Video - Radio Free Nashville; Low Power for the People

I've decided to try something new here. In addition to my work with Spoke Films, I will be working from now until the election as Tennessee's "Citizen Journalist" for MTV News' Choose or Lose Street Team '08. I have free editorial control to pursue whatever stories I …

Spoke Films 2007 Year in Review (Part II)

As the months of 2008 are rapidly falling off the calendar, I wanted to finish my wrap up of last year. In my earlier post summarizing last year, I discussed some of the major developments in the production of my documentary, Shielded Brutality. Towards the latter …

Spoke Films 2007 Year in Review (Pt. I)

Before January gets too far along, I wanted to take a minute to reflect on the year past, especially as it relates to the making of my film, Shielded Brutality. In short, last year was hugely successful, and ended on the great note of two and half years of hard work …

New Grant Awarded to Shielded Brutality documentary!

We just found out this week that our documentary film, Shielded Brutality, was awarded the Media Justice Fund grant from the Crossroads Fund in Chicago! This will be a huge asset in finishing the film and I can't thank the people at Crossroads enough.

It's been a very …

"No End In Sight" - Documentary Review

Charles Ferguson was waiting for someone else to make this film. In 2005, after finding that no one seemed to be making a film specifically about America's policy in Iraq, he decided to take matters into his own hands and …

Issues regarding CPD dominate Chicago news lately

Issues regarding the Chicago Police Department have taken center stage over the past several weeks here in Chicago. Important developments towards seeking justice regarding the Jon Burge torture scandal (the subject of my documentary - "Shielded Brutality") have …

"Shielded Brutality" trailer screened and televised at Rainbow/PUSH

This past Saturday, I had the honor of screening the trailer for my documentary film, "Shielded Brutality," at the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition's community forum. The weekly community forum is broadcast nationally and internationally. I can't thank the Reverend Jesse …

New Interview Scheduled - Attorney Standish Willis

It's been a productive week for my documentary, Shielded Brutality. After filming the encouraging Cook County Board of Commissioners' hearing (see my last post), I sat down with Attorney Standish Willis the following day. Mr. Willis provided further background about …

Day of Action To Restore Law and Justice

Given that my documentary centers around torture here in the homeland, it seems appropriate to publicize important events regarding torture and human rights in general. Today has been designated the Day of Action to Restore Law and Justice and thosands will be …

Michael Moore's "SiCKO" - Strong Medicine for American Complacency

NOTE: Even though much of this blog is devoted to documenting the making of my own film, I also want this to be a place where documentary filmmaking is discussed as a general matter. Regardless of how you feel about Michael Moore as a person, political entity, or …

Momentum Continues...

First of all, a heartfelt thank you to my friend, John Cizmar, for helping me get this new site up and running (well, he didn't help... he did it while I watched scratching my head. Thanks, John!)

As you can see by reading this post, I now have a new blog embedded in …

Cook County Board to Vote on Torture Resolutions

Attorney Larry Kennon (standing) speaks at June 13th Board hearing regarding police torture.

On July 10th, the Cook County Board of Commissioners will vote on four resolutions related to Police torture and the Jon Burge Scandal. The resolutions are as follows:

1. The …

Successful Interview Completed with Dr. Calvin Morris; More Scheduled.

It's proving to be a productive summer for my documentary, Shielded Brutality. Yesterday I filmed an interview with historian and esteemed civil rights advocate Reverend Calvin Morris. Dr. Morris's commentary was deeply thoughtful, insightful, and passionate as he …

Cook County Board Unanimously Passes Three Police Torture Resolutions

Commissioner Earlean Collins, sponsor of four resolutions regarding police torture.

Today, the Cook County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to pass three of four resolutions relating to Chicago's history of police torture (the Jon Burge Scandal); the fourth …

Distribution Strategies for Indie Filmmakers

The subtitle of this post should be "Suggestions from Indie-Film Distribution Guru, Peter Broderick," however, that implies that I interviewed Peter Broderick or he contributed to this post. Actually, I've never met Peter Broderick, but I hope to. If that happens, I …

Chicago City Council Holds Hearings Regarding Torture Report

A video-projection of former Chicago Police Detective Jon Burge pleading the Fifth Amendment multiple times while being questioned about torturing suspects was displayed at yesterday's City Council hearing. The video was provided by attorneys from the People's Law …

"Shielded Brutality" new and extended Quicktime trailer

If you have trouble viewing or video is downloading too slow, watch YouTube trailer here.

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