Yasmin Shiraz

Me outside my screening in San Diego's Regal Cinema

Can She Be Saved? is an official selection of the 2010 NC Black Film Festival and I will be receiving their Emerging Filmmaker award. I wanna say thank you again to everyone who has supported the film and my work as a filmmaker. I can’t wait to see my new filmmaker family when I get there. (Coming Correct, I see you! Father’s Day, I see you!)

Here’s the trailer in case you haven’t seen it.

On day two of my Politics of Hip Hop Culture tour I discovered that college women are turned off by the open crotch shots ie (Lil Kim and Nikki Minaj.) When I asked men if they liked the photos, of course they said yeah. But it still wouldn’t make them buy the album. They would simply go on the internet, find the photo and affix in their room and use it accordingly.

But THEY WOULD NOT BUY THE ALBUM just because the female artist was spread eagle on her album cover.

I found this terribly interesting because I know more women buy female rap albums than men. So if women are offended by the crotch shots, why are they displaying their crotches? Its obviously not to increase album sales.  Inquiring minds want to know…. Including my students who attended the Politics of Hip Hop Culture tour today in Florida! Let me know what you think.

Nikki Minaj

Here’s a new letter that I received a few days ago from a Retaliation reader.

Dear Ms. Shiraz,

I’ve become one of your biggest fans. I read your book Retaliation which you said was not a true (story.) But to me, it felt real. I cried because it reminded me of my old life when I lived in Maryland. I lost my cousin to a gang in 2008. I looked up to him just like Tashera did with her brother. We did everything together when we (were) little. He got put in a foster home and I was (gonna be) next. But I made it out. I’m a 3.5 GPA student and I’m preparing to go to college to become a Registered Nurse. I enjoyed reading the book because it felt like i–the reader–was there. I will continue reading your books.

Your biggest fans,

Tamika

I appreciate Tamika for sharing this with me and letting me know of her journey. These are the letters that keep me motivated. Thank you Tamika!!! I’m sure you’ll make a great RN. Keep shooting for the stars!

Can She Be Saved? — as you have heard by now is my lil’ film that could–  screened at the Texas Black Film Festival in Dallas today. I was not in attendance as I was returning from a business trip in Atlanta but I was there in spirit. I hope the film touched many people’s lives.

Here’s the link to the festival: http://www.texasblackfilmfestival.com/

For those of you who have never attended a film festival, the point of a festival is to get industry and audience feedback on your project. Its important in the launch of a filmmaker’s career. Also, the more festivals that select your film, it validates your work as a filmmaker. So, every time I share that Can She Be Saved? was selected for a festival is such a tremendous blessing because it pushes me one step closer to doing my feature film, Retaliation. I’m claiming that each and every day.

And here’s the trailer to Can She Be Saved? Feel free to view it and rate it.

Me at the Regal Cinema in San Diego

Hey peoples! My film, Can She Be Saved? is screening tomorrow at 1pm at Regal Cinemas in downtown San Diego and also on Sunday at 11am in the same location! I’m excited. It’s a big milestone. Someone told me yesterday that thousands of films submitted for this festival but only 100 made it. So there’s stiff competition.

I want to give a big THANK YOU and SHOUT OUT to Karen Willis for putting the festival on and giving us filmmakers a place to go! Much love.

Me and Kenneth Gamble

Above is a picture of me and Kenneth Gamble of Gamble and Huff. He’s one of the founders of the Philadelphia International Sound. He had a documentary that screened at the festival. And ya’ll know I love music, so I had to  get a photo with this legend.

Also, I’m not sure if everyone who is reading my blog has heard of the Village People, but for those of you OLD HEADS who know the deal, I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to take a photo with Victor Willis who was the lead singer of the ORIGINAL VILLAGE PEOPLE. That was really cool cuz again I love music. Somebody out there has to remember the song, “YMCA!”

Me and Victor Willis of the Village People

Also, here’s a photo of me in front of the San Diego Black Film Festival backdrop.

And screen legend, Danny Glover kicked off the opening night reception. As I told my friends on Facebook, Danny Glover has a “God-Like” presence. Believe it. He was on his way to South Africa and then Haiti but he stopped by to support his new documentary and inspire the crowd.

Danny Glover at the San Diego Black Film Festival

Me and fellow filmmaker Michael Melvin. His film is entitled, Broken. He’s a cool cat, he hails from the Baltimore area.

Me and fellow director, filmmaker Michael Melvin

I was recently notified that my debut film, Can She Be Saved? has been selected to screen at the 5th Annual Women’s International Film and Arts Festival in Miami which is being held March 26 – April 3, 2010. I look forward to meeting my fellow women filmmakers. And for the people who indulge me and encourage me to pursue my dreams: I love you.

