Adopted By Aliens: The Blog of The Gibbs Sisters

First Look: New Graphic Novel

2011-11-01T20:23:00.000-07:00

Here's a first look at our current project, a really fun graphic novel in the works for next year.

We'll continue to update with progress and artwork from our wonderful illustrator, Linda, as the weeks go by.

We had a great time writing this story and are having even more of a blast planning things for the book. Can't wait to share more soon!

Nee'

Face Painting in MacArthur Park

2011-11-01T01:47:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, I was able to celebrate Halloween in a new and interesting way--with the kids of MacArthur Park, a beautiful strip of green surrounding a small lake near Downtown LA.

MacArthur Park was a not-so-nice place in the 1990's, but thanks to the city's revitalization efforts, it's a safer place for kids and family these days.

I helped decorate pumpkins, distribute candy--and most fun of all--decorate faces of the neighborhood kids.

What a joy!

-Nelle

The 28th Annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival

2011-10-28T22:25:00.000-07:00

I attended two screenings of 'Sule' this week at the 28th Annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival for two enthusiastic groups of elementary students.

It was loads of fun to see the film screen for the audience it was created for.

Our youngest group of children, a packed theater full of 1st to 3rd graders danced, clapped and sang the Sule theme, "Mighty Good Day" as the credits rolled. What fun!

In addition to enjoying a host of wonderful films from around the world (India, the Netherlands, Brazil and Australia just to name a few), the children were able to ask filmmakers questions about the films and filmmaking process.

The festival was a ball and the organizers and audiences are a great reflection of why, after 28 years, this festival continues to deliver.

-- Nee'

Sule wins 'Best Animation' in Montreal

2011-10-07T08:28:00.000-07:00

Sule and the Case of the Tiny Sparks was awarded Best Animation at the Montreal International Black Film Festival this past weekend.

The festival jury had this to say about Sule:

“The story of this film is as magnificent as it is inspiring. Proof that a small short can depict huge and beautiful moments.”

A magnificent story is the vessel of a magnificent storyteller, and Sule's writer, Rene Rawls, handcrafted a beautiful and infectious tale.

We're super excited about the Best Animation award and thank our talented cast and crew for helping to make it possible.

And an additional thanks to our friend, and fellow animator, Kwesi Davis!

Woohoo!

The 28th Annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival

2011-09-22T21:28:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce that Sule and the Case of The Tiny Sparks will screen at The 28th Annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival, the largest children's film festival in the world! And a festival Roger Ebert deemed 'One of the great movie treasures of Chicago.'

Sule recently screened at the hip & happening Bumbershoot and is currently in Montreal having the time of his little life!

For The Chicago International Children's Festival, information is currently available for school and group screenings via the festival's website:
http://www.cicff.org/content/school-group-schedule/60

The CICFF is scheduled to take place October 21st - 30th at such illustrious Chi-town venues as Facets Cinema and Lincoln Park.If you or anyone you know is a film lover in Chicago, stop by and check it out!-Nelle

Graphic Novels for Girls from The Gibbs Sisters

2011-09-04T14:51:00.000-07:00

2012 is scheduled to mark the debut of a full-length graphic novel from the Gibbs Sisters.

Shawnelle and I love graphic novels, and though girls have historically been the step-sisters of the comic book industry, authors and artists have been creating an amazing array of heroine-driven graphic novel literature and are breaking old misconceptions one book at a time.

A few of our growing list of favorite graphic novels for female audiences include:

Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis, Raina Telgemeier's Smile, Daniel Clowes' Ghost World and Vera Brosgol's Anya's Ghost.

We will keep you updated with story and outwork as the months progress. We look forward to sharing the new book with you next year!

The New York Times Spotlights 'Sule' for Kids Film Festival

2011-06-03T17:41:00.000-07:00

The New York Times cites "Sule and the Case of the Tiny Sparks" as a highlight of the Brooklyn Kids Film Festival.

The festival kicks off this weekend in New York.

Los Angeles Mural Art: Herakut and Case

2011-05-30T11:43:00.000-07:00

On an unsuspecting corner of 42nd and Vermont, in the heart of South Central Los Angeles, we spied this beautiful mural from German graffiti artists, Herakut and Case.

The beauty and message of the mural beckoned us to round the corner and lavish it with photographs.

The children are painting pigeons, giving them colorful little pigeon makeovers that only kids can conjure up, as the words, "anything can be beautiful when you look at it with love," hang blissfuly over their heads.

For more from Herakut visit:

http://www.herakut.de/

'Sule' heads to the Seattle International Film Festival 2011

2011-05-09T10:21:00.000-07:00

Sule and the Case of the Tiny Sparks is an Official Selection of the 2011 Seattle International Film Festival!

It will screen Saturday, May 28th (@11 am) as a part of the Family Picture show

The Family Pictures show is: "An international buffet of the finest shorts created for the youthful spirit that resides inside us all."

If you're in Seattle at the end of this month, please be sure to check out SIFF '11, one of the largest celebrations of cinema in North America!

Los Angeles Art Shows: Art in The Streets and the Tim Burton Exhibition

2011-04-26T12:26:00.000-07:00

Just in time for spring, Los Angeles blossoms with two great art shows:

Art in The Streets features two of our favorite artists, and fellow twin collaborators, the Brazilian art duo, Os Gemeos.

Also coming this Spring is one of the most highly-anticipated art tickets in LA:

The LACMA will exhibit a complete retrospective of Tim Burton's incredibly diverse body of work as a filmmaker, artist, photographer and writer. The exhibition promises over 700 drawings, paintings, storyboards, maquettes, costumes and much more from Tim Burton's personal collection.

