Tony and Alliesha – Concept Photography 3

30 days ago I launched a Kickstarter for my project, Love in Dark Places. Well, we fought the good fight, but we didn’t reach our funding goal.

And you know what?

That’s OK, we’re still on schedule to shoot our film in a couple of weeks!

Running a Kickstarter campaign was definitely a challenge, but I’m glad I went for it. It was a learning experience and I’ve made a lot of new contacts because of it.

Like I said, we’re still going to shoot our film this month. The Love in Dark Places script is ready, the cast is ready, and we’re entering the final stages of pre-production.

If you backed our project on Kickstarter or would like to support it, you can now pledge directly via PayPal.

In exchange for your donation we’re honoring ALL of our pledge rewards from the Kickstarter, AND you get a ticket to the planned premiere of the film in Memphis, TN (travel and other expenses not included).

To donate do the following;

1. Browse the Pledge and rewards below
2. Click the donate button anywhere on this page
3. Enter your donation amount (every bit helps!), payment information, contact info, and that’s it!

Thank you and let’s make this film awesome!

Rod

Pledge $50 or more

The Appreciation Pack: Receive all the previous rewards, PLUS, get mentioned in the credits of the film, AND, be immortalized as a hero by having your name added to the “thank you section” of the Book!
Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
Note: Add $10 to ship outside the US

Pledge $75 or more

Pledge $250 or more

Pledge $500 or more

Pledge $1,000 or more

The post The Love in Dark Places Kickstarter Ended But You Can Still Pledge! appeared first on RodKirby.com.

One lucky fan has the chance to win a limited edition poster for the film. The poster is 22×36″, mounted on high quality foam board, and designed by yours truly.

To enter the contest, all you have to do is share our Kickstarter on Facebook, Twitter, and watch the video that explains the story behind the campaign. That’s it! I’ll announce one randomly selected person to receive the poster (free shipping and all) this Friday May 3rd. (Delivery details to be announced Friday as well)

To make the entering process super easy, click the button below and share the Kickstarter with 3 EASY CLICKS!

Note: Sharing multiple times a day will get you an extra entry so share away! Contest open to residents of the U.S. only.

Enter the Contest

The post Contest: Win a Limited Edition Love in Dark Places Poster! appeared first on RodKirby.com.

I’m happy to present to you the cast of my latest film, Love in Dark Places. They consist of talented up-and-coming actors, actresses, and you should definitely keep an eye out for them in future projects. Trust me, there are hidden gems in this cast!

I’m also happy because I can finally put a face to my lead characters, Tony and Alliesha who will be played by Princeton Echols and Ashleigh Brooks.

Take a look at the concept art I drew months in advance in preparation for this film;

Now, take a look at Princeton and Ashleigh in action as Tony and Alliesha!

Tony and Alliesha – Concept Photography 3

Can you feel the tension?

This project is shaping up to be awesome in scope and the only thing that’s missing is YOU! If you would, please visit our Kickstarter page, watch my video, check our rewards, and make a pledge.  We can’t make this project without you so pledge today!

If you aren’t able to make a pledge right now, then help spread the word easily with 3 clicks!

Enjoy the rest of these cast photos and some shots from a concept photo shoot!

The post Announcing the Cast of Love in Dark Places [Photos!] appeared first on RodKirby.com.

Introducing, Love in Dark Places!

What is Love in Dark Places?

Love in Dark Places is a film, book, and documentary that explores a troubling time in my life when I was addicted to having unprotected sex with prostitutes.

You read that correctly. I’ve always been a Christian, but used to really struggle in this area of my Christian walk. What changed me was the love I found through my wife, Kim. However, that love only came once I was ready to surrender it all to God.

Now, I’m sharing my testimony using these mediums in order to help other young men and women who look for love in all the wrong places. I feel that my story could potentially save someone from a life of heartache, rejection, and pain.

How Can I Support Your Project?

I launched a Kickstarter to help fund the production of the film, book, and documentary. If you’re not familiar with Kickstarter, it’s a indie funding platform where you make a pledge in exchange for cool rewards. These rewards include original concept artwork, DVDs, posters, an opportunity to have your portrait drawn by me, and more!

Check out our Kickstarter page, watch our video, read our story, check out our rewards, and pledge!

Once you’ve pledged, take a moment to share our project with 3 easy clicks!

You have no idea what it means to me for you to support my project. Thank you for your support!