Here’s the trailer–Feel free to rate it. It helps or something like that:

Me taking a picture of the Can She Be Saved? girls on our 1st day of shooting!

I affectionately refer to my film, Can She Be Saved? as the little film that could. Last night when I was on the way home from the airport, I received an email that alerted me that Can She Be Saved? is an official selection of the 2010 Texas Black Film Festival. I’m thankful and honored! I want to thank the girls in the film for sharing their stories.

PERFECTION, ARIELLE, MARICKA, LADASHIA, SHAKORA, WHITNEY, SHANA, SAMARI, MARSHAY: You are my heroes! May your stories give voices to all girls who want to speak of their anger but are afraid that no one is here to listen. I heard you and I am making sure that others hear you as well.

A few months ago I visited New Jersey and keynoted a teen life conference for Planned Parenthood. It was an event that reached out to high school students and encouraged them to be “The Change That You Want To See In The World.” In addition to speaking at the event, I autographed copies of Exclusive and donated them to the event. I felt good about giving the young people some they could relate to–a hip hop novel based on real life events. Their letters to me have been touching and so I’m gonna share 5 more emails today from Shawn, Zasha, Donald, Kadidiattou and Ashley…

Thank you for participating in our Teen Life Conference. I love your book. I feel as if i can connect to it in so many ways. I like how the book seems as if it is being played out right before my eyes. I can connect to the characters as well. I LOVE IT ! — Shawn M.

Hello Ms. Shiraz, Exclusive was a great book all the imagery and detail really made me feel like I was there with Tisha and Shout. There is no doubt in my mind that Privacy won’t be the best thing that ever hit stores and I cant wait to read it. =)  — Zasha

I just want to take some time out and congratulate you on the wonderful book you wrote, “Exclusive.” I would like to say that it was a fantastic book to read. I am pleased to have seen [you] in person and got a chance to read this book. It was filled with tons of scenes that reached out to me personally. I would be glad to read more of your books. — Donald

Hi , Ms.Shiraz I wanted to let you that I really loved Exclusive although I wish it ended a little better* but all in all it was one of the best urban books I’ve ever read ,and I cant wait to read Privacy =] . –Kadidiattou

Hi, I had the pleasure of reading your book, “Exclusive” and it was very profound and real. I enjoyed it so much that i have passed it along to one of my good friends. I feel that every young person or even just people in general can benefit from reading this book. You in general have also encouraged me to become a writer and activist. I’ve recently attended one of your presentations and I must add that you are a very ennobling keynote speaker as well. So Ms. Shiraz keep inspiring….thank u = ) –Ashley

Much love to Shawn, Zasha, Donald, Kadidiattou and Ashley for reading Exclusive and telling me what they thought. I appreciate their time cause you best believe if you write a book and nobody reads it, it doesn’t feel very good! So, thanks to them, I’m feeling great today!

Peace!!!

*Exclusive is part one of a two part book series.  PRIVACY is book two. So, Exclusive doesn’t really end until PRIVACY. This is what Kadidiattou meant by wishing that Exclusive ended better…

I’ve been so focused in the new year. Largely because I’ve taken the time to discard unnecessary papers on, around and under my desk. I decided in 2009 that I would no longer expect myself to do my best work while surrounded by clutter. I’ve taken this philosophy to my closets, to my bedroom, and to every room in my house. And you know what I discovered? I found that I’m thinking clearly and I’m more focused without all the unnecessary papers, magazines, boxes, etc. I found that I can actually get my work done better and therefore I’m happier. Here are five tips to begin your purge:

1. Magazines older than 4 months have got to go!
2. Business cards need to be added to the database and then trashed!
3. Sales catalogs that you haven’t bought anything in have got to go!
4. VHS tapes that you haven’t watched since ‘91 have got to go (buy the DVD if you must!)
5. All those pieces of scrap paper with people’s phone numbers should be entered into the cellphone and then thrown away.

I know its hard sometimes to let things go, but trust me, it’ll totally make a BIG difference in your life. How do you know if you have purged enough? If it isn’t beginning to hurt you still got lots of stuff to throw away. LOL. No, seriously, declutter your life. I know I am.

Peace.

Here’s a video of a DeCluttering expert who may have a career as a comedienne in her future! HA!

I will be in the house at the 4th Annual National Girl Bullying Conference presenting a session that will feature my film, Can She Be Saved? and my book Retaliation. As most of you know, working with young women has been a passion of mine for many years, so I’m overjoyed that this opportunity has presented itself. Thank you to the young ladies who continue to inspire me and trust me with their stories.  It has been my honor to share your voices with the world.

Much love—

Yasmin

PS. I will share more info on the conference as it gets closer. Its in June 2010!