We can't wait for this show.

'Sule and the Case of the Tiny Sparks' at the 2011 Pan African Film Festival

2011-02-19T09:37:00.000-08:00

Sule's an official selection of the 2011 Pan African Film Festival, which is celebrating its 19th year in Los Angeles.

Sule will screen as a part of the Pan African's Children's festival, has been scheduled for multiple showings throughout the duration of the week-long festival, and will also screen closing night!

Visit sule @ The Pan African Film Festival's website for showtimes.

--Nee

The Buzz on Sule in Hollywood

2011-01-28T17:19:00.000-08:00

Sule's Premiere at American Cinematheque's 6th Annual Focus on Female Directors gets good marks.

Gender Across Borders names Sule and the Case of The Tiny Sparks among Top 10 Women Directed Films of 2010.

The Kids Are All Right

indieWIRE declares Sule "Lively and Charming."

Wave Newspapers calls screening a Career Boost!

The highlight of the evening was sharing the stage with trailblazing filmmakers Kate Lain, Amy Ephron, and moderator Kim Adelman. And celebrating with our cast, crew and friends afterwards.

Magical times!
--Nelle

The 6th Annual Focus on Female Directors

2010-12-28T12:16:00.000-08:00

Jan. 5th 2011 -- "Sule and The Case of The Tiny Sparks" will screen as a part of the 6th Annual Focus on Female Directors at the historic Egyptian Theater in Hollywood.

The showcase features "Bastard" by actress-director Kirsten Dunst, Amy Ephron's "Chloe @ 3 A.M" and Academy-award winning director, Cynthia Wade's "Born Sweet."

Sule will join an array of films that include fantastic documentaries, animation, coming of age tales and a gem from cinema pioneer, Cleo Madison.

The Sule image has even been used in the American Cinematheque's January calendar: Pretty cool to see Sule beside such great cinema classics!

(American Cinematheque's January 2011 Calendar)

More info here: The American Cinematheque's Special Events Page

Tickets: on Goldstar

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

2010-12-22T22:02:00.001-08:00

Stay warm & Be safe!

Travelogue-Blog: 5 Things We love about London and France

2010-12-14T12:14:00.000-08:00

After a wonderfully busy year, it was high time for an adventure. So it was off to London and France for artistic renewal and a little fun under the Continental sun.

Here are a few of our favorite things:

London

1. The Koko London

The Koko (built 1900) is a famous hub of music and nightlife in Camden Town. Artists from Prince, Madonna and Coldplay have played the venue, as well as some of our recent faves like Janelle Monae and Little Dragon.

But on this night, we came to see the soulful London crooner, Jamie Lidell, who put on an amazing show.

(The Koko Bar)

2. Saatchi Gallery

(Dan Perfect's, "Village.")

The Saatchi Gallery is a great space to discover emerging and established contemporary artists.

One of the standout works included Steven Bishops's humorous "Christian Dior -- J'Adore" (Mountain Goat), created from a taxidermied goat, concrete and chalk.

3. OMG -- It's Banksy.... No, it's just Ben, The Gum Painting Man

(The scene in Picadilly square)

Everyone thought they were witnessing a rare Banksy sighting...

Ben Wilson, The Gum Man

Turns out he's Ben Wilson, a rather interesting artist who beautifies London by painting tiny works of art on pieces of gum stuck to the ground.

4. Crunchy Nut Cereal

I have to say that The Ritzy located in the London borough of Brixton (which boasts a cinema, bar and very cool scene) would have topped our list. We were taken there by our new friends Comfort and Buni -- but alas we didn't take any photos to properly capture the experience. So coming in 4th on the list is... breakfast food.

We practically overdosed on Crunchy Nut cereal -- a delicious Kellogg's treat currently solely distributed in London. I can only describe it as Frosted Flakes for adults. There's rumors of it making its way to America in 2011. We'll be keeping our fingers crossed. And if the rumor isn't true, I would personally make the trek back to the UK for a few boxes. Trust me, it's that good.

Americans in Paris

4. Musee de Lourve (The Lourve Museum)

We came to the Lourve especially for the Egyptian antiquities collection, which is the largest collection of vestiges outside of Egypt.

The artifacts are breath taking, each telling its own story.

(A gorgeous little hippopotamus of the Moyen empire)

From the sarcophagus', to the cutlery and jewelry, examining the collection was like being transported centuries into the past.

These are a few of our favorite things...watch out, Oprah!

--Nee

Directing Animation: Sule and The Case of the Tiny Sparks

2010-08-04T19:10:00.000-07:00

Sule and The Case of The Tiny Sparks (Trailer) from The Gibbs Sisters on Vimeo.

People always ask us about animation. How'd we get into it? (We've been drawing since we were children, but started creating cartoons in college) Why we do it? (It's so much fun creating worlds and characters from scratch; with a stroke of your pen you can make a character taller, fatter or toothier, or change a location from China to Outer Space) But most often, people wonder--baffled--how in the world do you direct for animation?

Our answer: Very carefully.

Live Action vs. Animation

Directors for live action and animation reach the same goal, but take slightly different paths to get there. Just recently, we directed a sketch for Purple Stuff TV, one of our first, large live action projects since film school, after having done a bunch of independent animation for the last few years. In working in live action, you're juggling many aspects of production simultaneously: approving actor's make up and wardrobe, guiding them to the right tone in a performance, making sure the lighting is as you need it and the camera angles are just so, communicating with the DP, setting up and resetting cameras, actors and lights, making sure you get the exterior shots you need before the sunlight changes, etc, etc.

