ChilltownTV’s creator/producer/writer/etc. and TVWriter™ contributor Leesa Dean is featured – featured – we say, over at Comedy TV is Dead and we can’t think of more worthy subject of adoration.
Yes, we said “adoration.” What else do you call an article that starts off like this:
I’ll cut to the chase. I had a GREAT time in Atlanta!
My plane arrived right on time and I called Lyn Adler as we had pre-arranged. She and her fiance Mark were already en route to the venue. We both got there early and it was so cool to finally meet her and Mark in person. Lyn and I have known each other for a few years, but only online (we had a friend in common.) It was wonderful to finally meet in person. They are absolutely lovely people.
We took a short walk, checked out the the block party (which was just setting up/starting a few blocks away) and came back just in time to meet Charles Judson, the artistic director of the Film Festival (and the Atlanta Film Festival) and Kristan Woolford, his assistant. Both great guys. We started chatting as people started arriving and really hit it off.
Chapter 26 – I’m BAAACCCCKKK!!So. Back after a couple of weeks hiatus. Been on vacation, which for me means only working about 40 hours a week. And taking weekends off. It’s been great. Actually got to play a lot of tennis (I’m a huge tennis fanatic, albeit relative beginner.)
When I first launched 10 months ago, I jumped in with both feet, not knowing anything. Now I know slightly more. I normally put in, easily, 12-15 hours a day, seven days a week. While it was exhilarating (mostly), it was also exhausting. I needed the break.
During the hiatus I was working on the TOP SECRET PROJECT plus putting down ideas for the Chilltown and Lele’s Advice relaunch. Initially I thought I’d be ready in the Fall. More likely it’ll happen in winter. I just started writing some of the new Lele shows. I’m doing 36 new ones–a huge amount of work. Just structuring the new season outline is making me cross-eyed. And trying to get my ducks in a row for the Chilltown relaunch.
Plus, now that Labor Day’s over, the calls are coming back in. Meetings being set up. Next week, I go to another Big Screen Little Screen plus have two new interviews set up. And, on top of it all, who do I hear from? You guessed it. Rollo. We have drinks planned. Can’t wait to hear what he’s been up to after all this time (actually, I’m kinda scared to hear what he’s been up to!) Back to being uber-busy. It feels good.
As I mentioned last week, Chilltown is an official selection in this year’s A3C Film Festival. A3C is the biggest hip-hop festival in the world. And it’s focus is underground/indie hip-hop. A lot of people come from indie hip-hop–Jay Z, Kanye West, 50 Cent, just for starters. When I launched Chilltown, I reached out to the underground hip-hop community. I felt/hoped people would embrace it. And they did! Being an official selection is probably the biggest thing that happened for Chilltown so far. Part of the lesson for me: niche. I didn’t think “niche” when I originally reached out to the underground/inidie hip-hop community initially. I just thought, “this is the kind of music I love, I hope other fans relate and respond to my work.”
I was told A3C averages 10,000-50,000 people, which is huge. They also do press, so I’m hoping to use this to not only bring more awareness to Chilltown, but also to get people interested in the relaunch.
This is the second year for the Film Festival and other films that are screening are some really cool documentaries, including the world premiere of Our Vinyl Weighs a Ton, which is about Stone’s Throw Records, one of hip-hop’s biggest. The festival is produced in collaboration with the Atlanta Film Festival.
This week I’ve been so incredibly busy, I only have time for a short post. As promised, part of this week’s entry is about The Contract. And yes, that is the bad news.
As I mentioned last week, I got another contract offer. This one, from a FB “friend” who in-boxed me and asked how Chilltown was coming along. “Well,” I told her. She said, “Look, have you ever thought about publishing Chilltown as a book? I have a friend who has a small publishing company. He’s looking for writers and I thought of you. I think you’d be a good match. While he’s small, he really can make things happen.”
While I have no plans to do that for Chilltown, I am, actually working on a book. But I also have a pretty enhanced bullsh*t meter and, sadly, I felt this message not only triggered it, it was pretty close to an 11 (yeah, most things that seem too good to be true usually are.) Out of curiosity, though, I said, “While I’m not in the market right now, why don’t you send me some links. Down the line, I might be.”