1 00:00:05,120 --> 00:00:07,960 Speaker 1: Welcome to the show. I am Rashan McDonald, the host 2 00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:11,680 Speaker 1: of Money Making Conversations Masterclass, where we encourage people to 3 00:00:11,680 --> 00:00:15,440 Speaker 1: stop reading other people's success stories and start planning their own. 4 00:00:16,040 --> 00:00:19,480 Speaker 1: Listen up as I interview entrepreneurs from around the country, 5 00:00:19,720 --> 00:00:22,600 Speaker 1: talk to celebrities and ask them how they are running 6 00:00:22,640 --> 00:00:25,520 Speaker 1: their companies, and speak with nod profits who are making 7 00:00:25,520 --> 00:00:28,560 Speaker 1: a difference in their local communities. Now, sit back and 8 00:00:28,600 --> 00:00:31,680 Speaker 1: listen as we unlock the secrets to their success on 9 00:00:31,800 --> 00:00:37,440 Speaker 1: Money Making Conversations Masterclass. Hi, I'm Rashan MacDonald. I host 10 00:00:37,440 --> 00:00:41,400 Speaker 1: the weekly Money Making Conversation Masterclass show. The interviews and 11 00:00:41,479 --> 00:00:44,800 Speaker 1: information that business show provides off for everyone. Like I 12 00:00:44,880 --> 00:00:47,160 Speaker 1: tell you all the time, it's time to start reading 13 00:00:47,200 --> 00:00:50,360 Speaker 1: other people's success stories and start living your own. My 14 00:00:50,440 --> 00:00:53,080 Speaker 1: guest is a visionary. She's the founder of the Bronze 15 00:00:53,120 --> 00:00:56,320 Speaker 1: Lands Film Festival, based in Atlanta, Georgia. Over the last 16 00:00:56,320 --> 00:00:59,400 Speaker 1: fifteen years, Bronze Lands has promoted the work of independent 17 00:00:59,400 --> 00:01:03,400 Speaker 1: filmmakers of color from Atlanta, the Southeast region, the nation, 18 00:01:03,600 --> 00:01:07,480 Speaker 1: and the world. This film festival vised networking opportunities that 19 00:01:07,480 --> 00:01:11,560 Speaker 1: would develop the next generation of filmmakers. Now let's hear 20 00:01:11,880 --> 00:01:14,920 Speaker 1: the founder. Please welcome to the Money Making Conversation Masterclass, 21 00:01:15,280 --> 00:01:19,200 Speaker 1: Kathleen Bertrand how you doing, my friend, I'm. 22 00:01:18,920 --> 00:01:22,200 Speaker 2: Wonderful so delighted to talk to you anytime. 23 00:01:22,720 --> 00:01:27,080 Speaker 1: Well, first of all, what is my brief story and 24 00:01:27,160 --> 00:01:31,880 Speaker 1: the intro I mentioned what the Bronze Lens Film Festival represent. 25 00:01:32,200 --> 00:01:35,200 Speaker 1: What is the mission of the Bronze Lens Film Festival 26 00:01:35,240 --> 00:01:36,560 Speaker 1: based in Atlanta, Georgia. 27 00:01:37,880 --> 00:01:43,559 Speaker 2: We have always wanted to be this platform for connecting 28 00:01:43,840 --> 00:01:48,680 Speaker 2: filmmakers of color. We wanted that to happen in this 29 00:01:48,840 --> 00:01:54,120 Speaker 2: place called Atlanta, Georgia because at the time that we started, 30 00:01:54,640 --> 00:01:59,320 Speaker 2: Georgia was really rising on the scene as a major 31 00:01:59,520 --> 00:02:06,280 Speaker 2: production site in competition with New York and Hollywood. And 32 00:02:06,560 --> 00:02:09,840 Speaker 2: now it just depends on which month of the year 33 00:02:10,480 --> 00:02:13,239 Speaker 2: one of them. One of those three is either number 34 00:02:13,240 --> 00:02:17,079 Speaker 2: one or number two, either Georgia, New York or California 35 00:02:17,400 --> 00:02:22,639 Speaker 2: in film and television production. Our reason for being starting 36 00:02:23,000 --> 00:02:26,520 Speaker 2: this platform is to make sure that people that looks 37 00:02:26,680 --> 00:02:31,799 Speaker 2: like me were included in whatever the process might be. 38 00:02:32,360 --> 00:02:35,480 Speaker 2: Is this new to Atlanta? If it is, how do 39 00:02:35,560 --> 00:02:38,280 Speaker 2: I get in? How can I become a part of it? 40 00:02:38,760 --> 00:02:41,080 Speaker 2: As if I'm a creator, how do I get my 41 00:02:41,320 --> 00:02:44,160 Speaker 2: work shown, or maybe I don't know that I want 42 00:02:44,200 --> 00:02:46,680 Speaker 2: to be a creator, but I have a great story. 43 00:02:47,160 --> 00:02:49,760 Speaker 2: What are the tools that I need to tell my 44 00:02:49,960 --> 00:02:52,679 Speaker 2: story or to tell the stories that I have been 45 00:02:52,720 --> 00:02:56,680 Speaker 2: thinking about. So with all of those things, Bronze Lens 46 00:02:56,800 --> 00:03:01,880 Speaker 2: wanted to be that pivot point for people to say, Hey, 47 00:03:02,400 --> 00:03:04,680 Speaker 2: me too, I can do this kind of work, or 48 00:03:04,760 --> 00:03:08,360 Speaker 2: I'm interested in this kind of work and why not Atlanta. 49 00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:12,840 Speaker 1: The event starts August twenty first and runs through August 50 00:03:12,919 --> 00:03:18,079 Speaker 1: twenty fifth. Can the everyday layman attend these these greetings? 51 00:03:18,960 --> 00:03:27,880 Speaker 2: Absolutely? We have prices and attractions and interest for everyone. 