groundbreakers (1 of 4) FilmTVDiversity Celebrates

2013-12-31T19:46:00.001-08:00

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A year end look back at 13 Freshman TV series of 2013 @FILMTVDIVERSITY applauds and celebrates. This is the 1st of our Final Four(10,11,12 and 13) we're calling Ground Breakers in that they establish a great precedent we'd like to see more of from the industry.

First up is "Nickelodeon's The Haunted Hathaways" #10 of 13 overall and #1 of 4 of our Ground Breakers it premiered this summer and has hence secured several new episodes for its first season plus a slate of episodes for a 2nd Season.

The premise is a Single "Caucasian" Woman and her two daughters move into a haunted house and the Ghosts are a Single "African" American" Dad and his two sons. Let that stew for a minute!

You see the actual premise of the show did not include "Caucasian" or "African American" we threw that in to make a point. At first look at the show, as adults our American cultural mindsets teaches us to interject such labels and when doing so can mislead us at times this show would be a scary scenario haunted or not, but the irony is the show in a subtle way presses against stereotypes so engrained in american society that African American's and Whites can't coexist in great harmony.

We like this show for the very reason it helps fly against stereotypes, if we as adults simply let it do so for the children. It's a show for the kids and yes even for some of us adults to help us see the good of coexistence, that is of course until we as adults project our own prejudices and premises such as "why the black kids have to be ghosts" or similar thoughts onto children then the innocence and lack of prejudice children often approach with shows like this is indeed lost and we build the next generation of children pitted against each other because of race, simply because their elders or parents turned their minds to view a kids show about race instead of letting them see it for what it is: a show focused on telling a story with characters and not one about race.

In short The Haunted Hathaways becomes simply a TV show about two single parents raising their children one haunted and one living, If as adults we don't interject race into the story, and you observe these parents simply learning to coexist with each other with no misconceived perceptions of culture.

So as not to taint children any further with our Adult look at this kids show, we're simply just going to post the link to the show to share with your children, nieces, nephews and the like, because this post which they probably shouldn't be reading anyway is more of a message to us who are old enough to be tainted and all the kids really need to know is there's a new kids show on TV they can checkout, explore and enjoy it for what it's worth.

Web: http://www.nick.com/shows/haunted-hathaways/

Twisted - Freshman TV Series of 2013 (9 of 13) FilmTVDiversity Celebrates

2013-12-31T18:15:00.001-08:00

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A year end look back at 13 Freshman TV series of 2013 @FILMTVDIVERSITY applauds and celebrates for their Diversity in featuring people of color in prominent roles, in random order. #9 ABC Family's Twisted which premiered Summer 2013 and has its upcoming winter Premiere Feb 11, 2014.
A teen show that tackled mature subject matter focused around 3 friends since childhood, pictured above. Besides battling atypical teen "pressures" of life, social clicks and "love triangles" etc., the show's unique twist, no pun intended, of adding to those norms the idea of how teens would coexist when someone they all know murdered someone when he was pre-teen, served time and is released back into their small community during prime teen years and the fact of the shows multicultural cast of leads and supporting characters and guests helped make it a pick to celebrate.

Also of note, Denise Richards turns in some great performances as the passive and some times aggressive protective mother. The show's success during summer of 2013 garnered it a second season.

Connect with the Show in Preparation for Season 2:
Web: http://abcfamily.go.com/shows/twisted
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Twisted
Twitter: Follow @TwistedABCF
Tumblr: http://twisted-onabcfamily.tumblr.com/

Cast and Guests we're Following that You also may be interested in following:

Follow @ATJogia Follow @kyliebunbury Follow @DENISE_RICHARDS
Follow @Daya10 Follow @CynthyWu Follow @ActorAllanLouis

ICYMI below is a Promo:

Haves and Have Nots - Freshman TV Series of 2013 (8 of 13) FilmTVDiversity Celebrates

2013-12-31T16:59:00.004-08:00

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A year end look back at 13 Freshman TV series of 2013 @FILMTVDIVERSITY applauds and celebrates for their Diversity in featuring people of color in prominent roles, in random order. #8 OWNTV and Tyler Perry's The Haves and the Have Nots is probably the biggest breakout show story of the year as OWN TV's first scripted series it hit ratings gold and set unseen rating and demo reach benchmarks for the young network. It's fall finale alone made history for Own with a series high 2.6 million viewers making it one of the most watched episodes in network history.