The post Love in Dark Places: Love, Sex, and the Power of God appeared first on RodKirby.com.

 2 Peter 1:4

New Living Translation (NLT)

I’m a Christian entrepreneur not just because of what I believe, but primarily because what God has promised and done for me. I’m not writing this post to preach to you, but I do want to give you undeniable proof that God fulfills his promises for our lives. And, according to His Word, anyone can be blessed, be successful, have all your needs met, and more!

Promise #1 – Ask and You Shall Receive!

Scripture: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7 (NIV)

Back in 2009 I started my 9th retail job as a manager at an OfficeMax. While the money was good, I went to work depressed everyday and asked God to give me a way to work more on my business (which, at the time, included writing articles for the Success Center and Kirby Media Productions).

In late 2010 I got the call I was desperately waiting on, Pinnacle Airlines was finally hiring flight attendants, and I couldn’t wait to go to training! (Pinnacle is a Delta Connection carrier and the largest region airline in the country)

This job threw the typical 9-5 out of the window and I found myself with more downtime, 3-5 lunch breaks, more days off, and more time to work on my business. God is in the blessing business and He definitely blessed me big time with this job!

How Can You Re-Position Your Career for Success?

• The first step is to pray. Pray and ask the Lord if your current job is in His will for your life (in the current season you’re in).
• Next, ask Him to reveal His plans for your life and where He wants you to work.
• The last thing you should do (depending on the response you get from Him) is to look for another job or strategic means of earning income (whether it be to work your own business part time until it becomes full time or look for other employment opportunities).

The post 3 Awesome Biblical Promises for Success and How to Receive Them! appeared first on RodKirby.com.

• Get early access to my Kickstarter campaign,
• Preview my Kickstarter video before it goes public,
• Help me review and tighten up my pledge rewards
• Give your feedback on all aspects of my campaign
• And help me promote it once it goes live to make it a success

The post Preview My Kickstarter Campaign! appeared first on RodKirby.com.

Image courtesy of web-savvy-marketing.com

During a war, the most damage is typically dealt from the aerial assault followed by a ground assault to wrap things up.

However, when it comes to marketing (whether it be an info product, book, film, service, business, and etc.) it’s your grassroots efforts and the strength of your ground troops that matter most.

I caught an episode of Roland Martin’s Washington Watch last night. And, while I’m not the political type, he had a fantastic panel of prominent movers and shakers in “Black Hollywood.” They talked primarily about film, but everything they said can be associated to any small business marketing effort.

I was especially impressed and inspired by the conversation between Roland and Will Packer, the producer behind last year’s surprise hit, “Think Like a Man.”

Will talked about how the major movie studios have a great “aerial game” when it comes to their marketing (TV ads, radio, etc), but it was his cast’s “ground game” that made “Think Like a Man” successful.

Here’s an excerpt from the episode;

MR. MARTIN:  What about also understanding that you can make the product, but it’s also how do you get it out to folks there in the wider public?  I mean, Will, a lot of folks were stunned with “Think Like a Man.”  What they didn’t understand was you laid the groundwork before the movie came out to get the audience hyped, expecting it – because traditional Hollywood sat there and said, “That’s really not going to work.”

MR. PACKER:  Yeah.  I mean, you know, for me, it’s a two-part attack to marketing.  You[’ve] got the aerial game and the ground game.  The studios know how to do the aerial game.  That’s, like, the big radio, outdoor, television commercials.

MR. PACKER:  It works.  I don’t care what it is.  If you’re talking about, you know, a political campaign, or you’re talking about selling content.  If you can go out and touch people and make people feel like, “This is something authentic and organic, and I want to care about it, and I want to get invested in it” – and that’s what – you know, I[’ve] got to give credit to my cast, led by Kevin Hart, who’s just a social media king –

MR. MARTIN:  Right.

MR. PACKER:  — and the whole, entire cast working with me.  And I said, “You know what?  The studio’s going to do what they’re going to do.  We’re going to go out.  We’re going to hustle and push this film as if we have no marketing coming from the studio.  We’re going to make people sick and tired of hearing about this on” – Twitter, on Facebook and Instagram and whatever methods that we could find.  But at the end of the day, that worked, and so we had a strong ground game –

MR. MARTIN:  Right.

MR. PACKER:  — with that film.

And, yeah, it surprised Hollywood.  They didn’t think it was going to do what it did.