52 00:03:29,240 --> 00:03:32,400 Speaker 2: The film prices are the general cost of a film 53 00:03:32,760 --> 00:03:36,800 Speaker 2: fifteen dollars, but if you come and you want to 54 00:03:36,840 --> 00:03:40,400 Speaker 2: see a group of short films, you may see five 55 00:03:40,560 --> 00:03:43,960 Speaker 2: or six films at one time, one after the other, 56 00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:49,640 Speaker 2: for that same fifteen dollars. So the website breaks it 57 00:03:49,680 --> 00:03:53,560 Speaker 2: down with the different blocks that we have. But the 58 00:03:53,760 --> 00:03:59,200 Speaker 2: average person would really enjoy finding out the various stories 59 00:03:59,200 --> 00:04:01,720 Speaker 2: that we have have to tell, and you find yourself 60 00:04:02,160 --> 00:04:06,320 Speaker 2: in these stories. In addition to that, every year we 61 00:04:06,480 --> 00:04:10,920 Speaker 2: have programming that is open at no charge, and this 62 00:04:11,040 --> 00:04:15,680 Speaker 2: happens on Sunday, the twenty fifth, because we have our 63 00:04:15,760 --> 00:04:22,000 Speaker 2: Cinema and Social Justice Sunday screenings. We always pick at 64 00:04:22,080 --> 00:04:27,400 Speaker 2: least two films that really reflect our journey or our 65 00:04:27,520 --> 00:04:31,960 Speaker 2: struggle when it comes to social justice, and nothing really 66 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:36,599 Speaker 2: tells those stories better than seeing them on film, seeing 67 00:04:36,600 --> 00:04:39,360 Speaker 2: them on a big screen, and so we do that 68 00:04:39,720 --> 00:04:42,560 Speaker 2: every year since we've started. We make Cinema and Social 69 00:04:42,760 --> 00:04:45,080 Speaker 2: Justice Sunday open to the public. 70 00:04:45,920 --> 00:04:49,080 Speaker 1: Then you have the Cinema and Social Justice Sunday, which, 71 00:04:49,400 --> 00:04:51,600 Speaker 1: like you said, all those will be screened at to 72 00:04:51,680 --> 00:04:56,640 Speaker 1: Tara Atlanta Theater. But it's part of your DNA. Why 73 00:04:56,960 --> 00:05:01,480 Speaker 1: is it so important for Bronze Land Bronze Lenz Film 74 00:05:01,520 --> 00:05:06,960 Speaker 1: Festival to feature these type of independent and sometimes commercial productions. 75 00:05:08,760 --> 00:05:14,440 Speaker 2: Yes, Bronze Lens Film Festival has from its beginning recognized 76 00:05:14,480 --> 00:05:21,320 Speaker 2: the fact that we are Atlanta born and intricate, and 77 00:05:21,800 --> 00:05:25,400 Speaker 2: all woven into the Atlanta DNA is the story of 78 00:05:26,320 --> 00:05:29,480 Speaker 2: civil rights and the civil rights movement. Atlanta has often 79 00:05:29,520 --> 00:05:33,520 Speaker 2: been called the cradle of civil rights, and so how 80 00:05:33,640 --> 00:05:41,280 Speaker 2: better to stamp our identity and how better to make 81 00:05:41,400 --> 00:05:48,040 Speaker 2: something unique that is particular to Atlanta than a day 82 00:05:48,080 --> 00:05:53,920 Speaker 2: that honors those films that uplift, that talk about that 83 00:05:54,200 --> 00:05:58,520 Speaker 2: educate around the area of social justice and human rights. 84 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:01,960 Speaker 2: We had to me it was like a no brainer. 85 00:06:02,240 --> 00:06:04,719 Speaker 2: We have to do this. This is what Atlanta is 86 00:06:04,760 --> 00:06:11,120 Speaker 2: about because we do have people that walk among us legends, 87 00:06:11,160 --> 00:06:14,920 Speaker 2: so to speak, the late Congressman John Lewis, Martin Luther 88 00:06:15,000 --> 00:06:19,679 Speaker 2: King Junior, of course, the late Joseph Lowery, c T. Vivian, 89 00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:25,240 Speaker 2: and still among us Andrew Young and Zernona Clayton. In fact, 90 00:06:25,920 --> 00:06:31,719 Speaker 2: last year, Bronze Lens began the Andrew J. Young Cinema 91 00:06:31,760 --> 00:06:36,760 Speaker 2: and Social Justice Award, and that is going to one 92 00:06:36,760 --> 00:06:39,960 Speaker 2: of those films. I can't say, but we wanted to 93 00:06:40,000 --> 00:06:44,640 Speaker 2: do something that honored Andrew Young. Did you know that 94 00:06:44,680 --> 00:06:49,320 Speaker 2: he was a filmmaker, a documentarian. Yes, he has won 95 00:06:49,480 --> 00:06:53,960 Speaker 2: Emmys for films that he has created, and so what 96 00:06:54,200 --> 00:06:56,880 Speaker 2: better way to honor Andy than to have an award 97 00:06:58,000 --> 00:07:03,200 Speaker 2: that really recognizes his skill and talent as a documentarian 98 00:07:03,480 --> 00:07:07,760 Speaker 2: but also recognizes the vast work that he has done 99 00:07:08,080 --> 00:07:11,400 Speaker 2: in this area of human rights. And so that's what 100 00:07:11,440 --> 00:07:14,680 Speaker 2: that Sunday means to us and why it's a significant 101 00:07:14,680 --> 00:07:19,320 Speaker 2: part of our programming. Sunday Evening when we're at the 102 00:07:19,400 --> 00:07:24,040 Speaker 2: Ray Charles Performing Arts Center at Morehouse College. We'll get 103 00:07:24,040 --> 00:07:28,480 Speaker 2: a chance to award all of the top filmmakers in 104 00:07:28,560 --> 00:07:32,240 Speaker 2: the various categories of films that we have. So not 105 00:07:32,320 --> 00:07:36,880 Speaker 2: only will someone receive that Andrew J. Young Award, but 106 00:07:37,000 --> 00:07:41,680 Speaker 2: we will also honor the best Short Documentary, the Best Documentary, 107 00:07:41,800 --> 00:07:45,760 Speaker 2: the short film, the feature film, the web series, the 108 00:07:45,920 --> 00:07:50,360 Speaker 2: dance video, the music video, Best Actor, Best Actress. All 109 00:07:50,440 --> 00:07:54,680 Speaker 2: of those are awards that will come that night at 110 00:07:54,680 --> 00:07:56,400 Speaker 2: the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center. 