Live action is very of the moment, and sometimes you have to begrudgingly grab the final take and move on because the sun has set or because you only had the location for so many days. Because we create the worlds in animation, we are able to isolate and control each component of a scene individually, which eliminates just a few of the worries that live action productions may run into. Instead of rolling with the elements, we create them, and that in itself produces its own set of challenges.

Friends helping Friends

Our current short film, Sule and The Case of The Tiny Sparks is amazing for many different reasons, (it's a wonderful project with a humanitarian message inspired by Nelson Mandela, set in one of the most beautiful continents in the world), but equally as important, it allowed us to work with many friends that we've met in Los Angeles over the years:

Screenwriter, Rene Rawls, brought us the terrific screenplay about our tiny proverb detective, Sule; Dahveed Kolodny Nagy, our Animation Supervisor, whose servers we pushed to the limits over the months, powered the muscle at Smorgasbord Productions and burned the midnight oil way past midnight; Jose Guillen spent many a late night with us in pre-production, creating our wonderful storyboards over pizza and miscellaneous takeout; Editor Christopher Alexander slept on our couch when the nights wore on and the coffee went cold; Animator Ajamu Frasier said yes before even fully knowing what the project was about and we love him for it; our Post Supervisor, Kim Williams, called in favors that truly saved us as we neared the finish line; and friends John Allison and Marion Lane donated their VFX expertise in our opening and closing titles.

In productions, as in life, nothing is possible without a team, and it's always grand to have people you've developed relationships with over the years to call on and help you reach your goals. Since Sule is a story about proverbs, the old tried and true one applies: 'It takes a (real) village' to create a fictional one. And after months of working with so many wonderful & talented people, we now have new friends to call on in the future!

Directing for Sule

Before a single drawing was created for the project, we immediately began research. We haven't yet visited the continent of Africa, so we had a lot of catching up to do. We studied photos of villages, people, nature, landscapes, fabrics and skies and used these images to help build Sule's world.

Sule lives in a small hut in a region similar to Ghana, so we studied huts from all over Africa. Finding interior shots to use as inspiration proved challenging, but we miraculously managed. Thanks, Google!

There haven't been many animations set in West Africa, but we did keep two of our favorite cartoons set on the huge continent in mind: The Lion King (1992) and Kirikou and The Sorceress (1998). Both are beautiful, 2d animations that really immortalize the sweeping beauty of Africa, and served as big influences.

(Films, The Lion King and Kirikou and The Sorceress)

(Our memories of Alice in Wonderland inspired a scene in Sule, where main character, Yaa, feels gigantic in Sule's tiny hut)

We’re often asked what inspires us, and we’re most inspired by life, but as cinephiles since our days studying cinema at San Francisco State, we truly love being enchanted by motion pictures, anything from a scene in Alice in Wonderland (1951) to the recent Secret of Kells (2009), which happened to be released as we were in production, may spark something in our brains.

(We're inspired by many films, including the Academy Award nominated animation, Secret of Kells, which began a theatrical release as we were in production on Sule)

(Master background artists prove additionally inspirational; the art work of Walter Peregoy, Eyvind Earle, Ralph Hulett, Disney's The Lion King, The Black Cauldron, and Samurai Jack's Dan Krall)

We researched a lot of great, master background artists for the project: Disney and Hanna Barbera artist Walter Peregoy, Disney's Eyvind Earle, and Ralph Hulett. And the clean, stylish work of one of our favorite contemporary Art Director's Dan Krall (of Samurai Jack) was a huge motivation.

It takes a whole 'lotta Character

(Still of characters from "Sule and The Case of The Tiny Sparks designed by Britnie Bruner)

Shawnelle deserves a lot of credit for finding our character designer, Britnie Bruner, whose artwork captured the essence of the story we wanted to tell. Though we received some fantastic submissions for characters, we were all blown away by Britnie, who's doe-eyed, full-of-life creations practically danced off of the page.

As the characters were being designed, we began creating early concept background art, sketching our very rough directors storyboards and discussing ideas for key moments in the animation. Having an early blueprint of your ideas are extremely helpful because communicating visually for any film is important, but especially so in animation. Sometimes you find yourself speaking to other artists in pictures; specialized artists who can transform your rough sketches into something much more dynamic.

(Shawnee's rough storyboards re-imagined by Mark Hernandez. The bee sequence was one of our most challenging scenes.)

(Shawnee' and Shawnelle's concept background art, later translated for the screen)

Working closely with our storyboard artists, we created the boards (shots, angles, mood, blocking, dimension), and subsequently the animatic (timing, pace), which our animators used as their guide to animate the story of Sule.

Animating

We and our dedicated producers Rene, Krystal and Dahveed worked filling in the team of animators, watching reel after reel to find the right artists for the project. Finding artists is a pretty neat part of the job and with so many young and talented animators here in the US, you wish you could hire them all. The job of an animator is crucial to a project; Animators play the role of the artist and actor at the same time, because they're physically giving life and movements to the character.

Our Lead Animator, Krystina Haggerty, was there with us from the first frame of animation to the last, and kept our jaws dropping for every frame in between. It's really great to have terrific animators who have good instincts, and we had a great team of awesome animators and assistants, without whom, there would be no Sule. Thanks guys (and gals)!

Storyboard panel (L) by Jose Guillen. Actual frame in film (R).

There’s not enough that we can say about animators. Not to diminish the work of excellent film Directors of Photography, because operating a camera, lighting and framing a scene is a lot of work. But imagine being given a blueprint of that same scene, and having to physically fill in the motion a frame at a time, for 24 frames a second. It can be as exhausting as it sounds.