The show wasn't ABC's Scandal like over the edge, but they indeed pushed the boundaries of the human spirit and the limits of how far people may or may not go to keep their secrets. The show stealers by many accounts were sexy seductress 'Candace Young' played to perfection by Tika Sumpter and not to be out done 'Kathyrn Cryer' played by Renee Lawless.

Tyler Perry actually flipped the script in some respects, without giving too many spoilers "The Haves" were not always as one would expect, the one's who Had it going on or in control. The series look at addiction and one character's struggle with sexual identity, albeit controversial to some in the African American LGBT community, combined with its multicultural cast in not so atypical roles helped make it among our list of Freshman TV Series to celebrate.

For those watching television for 100% believability or reflections of how everything in life may play out, we can only say, "TV may be the wrong medium to be watching".

Connect with the show in preparation for the upcoming season Premiere Jan 7th, 2014:
Web: http://www.oprah.com/own-the-haves-and-the-have-nots/the-haves-and-the-have-nots
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHavesAndTheHaveNots
Twitter: NO Twitter Account, just a conversational Hashtag #HavesandHaveNots

In addition to Tyler Perry, Oprah and Own TV here's some of the Cast we're Following you may also be interested in following:
Follow @tylerperry Follow @Oprah Follow @OWNTV Follow @cedricpendleton Follow @PeterParros Follow @Angelarobschild Follow @MsReneeLawless Follow @John_Schneider Follow @GavinHouston Follow @AaronOConnell Follow @JaclynBetham Follow @iamtikasumpter Follow @TyLepley Follow @Only1CrystalFox Follow @laevatamargo Follow @patrickfaucette

With the new season just a week away here's their sleek new promo:

Tyler Perry's The Haves and the Have Nots Returns in January

It's too darn hot! Get a sneak preview of Season 2 of Tyler Perry's The Haves and the Have Nots, returning to OWN on January 7, 2014.

Love Thy Neighbor - Freshman TV Series of 2013 (7 of 13) FilmTVDiversity Celebrates

2013-12-31T15:38:00.001-08:00

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A year end look back at 13 Freshman TV series of 2013 @FILMTVDIVERSITY applauds and celebrates for their Diversity in featuring people of color in prominent roles, in random order. #7 OWNTV and Tyler Perry's Love Thy Neighbor. Tyler Perry teamed up with Oprah's Own network to launch two of the network's highest rated series, both of which make our list, but first 'Love Thy Neighbor', the latter turned out to be quite a well crafted comedic effort by Tyler which featured a good cast of characters whose chemistry seemed to hit the comedic mark and the show stealers have to go to the sassy take no mess mom Hattie Mae played by Patrice Lovely and much credit to womanizer and slacker at times Sam played by Jonanthan Chase who brings an A game to a great cast of characters. The success helped secured even more episodes on OWN TV bringing its total series order to 52 episodes with new episodes set to premiere January 8th.

Connect with the Show in Preparation for the upcoming season:
Web: http://www.oprah.com/own-love-thy-neighbor/love-thy-neighbor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TylerPerrysLoveThyNeighbor
Twitter: NO Twitter Account, just a conversational Hashtag #LoveThyNeighbor

In addition to Tyler Perry, Oprah and Own TV here's some of the Cast we're Following you may also be interested in following:
Follow @tylerperry Follow @Oprah Follow @OWNTV Follow @ActressPatrice Follow @jonathan_chase Follow @ahall382 Follow @DarmirraBrunson Follow @kendracjohnson Follow @Zulay_Henao Follow @palmerwilliamsj

ICYMI below is a Promo:

Devious Maids - Freshman TV Series of 2013 (6 of 13) FilmTVDiversity Celebrates

2013-12-31T14:19:00.000-08:00

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A year end look back at 13 Freshman TV series of 2013 @FILMTVDIVERSITY applauds and celebrates for their Diversity in featuring people of color in prominent roles, in random order. #6 Lifetime TV's Devious Maids from Executive Producer Eva Longoria. Despite controversy from some in the Hispanic community, there were many who welcomed and embraced the series within the hispanic community and other cultures as a fresh change from atypical television fare as evidenced by its ratings that helped it secure a second season coming in 2014. The show also marked the return to TV of daytime TV icon and star Susan Lucci.