111 00:07:56,880 --> 00:07:58,920 Speaker 1: Right. You know, it's really important that when you hear 112 00:07:59,640 --> 00:08:04,720 Speaker 1: something like this, because everybody has a bright idea. Kathleen, Okay, everybody, 113 00:08:04,960 --> 00:08:07,200 Speaker 1: I want to do this. I have dream. How did 114 00:08:07,240 --> 00:08:10,800 Speaker 1: you take this idea and made in a reality? The 115 00:08:10,840 --> 00:08:13,680 Speaker 1: Bronze Lands Film Festival and we've come back, We're going 116 00:08:13,760 --> 00:08:16,480 Speaker 1: to really get into detail a lot of the celebrity 117 00:08:16,560 --> 00:08:19,280 Speaker 1: names who are associated with a lot of the projects 118 00:08:19,280 --> 00:08:21,760 Speaker 1: that are being produced and presented. But how did this 119 00:08:21,840 --> 00:08:26,160 Speaker 1: idea come to you and then how did you eventually execute. 120 00:08:25,920 --> 00:08:29,120 Speaker 3: Please don't go anywhere. We'll be right back with more 121 00:08:29,160 --> 00:08:41,079 Speaker 3: money Making Conversations Masterclass. Welcome back to the Money Making 122 00:08:41,120 --> 00:08:46,840 Speaker 3: Conversations Masterclass hosted by Rashan McDonald money Making Conversations. Masterclass 123 00:08:46,880 --> 00:08:51,480 Speaker 3: continues online at Moneymakingconversations dot com and follow money Making 124 00:08:51,520 --> 00:08:55,040 Speaker 3: Conversations Masterclass on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 125 00:08:56,559 --> 00:09:02,240 Speaker 2: The idea came to me from the CEO at the 126 00:09:02,280 --> 00:09:08,520 Speaker 2: Atlanta Convention in Visitors Bureau, where I was vice president, 127 00:09:08,840 --> 00:09:12,839 Speaker 2: maybe I was senior vice president at that time. I 128 00:09:12,880 --> 00:09:16,080 Speaker 2: had a long career with the Convention in Visitors Bureau, 129 00:09:16,520 --> 00:09:21,000 Speaker 2: and my area was diversity marketing, making sure that people 130 00:09:21,080 --> 00:09:24,560 Speaker 2: outside of Atlanta knew all of the greatness that this 131 00:09:24,679 --> 00:09:28,560 Speaker 2: city had and why this city could handle their meeting 132 00:09:28,640 --> 00:09:32,319 Speaker 2: or their conference or anything like their tour or anything 133 00:09:32,400 --> 00:09:36,000 Speaker 2: like that. So diversity marketing was my area. The new 134 00:09:36,040 --> 00:09:38,600 Speaker 2: person in charge was a gentleman by the name of 135 00:09:38,640 --> 00:09:43,080 Speaker 2: William Pate. He had just started in the role, and 136 00:09:43,200 --> 00:09:46,320 Speaker 2: he had a meeting and encouraged me to come to 137 00:09:46,320 --> 00:09:48,720 Speaker 2: a meeting in his office and he asked me why 138 00:09:48,720 --> 00:09:54,160 Speaker 2: didn't Atlanta have something like a Sun Dance for the 139 00:09:54,200 --> 00:09:59,880 Speaker 2: African American community. He says, When I go out to 140 00:10:00,320 --> 00:10:05,439 Speaker 2: I noticed that everybody's talking about Sun Dancer. Everybody's talking 141 00:10:05,480 --> 00:10:07,560 Speaker 2: about what they're doing or where they're going and you 142 00:10:07,640 --> 00:10:10,920 Speaker 2: see people on the streets, and he says, why doesn't 143 00:10:10,920 --> 00:10:14,480 Speaker 2: Atlanta have something like that? Because his fallback was, you know, 144 00:10:14,559 --> 00:10:17,880 Speaker 2: after all, we have Tyler Perry Studios here and it 145 00:10:18,000 --> 00:10:20,680 Speaker 2: just seems like, you know, this community should have more. 146 00:10:21,440 --> 00:10:24,880 Speaker 2: So I took his words. His words were, why don't 147 00:10:24,880 --> 00:10:27,320 Speaker 2: you see what you can do with that? That was 148 00:10:27,400 --> 00:10:32,640 Speaker 2: my direction that morning, and so I spent that was 149 00:10:32,880 --> 00:10:36,040 Speaker 2: two thousand and eight, And so I spent the early 150 00:10:36,120 --> 00:10:39,920 Speaker 2: part of two thousand and nine doing research, really looking 151 00:10:39,960 --> 00:10:44,840 Speaker 2: into what were film festivals in other places for people 152 00:10:44,840 --> 00:10:48,920 Speaker 2: of color, specifically what did they do, who came, why 153 00:10:48,960 --> 00:10:52,320 Speaker 2: did they come? And then I began to talk to 154 00:10:52,440 --> 00:10:56,880 Speaker 2: the community here because there were some small film festivals 155 00:10:57,160 --> 00:11:02,520 Speaker 2: but nothing really that it didn't press, didn't get airtime, 156 00:11:03,520 --> 00:11:08,400 Speaker 2: no advertising, just if you knew you knew kind of events. 157 00:11:08,600 --> 00:11:12,680 Speaker 2: And I wanted to do something bigger. So I started 158 00:11:12,679 --> 00:11:15,240 Speaker 2: talking to those people. And then I called on a 159 00:11:15,280 --> 00:11:18,240 Speaker 2: friend that I had known that you had a chance 160 00:11:18,280 --> 00:11:21,959 Speaker 2: to meet from my days at Spelman College, Cheryl Gripper, 161 00:11:22,440 --> 00:11:27,079 Speaker 2: who at that time was with the eleven o'live television 162 00:11:27,080 --> 00:11:31,880 Speaker 2: as vice president of Community Affairs. And Cheryl then and 163 00:11:31,920 --> 00:11:36,360 Speaker 2: she was also had a master's in film, and she 164 00:11:36,440 --> 00:11:39,640 Speaker 2: called on a good friend of hers who worked with her, 165 00:11:40,880 --> 00:11:44,920 Speaker 2: and that friend was Dedre McDonald who is our current 166 00:11:45,679 --> 00:11:50,079 Speaker 2: and was then artistic director. And Dedre is an Emmy 167 00:11:50,120 --> 00:11:54,280 Speaker 2: Award winning producer. But not only that, she was an 168 00:11:54,280 --> 00:12:00,120 Speaker 2: instructor in the area of film production at Clark Atlanta University. 