Though our medium was Flash Animation, and it is a wonderful time saver, contrary to popular belief, Flash animators still do a lot of heavy lifting and we are eternally grateful for their work.

Kismet and Backgrounds

Months before we began on the Sule project, we got an email from Hasani McIntosh (from our home region of the San Francisco Bay Area!), who recently finished grad school at NYU. He was an artist new to LA, who found our work online, and wanted to chat with us about animation and our projects. We met at a coffee house and found out he was an amazing background artist. We parted ways promising to work together again. When the Sule project was approved for a grant from the Tribeca Film Institute and we started the process of looking for background artists, Hasani's was the first name off of our tongues and boy did he hit it out of the park. Along with background and prop artists Deke and Mark, Hasani created art worlds that took our breath away. With pen and ink, they brought an African paradise to Los Angeles-- and we didn't even need a passport stamp!

Directing Voice Actors

Some of the really fun stuff of directing for animation comes with working with the actors in the recording booth. Without having to worry about lighting or hitting their marks, the actors are allowed to fully play, and when we're in the booth, we draw as many varied performances as we possibly can. When we first heard the voices of Kameshia Duncan as Sule, and Ochuwa Oghie as Yaa in their auditions, we knew we'd found our leads, and the rest of our cast were superb and so much fun to work with. We had a ball recording at Innersound Studios (where our wonderful music and sound design was also created!).

Voice overs can initially be a little challenging for actors used to film, because it's less about a physical performance and all from the belly and throat, but it's truly a liberating experience for both Director and Actor, because freed from the confines of a set, we're given permission to really let loose!

A Journey

(Mixing Sule at Larson Studios in Hollywood)

We spent over seven months from pre- to post production directing Sule, in between full time gigs in television and working as Staff Writers at Purple Stuff TV. Though we didn't have an expansive budget, we worked day and night and with the help of dedicated producers, artists, editors, musicians, and supporters who believed in Sule's message, we cleared hurdles that could've stopped any production in its tracks.

We're proud of the work that the entire cast and crew put forth and, with the project, we look forward to erupting ‘tiny sparks’ in audiences across the world!

Watch "Sule and The Case of The Tiny Sparks" in its entirety at the Tribeca Film Institute's website.

Essence Loves Us!

2010-03-19T13:26:00.000-07:00

R to L: Shawnee Gibbs and Shawnelle Gibbs. The Gibbs sisters featured on Essence.com (Essence Magazine Online)

Who knew we had something in common with the likes of Beyonce and Solange Knowles, Angela and Vanessa Simmons, and The Delaney Sisters?!!

We're all part of a list of 40 pairs of sisters that the people over at Essence.com love! A feature compiled in celebration of the mags 40th anniversary. Sweeet! Guess that Tom Jones classic applies here, "It's not unusual to be loved..." And we've loved Essence Magazine for years, so the feeling is most certainly mutual.

You can check out the Essence List Here (We're #34).

Thanks to our dear, old friend, Nicole for calling and tipping me off about this! And congrats again on your special announcement, lady! :).

-Nell

Tales From The Workroom...

2010-02-18T16:55:00.000-08:00

Shy, African boy. [Character Design: Brittnie Bruner. Property of Ener Entertainment].

Just in case you thought we went on extended vacation in the mysterious mountains of Planet Z....

We're still breathing and working....and working....and working some more!

Here's some conceptual art from the latest project--a short we've been commissioned to direct--which takes place in an African Village and is a wonderful piece with not only a great message, but an awesome cast and crew powering it!

We're over the moon about the progress and will keep the blog buzzing with updates as we have more to share in the coming months. Moving into physical animation production this week and while we could complain about all the work...the new year has been pretty kind to your Gibbs friends. We hope you're finding the time and space to appreciate and enjoy your blessings, too!

-Nell

New Workshops!

2009-08-11T09:28:00.000-07:00

We've been up to our ears in work, writing, and animating new projects, but figured it's high-time we checked in to let you all know a little more about what we've been up to. First off! We've been doing some hardcore volunteering for a Los Angeles screenwriting organization we've been members of for years, OBS. They've introduced an August Is Animation Month and we've been helping to design workshops and panels (more about that below) to share with the 200 + members of the organization. For the next two weeks we'll be presenting a Flash Animation workshop. A DIY approach to animation. Here's the copy:

WRITING & CREATING ANIMATED SERIES’ FOR FLASH ANIMATION

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 12TH & AUGUST 19TH 2009 7-9pm

Web Cartoon Creators Shawnee & Shawnelle Gibbs (“Adopted By Aliens,” “Old Ladies Driving” & “Diva Smackdown”) are joined by Terence Anthony (“Orlando’s Joint”) and Ajamu Frasier (“Monkkey”) to teach you how to move your animated idea from page to stage.

Join this group of fresh, contemporary voices in animation for an affordable 2-day workshop, and empower yourself with the basics of Flash, one of the leading tools of 2D animation today.

Whether you’re an artist, writer or actor looking to expand, this workshop will give you the tools you need to get started telling your stories in unique and exciting ways!

When: Wednesday, August 12th & August 19th, 2009.

Where: General Life Insurance Building
1999 West Adams Blvd
Los Angeles, CA
(FREE Parking in the rear of the building on Hobart Avenue off Adams Blvd.)

Price: $15

Sponsored by: OBS
Contact: Jwilliams@obswriter.com

To kick off the month, we had the honor of moderating a panel on animation for OBS that included The legendary John Semper (Spider Man, Fraggle Rock, Static Shock), Kwesi Davis (Shrek The Third, KungFu Panda, Madagascar), Greg Eagles (The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, Teapot!), Tyree Dillihay (El Tigre, The Jammies), Jason Van Veen (The Boondocks), Dahveed Kolodny-Nagy (Teapot!), and David Wyatt (The Proud Family).

