by A.man.I

Here are some media events that may be of interest:

HOLLYWOOD INSIDERS TALK ABOUT BLACK LOVE IN HOLLYWOOD

Sweet Auburn International Film Festival is hosting its first 2008 pre-festival event, “Black Love & Romance in Hollywood” on Saturday, February 23rd at the Auburn Avenue Research Library. Clips of Tyler Perry’s 2007 hit movie “Why Did I Get Married?” will be shown. Roger Bobb, the film’s co-producer, will be on hand for a panel discussion. Mr. Bobb will be joined by actor Michael Beasely, actress and acting coach Karen Ceesay and producer Sharlene Falls. Together, these Hollywood insiders will engage in a candid discussion about Black relationships on the silver screen. Ms. Evelyn Mims of WXIA-11 will moderate the panel. Seating is limited.

WHO: Roger Bobb – Producer (Tyler Perry Studios)
Michael Beasley – Actor (“The Great Debaters”, “American Inquisition”, “April Fool’s Day”)
Sharlene Falls – Producer (Bottom of the Net Films)
Karen Ceesay – Actress/Producer (“Chalk Line”)
Evelyn Mims – Producer (WXIA – Atlanta & Company), past president and National Trustee for NATAS and the
Daytime Emmys

WHAT: Black Love & Romance in Hollywood, a Sweet Auburn International Film Festival event (sponsored by Sweet
Auburn SpringFest)

WHEN: Saturday, February 23, 2008 – 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE: Auburn Research Library on African American Culture & History
101 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, GA

TOWNHALL MEETING: MINORITIES IN THE MEDIA

Hosted by the Sacramento Black Journalists Association

WHEN: 1 – 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008

WHERE: Greater Sacramento Urban League, 3725
Marysville Blvd., Sacramento

COST: Free and open to the public

CONTACT: Call Kerwin Speight, SacBJA interim Vice
President of Broadcast, (916) 717-7955
info@sacbja. org

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT IS COMING TO ATLANTA!
Click here for details.

SEMINAR FOR BACKPACK JOURNALISTS
Hosted by the Poynter Institute
Click here for details.

by A.man.I

If you’re looking for some quality family fun, you should check out the Universoul Circus. The soulful circus is in its fifteenth year, and will be in Atlanta until March 2.

This years’ theme is “Jabulani,” which means joy, laughter, and happiness. The circus features ten acts from around the globe who perform to music from “Urban America,” meaning hip-hop, and R&B.

Read more about it here.

My Urban Report captured some of the thrills from the show last year, and the organizers were very friendly. It’s because my family has a strong history with the Universoul Circus.

Watch the story below.

by A.man.I

SENATOR CLINTON LOSING SUPPORT [NYTimes]
It looks like Congressman John Lewis has switched from Senator Hillary Clinton’s corner to Barack Obama’s. Lewis, who is a civil rights icon, and U.S. Representative apparently intends to cast his superdelagate vote for Obama.

Though Mr. Lewis had praise for Mrs. Clinton and for her historic candidacy, he said he could decide within days whether to formally endorse Mr. Obama.

U.S Representative David Scott who represents Georgia along with Lewis, was among the first Clinton supporters to go with Obama instead.

Read full article here.

by A.man.I

YouTube, the social media video giant owned by Google brought some of its brightest starts to New York for an event called “Videocracy.”

YouTube is apparently trying to woo big advertisers by showcasing artists, musicians, citizen journalists, athletes, and video producers who are using the site to promote their craft and gain notoriety.

[from NYTimes]

On Wednesday, Google will hold an event in New York to persuade companies with large ad budgets that YouTube has lots of authorized clips from established media companies that should be attractive to advertisers.

I was invited to participate, and got here Monday afternoon. I met acoustic guitarist Frank Bell right after I landed, and I ran into Soulja Boy’s manager in the lobby of the Muse hotel this afternoon.

Last night, I caught up to some of my news friends (Juan Carlos Molina and Kelly Barfield) from Tampa who now work at Fox News Channel.

I give my presentation at around 6pm. Here’s the video I produced about the trip.

Special Contribution from Chip Dizard

by A.man.I

Web designer, and citizen journalist Chip Dizard is attending the Obama rally in College Park Maryland today. Dizard has agreed to share some of his video with MyUrbanReport. He’s planning to focus on why younger voters are supporting Obama.

I spent the morning giving Dizard a few pointers on what to expect at the rally. Getting media credentials is easier than you would think. You just have to know who to call. I told him to get to the riser (media platform) early, set up his tripod, and try not to get in the way of the mainstream folks. This video will give you an idea of what to do.

This is his first time getting media access, so I’m sure it’s a bit intimidating. The video will be posted as soon as it is edited and online.

We need more folks like Dizard willing to produce and share independent media.

Photo credit: Mario Page