169 00:12:00,760 --> 00:12:07,360 Speaker 2: And so, with those ladies giving input expanding the vision, 170 00:12:07,960 --> 00:12:13,400 Speaker 2: Bronze Lens began and had our first presentation in two 171 00:12:13,480 --> 00:12:17,640 Speaker 2: thousand and nine. Now this is where friends of friends 172 00:12:17,720 --> 00:12:21,440 Speaker 2: are important. Remember I'm at the Convention and Visitors Bureau, 173 00:12:21,520 --> 00:12:24,400 Speaker 2: and the Convention and Visitors Bureau had a board of directors. 174 00:12:24,960 --> 00:12:27,600 Speaker 2: One of the persons on the board of directors was 175 00:12:27,640 --> 00:12:32,599 Speaker 2: with Turner Network, and she took a liking to me, 176 00:12:32,760 --> 00:12:36,440 Speaker 2: as people would say, and gave me the opportunity to 177 00:12:36,480 --> 00:12:41,240 Speaker 2: make a presentation about Bronze Lens to the Turner family. 178 00:12:41,800 --> 00:12:48,240 Speaker 2: So at that time that included Turner Network, Television, Turner Classics, 179 00:12:48,640 --> 00:12:55,319 Speaker 2: the Cartoon Network, the Super Channel, TBS, all of that. 180 00:12:55,480 --> 00:12:58,560 Speaker 2: All of those people were actually in the room when 181 00:12:58,600 --> 00:13:01,080 Speaker 2: we see at CNN. Of course, when we made our 182 00:13:01,080 --> 00:13:06,480 Speaker 2: first presentation and they gave us their feedback, they thought 183 00:13:06,480 --> 00:13:11,600 Speaker 2: it was a good idea for Atlanta, and then the 184 00:13:11,600 --> 00:13:15,560 Speaker 2: feedback after the meeting was that they didn't like the name. 185 00:13:16,480 --> 00:13:21,160 Speaker 2: The name that we presented was the Bronze Jubilee Film Festival, 186 00:13:22,040 --> 00:13:25,680 Speaker 2: and that was really based on an event that Cheryl 187 00:13:25,720 --> 00:13:29,480 Speaker 2: had produced in some years previous that was an awards 188 00:13:29,679 --> 00:13:34,560 Speaker 2: show honoring great people in the community. But the people 189 00:13:34,640 --> 00:13:38,600 Speaker 2: at Turner just didn't like that name for this event. 190 00:13:39,360 --> 00:13:43,559 Speaker 2: And so my contact there at Turner said, well, I 191 00:13:43,640 --> 00:13:47,080 Speaker 2: know a naming company. I had never heard of a 192 00:13:47,160 --> 00:13:51,439 Speaker 2: naming company before. We shine okay, like people get paid 193 00:13:51,440 --> 00:13:55,240 Speaker 2: to name things, Yes, they do, and she knew a 194 00:13:55,320 --> 00:13:58,880 Speaker 2: naming company. So she said, let me have them talk 195 00:13:58,960 --> 00:14:01,240 Speaker 2: to you. Let's see if we can come up with 196 00:14:01,360 --> 00:14:04,840 Speaker 2: just a better name. And so I sat down with 197 00:14:04,960 --> 00:14:07,720 Speaker 2: the naming company. Cheryl sat down with them as well, 198 00:14:08,160 --> 00:14:10,640 Speaker 2: and we just gave that broad vision of what we 199 00:14:10,720 --> 00:14:14,160 Speaker 2: thought Bronze Lens, well, what we thought the film festival 200 00:14:14,480 --> 00:14:20,440 Speaker 2: could look like, and about it was Bronze Jubilee, also 201 00:14:20,600 --> 00:14:25,840 Speaker 2: known as looking for another name. So they came back 202 00:14:25,920 --> 00:14:30,280 Speaker 2: about four about four six weeks later, and the name 203 00:14:30,600 --> 00:14:34,400 Speaker 2: was Bronze Lens. They actually had about six names on 204 00:14:34,520 --> 00:14:37,720 Speaker 2: a page but I can tell you when I saw 205 00:14:37,840 --> 00:14:41,960 Speaker 2: Bronze Lens, I don't remember seeing anything else on the 206 00:14:41,960 --> 00:14:48,520 Speaker 2: page because just nothing struck me like that. The coloration 207 00:14:48,840 --> 00:14:51,840 Speaker 2: of it, so to speak, gave us a broad reach 208 00:14:52,000 --> 00:14:56,520 Speaker 2: to bronze people, people of color, across the diet, around 209 00:14:56,560 --> 00:14:59,840 Speaker 2: the world, and then the lens just talked about everything 210 00:15:00,120 --> 00:15:03,720 Speaker 2: we did, both in front of and behind the lens. 211 00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:08,080 Speaker 2: That was exactly who we were. So that's where the 212 00:15:08,200 --> 00:15:12,120 Speaker 2: name came from in that process. And our first festival 213 00:15:12,320 --> 00:15:19,560 Speaker 2: was twenty ten. We had twenty three films. Will Packer 214 00:15:19,800 --> 00:15:24,200 Speaker 2: came by, Rob Hardy made us a video that we 215 00:15:24,280 --> 00:15:27,720 Speaker 2: put on our website. We got a welcome message from 216 00:15:27,720 --> 00:15:31,960 Speaker 2: the Mayor of Atlanta, Cassim Reid, and that's how we 217 00:15:32,040 --> 00:15:38,320 Speaker 2: launched Bron's Lens under the guys of the Atlanta Convention 218 00:15:38,440 --> 00:15:42,760 Speaker 2: and Visitors Bureau. It really was the incubator for what 219 00:15:42,840 --> 00:15:45,520 Speaker 2: we were doing. But the festival has always been a 220 00:15:45,680 --> 00:15:50,000 Speaker 2: separate five oh one C three organization with its own 221 00:15:50,040 --> 00:15:52,720 Speaker 2: bank accounts, et cetera, et cetera. The