Supporting Diversity and Inclusion is our Mission

 

When I talk about breaking stereotypes by supporting age, gender, and ethnic diversity, it isn’t just a talking point; it’s a mission.  The goal is to make diversity and inclusion so commonplace that talking about them is boring.   This is achieved by creating unique characters that challenge the perceived stereotypes and encourage new perspectives.

Graham Greene is a perfect example of our goal.  As a Native American, Graham honored his culture; however, he did so by playing characters who were cops, veterans, doctors, politicians, etc.  His ethnicity was only one aspect of a multifaceted character.  I enjoyed his work because you never knew what to expect from his talent.  He refused to play one-dimensional characters, which is why I created Martin Flying Crow in Operation Home Base with him in mind.

Martin Flying Crow

A full-blooded Oneida, Martin Flying Crow enlisted as an Army Medic to escape the abject poverty of the Rez, only to find the destiny his ancestors had placed before him. Trained by his shaman grandmother, Flying Crow walked the Red Road from childhood. At age 13, he set out on a vision quest to learn his life’s path. The Eagle Spirit showed him that he was destined to be a healer and guide others. This life was to be one of service to others. He was to teach them the way of spiritual balance. However, to lead others, he needed to walk the path himself. Enlisting as a combat medic in the Army was the first step of many. In Vietnam, he served two tours as a medic. Although he was not officially allowed to carry weapons, he did not hesitate to defend those in his unit by whatever means necessary. It was during this time that he crossed paths with Deek and Walter. After his tour, he returned to the Rez. Working as a Paramedic, he quickly learned how little emotional, spiritual, and medical support there was for the military personnel, vets, and wounded warriors, along with their families. Working out of his garage, he gathered information, contacts, and resources, which he used to improve the lives of those affected by war. He gained national attention when he was able to talk a wounded warrior out of committing suicide. It was this exposure that brought him to the attention of Lorelei Stuart and Michael Woodsman.

Unfortunately, Graham is permanently unavailable.  I need to consider one of the many very talents alterative and tweak the character to make it more comfortable for the actor.

The projects that I write and produce offer the same opportunities and growth for women, veterans, and the LGBTQ+ community.  It’s this fractioning of the expected norm that shatters stereotypes and turns two-dimensional paper dolls into real people. This is our goal; we will achieve this mission by focusing on entertaining first and foremost.   No one likes to be preached at.  But by creating characters and putting them in situations that touch people’s hearts, you can change minds and behaviors.  In a world where ignorance and cruelty are now celebrated, we will find the commonality in our humanity to celebrate.  If you share our mission, let’s chat.  Here is the link to our website.

https://www.kaleidoscopefilmandtelevision.com/

 

#diversity #inclusion #veterans #women #Native Americans #indigouspeople #TheresaChaze #KaleidoscopeFilmandTelevision #film #Television

 

 

 

 

 

kaleidoscope Film and Television: The Returning Control to the Creatives

 

The pencil heads and bean counters of the corporate world have taken over the entertainment industry.  They see film and television projects more like widgets that can be mass-produced rather than creative endeavors. They have been managing the industry according to the mathematical formula they created to reinforce their narrow point of view, which is everything that can be summed up on the bottom of a balance sheet.  They plop numbers to their formula, believing it will project the audiences’ interests and desires.  People can’t be summed up at the bottom of a balance sheet.  They are messy, complicated, and inconsistent.  Just because they like a project once, doesn’t mean they will accept prequels, sequels, and remakes.   Unlike widgets, which need to be standardized, successful film and television projects are the ones that left the standards behind to tell tales based on unique characters and plots.   They are the leaders that blaze new creative trails that everyone else follows.

Part of their equation focuses on using A-list talent. Yet, A list talent only guarantees a much larger budget; they don’t ensure a successful project. But the studios, investors, and distributors insist on only supporting projects with A-list talent attached. Although, for the most part, A-list talents have earned their places in the industry, they only achieve that status by being correctly hired for projects that suit their talents.  Mismatching or forcing a talent to fit into a project can damage or end careers just as quickly. 

Every A-list actor who has walked the red carpet had that one role that launched their career.  Someone saw value in their talent and opened doors for them.  Unfortunately, with the corporate state of mine, the roles and projects they were offered afterward became standardized to a stereotype, because they are seen as numbers, not people. As long as they stayed in their place, the studio executives will support them.  Stepping out of their pigeonhole could lead to the red carpets being rolled up.

What’s more challenging--attracting an A-list talent or creating a new one?  Existing talent has an established body of work and fan base, but both bring audiences’ expectations.  Fresh talent lacks both those limitations and assets.  It’s the difference between buying a suit off the rack and having one custom designed.  However, offering a stereotype-breaking role to an A-list talent becomes a game changer as it resets the stage for her or him. However, it can also be a double-edged sword as the bar of excellence will be raised as the actor faces preconceived expectations.

As with onscreen talent, writers, directors, and producers also find themselves limited by the same parameters.   Success frequently leads to being only offered projects in the same genre and at the budget level.   Industry and audience expectations create a glass ceiling in which new adventures and challenges can be seen but not realized.

Kaleidoscope Film and Television will break the chains that bind talent to the past and open doors for those new to the industry.  By keeping the budgets reasonable and by focusing on original projects, it will return to the old business model of producing quality in quantity.  However, it will deviate from past practices by focusing on bringing age, gender, and ethnic diversity and inclusion to the screens.  This will be accomplished by breaking stereotypes in front of and behind the cameras.  With top-of-the-line equipment and a versatile soundstage, Kaleidoscope Film and Television will nurture new talent, while expanding opportunities for experienced actors, producers, directors, and writers. With the intention of being fully operational by the end of 2023, it is currently building its team by reaching out to like-minded individuals, who want to create projects that will entertain while opening the world to new possibilities.

Website

 

 

 

 

Kaleidoscope Film and Television Productions Studio Seeks Team Member

 

 

Based in Oklahoma, Kaleidoscope Film and Television will be producing and distributing film, television, documentary, and video projects in both domestic and international marketplaces as well as in all current and future distribution platforms. Focusing on entertainment projects based on ethnic, gender, and age diversity, especially for women, Native Americans, and veterans, the studio will produce projects that will reflect the ever-changing and ever-expanding world.

Kaleidoscope Film and Television will combine the best of the old school with modern technologies. Based on the concept originally created by D. W. Griffith, Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, and Douglas Fairbanks with United Artists, Kaleidoscope Film and Television intends to once again pull together the talent of producers, directors, actors, and crew, who want to take back their independence by having more financial and creative control of their careers. However, instead of focusing on only uniting individuals, Kaleidoscope will bring together the independent production companies to create a co-operative that will empower new voices, while producing quality and profitable entertainment.

More of a co-operative than a partnership, Kaleidoscope Film and Television will gather the talents of individuals and production companies together under one banner to create a choir of voices. Currently, it is seeking entertainment professionals, who would like to challenge the industry to become more inclusive.

Website

#filmmaking #productioncompany #televisionproduction #kaleidoscopefilmandtelevision #oklahoma #TheresaChaze