Shawnee & Jason Van Veen & Tyree Dillihay

Tyree & OBS Member Teri Jackson

Shawnelle & David Wyatt

And since we're on a roll with sharing, here's some memories from The Seattle Workshops we did this spring for The Langston Hughes Film Festival In-School outreach. We saw over 150 kids all over the city in two days! You can imagine how much fun it was! I think you can also imagine that we needed a little time to recuperate the following day. So awesome.

Funny Happy Birthday Cartoon from The Old Ladies

2009-03-24T10:49:00.000-07:00

We've been in the Bat Cave churning out more animation--this time for O.L.D:

The old ladies, Erma and Ruthanne, brave the unknown--technology--to send birthday cheer to a friend in need in our latest installation of Old Ladies Driving....A birthday card of sorts!

Feel free to check them out! & pass around to those folks you know who have birthdays coming up and would enjoy a good laugh with old friends.

Enjoy!

For parents: This is one is rated PG13.

More Animated Fun From The Gibbs Sisters!

2009-02-27T14:42:00.001-08:00

Here's a fun project we worked on recently for the Teen Sect:

Shawnelle and I have been secretly yearning to unleash our inner rock-stars on a project and finally(!) the opportunity presented itself.

The result is "Prom King." A mix of comedy, hip hop, soul and a whole lotta Gibbs.

We turned to several works of art for influence including: MTV's Wondershowzen, the PBS show from our youth, Cover to Cover with John Robbins, and Kelis and Teyana Taylor's hair.

We wanted to have a lot of fun with this project, so in addition to 80's-style vocals (think Vanity 6), we drew in some guest appearances from Napoleon Dynamite, Chris Brown, Rihanna and Lil Wayne himself. It's certainly a heck of a lot cheaper than calling their agents.

Feel free to watch "Prom King" and let us know what'cha think!

We have a lot more projects lined up for 2009. Including an ABA DVD and Music Video!

Stay tooned!
Nell & Nee

We're Big in Canada....

2008-08-28T11:02:00.000-07:00

...ok, maybe not, but I thoroughly enjoy saying it.

Here's our interview with G4 Canada's Torrent TV, where we discuss our projects, magically transform into our alter egos, Erma and Ruthanne, and show how much we love creating new works of art--and rocking hats!

--Shawnee'

Postcards From Downtown LA

2008-08-13T11:36:00.000-07:00

This weekend we had a fun photo-session with our friend, the lovely and talented, Jenn Johnson.

Pete's Cafe. All Photos: Jenn Johnson

Harlem Alley

Shawnelle

Shawnee in Harlem Alley

The best of times!
--Nell

A Toy Story: The Journey Begins

2008-08-12T05:54:00.000-07:00

(No Tom Hanks and Tim Allen here. It's another Gibbs production, starring of course, Whitney Ward!)

It all started with an estimate. "An estimate?" You may ask. Yes, the story definitely begins with an estimate.

A very talented toy designer Shawnee and I stumbled upon Downtown, took the time out of her busy schedule (which includes designing toys for Disney and Nickelodeon) to give little old us an estimate of the costs to make prototype dolls for Whitney and Uncle Q. We were willing to part ways with about $250 per doll, but nothing could prepare us for the final estimated figure. Realizing we were in waaaaay over our heads and budget, we thanked the designer profusely for her time, but had to ultimately pass on the professional dolls.

Then I got an idea. Why not do it ourselves? How hard could toymaking really be?

Well. We shall soon find out.

I had some experience working with clay figures from my time as an educator teaching claymation at Zeum in San Francisco. And a trip to my local art-store, The Blue Rooster, opened my eyes further to the possibilities of where a clay mold could take us. After talking with one of the employees, I was empowered to start the process that would eventually end with a vinyl toy. But where to begin?

It took me weeks to even open the bag of products to get started (Post-production work in reality tv is very time consuming!) but a short work hiatus and a leisurely Saturday afternoon gave me the time I needed to do what I've needed to do for months now--PLAY! I took the clay out and was transported back to a time where art was not about expectations or being perfect, or self-conscious. I just started rolling clay! And all of a sudden remembered I needed to reference Whitney--it's been a long time since I just stared at her, lol. Taking a character from 2d to multidimensional was going to take a little thought.

For about an hour I watched my hands get muddy with color and the first step of my personal goal come to fruition--I could make Whitney in clay look like Whitney on paper! Of course I've always known it could happen, but sometimes it takes doing to convince yourself that you were, in fact, right!

So despite some bumpiness, bulkiness, smudges, and a bad hair-day, I BEAMED with pride when I put the final touches on Whitney--her ponytail and glasses. Mission accomplished! And as uncomfortable as I thought I was with Shawnee snapping pictures (Boy, did I look a mess!), I was happy to have the process documented (Thanks, Nace!)

How cool the final result will turn out is questionable, and there's several molds to go between here and actually making a vinyl toy, but if the first step is any indication it's going to be a whole lot of fun!

Let The Journey Begin!
--Nell

Watch out for "Little Miss Twins" on TV in Canada

2008-06-27T20:31:00.000-07:00

An interview Shawnelle and I recorded for G4 networks', Torrent TV, is scheduled to air on July 7th!

Keep a look out for the interview where we discuss highly important matters of the world including the meaning of life and other such wonders... ok, so maybe we don't, but you won't know unless you watch. Others outside of Canada expect a full report and maybe even a few clips.