Connect with the Show in Preparation for the upcoming season:
Web: http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/devious-maids
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deviousmaids
Twitter: Follow @DeviousMaids

Here's the Executive Producer Eva Longoria and some of the Cast we're Following that You also may be interested in following:

Follow @EvaLongoria Follow @MariaSingsActs

Follow @Roselyn_Sanchez Follow @EdyGanem

Follow @itisIjudyreyes Follow @TheRealAnaOrtiz

Follow @DaniaJRamirez Follow @Susan_Lucci

Follow @MattCedeno Follow @paulagarces1

Not on Social media, but we're pretty sure the ladies want to know more about the sexy brother on the show played by Wolé Parks IMDB Profile: Wolé Parks | Devious Maids Profile: Wolé Parks

ICYMI below is a Promo:

Graceland - Freshman TV Series of 2013 (5 of 13) FilmTVDiversity Celebrates

2013-12-31T13:13:00.001-08:00

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A year end look back at 13 Freshman TV series of 2013 @FILMTVDIVERSITY applauds and celebrates for their Diversity in featuring people of color in prominent roles, in random order. #5 is USA Network's: GRACELAND which premiered Summer of 2013. A twist on the atypical undercover cop/agent genre where agents were tested in how far they would go in pushing the boundaries of both sides of the law and featured a very diverse multicultural lineup of cast mates and guests. Needless to say, one of the few such shows you actually found yourself rooting for the law. The shows ratings helped nab it a second season coming summer 2014.

Connect with the Show in Preparation for Season 2:
Web: http://www.usanetwork.com/graceland
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/gracelandTV
Twitter: Follow @GracelandTV

Some of the Cast we're Following that You also may be interested in following:

Follow @brandojay
Follow @DanielGraceland
Follow @MannyMontana

ICYMI below is a Promo:

Hit The Floor - Freshman TV Series of 2013 (4 of 13) FilmTVDiversity Celebrates

2013-12-31T11:30:00.001-08:00

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A year end look back at 13 Freshman TV series of 2013 @FILMTVDIVERSITY applauds and celebrates for their Diversity in featuring people of color in prominent roles, in random order. #4 VH1's Hit The Floor dance team and basketballers themed show for the Grown folks, chock full of eye candy for both sexes which premiered and garnered great ratings throughout the summer of 2013. Second season coming in 2014.

Follow FilmTVDiversity - FATDIVE Entertainment's board VH1 Hit The Floor - Cast of 2013 on Pinterest.
Connect with the Show in Preparation for the upcoming season:
Web: http://www.vh1.com/shows/hit_the_floor/series
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VH1HitTheFloor
Twitter: Follow both the Network and Show Page for all the latest
Follow @VH1 Follow @HitTheFloor

Not in the intiial promos, but Actor and former NBA player, Rick A Fox recurs as the better half of leading lady Charlotte Ross's character

Some of the Cast We're Following that You also may be interested in following:
Follow @iKimberlyElise Follow @RealDeanCain Follow @LoganLaurice Follow @RobRileyNYC Follow @TaylourPaige Follow @Liljsback Follow @mckinleyfreeman Follow @ValsTweet Follow @charlotteross Follow @Rickafox

ICYMI below is the Sexy Promo Video:

RHOH - Freshman TV Series of 2013 (3 of 13) FilmTVDiversity Celebrates

2013-12-31T10:43:00.001-08:00

(Click title to see full Article)

A year end look back at 13 Freshman TV series of 2013 @FILMTVDIVERSITY applauds and celebrates for their Diversity in featuring people of color in prominent roles, in random order. #3 BET's Real Husbands of Hollywood the fakest reality TV show which premiered Spring 2013 with a hilarious and ratings roar, second season just wrapped this fall, another season coming in 2014. The show features a virtual whose who in Entertainment stream of cameos and helps add welcome relief and comedic enjoyment beyond the parade of "true" reality shows where people of color are regularly tearing one another down. A personal favorite of our Founder by a long shot.

Connect with the Show in Preparation for the upcoming 2014 season:
Web: http://www.bet.com/shows/rhoh
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BETRealHusbands

Twitter: Follow @BETRealHusbands

Some of the Cast and Recurring Guests we're following You may be interested in following also:

Follow @KevinHart4real Follow @NickCannon Follow @Nelly_Mo
Follow @BorisKodjoe Follow @ohsnapjbsmoove Follow @DUANEMARTIN_
Follow @FAIZONLOVE Follow @nicolearip Follow @TishaCampblMrtn
Follow @terrycrews Follow @SelitaEbanks

ICYMI below is a little satire on the creation of the show. As noted earlier, even the promo is a comedic take on reality shows aka a fake reality show that's turned into a hit for BET.