So, as you can see, it really does pay to engage in your online social networks. If you want to obliterate your competition, grow your brand, get a movie made, or whatever, you have to have a solid plan of attack on the ground. . .

What do you think? Share your thoughts below.

You can watch the full episode below, watch it on Youtube, or check out the source here.

The post Want to Market Your Business Successfully? Get Your Ground Game Right appeared first on RodKirby.com.

Kerry’s Olivia helps the rich, powerful, and even the President of the United States (of whom, she’s the mistress of). She’s definitely a legend in her field along with some help from a misfit team of lawyers and an ex-spy.

I’ve tried to watch it on several occasions, but haven’t really been able to get into it. To me, it’s a political drama that’s similar to, yet lacking the action one of my most favorite political dramas – 24. But, of course, these shows are two totally different beasts aimed at two different audiences.

Speaking of audiences . . .

Why are so many women into Scandal? 

On Thursday night it seems like every woman in my Facebook network is watching the show. My wife watches it religiously and beats me senselessly if I’m too loud, annoying, or distracting her in anyway while it’s on.

But, why are so many women tuning in week in and week out?

Here are 3 solid reasons that make the most sense to me;

1. Kerry Washington Portrays Black Women in a Positive Light (Despite Being a Mistress)

Kerry Washington’s Olivia is smart, strong, and plays hardball in America’s #1 male dominated sport . . . politics. For the past couple of years, African American women have been portrayed on TV (especially in reality shows) as angry, crazy, ghetto, and worse (Basketball Wives anyone?). Even though Kerry’s Olivia is “the other woman” in a relationship with the President, it’s still a great opportunity for women of color to be represented on television. Oh, and Kerry Washington became the first African-American female lead in a network drama in almost 40 years . . . now, that’s big!

2. The Show is Written for Women by A Woman 

Shonda Rhimes, the entertainment powerhouse and writer/creator of shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice created the show. Not only that, but she’s the executive producer and head-writer  Rhimes’ career has taken her to places some male writers and directors only wish. She’s definitely making waves in an industry that has never been too keen on opening the door for women . . . especially women of color.

3. The Show is About a Real Life Super Woman

Real life crisis manager, author, and super woman, Judy Smith is the basis for the show Scandal. She’s helped the Bush administration with crisis control for the Gulf War, Kuwait, and more. Needless to say, having the show based on such an accomplished individual shows women everywhere that their own lives can be just as successful and inspiring. 

Scandal is one of those shows whose writing and characters have struck a major chord with women.  Why else do you think women love the show so much? If you’re a man, do you watch Scandal, why or why not? What do you think about women of color on television? Share your two cents in the comments below.

The post 3 Reasons Women CAN’T STOP WATCHING Scandal appeared first on RodKirby.com.

It’s a full length, shot-by-shot, live action version of Toy Story!

First of all, I LOVE Toy Story (who didn’t?) and what it did for animated movies (it practically started the industry and the success of Pixar). Two film makers took it upon themselves to recreate the movie using toys, real actors, puppets, and some indie movie making magic.

According to IGN the movie’s been completed since August of 2012 but the creators just got Pixar’s permission to upload it publicly to Youtube.

How is it? It’s actually pretty awesome! And retells the story in a special way. So, go join over 3 million people and watch it now!

Enjoy the movie below.

Can’t see the video? Watch it on Youtube instead.

The post Watch a LIVE ACTION Version of Toy Story appeared first on RodKirby.com.

According to Fast Company, Much Ado About Nothing is a low-budget, black-and-white version of William Shakespeare’s comedy, set in present day and shot over 12 days in Whedon’s Santa Monica home.

In the story, Whedon is explains how making a creative shift (or taking a creative break) allowed him to relieve stress and find his joy in directing (in comparison to the chore that it can become in a big production).

In his own words;

Before the Christmas break I shared an email called, How to Use Rest & Relaxation for Business Success at the end of 2012. In it, I recommend taking a “stay-cation” (stay at home vacation) in order to get refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready for the new year. To me vacations allow the mind to rest, the body to relax, and brings back clarity to your creative spark. According to Joss Whedon, making a creative shift gets your creative juices flowing and is better for productivity.

What do you think? Which is better for your overall success, creative shifts or vacations?

Add your two cents in the comments below.

The post Creative Shifts vs Vacations appeared first on RodKirby.com.