(Artwork: Children's Book Writer/Illustrator Roger Hargreaves' "Little Miss Twins")

--Nee

New Screenings and Updates!

2008-05-12T11:21:00.000-07:00

Our short, Old Ladies Driving, will screen this Thursday as part of the Organization of Black Screenwriters' Short Film Showcase.

When: Thursday, May 15, 2008

Where: 1999 West Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018

Time: 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Tickets: $10

---------

Our second visit to Seattle was even more phenomenal than our first; largely due in part to the great staff at the Langston Hughes Film Festival and a gorgeous Seattle backdrop. Adopted By Aliens screened as part of the festival and we couldn't ask for better workshop participants: We worked with a class of adorable 3rd graders, visited a junior high/high school class at the Seattle Arts Academy and later, taught the basics of animation to a mix of the very young and the eternally young.

(Two young friends share their animation flipbooks with Shawnelle)

Each year the Langston Hughes Festival offers its filmmakers a chance to dialog as part of the Filmmakers Roundtable; which provides filmmakers a place to dine, share experiences and exchange information.

The host of this roundtable was Casuelieta's Island Soul, a restaurant that owns the recipe to the greatest biscuits I've ever eaten (insert exclamation point). The day was priceless as we listened to pioneering filmmakers like Charles Burnett and other visionaries from across the country and offered our own unique perspective to the discussion.

Thanks to Karen Toering, Zola Mumford and the incredible team at the Langston Hughes Film Festival for another great year; Andre' for the photos and our dear friend, Yayoi, for being fabulous as always!

--Nee'

The Aliens Return to Seattle!

2008-04-02T08:47:00.000-07:00

We'll be bringing Adopted by Aliens back to Seattle for a Saturday Animation workshop, April 19, 2008. The workshop is being presented by the Langston Hughes African American Film Festival.

The workshop includes a screening of the series, Adopted by Aliens, an introduction to Flash Animation, and tools that empower artists to create their own cartoons!

WHEN: Saturday, April 19, 2008. 12:00pm

WHERE: Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave S. Seattle WA, 98144 |map|

WHY: If you're a creative kid or adult that has ever wondered how to put your art in motion, this one's for you!

WHO: Recommended for ages 9 and up.

TICKETS: $7 General Admission

*If you'd like to be our special guest to the workshop, the first five people to send an email to mothership@adoptedbyaliens.com will attend for free!

FOR MORE INFORMATION: on The Langston Hughes African American Film Festival visit: http://www.langstonblackfilmfest.org or call 206.326.1088

Learn about OUR WORKSHOPS!

--Nell

In The Lab

2008-03-23T19:18:00.000-07:00

The above image is early concept art from Hall of Records, an idea that came to us around Christmas of '06.

We started in on the concept and characters and moved away from it for a spell, but the idea recently started knocking on the door again--a little peeved about being left out in the cold.

So it's about time for its close up, which will most likely be our next animated offering; a stylized, musical, love story.

On the literary side, Shawnelle and I are re-writing a sensational, live-action comedy screenplay, which we secretly hype as the perfect vehicle for teen-throb, Chris Brown.

--Nee

We're mentioned in an article for UVC Magazine!

2007-11-30T15:38:00.001-08:00

UVC's Black Women Who Rock In Comics issue.

The article, written by Sharvonique Renee Fortune is titled, "Black Women in Animation" and features a nice blurb about yours two-ly and Adopted by Aliens! Visit UVC Magazine for more info about the publication.

.MORE NEWS.

Tomorrow, Saturday, December 1, 2007, we'll be featured guests on the internet radio show, In The Can with Kip Brown for KLAS 89.7.com. The show focuses on the Indepndent arts & entertainment in Los Angeles and airs live at 3pm. If you're in the area, tune in!

--Nell

New Adopted By Aliens Trailer!

2007-06-24T22:22:00.000-07:00

Set to the tune of Janelle Monae's intergalactic "Violet Stars, Happy Hunting."

Check it out on Youtube:

--Nee

A Rattle in Seattle: ABA Goes to Washington

2007-05-07T20:52:00.000-07:00

Here's a few snapshots from our trip to the Langston Hughes Festival in Seattle:

After screening Adopted by Aliens...

...we did a Flash Animation workshop...

and shared our first ever animation, The Afro Puff Girls:

Don't we almost look like we're on Inside The Actors Studio with James Lipton?

Good times!
--Nell

Check Out Our Interview on BET.com

2007-04-16T20:52:00.000-07:00

Check out our interview with Jon Murph on BET.com! We discuss animation, filmmaking and our short, Ravishing Raspberry.

--Nee

Ravishing Raspberry airs on BET J

2007-04-15T10:12:00.000-07:00

Our 2003 short, Ravishing Raspberry, will begin airing today on BET J as a part of BET J's Best Shorts Program.

Check it out! Today at 5 PM (PT) and Tuesday 6 PM (PT).

--Nee

On The Road Again: Whitney and The Gang at Upcoming Festivals

2007-03-17T13:30:00.000-07:00

ABA is hitting the road again (Yay!), this time with stops in Seattle and Philadelphia:

First up is the Langston Hughes Film Festival in Seattle, WA., where Shawnee and I will not only attend the events and screenings, but also teach two Flash Animation workshops!

The festival runs from April 21 - 29th 2007. Please visit the website for more info.

In May, ABA heads to Philadelphia for the Black Lily Women Film and Music Festival. The event will take place over a weekend (May 4th - 6th) and feature films from women all over the world and performances by some of our musical faves Jill Scott and The Roots.