film that you 222 00:15:52,800 --> 00:15:57,600 Speaker 2: brought to Bron's Lens was the Steve Harvey film. 223 00:15:58,160 --> 00:16:03,320 Speaker 1: Well, you know that's from Bronze Jubilee. Now it's Bronze 224 00:16:03,360 --> 00:16:06,920 Speaker 1: Lynz Film Festival. Now some of the celebrity names associated 225 00:16:06,960 --> 00:16:13,640 Speaker 1: with some of the production as producers Jamie Fox, Jamie Lee, Curtis, Yes, 226 00:16:14,200 --> 00:16:19,200 Speaker 1: Morris Chestnut, civil rights attorney Ben Krump, each producer of 227 00:16:19,240 --> 00:16:21,960 Speaker 1: a film called How to Sue the Klan That is 228 00:16:22,040 --> 00:16:26,800 Speaker 1: so typical of attorney being Crump, very good friend of mine. Now, 229 00:16:27,600 --> 00:16:30,920 Speaker 1: how do these films get selected and how they will submitted? 230 00:16:31,160 --> 00:16:33,560 Speaker 1: Because you know you want the big names associated with 231 00:16:33,680 --> 00:16:36,360 Speaker 1: that's what brings the media that week, gets people excited 232 00:16:36,360 --> 00:16:38,920 Speaker 1: about seeing the projects. When you see and hear about 233 00:16:38,920 --> 00:16:42,480 Speaker 1: the Jamie Fox film A Ben Krump, a Jamie Lee Curtis, 234 00:16:42,640 --> 00:16:46,960 Speaker 1: Debora Riley Draper, Morris Chestnut. But how do they get submitted? 235 00:16:48,440 --> 00:16:51,960 Speaker 2: Well, we have a submissions process that opens each year 236 00:16:52,080 --> 00:16:57,760 Speaker 2: in October. We broadcast that both through our social media 237 00:16:58,000 --> 00:17:00,840 Speaker 2: as well as with a newsletter that we send out 238 00:17:00,840 --> 00:17:04,920 Speaker 2: to filmmakers both current and previous, in anybody else that's 239 00:17:04,960 --> 00:17:09,240 Speaker 2: interested in what we do. And there is a film 240 00:17:09,359 --> 00:17:15,120 Speaker 2: portal that most film festivals use call film Freeway, and 241 00:17:15,240 --> 00:17:18,600 Speaker 2: so that is how a filmmaker would submit their film 242 00:17:18,680 --> 00:17:23,400 Speaker 2: to Bronze Lens. We put our link in our communication 243 00:17:23,920 --> 00:17:27,240 Speaker 2: and a filmmaker would submit their film through the portal 244 00:17:27,880 --> 00:17:31,239 Speaker 2: and they start in October and we receive films all 245 00:17:31,320 --> 00:17:34,919 Speaker 2: the way up through April. Over the course of this 246 00:17:35,080 --> 00:17:40,440 Speaker 2: six month period, those films are being judged and screened 247 00:17:41,160 --> 00:17:44,640 Speaker 2: so that we know what has a chance of being 248 00:17:44,640 --> 00:17:47,520 Speaker 2: in the film festival. You know, as you screen through 249 00:17:48,000 --> 00:17:52,000 Speaker 2: and in the process of viewing the films, that's when 250 00:17:52,000 --> 00:17:56,080 Speaker 2: you get the backstory of who's part of the crew, 251 00:17:57,000 --> 00:17:59,639 Speaker 2: and so many of the names. In fact, all of 252 00:17:59,640 --> 00:18:02,320 Speaker 2: the names, with the exception of just a couple that 253 00:18:02,400 --> 00:18:06,440 Speaker 2: you mentioned, were a surprise to us as we went 254 00:18:06,560 --> 00:18:09,080 Speaker 2: through the films and you go through the entire crew 255 00:18:09,080 --> 00:18:12,399 Speaker 2: and you go, oh my god. You know, you're just 256 00:18:12,480 --> 00:18:15,480 Speaker 2: looking at a name. It's just like, well, Mars Chestnut, right, 257 00:18:15,880 --> 00:18:19,520 Speaker 2: and he had come to Bronze Lens years ago when 258 00:18:19,560 --> 00:18:27,840 Speaker 2: they did the Malcolm Malcolm Little movie Best Man Holiday 259 00:18:28,760 --> 00:18:32,280 Speaker 2: brought that to Bron'ze Lens as a closing film, and 260 00:18:32,400 --> 00:18:36,280 Speaker 2: so to see that he's producer on a film, or 261 00:18:36,320 --> 00:18:39,679 Speaker 2: to see the name of Jamie Lee Curtis, or to 262 00:18:39,720 --> 00:18:41,760 Speaker 2: see the name of Ben Crump, and Ben Crump is 263 00:18:41,760 --> 00:18:46,400 Speaker 2: actually associated with two films that we have. And what 264 00:18:46,440 --> 00:18:49,960 Speaker 2: that says, though, what that says is there are people 265 00:18:50,600 --> 00:18:55,760 Speaker 2: that are out there that don't mind putting their time, 266 00:18:56,119 --> 00:19:02,119 Speaker 2: energy or dollars behind these credible stories that need to 267 00:19:02,160 --> 00:19:04,600 Speaker 2: be told. That's really what it's said. 268 00:19:04,720 --> 00:19:06,639 Speaker 1: The other the two movies you're saying like How to 269 00:19:06,720 --> 00:19:09,080 Speaker 1: Suit the Klan and the other one is The Water Boys. 270 00:19:09,520 --> 00:19:12,199 Speaker 1: That's where civil rights attorney being Crumpet is tied to. 271 00:19:12,720 --> 00:19:16,400 Speaker 1: So let's let's let people know some important days here, 272 00:19:16,520 --> 00:19:19,639 Speaker 1: like April twenty first, I'm excuse me, August twenty first 273 00:19:20,680 --> 00:19:23,399 Speaker 1: through the twenty fifth. That's where you'll be doing the 274 00:19:23,480 --> 00:19:26,719 Speaker 1: selections and the daily screenings and all panels in the workshops. 