C47Houston.com

C47Houston.com
C47Houston.com

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Trump Wins: Democracy on Trial


Trump Wins: Democracy on Trial

First of all I will have to preface this blog by saying that I am in no way a political expert or by no means interested in politics. I am neither a Democrat nor a Republican. I am a FREE thinker and I vote for whom I consider to be the best person for the job, regardless of political affiliation, or gender. Saying that, and being able to read and comprehend complex issues, I am educated and versed with the ability to see things and concepts from an objective point of view (and not emotional) instead of the hazards of myopically shielded insight. Thus, my reflection on this particular issue are my own and not intended to create animosity, however, it will.

The 2016 Presidential Election, Tuesday, November 8th, was an interesting testament to the many voices of the American people. Democracy in progress. On the one side, you have the Democrats, who have represented the nation under President Barack Obama, (a President that I admire and respect despite his political decisions) who has been in office for the past 8 years. The Democrat philosophy is to represent the people who elected them by instituting government programs that can only be funded by the increase in taxes (where taxes are allocated according to net worth) and to redistribute those funds across the American landscape and to provide people with the government resources to which they may be entitle and are created by one or both parties. But, getting back to point...

Under the US Constitution, no president can serve more than two 4-year terms. Thus, a new president will have to be elected to hold the highest seat in the country. Via political maneuvering and a convention, the democrats selected millionairess, career politician and Former First Lady Hillary Clinton to represent them as their prospective President. A candidate with extensive political experience, ambitions but NO military experience.

On the other side, you have the Republicans. Their philosophy is generally the same as the Democrats in as much as they also represent the people who elected them but, hold that free enterprise and the achievement of personal success is accomplished through work and not entitlements. Taxes under this philosophy are allocated via a flat tax across the board regardless of personal assets. 

There is, of course, many other differences between the two parties, fundamental differences, but suffice it to say and for the purpose of this blog, the philosophies are in its simplest form. Again, I am not interested in the details of why both candidates do what they do.

The Republicans, via political maneuvering and convention, selected Businessman and billionaire Donald Trump to represent them as their prospective President. A candidate that has NO political experience as a government elected official (keep in mind that running a business may be political in nature, as well) and NO military experience.

Now that the framework has been constructed, good or bad, this election has been filled with the worse qualities of human nature exhibited by people who sided with one candidate or the other. And, this will piss you off more than my last statement. It is our observation, (keeping in mind that I am a progressive, free-thinker that will only vote for the best person, whomever that might be), that the left-wing die-hard democrats are hypocritical, violent and usurp the democratic process for the benefit of the media. I am not talking about the majority of the democrats who voted and then accept, via the democratic process, that their candidate lost the election. Take for example the graciousness of Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's concession speech. Ms. Clinton exemplified, the true democratic process and the smooth transition of Power.I am talking about those that express their views by protesting, defacing, disruptions, crime and basic hate and bigotry.

The assumptions being thrown around the political battlefield by the uber-Democrats, who supposedly believe in tolerance and equality is appalling and disturbing. The violence they exhibited toward expressions that countered their ideals is everything but passionate and typical of bullying. In other words, if you don't agree with their values and ideals you are an ignorant right-winged Nazi full of bigotry, evil and hate and thus a target for bigotry, evil and hate. That logic is INSANE.  I am not a Republican and I didn't agree with all of the ideals that are being postulated by the left (or the right) and I am not a bigot, I am not evil and I try not to hate...lol.
Not any better was the uber-Republican (the far right) stand against the governments policies regarding the President, US/Mexico border, the asylum of people of Middle Eastern decent, gun control, and the list goes on.

Both sides of the political spectrum have displayed the worse in Americans. Personally, I am disgusted by both sides. And, even NOW, protests are being organized by the losing party and gloating by the winning party are prevalent on social media and the public streets and highways.  The democratic process is unique in the world and has worked very well for over  200 years. The only issue that constantly comes up with a democratic system that comes into play every single election and is brought up as a negative aspect of the election process by the losing party is the Electoral College. Always, the popular vote verses the electoral college and how the election was stolen from the losing party.

HERE IS A TRUTH....The electoral college actually BENEFITS THE DEMOCRATS. Thus, if a Republican won, it was because the Democrats DIDN'T DO THEIR JOB CORRECTLY. Don't blame anyone else but YOUR PARTY FOR FAILING. There is actually reasons for the electoral college and it was created by minds that foresaw what we are experiencing today.

I am disgusted by the idiocy of people on social network that voice an opinion based on nothing more than emotion and hate for people they do not know. I am disgusted by the constant display of bigotry, evil and hate by a people devoted to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. A people that profess Love and understanding. A people that rise above pettiness and in times of hardship come together to lend a helping hand.

