Amack

Amack

The technical training behind what I do isn’t that extensive. Completing several courses in photography and film from 2003 to 2007, at the time it was only a pass-time engagement to fulfill credits. Eventually, the endeavor became a “sanity” hobby to re-direct anxious energy. It later evolved from a somatic artistic craft to an arsenal agent to serve the Black population.

Workshops, online courses, and many books on the various film and photography techniques consumes my learning expansion. Once the fundamentals are acquired, it becomes necessity to keep up with trends, technology, and artistic thought in media. Further, developing content and vision for a project requires a deeper understanding of people and business. All of this will a sense of humility. My style and designed is not for everyone. This come at much humbleness. I strongly argue that this is an important characteristic in film and photography.

Through the various visioning and revisioning, Black Light Media arrives as an extension of my work to serve the health and well-being of Black family, community, and enterprise. I will probably never shift this to become my main source of income. The reason being is that I desire the aesthetic fulfillment of each image and/or project. Commodifying this into a business has away of depleting the internal fulfillment with doing the work. I support and applaud those that embark upon this as a business adventure. This is not for me. With every commercial, photo session, artistic project, or film, I want to stand behind it with the critical examination, joy, and evaluation of an artists in growth. Further, this connotes that I do not take on every project that is presented.

Projects: Past & New

Within the recent ten years, I’ve supported numerous Black organizations in promotion, narrative development, events, and commercials. Black Light Media have provided services for influential efforts such as Insight News, Black Civic Network, Village Arms, Black Homeschool Scholars with Swagg, In Black Ink, Athleadership, Solidarity Twin Cities, and Black Family Blueprint. Additionally, the company has provided services for the University of Minnesota, YMCA of Greater Twin Cities, Minneapolis Public Schools Adult and Education.

The creative approach to film is the focus of my current venture. The company is currently in production of several films and short scripts. With a research methodology, I am currently in production of the title “Invisible Presence: The reveal of Black fatherhood” which explores the myth and grounded reality of comtemporary Black fathers. In the spring and summer 2022, my plan is to produce various “shorts” centered around Black family dynamics such as parenting, coupling, elderhood, mothering, and fathering. These shorts are 2 - 5 minute scripts that centeres vitally important conversations, expereices, or milestones in family life. Currently in private release, the company has released “Voices To Disarm”, a documentary that unravels and attempt to resolve community gun violence from the lens of activist, leaders, elders, and youth. This piercing look into the impact of gun violence is a community led project to elevate the discussion of gun violence, which increasingly have statistically impated the Twin Cities for the past 9 years.

My future direction envisions collaborative productions in the artist sphere. The goal is to join with similar and like-minded filmmakers to curate the Black experience through cinema. Recognizing that the Twin Cities is home to many talented fillmakers, cinematographers, and video artist, a network of film artist working toward a common project can elevate the local film art scene to a regional and national level.