Feel free to visit the website for more info.

The year has gotten off to a very good start for the Aliens, and we hope it continues for months and months to come!

--Shawnelle

Our New Animated Short: "Old Ladies Driving"

2007-02-10T11:16:00.000-08:00

An idea struck me this past summer about the adventures of two old ladies who drove around in a big cadillac, inadvertently causing mischief wherever they went. As youngsters, Shawnelle and I grew up around our grandmother and her friends who drove those big 60s and 70s era cars. From the back seat of these massive vehicles, we soaked up the wisdom and conversations of Old Ladies Driving, which is the title of our newest piece.

(Ruth Anne and Erma, our Old Ladies Driving)

Of course, the new short is pretty wacky and not based on any real experiences but it's kind of an homage to our childhood, in a way.

We initially thought we might create the project with sock puppets and rushed out to craft stores to buy materials (months ago) that are still sitting in their bags, untouched to this very day. We'll do something with 'em soon--I hope--because that stuff wasn't cheap.

Shawnelle and I voiced the characters ourselves and opted to record the sound at home, which was almost a major disaster. But as it always happens when you're determined, things turned out pretty darn good.

Old Ladies Driving is for an older audience than Adopted By Aliens because we like to create diverse work and challenge ourselves, so this one is for the 13 and overs.

We invite you to check out Old Ladies Driving on Youtube and let us know what you think!

--Shawnee

Adopted By Aliens Wins "Best Animation" Award at UMFF

2006-10-26T20:09:00.000-07:00

Whitney proudly holds her award. (This image comes from a deleted scene in the fourth episode.)

ABA gives new meaning to the Outkast coined term "ATLiens"

We are happy to announce that after screening at the 2006 Urban Mediamakers Film Festival in Atlanta, ABA took home the Best Animation Award. This is the first of what we hope will be many more honors for the series...

-Nell-

Adopted By Aliens on the Big Screen this month!

2006-10-11T08:41:00.000-07:00

Adopted By Aliens is off to a couple film festivals this month!

5th Annual Urban Mediamakers Film Festival (UMFF) 2006 October 13-15, 2006 in Atlanta Georgia.

When: Saturday, October 14, 2006 - 1:00 p.m.

Where: AmericasMart Convention Center
Ansley Room - Shorts Series 5

http://www.umff.com

==========================================================

9th Annual African American Women in Cinema Film Festival October 26th - 28th, 2006 in New York City

Film Screening Program I

Hosted by Actress Adilah Barnes

When: Friday, October 27, 2006, 7PM

Where: IMAGINASIAN THEATER, 239 59th Street, NYC

http://www.aawic.org

If you're in the Atlanta or New York area, check out Adopted By Aliens on the big screen and support some great films and festivals.

Aliens in Inglewood!

2006-09-29T07:37:00.000-07:00

The Aliens landed in Inglewood, Ca. recently when we brought Whitney and the gang to a hall full of grade schoolers aged 6-14. ABA was shared with a great group of kids that had lots of questions and answers after the screening. Here's a few of the cute things we heard during the Q&A:

(above: Shawnee listens to a group.)

"I know what it meant when Mrs. Miller told Whitney she was being adopted."

"What's going to happen to Whitney?"

"How did you make that?"

"When's the next one coming out?"

"Can we see it again?"

(above: Shawnelle answers questions after the screening)

An extra special thanks goes to R. Gardner and our friends at the camp big and small !

First Look: Episode 5!

2006-07-22T06:46:00.000-07:00

Episode 5 is now available online for viewing!!! As of now, the file size is a little big (10 mbs) and we're looking to clean up a few small things here and there, but for the dedicated, it's an advanced screening of what is officially the last episode for ABA Season 1.

The story: After experiencing the wrath of The Cash Twins, Whitney takes the ride of her life to meet the new fam.

---Nell

Why we Heart Art: 2 Cheers for our Creative Peers!

2006-07-15T15:46:00.000-07:00

I stumbled upon Yo Gabba Gabba, a children's program that can only be described as Sesame Street for the hip generation (hip example: kids learn how to beat box from none other than Biz Markie!). The show is hosted by DJ Lance, a cool-looking dude who carries a magical boom box filled with little toy monsters who teach children valuable lessons through song and dance. I attended the premiere at the Fine Arts theater in Beverly Hills last weekend. The children loved every minute of it--and even us bigger kids got a kick out of it, too. (right: Look who's not afraid of monsters! That's me posing with a character from Yo Gabba Gabba)

(pieces of a Keith Williams mural)

On a visit home to the Bay Area recently, Shawnelle spotted several billboards advertising a new sandal at Payless Shoe Stores. What caught her eye about these ads was the artwork; the bold, vibrant, distinctive work of Keith Williams, an artist who we had the pleasure of painting a mural with when we were teenagers in Oakland (see above image). We rushed to the nearest Payless to buy a pair of the shoes (Flip Outs by K-Dub) only to discover they were all out! Hopefully, we can get our hands on a pair on the next trip and support the talents of a brilliant artist. (right: In-store ad for K-Dub's Flip Outs.)

--Nee

Keyframe Online...and Updates

2006-06-28T10:22:00.000-07:00

Just recently discovered that Adopted By Aliens is featured on Keyframe Online, a great animation resource and database founded by a Canadian artist named Athena Cooper. Check out the Adopted By Aliens page and rate the series if you'd like. Keyframe Online features a growing number of cartoons from the web, film and television. It has everything from Pixar's Cars to The Smurfs, one of our childhood favorites. There's even a page for Shawnelle and I.