And, I am going to say this as no one else will, it is the democrats that are causing this division we are facing today. It is the democrats that are bigots and haters. It is the democrats that have lost sight of the meaning of a democratic system. It is the democrats that are violent and disruptive. It is the democrats that have forgotten that half of the people have voted for the opposite party. This is NOT some 3rd world country or France where there is a history of coups.

With regard to the Republicans. I know where they stand each and every time. But, from my experience the Republicans have always come through when the democrats have not. Furthermore, I know both Democrats and Republicans and I have never come across a Republican that has hated more, is as bigoted and is as violent as a die-hard left wing Democrat.

Donald Trump has won the election, I have to live with that decision. I don't have to like it and I can voice my opinion to my elected officials and I can vote him out the next time there is an election but from what I can see, Democracy is on Trial.


Thursday, January 21, 2016

The GCFVF Call for Projects


The Gulf Coast Film & Video Festival and the Board of Directors are calling on movie-makers and screenwriters to enter their projects to the 18th Annual 2016 Gulf Coast Film & Video Festival, taking place Friday and Saturday, September 23rd and 24th, 2016. Now until March 4th, 2016, movie-makers and screenwriters can enter their projects at EarlyBird rates.
Learn more, get details, forms and information on how to enter at:

Also, the festival committee is looking for help in funding this 18th annual festival. YOU can donate and/or become a part of the festival by being a sponsor, a corporate sponsor, a donor, or a volunteer.
The Festival is crowdfunding at:


Saturday, November 14, 2015


Just a short flyby over Lego City at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. 


CineSpace, 2015 "Red Pearl"


For the first time the 2015 season of the Houston Cinema Arts Festival has partnered with NASA to offer filmmakers around the world a chance to share their works inspired by, and using, actual NASA imagery, both photos and archive film/video through what is called "CineSapce", a new short film competition for the HCAF. (under 15-mins). Films, using real NASA footage from over 50 years of history were judged on their creativity, innovations and attention to detail that are the hallmarks of spaceflight. 
16 finalists (official selections) were chosen through a "selection committee" and according to the one of the board members of the HCAF, the 16 selected movies were given to Houstonian (and NOW living and working in Austin) Honorary HCAF Honorary Board member, Richard Linklater, to pick out the 3rd 2nd and 1st place winners. The HCAF was honored to choose Mary Magsamen and Stephen Hillerbrand's short movie "Higher Ground" as the 1st place winners and Best of the HCAF, 2015. 
Ms. Mary Magsamen is the current Curator at the Aurora Picture Show, a media arts center, (if you recall, the former Aurora Picture Show's Executive Director Delicia Harvey is currently on the board of the HCAF, as well as the Houston Film Commissions Executive Director Rick Ferguson who is an Advisory Board member with the Aurora Picture Show and Board member at the HCAF, among others.

C47Houston was not participating with this years Houston Cinema Arts Festival, we are not on the board, and was invited to the screening of Director Wayne Slaten's short movie "Red Pearl". This was all part of the HCAF's collaboration with NASA under a short competition called CineSpace. 
The team for Moonlike Filmwerks, Mr. Slaten's Production company were there in support. The team won a jury award, The Best short Film Depicting the Spirit of Future Exploration in Space Award. Directed by Wayne Slaten, Starring Uju Edoziem, Jordyn Lorenz, Troy Parker and Nia Johnson. Cinematography by Larry Mckee, wardrobe by Liz Tee. Produced by Molly Vernon, Martin Delon, Julie Oliver-Touchstone and Mr. Slaten  Music by Jeff Walton Edited by Richard Whitlow, makeup by Marissa Viso and Angela Mendoza
Congratulations to the team!!! If you get a chance to see this movie, it was pretty amazing.
Learn more about "Red Pearl" on FB at: 
Visit their IMDB page at: 
and visit Moonlite filmwerks at: 

We took some pictures...



You can seem a few more pictures on Instagram at: 

Friday, November 6, 2015

What you need to know about making a Movie...So, you want to make movies!


What you need to know about making a movie.

There are many schools of thought regarding the approach you take in making a movie for the first time. Some will tell you to pick up a copy of Robert Rodriguez’s movie making book “Rebel without a Crew”. Others will tell you to go to a reputable filmmaking school and learn what you need to know about making a movie. And, still others will tell you to spend your money and take some filmmaking classes, workshops and even seminars with various directors whom are willing to answer your questions about how to make a movie.

We have had the pleasure and opportunity to meet a huge amount of moviemakers over the few years we have been in business. Some come from and have degrees in some reputable schools; some have picked up Mr. Rodriquez book and have created their own projects and some have taken classes, attended workshops and seminars.