275 00:19:26,720 --> 00:19:28,520 Speaker 1: That's the twenty first, and that's going to be the 276 00:19:28,640 --> 00:19:33,240 Speaker 1: twer Atlanta Theater, correct Historic correct tarer Okay, And then 277 00:19:33,760 --> 00:19:38,560 Speaker 1: on Saturday twenty fourth, Bronze Lynn's inaugural Filmmakers Ball. Tell 278 00:19:38,600 --> 00:19:39,160 Speaker 1: me about that. 279 00:19:40,040 --> 00:19:44,560 Speaker 2: Yes, we used to have the Women Superstars event on 280 00:19:44,640 --> 00:19:48,520 Speaker 2: that Saturday part of the festival, and we appealed that 281 00:19:48,720 --> 00:19:51,480 Speaker 2: off to a different time of the year so that 282 00:19:51,960 --> 00:19:55,359 Speaker 2: we can celebrate all of these amazing women and just 283 00:19:55,520 --> 00:20:01,400 Speaker 2: do that. And so I wanted, yes, that's right, that's right. 284 00:20:01,760 --> 00:20:06,920 Speaker 2: So I wanted to do something on that Saturday, and 285 00:20:07,280 --> 00:20:10,399 Speaker 2: I started thinking about a ball. Now this is me, 286 00:20:10,600 --> 00:20:13,919 Speaker 2: of course I have these young team members, and so 287 00:20:15,320 --> 00:20:18,720 Speaker 2: it got skewed into a sneaker ball, which is great 288 00:20:18,760 --> 00:20:22,520 Speaker 2: because people get excited about that. But the primary thing 289 00:20:22,680 --> 00:20:25,680 Speaker 2: was this is year fifteen, and we wanted to do 290 00:20:25,720 --> 00:20:29,239 Speaker 2: something in celebration of ourselves that yes, we made it, 291 00:20:29,520 --> 00:20:34,359 Speaker 2: but we also wanted to celebrate our amazing filmmakers, both 292 00:20:34,400 --> 00:20:38,080 Speaker 2: those from this year and those from previous years. And 293 00:20:38,160 --> 00:20:42,320 Speaker 2: so we have extended an invitation to all the filmmakers 294 00:20:42,320 --> 00:20:46,479 Speaker 2: from whom we had contact information to come out and 295 00:20:46,600 --> 00:20:50,600 Speaker 2: join us in this celebration. It's the Sneaker Ball at 296 00:20:50,640 --> 00:20:55,280 Speaker 2: City Hall, and we are excited that the Mayor's Office 297 00:20:55,320 --> 00:20:59,560 Speaker 2: of Film, Entertainment and Nightlife is hosting us to be 298 00:20:59,640 --> 00:21:02,880 Speaker 2: at City Hall on the evening of August twenty fourth. 299 00:21:03,640 --> 00:21:05,399 Speaker 1: When you start talking, when you start talking about the 300 00:21:05,400 --> 00:21:08,040 Speaker 1: secrets to success, you know, being able to pull this off. 301 00:21:08,080 --> 00:21:13,760 Speaker 1: You mentioned in early relationships being tied to the visitors bureau, 302 00:21:14,320 --> 00:21:18,840 Speaker 1: sitting down and somebody recommends goes to a naming company. 303 00:21:19,119 --> 00:21:21,639 Speaker 1: What is the secrets of your success? Of being the 304 00:21:21,720 --> 00:21:25,199 Speaker 1: sustain itself for fifteen years and also to come with 305 00:21:25,560 --> 00:21:30,800 Speaker 1: significant participants as producers Jamie Fox, Ben Crump, Jamie Lee Curtis, 306 00:21:31,040 --> 00:21:33,240 Speaker 1: Marris Chestnut. What's the secrets? 307 00:21:34,720 --> 00:21:38,080 Speaker 2: Well, I can't take credit for the Jamie Lee, Curtis, etc. 308 00:21:38,400 --> 00:21:42,960 Speaker 2: S of those names, because, as I said to you, 309 00:21:43,000 --> 00:21:47,240 Speaker 2: those names as part of the crew were a surprise 310 00:21:47,400 --> 00:21:50,879 Speaker 2: to us. But the fact that the filmmakers thought enough 311 00:21:50,960 --> 00:21:54,240 Speaker 2: of us to submit their film to us says everything. 312 00:21:54,560 --> 00:21:57,040 Speaker 2: And so I'll give you a couple of things. Number One, 313 00:21:57,480 --> 00:22:02,040 Speaker 2: Bronze Lens is an Academy Award qualifying film festival for 314 00:22:02,119 --> 00:22:06,760 Speaker 2: the short film. We've been awarded that since twenty sixteen. 315 00:22:07,560 --> 00:22:11,320 Speaker 2: That means that the kind of film that submits as 316 00:22:11,359 --> 00:22:16,520 Speaker 2: a short film a short narrative, the film that wins 317 00:22:16,600 --> 00:22:20,359 Speaker 2: in that category gets to submit their film to the 318 00:22:20,400 --> 00:22:25,680 Speaker 2: Academy Awards for consideration for next year's awards. It's huge, 319 00:22:26,040 --> 00:22:29,959 Speaker 2: It really is huge, and so that's one reason that 320 00:22:30,040 --> 00:22:34,160 Speaker 2: filmmakers look at us. Another reason that filmmakers look at us, 321 00:22:34,600 --> 00:22:37,520 Speaker 2: and I would say this is part of our key 322 00:22:37,560 --> 00:22:44,040 Speaker 2: to success is we treat everyone well so well. The 323 00:22:44,080 --> 00:22:48,920 Speaker 2: hospitality component of Bronze Lens is something that comes from 324 00:22:48,960 --> 00:22:53,320 Speaker 2: me naturally, from my years thirty two years in hospitality industry. 325 00:22:53,760 --> 00:22:57,119 Speaker 2: But knowing how to treat people and make them feel 326 00:22:57,160 --> 00:23:01,160 Speaker 2: welcome and when they get here, having a quality an 327 00:23:01,200 --> 00:23:05,160 Speaker 2: excellent experience for them. That's what Bron's Lens is known for. 328 00:23:05,480 --> 00:23:08,359 Speaker 2: And if you go back and read the experiences or 329 00:23:08,400 --> 00:23:13,160 Speaker 2: the reviews that the filmmakers write, they always mentioned how 330 00:23:13,240 --> 00:23:16,280 Speaker 2: well they were treated. I have a quick story I'd 331 00:23:16,320 --> 00:23:18,800 Speaker 2: love to tell if I could. There was a young 332 00:23:18,840 --> 00:23:23,840 Speaker 2: man that came to Bronze Lens from California a student film. 333 00:23:23,880 --> 00:23:27,000 Speaker 2: He brought a student