This weekend I attended the Oak Park Black Film Festival in Sacramento, California. I watched several unique movies. Two that stood out to me the most are ABO starring Jenifer Lewis, and GOOD NIGHT, MY LOVE with Marla Gibbs and Hal Williams.
ABO is about how a drama teacher handles an active shooter situation while the middle school is on lockdown. ABO is Oscar-qualified for the 2026 Academy Award Best Live Action Short. The movie's writer/director is Sam Henderson, who was in attendance at the Oak Park Black Film Festival.
GOOD NIGHT, MY LOVE is about a 90-year-old woman reflecting on her 65-year marriage. The writer/director is Chyna Robinson.
I visited Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. Allensworth was the first town in California founded, governed, and financed by African Americans. Colonel Allen Allensworth was a chaplain of the United States Army who escaped slavery during the Civil War. You can watch my web series, California Life, travel-lifestyle series Episode 16, Allensworth here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-gCRZPPeKw.
To learn more about Allensworth State Park, visit the Web site: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=583. If you visit in person, guided tours and self-guided tours are available. The Web site also includes a Calendar of Events. You may camp at the park.
This week I went on the TCM Warner Bros. Classic Films Tour located at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California. In addition to supporting independent films, I appreciate classic films. They are the foundation of inspiration for many filmmakers.
The tour is outstanding, showcasing a comprehensive history of Warner Bros. films, television series' and animation. The tour starts with delicious refreshments. Then visitors walk to a theatre to watch a video featuring the Turner Classic Movies (TCM) hosts explaining the tour. Afterwards, the guided tour begins and includes a ride and walk through the backlot, Property Department, etc. Some of the tour is self-guided.
The backlot has streets with buildings that look like New York City and a neighborhood of houses, schools, and a church. The Property Department has items that have been utilized in movies and television programs, and are still available to use in current and future productions.
I produced five episodes in 2022 during Season 3 of my webseries, 'California Life, travel-lifestyle series.' For Seasons 1 and 2, four episodes were produced each season.
If you want to subscribe to the 'California Life, travel-lifestyle series' channel, here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/@californialifetravel-lifestyle. Thank you for watching! We hope you are entertained, educated, and inspired by what you see.
My travel-lifestyle series, California Life, has a new host. Sheila Ellis has starred in three episodes and in some promotional videos we created for the series. In Episode 2, Sheila visits Nevada City and Grass Valley:
The official Web site for California Life is https://tdaentertainment.com/CaliforniaLife.htm. Local television stations will broadcast California Life soon. If you would like to watch California Life on one of your local TV stations, please contact us.
UPDATE: August 9, 2018 -- "California Life" is nominated for Best Web Series/Pilot Award by the Action on Film International Film Festival! AOF MEGAFest 2018 is August 16-26 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
I created and produce a travel-lifestyle television series titled California Life. Our theme is: "Traveling in California...searching for unique places." Our host is Aryn Rozelle.
Aryn shows viewers real estate, shopping, unique dining options, and more from various towns in California. For the most part, we will focus on small to mid-size towns because they have more to offer than just charm, and are the heart of the state. Besides, many people have probably watched programs about California cities: San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego. We want to show other places in California, and over time may visit the cities.
I really wanted to see WINCHESTER, because I have toured the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California (http://www.winchestermysteryhouse.com/). The concept of the home's architecture is intriguing and Sarah Winchester seems like an interesting, but misunderstood individual. Currently, the home is smaller than in Mrs. Winchester's time, but still a maze of a residence with beautiful gardens. Here is a photo I took of Mrs. Winchester's notorious seance room:
Helen Mirren is a talented actress and always gives outstanding performances. She is an excellent choice for the role of Sarah Winchester.
WINCHESTER is a supernatural horror film. Since so many people are intrigued by Mrs. Winchester's desire to have continual construction on her home, the movie would be better as a mystery-suspense story. That could have worked because several gothic elements are already in place: large house, desolate location, mysterious events, etc. Screenwriters The Spierig Brothers and Tom Vaughan are clearly inspired by what prompted the home's design, but could have a more complete script by fully developing the character of Sarah. She is the one whose story needs to be shared, and then the mystery of the house would be solved. However, the full title of the movie is WINCHESTER: THE HOUSE THAT GHOSTS BUILT. So in this movie the focus is not on Sarah Winchester (as many may expect). Perhaps someone will write a story about Sarah Winchester one day, showing her home as the setting, and illustrating why she lived in such a residence.
Jason Clarke plays Eric Price. Eric is a doctor hired by the Winchester Company to assess Mrs. Winchester's mental state since executives want full control of the company. If Dr. Price can prove her mentally unfit, she will be removed from the business.
