Filmmaker Usher Morgan discusses his new book Lessons from the Set: A DIY Guide to Your First Feature Film
We recently had the privilege of conversing with Usher Morgan, the award winning writer, director, and producer whose work includes Prego, Windblown, Fine Dining, Trapped Inside and the newly released feature film, Pickings. Morgan’s new book, Lessons From the Se Lessons from the Set: A DIY Guide to Your First Feature Film, was released to bookstores by Library Tales Publishing on December 17th, 2018. Below are extracts from our conservation with the filmmaker. What was it that made you want to make movies for a living? Was there an age or point in time when you began to see film and film making as a way of expression? I’ve always wanted to be involved in movies in some capacity or another. When I was a kid I remember watching the “behind the scenes” featurette for The Matrix at a friend’s house (that was “the” moment when I got hooked). Cut to: a few years later I left my hometown and migrated to New York City to start a book publishing company and in 2012 I was given the opportunity to produce a documentary film called The Thought Exchange with David Friedman and Lucie Arnez. That experience re-triggered my passion and obsession…
Interview with founder of Motiv-Pro, hairstylist Louie Merlot
Louie Merlot is a paragon celebrity hairdresser and stylist who believes that your hair style speaks volume of your persona and also finding the right barber who understands your style is as important as building an impressible personality. He is the founder of MOTIV-PRO, an American brand that manufactures hairdressing tools and styling products. He knows just how important hairdressing tools are for barbers to achieve great feat. The brand is famous for its uniquely designed haircombs, hair grippers, razors, blades, hair fiber, styling gel, peel off mask and capes. When did you first become a hairdresser? My journey started late 2009 How did you learn hairdressing? I was 12 years old when I first started cutting my hair and that of my two younger brothers. At that time I was using a cheap pair of Conair Clippers I bought at Walmart. Times were difficult for us and affording a haircut was quite a luxury. When did you start Motiv? It was founded in 2016 Where is it basedd? It’s headquartered in California. Why did you want to start a hairdressing tools company? Actually, I never planned on starting a hairdressing tool company. To say the least, I was in…
Interview with author Dan Tito Davis on his memoir Gringo: My Life on the Edge as an International Fugitive
Dan Tito Davis is the author of Gringo: My Life on the Edge as an International Fugitive based on his life story. Davis was a fugitive from US authorities between 1994 and 2007, when he was renditioned back to the US from Venezuela. During his ten year prison sentence, Davis penned a seven hundred page manuscript, which chronicled his thirteen year period on the run from the United States federal government. His writing provided a glimpse into staying alive and out of prison while mixing it up with major drug cartels in Colombia and Mexico; crossing the Darien Gap the worlds most dangerous passageway, sneaking into Germany, getting interrogated in Cuba, and building a resort in Venezuela the same time Hugo Chavez was calling President Bush “the devil” at the United Nations. And while Davis’s exploits were stunning, there was only one problem, he wasn’t a writer. While living in a halfway house in Wyoming, Davis met with writer Peter Conti and quickly tapped him to “write his story the right way.” For a year the two worked diligently to turn Davis’s raw material into an action-packed memoir. Gringo: My Life on the Edge as an International Fugitive has received rave reviews from…
Making your emails unforgettable
In a world where we there are billions of email users. One where an average person receives dozens to hundreds of mails in his inbox daily, how can your emails stand out? Email marketing is by far one of the best strategies for attracting and retaining customers till date. With a good email campaign, you can avail ground breaking results. Sadly, in the world today, most emails say boring and uninteresting right from the first glance. This has led to quite a number of mails laying in busy inboxes, forgotten or probably never opened. In fact, most consumers would tag certain emails “irrelevant” upon receipt. An email that buys you a click – what should it look like? Let’s be clear here – Getting an email in front of the right audience is just one step of the way. Having an attention grabbing copy out there is what actually speaks conversion. Without a doubt, the journey to getting an email opened lies on what the reader first sees. So you should craft a catchy email subject line that gets you the first click through. The next thing is your copy. Your copy/content should be one that is scannable, as clear…
“If you can breathe, you can do yoga.”Michaël Bijker On Yoga, Breath Work, and the Mind-Body Connection
Michaël Bijker is the founder of the Life Awareness Project: Yoga Lap. Their eight week online course covers breath work, mind training and meditation. Students will learn techniques to strengthen and open up the body and mind, become more focused, heal themselves, and become aware of their connection with something much greater than themselves. Michaël Bijker has helped many people from all over the world find their true purpose in life. He has been studying the workings of the mind and body since the age of 14 and is now dedicated to serving humanity by helping people become more awake, healthy and truly self realized beings. He is a certified 800hr YA teacher with a yoga therapy certification from the Paramanand Institute of Yoga Science & Research in Indore, India. He currently lives in Portugal where he teaches yoga and meditation. Breakaway Daily: How long have you been practicing yoga? Michaël Bijker: Since 2009, and I have been exploring the techniques of mind work and meditation since I was 15. BD: What was the turning point that led you down the path of yoga and helping others? MB: I had a big car accident which left me with…
On Freedom and Revolt: Interview with Carl Moyler
Author Carl E. Moyler pens a compelling comparison between two Nobel Prize winners – Albert Camus and Martin Luther, Jr. The comparison addresses major concerns about tyranny, injustice,, racism, poverty, exploitation and war. Moyler uncovers and reveals in his book that neither man was willing to stand in the face of these devestating issues and do nothing. Moyler finds common ground for the two men In presenting these issues in spite of their differences in terms of racial and cultural backgrounds – one a humane agnostic and the other a seminary trained, in God we trust, preacher. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your literary background? Carl E Moyler: Born in Newport News Virginia- one of eight children. He currently resides in Dayton, Ohio. He was a graduate of West Virginia State University in 1954 with a major in foreign languages. He holds a Master’s degree in French from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland Ohio. He holds a Masters degree in Educational Leadership from University of Dayon, Dayton, Ohio. He holds a PhD in Comparative Literatue from the Union/ Institue University, Cincinnati, Ohio. He was a highschool teacher of French and Spanish, a high school principal,…
“I’m a fan of doing things differently and having individuality even if others don’t agree.” Interview with Tyler Shapiro AKA Anotherpatsy
With the current state of politics and race issues, Anotherpatsy feels we need to truly get in touch with our hearts. Songwriting has always been his outlet, growing up in a home with a toxic environment. He has learnt that honest songwriting is a bit more of a difficult path because not everyone is willing to come to terms with their own demons. He believes it is the responsible thing to do and in doing so is able to remain true to himself. Talk about your most recent release? I put out an experimental song in October just to keep people on their toes, it’s a guitar riff, I’d consider it more experimental and avant garde. I’m a big fan of doing things differently and having individuality even if other’s don’t agree. I love to read about music from the 50’s, 60’s. In that sense I’m a bit of an old soul but I know what I want in the studio because of that knowledge. Where do you draw most of your inspiration for your music? I think because I am a sensitive guy that likes talking about more vulnerable feelings. I am also bisexual and have experienced rejection. Knowing…
K. B. Beaumaaks hopes to inspire women to follow their instincts with her debut novel The Preah Secrets
K.B Beaumaaks worked in medicine for more than thirty years before beginning to write The PREAH Secrets, the first book in the trilogy series based on some of the crazy relationships she has endured. Growing up in the midwest, K.B had a typical close knit Catholic family. She graduated college, moved to Europe and spent most of her young adult life traveling the world as a military spouse before eventually settling down with her current husband Allan, a Royal Danish Air Force F-16 pilot, in Florida. She experienced a few relationships where her gut instincts told her to investigate. Her stories were so bizarre, she decided to write a trilogy so others could learn to follow their gut instincts as well. The PREAH Secrets is an inspirational novel based on one of those crazy relationships. She wants women to know that from a crazy or bad life experience, something good can come from it, and it’s always a life lesson. No matter what, trust your gut. It will never fail you. Your debut novel, The Preach Secrets, is the first book in a trilogy. Can you please tell us about this book and the trilogy? All three books are inspired by…
“This gives my song a whole new life” – YEBBA
Les Twins perform a powerful street dance to “My Mind”
Larry Bourgeois, one half of the legendary French dance duo Les Twins, performed a poignant dance to “My Mind” by YEBBA while in London last month that will move you to tears. The raw, yet controlled riffs and runs of the Grammy-nominated singer’s soulful vocals are equally matched by Larry’s precise movements. He feels, interprets and communicates every aspect of the music including the emotional weight of the lyrics YEBBA’s breathtaking voice sings. Watch the moving freestyle above, it will touch your soul. READ: Luka & Jenalyn collaborate with World Of Dance friends Les Twins & Aidan Carberry Les Twins (Larry & Laurent Bourgeois) are continually proving they are more then just amazing dancers, they are amazing performers. Les Twins (season one champions of NBC’s World of Dance) have been in London sporadically over the last six months shooting their debut movie role in the new Men In Black (2019). They have also just began working on another major film project, Cats (2019), based on the Broadway musical of the same name. In between filming, the brothers have frequently joined other street dancers at the iconic Piccadilly Circus (the road junction and public space of London’s West End). Les Twins consistently and…
Interview with Faraz Inam on his debut novel “The Misunderstood Ally”
Inspired by real life events, The Misunderstood Ally is a geopolitical thriller novel based on the life of three characters who come from very different backgrounds. They have strong personalities and diverse opinions on the ‘War on Terror’. This is their story of triumph and tribulations. It’s a story of conflict between their biases and experiences, between their hearts and minds and eventually between their conscience and call of duty. Inspired from real life events, the characters are work of fantasy the personas they emit are real.