film. He was looking for the 334 00:23:27,160 --> 00:23:29,159 Speaker 2: room where his film was going to be screened, and 335 00:23:29,200 --> 00:23:33,480 Speaker 2: he passed the registration desk. One of the gentlemen at 336 00:23:33,480 --> 00:23:37,320 Speaker 2: the registration desk came out from behind the desk and said, son, 337 00:23:37,600 --> 00:23:39,639 Speaker 2: I'll show you where the room is, but here, let 338 00:23:40,119 --> 00:23:42,600 Speaker 2: me help you. The young man was having trouble putting 339 00:23:42,600 --> 00:23:46,040 Speaker 2: his tie on. He wanted to have a tie and 340 00:23:46,240 --> 00:23:48,880 Speaker 2: jacket before he walked in the room to say I'm 341 00:23:48,880 --> 00:23:53,520 Speaker 2: the filmmaker. And so one of our gentlemen came around 342 00:23:53,840 --> 00:23:56,960 Speaker 2: and made sure that that young man looked presentable to 343 00:23:57,080 --> 00:23:59,760 Speaker 2: go to the next screen go to his screening, and 344 00:23:59,800 --> 00:24:02,119 Speaker 2: I came along right at that time, and I walked 345 00:24:02,200 --> 00:24:07,200 Speaker 2: him to his screening, and he was just so overwhelmed 346 00:24:07,280 --> 00:24:10,520 Speaker 2: with the kindness because that's not what he expected. And 347 00:24:10,600 --> 00:24:13,560 Speaker 2: after it was over, the fact that everyone came up 348 00:24:13,600 --> 00:24:15,520 Speaker 2: to him and talked to him about how great his 349 00:24:15,640 --> 00:24:19,440 Speaker 2: film was and that people recognized him throughout the weekend, 350 00:24:19,760 --> 00:24:23,000 Speaker 2: that was important to him. But we tried to treat 351 00:24:23,320 --> 00:24:27,119 Speaker 2: each of our filmmakers the very same way. We have 352 00:24:27,240 --> 00:24:31,119 Speaker 2: a huge group of volunteers. Last week we did an 353 00:24:31,240 --> 00:24:35,760 Speaker 2: orientation for over one hundred people that want to volunteer 354 00:24:36,280 --> 00:24:40,119 Speaker 2: for Bronze Lens this year because they've heard about what 355 00:24:40,240 --> 00:24:43,320 Speaker 2: a great experience it was. And so many of our 356 00:24:43,400 --> 00:24:46,920 Speaker 2: volunteers go on to make connections because some of them 357 00:24:46,960 --> 00:24:51,520 Speaker 2: are filmmakers or budding filmmakers themselves, and so that becomes 358 00:24:51,560 --> 00:24:55,560 Speaker 2: a great experience. So having a great volunteer team is 359 00:24:55,680 --> 00:24:58,199 Speaker 2: part of success. And then I would say the final 360 00:24:58,240 --> 00:25:05,399 Speaker 2: piece is always all always relationships, relationships knowing people, knowing 361 00:25:05,440 --> 00:25:08,760 Speaker 2: people that know people. But it's just not a connection. 362 00:25:09,240 --> 00:25:13,359 Speaker 2: I never really used that word, because if we're doing 363 00:25:13,400 --> 00:25:15,960 Speaker 2: business together, I want you to know me. I want 364 00:25:15,960 --> 00:25:18,960 Speaker 2: you to know about my integrity, about the integrity of 365 00:25:19,000 --> 00:25:21,400 Speaker 2: my organization. I want you to know about my Atlantic 366 00:25:21,520 --> 00:25:24,439 Speaker 2: history and the things that we've done, so that you 367 00:25:24,760 --> 00:25:28,280 Speaker 2: know who you're doing business with. And so that's why 368 00:25:28,320 --> 00:25:31,960 Speaker 2: people that have done work with us don't mind referring 369 00:25:32,040 --> 00:25:36,400 Speaker 2: us on to other people that could possibly collaborate with us, 370 00:25:36,440 --> 00:25:39,800 Speaker 2: because they know we have that kind of reputation of 371 00:25:40,160 --> 00:25:43,920 Speaker 2: really sitting down and trying to build those relationships. 372 00:25:44,480 --> 00:25:48,439 Speaker 1: Awesome. Now, the last day, which is Sunday, August twenty fifth, 373 00:25:48,440 --> 00:25:50,600 Speaker 1: we've already talked about Sneak of Ball. We talked about 374 00:25:51,280 --> 00:25:53,280 Speaker 1: twenty first to the twenty fifth. You can see the 375 00:25:53,280 --> 00:25:56,280 Speaker 1: screens at the Tara Atlanta Theater, but on the campus 376 00:25:56,320 --> 00:25:59,960 Speaker 1: of more House campus at the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center. 377 00:26:00,280 --> 00:26:04,359 Speaker 1: You're going to have the Cinema and Social Justice Sunday. 378 00:26:04,720 --> 00:26:07,400 Speaker 1: You said from Jump that's always been a major role 379 00:26:07,800 --> 00:26:10,399 Speaker 1: that Bronze Land has played. This is not an inauur role, 380 00:26:10,480 --> 00:26:12,800 Speaker 1: this is something this is part of your DNA. Why 381 00:26:12,840 --> 00:26:14,040 Speaker 1: is it so important? 382 00:26:14,680 --> 00:26:18,080 Speaker 2: Well, seem and Social Justice Sunday. Those screenings will take 383 00:26:18,160 --> 00:26:22,119 Speaker 2: place also at the Tara, and then we'll move to 384 00:26:22,160 --> 00:26:26,080 Speaker 2: the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center for the Bronze Lens Awards, 385 00:26:26,320 --> 00:26:29,840 Speaker 2: But let me speak on Cinnemon Social Justice Sunday. This 386 00:26:29,960 --> 00:26:34,040 Speaker 2: is Atlanta. This is Atlanta, that place that was known 387 00:26:34,080 --> 00:26:37,320 Speaker 2: before film as the cradle of the civil rights movement, 388 00:26:37,400 --> 00:26:40,680 Speaker 2: the home of doctor Martin, Luther King Junior, the home 389 00:26:40,760 --> 00:26:45,720 Speaker 2: of John Lewis, the home of Joseph Lowry, c T. 390 00:26:45,920 --> 00:26:51,160 Speaker 2: Vivian Zernona Clayton, Coretta Scott Corretta, Scott King. We had 391 00:26:51,359 --> 00:26:53,640 Speaker 2: legends walking among us. 392 00:26:54,000 --> 00:26:56,439 Speaker 1: Can you tell them how the website and how we 393 00:26:56,480 --> 00:26:59,200 Speaker 1: can reach out to them for tickets and more information 394 00:26:59,359 --> 00:27:00,359 Speaker 1: on the event. 