These approaches all have their merits, some disadvantages and plenty of information about how one would go about making their movie venture. But, the only approach that you ought to be taking is your OWN approach to movie making. If you are a fan of watching movies you will no doubt have analyzed the techniques used by many directors in the creation of their movies. The only thing stopping you from picking up a camera and telling your story, or someone else’s story is YOU.

If you feel like you need the resources provided by books, schools or workshops go for it, but it is your own approach that may make a difference in being noticed as a moviemaker and director. YOUR creative style is all that counts and all that matters. Being original and having a unique take on making movies may get you noticed on every social network site. AND, you may get the attention from the studios looking to back an up-and-coming moviemaker with something different to show.  

Sure, you can learn some of the basics about movie making, from a book or from a workshop however, it all comes down to your particular and unique creative style in making a movie. It’s the way you move the camera, the way you make it flow from point “A” to point “B”, the way you compose your image within the four angles of a frame, the way you create a scene, the way you backlight an actor or an object, the way you cut and splice and the way you tell your story.

We have seen some really good movies made by people that have no business making movies and they do a great job in creating something unique and inspiring, at the same time, we have seen some bad movies made from people that really have no business making movies but continue to live out their dreams. Regardless of whether the movie was bad or a good venture, WE have to say that the movies that have grabbed our attention have always been creative and utilizing some unique approaches that can not be taught in a book or a workshop. They have a style of their own and a particular approach to making a movie.

Pick up a camera and experiment. Bring out your creative side and make a movie that when shown…people will remember, not because the story was good, but because you leave a visual imprint in their minds…something that they can not forget. This is what is going to get you noticed. Forget about following someone else’s idea on how you ought to make a movie. This was good for them and may not be or apply to YOU. 

Remember, you are an artist with a blank canvas in the form of a giant silver screen in front of you. The brushes you use is a movie camera with various lenses and the image you put on that silver screen is YOUR view of the world. The color you mix is your idea of lighting and sound and the texture you create by composing a scene in front of a camera is only limited by your imagination. When you are ready to apply that first stroke of paint, you are applying your particular style and your unique take on making a movie.  When it all comes together, step back and look at what you have done. You can be satisfied that what you created has your particular signature on it for all to see.

So, get out there and make your movie. YOU don’t need someone else’s version of what it should be. It is YOUR movie! Make it stand out because that is the only way to get your name out there as an artist who has a different way of telling the same story of life.
We are positive that once you start, you will never stop.







Mixer/Minlge Houston


Marketing Producer, Andy Valadez, of Marketing Dynamics is stirring up the Houston Film scene along with Anita Long, the current president of Women in Film & Television-Houston and Rod Mitchell of Houston Cast & Crew who all presented a huge Mixer/Mingle at the Fox &  Hound, Thursday night, November 5th that started with a C47Houston Power Coffee meeting at the Corner Bakery Cafe earlier that afternoon. The Power Coffee meeting brings together filmmakers for a cup of coffee just to talk in a more intimate environment where you can get to talk to other "film" people who have one thing in common...C47Houston News & Entertainment Magazine. About 15 people joined us and Mr. Valadez as he brought in actress Joanna Sanchez from Hollywood and New York.  Ms. Sanchez has been visiting the Houston greater area for a number of years. She presents her acting classes for those people interested in honing their acting skills and their networking skills. Ms. Sanchez is doing some amazing things and can be seen on television, cable and in movies.  Learn more about Joanna on IMDB at: 
or you can keep up with her and her classes at:
Learn more about Marketing Producer Andy Valadez at:
Learn more about Women Film & Television-Houston at:
  Learn more about Rod Mitchell on fb at: 
We took some pictures...Enjoy!

Saturday, October 31, 2015

Irving Flims Double Feature Premiere of Hope and Never Quit


The Executive Producer from Irving Films & Productions Mr. Charles Irving presented the premiere of their two new feature ventures, Director Lakisha Lemons' "Hope" and Director Jason Aleman's "Never Quit" at the Santikos Palladium Entertainment Theater, Houston, Texas Thursday evening, October 29th to a full theater of fans, cast and crew. Both movies were well received. 
We got the opportunity to attend the Red Carpet Event and met Mr. Irving, Writer Felicia Irving, Director Lakisha Lemons and Director Jason Aleman, along with a lot of other folks associated with both movies. 
Learn more about the movies:
NeverQuit at: www.NeverQuitFilm.com
and, Learn more about Irving Films at: www.IrvingFilms.com

We took a few pictures...

 

 
 
 

Learn more about Irving Films & Productions on FB and "Like" them at: