As a filmmaker, I
have been blessed with being able to teach, collaborate and exhibit my work at
many film festivals, with friends, family and film lovers. I am doing it again… diving in and making another
groundbreaking documentary. This time it is on black male sexuality and
masculinity. The film will cover topics such as, sexual discussions in
the home, media stereotypes, defining masculinity, sagging pants, the down low,
and being a black man in America. However, this film cannot be made
without money.
Synopsis:
Shoot
Films, Not People Productions is currently in production of an
independent documentary film with the working title “Silence 2: Black Male
Sexuality.” The film has an expose of sarcasm that only Mya B. can pull
off, as she visits local barber shops to listen in on discussions about sexual
conquests, to the Bronx zoo where African Pygmy, Ota Benga was displayed, and
trod across America to explore the way black men are portrayed in society and the
media. Many questions are asked such as, was/how was sex talked about in
the home and/or church, what is the state of black male-female relationships,
the “sagging” epidemic, and is the “down low” as serious as we have been
told? Black intellects and entertainers such as Reverend Jeremiah Wright,
Dr. Llaila Africa, SLAM of Punany Poets, Kevin Powell, Paul Mooney, J.L and
everyday black men from all walks share their personal accounts about their
successes and struggles of being a black man in America.
TIMELINE
16 WEEKS PRODUCTION SCHEDULE
START
DATE: NOVEMBER 2008
I
started my research on the topic.
NOVEMBER
- SHOOT INTERVIEWS 2009 TO JULY 2011
I
have been in shooting men of various ages and “B” roll. I plan to shoot
the professionals and artist once I obtain funds.
JULY
2011 - CREATE A TEN MINUTE WORKS-IN-PROGRESS
END
DATE: FINAL FILM – AUGUST 2011
BIOGRAPHIES
Mya
B. (Director, Producer, Writer) http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1919862/
Mya has produced two documentaries
and several short films. Her last two documentaries were shown at various film
festivals and venues: ‘Warrior Queens’ a documentary that talks with women of
the Rastafari faith and ‘Silence: In Search of Black Female Sexuality in
America’, the latest project, which explores the impact American slavery had on
black women and the way the media and church has helped to distort it. It
has become an award-winning documentary.
Mya
B. has a B.A. from Columbia in Film Studies with a minor in fiction writing.
Carmen
Neely/Crucial Arts – Associate Producer
Crucial Arts Organization is a unique cultural arts organization whose mission
is to support, produce, promote and present performance and visual media that
celebrate the diverse artists and artistry of people of color.
Hana
McDowell – Editor
Hana McDowell of Impakt Studios has
been editing music videos and short films for almost a decade. She is
known for editing hip-hop videos: Kick Push” by Lupe Fiasco and “Piece of Mind”
by Twista. Her recent work includes, “Silence: In Search of Black Female
Sexuality”, by Mya B. and “Failure” by Lupe Fiasco.
WHY
WE NEED THE CASHOLA? The project is self-funded by the blood,
sweat and tears of a single working mother. I have applied for several
grants and I decided that if I want to make this project happen, I just have to
do it. I have already started interviewing men and filming for this
piece.
By supporting this project you will
help to fund a project that will offer positive and much needed dialogue around
the topic of black male masculinity and sexuality. We hope you can find
it in your hearts and own personal budget to donate.
I am now fundraising for $2,500 to
help pay artist appearance fees: Paul Mooney, Michael Baisden, Sister Souljah,
and J.L. King.
BECOMING A “MINI-PRODUCER” IS EASY
LEVEL
I
Donate
$13 (shootfilmsnotpeople.net)
See your name on the silver
screen. Receive a film credit in the film and a “Mini-Producer”
certificate to hang on the wall. A special thank-you on my website and
blog.
LEVEL
II
Donate
$25 or more (yashimbet@hotmail.com)
Receive a film credit,
“Mini-Producer” certificate to hang on your wall, complete copy of finished
film and a signed copy of Silence: Black Female Sexuality. A special
thank-you on my website and blog.
LEVEL
III
Donate
$60 or more (yashimabet@hotmail.com)
Receive a film credit, “Mini
Producer” certificate to hang on your wall, complete copy of finished film,
signed copy of Silence: Black Female Sexuality, a cotton t-shirt with the shoot
films, not people logo on it. A special thank-you on my website and blog.
LEVEL
IV
Donate
$100 or more (yashimabet@hotmail.com)
Receive a film credit as a “Mini
Producer”, a certificate to hang on your wall, a complete copy of the film, a
signed copy of Silence: Black Female Sexuality, a cotton t-shirt with Shoot
Films, Not People logo on it, and a coffee mug with logo. A special
thank-you on my website and blog.
LEVEL
V
Donate
$500 or more (yashimabet@hotmail.com)
Receive a separate line film credit
as a “Financial Producer”, a “Financial Producer” certificate to hang on your
wall, a complete copy of the film, signed copy of Silence: Black Female
Sexuality, a cotton t-shirt with the Shoot Films, Not People logo on it, a
coffee mug with logo on it, and a pair of movie passes to nearby film festival
it is playing at. A special thank-you on my website and blog.
Donations
are accepted via my paypal account at:
yashimabet@hotmail.com
All items will be delivered by
September 2011
TO
FOLLOW THE PROGRESSION OF THE FILM, PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO BLOG:
http://blackmalesexualityfilm.tumblr.com/