395 00:27:01,720 --> 00:27:06,800 Speaker 2: Yes, Tickets and everything that you need to know about 396 00:27:06,840 --> 00:27:12,040 Speaker 2: the film festival are all at our website www dot 397 00:27:12,080 --> 00:27:16,800 Speaker 2: Bronze Lens dot com, b r O n Z E 398 00:27:17,600 --> 00:27:21,840 Speaker 2: l E n S dot com. We're on Facebook, Instagram, 399 00:27:22,040 --> 00:27:28,080 Speaker 2: TikTok x and just at Bronze Lens and you'll find 400 00:27:28,160 --> 00:27:31,639 Speaker 2: us on all of those platforms. And those platforms also 401 00:27:31,720 --> 00:27:35,199 Speaker 2: give you a lot of information about the various panels 402 00:27:35,560 --> 00:27:39,160 Speaker 2: that we'll have. There are eleven panels that we will 403 00:27:39,200 --> 00:27:44,240 Speaker 2: have panel discussions with all kinds of topics from creating 404 00:27:44,280 --> 00:27:49,600 Speaker 2: a film with your iPhone to getting your film green 405 00:27:49,680 --> 00:27:53,680 Speaker 2: lit and we have one hundred and forty films over 406 00:27:53,680 --> 00:27:57,040 Speaker 2: the course of those five days rushin and topics is 407 00:27:57,119 --> 00:28:00,560 Speaker 2: varied as women and history, relationships and men, mental health, 408 00:28:00,600 --> 00:28:05,080 Speaker 2: and comedy, and religion and spirituality. All of that information 409 00:28:05,880 --> 00:28:08,879 Speaker 2: is on that website for you to dig through and 410 00:28:08,960 --> 00:28:12,120 Speaker 2: find the things that are of interest to you. That's 411 00:28:12,240 --> 00:28:15,080 Speaker 2: Bronze Lens dot Com. 412 00:28:15,119 --> 00:28:18,040 Speaker 1: Awesome. I really appreciate you taking the time. We're gonna 413 00:28:18,040 --> 00:28:20,040 Speaker 1: get this out here. You know, I had to contact 414 00:28:20,040 --> 00:28:22,879 Speaker 1: you because I have history with this. I've sat on 415 00:28:23,000 --> 00:28:27,000 Speaker 1: panels for Kathleen. She know, come on, do you forgot 416 00:28:27,040 --> 00:28:29,000 Speaker 1: about that? Did you forgot that you do panels for? 417 00:28:29,080 --> 00:28:29,919 Speaker 1: You know? 418 00:28:30,400 --> 00:28:36,000 Speaker 2: Then I interviewed you. I'd interviewed you my first You're 419 00:28:36,040 --> 00:28:38,720 Speaker 2: my first interviewing. Thank you so much. 420 00:28:38,520 --> 00:28:40,400 Speaker 1: Thank you, and I thank you for allowing you to 421 00:28:40,480 --> 00:28:43,240 Speaker 1: me to interview you, and also welcome you into fifteen 422 00:28:43,320 --> 00:28:46,080 Speaker 1: years and fifteen more years and when you get the 423 00:28:46,120 --> 00:28:49,080 Speaker 1: fifty we're gonna interview for the fiftieth anniversary of the 424 00:28:49,120 --> 00:28:52,040 Speaker 1: Bronze Lyns Film Festival. We ain't gonna know where Kathleen, Okay, 425 00:28:52,760 --> 00:28:54,520 Speaker 1: we might be talking a little bit slower at the 426 00:28:54,560 --> 00:28:59,400 Speaker 1: fifty year adversary, but we're gonna be talking, okay, even 427 00:28:59,440 --> 00:29:01,600 Speaker 1: though you didn't know at the time, but you found 428 00:29:01,600 --> 00:29:06,320 Speaker 1: out through research Jamie Fox being Crop, Jamie Lee Curtis, 429 00:29:06,360 --> 00:29:09,600 Speaker 1: Debora Riley Draper and my man Morris Chestnut. 430 00:29:09,840 --> 00:29:15,240 Speaker 2: Yes, sir, yes, yes, you know what for us, You 431 00:29:15,400 --> 00:29:20,240 Speaker 2: had us come and do the we we didn't curate, 432 00:29:20,560 --> 00:29:24,320 Speaker 2: but you had us produce the film festival part of 433 00:29:24,360 --> 00:29:26,840 Speaker 2: the Steve Neighborhood Awards for two year. 434 00:29:26,880 --> 00:29:30,120 Speaker 1: Yes, oh, there is so many Absolutely, that was in 435 00:29:30,160 --> 00:29:34,200 Speaker 1: twenty fifteen. That was in twenty fifteen. Absolutely, two years. Absolutely, Yes, sir, 436 00:29:34,280 --> 00:29:35,719 Speaker 1: Oh my god, so awesome. 437 00:29:35,960 --> 00:29:38,400 Speaker 2: You're proud of us too, so we just don't forget 438 00:29:38,520 --> 00:29:41,560 Speaker 2: what our friends have done. Thank you, all right, thank you. 439 00:29:41,760 --> 00:29:45,000 Speaker 1: This has been another edition of Money Making Conversation Masterclass 440 00:29:45,080 --> 00:29:48,200 Speaker 1: posted by me Rushaun McDonald. Thank you to our guests 441 00:29:48,240 --> 00:29:51,640 Speaker 1: on the show today and thank you listening to audience now. 442 00:29:51,640 --> 00:29:53,640 Speaker 1: If you want to listen to any episode I want 443 00:29:53,640 --> 00:29:56,840 Speaker 1: to be a guest on the show, visit Moneymaking Conversations 444 00:29:56,880 --> 00:30:00,440 Speaker 1: dot com. Our social media handle is money Making Conversation. 445 00:30:00,840 --> 00:30:03,240 Speaker 1: Join us next week and remember to always leave with 446 00:30:03,320 --> 00:30:04,760 Speaker 1: your gifts. Keep winning. 447 00:30:05,560 --> 00:30:06,040 Speaker 2: Mm hmmm.