====
Episode Update:

(Still from Episode 5: Malik, Whitney and Sondra in trouble)

Episode 5 wanted me to personally tell you all that it is not ready for it's close up and refuses to be seen on June 30th. It will however, be ready and gorgeous in early July. I tried to convince it to come out on Friday but you know how episodes are, they want to look their best. So I won't argue but I will tell you this one is a doozie. There's action, adventure and Tupac and Biggie!

Stay tooned!
--Nee

Time Off

2006-06-14T18:02:00.000-07:00

So I'm taking some time off from work to help us finish up our final two Adopted By Aliens episodes. Anyone who slaves at a computer for hours upon hours knows how dreadful a task this can be...I find myself taking frequent work breaks to do stuff like create the above image. Hey, Shawnelle, at least it's something! ;)

In order to curb my procrastination habits (and give you, our ABA family, a new ep) I'm going to pronounce June 30th the birthdate of Episode 5! Hey, Episode 5 is going to be Cancerian, just like us! Aw, how sweet.

I'd better stop yapping and get cracking! This baby is due soon!

--Nee

They're spinning, they're spinning!

2006-05-28T09:49:00.000-07:00

We knew we wanted Mrs. Miller to have one of those old battle wagons known more for their pollution rates than their good looks.

In the next episode, Whitney goes on an unexpected adventure with Mrs. Miller. By the looks of this image, these two could be participating in a Bay Area side show. But in reality, Whitney's just trapped in the car with a woman who should have had her license revoked years ago.

I'm still tweaking the car, but it's almost there.

This next episode will definitely get out of control. Buckle up, dearies! Mrs. Miller is at the wheel!

--Nee

It's Miller Time!

2006-05-07T11:03:00.000-07:00

We're hard at work on Episode 5 (the second to last episode!).

This is Mrs. Miller, Whitney's kooky social worker. Her character will be a lot of fun to watch and listen to; actress Kari Wishingrad did an excellent job giving Mrs. Miller all the quirky energy she needs to pop off of the screen.

I'm stilll in the process of fleshing her out but we're very happy with the way she's coming along.

--Shawnee

Episode 4 Debuts TOMORROW!

2006-04-04T11:44:00.000-07:00

We know its been a bit of a wait but Episode 4 is finally here!

Meet The Cash Twins, Mrs. Arnetta J. Johnson, Mr. Quibly and the children of George Washington Jackson Junior High School tomorrow, Wednesday April 5th, 2006.

We hope you enjoy watching the fourth Episode of Adopted By Aliens as much as we enjoyed nearly killing ourselves to create it. ;)

To the screening room!

--Nee

Episode Four...De Jour

2006-03-07T20:17:00.000-08:00

Episode 4 is closer than ever!

Principal Arnetta J. Johnson as "The Femme Fatale."

Lola and Falana Cash as "The Twinz."

Study: G-Rated Hits Favor Male Characters

2006-02-09T21:40:00.000-08:00

Something to share:

--Nell

Study: G-Rated Hits Favor Male Characters

By DAVID GERMAIN, AP Movie Writer

Male characters outnumbered females 3-to-1 overall in top-grossing G-rated films from 1990 to 2004, according to a study whose sponsors say the disparity diminishes the importance of women in children's eyes.

"We're showing kids a world that's very scantly populated with women and female characters," said actress Geena Davis, founder of See Jane, a program of the advocacy group Dads & Daughters that encourages balanced gender representation in entertainment for children.

In the 101 animated and live-action films examined, 28 percent of speaking characters were female, and just 17 percent of people in crowd scenes were female, researchers found in the study released Thursday by See Jane.

"It's important for what kids watch that as far as possible, they see the real world reflected, to see men and women, boys and girls, sharing the space," said Davis, co-star of the female-empowerment film "Thelma & Louise" and star of TV's "Commander in Chief" in which she plays the U.S. president. "They should see female characters taking up half the planet, which we do."

Davis and others involved with the study — titled "Where the Girls Aren't" — planned to discuss the findings at a forum Thursday night in Los Angeles. They said they hope to use the research to push Hollywood toward giving female characters equal time on screen and encourage parents to vote with their wallets by choosing films offering balanced gender representation.

Spokesmen at Disney, which had the biggest share of films in the study, Paramount and Universal said studio executives declined to comment.

The results came as little surprise to researchers. Studies have found similar imbalances between male and female roles in films for adults and on TV shows, and anyone who channel-surfs or goes to the movies regularly knows anecdotally that men dominate the screen.

"There seems to be nothing new under the sun here," said Stacy Smith, associate professor at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School of Communication, who oversaw the study. "The only thing different is it's G-rated films."

(G-rated means: General audiences. All ages admitted.)

Of the 101 films, 71 percent were animated or partly animated features. Among the films studied: "Finding Nemo," "The Lion King," "Monsters, Inc.," "Chicken Run," "The Princess Diaries," "Babe," "The Santa Clause 2" and "Toy Story."

Joe Kelly, co-founder of Dads & Daughters, said as much as he loves "Toy Story," the study made him think about the movie differently. The movie has a positive message about two characters — Tom Hanks' Woody and Tim Allen's Buzz Lightyear — overcoming their differences and working together, but it does have a flaw, Kelly said.

"It wasn't until the study that I went back and realized there's only one toy that's a female character, and it's Bo-Peep. She's standing at the window going, `Oh, Woody, don't hurt yourself,'" Kelly said. "Not that I want `Toy Story' to be changed. I don't think there should be any sort of gender formula. But there are other movies to be made with powerful messages featuring female characters."

___

On the Net:

http://www.dadsanddaughters.org

http://www.seejane.org

More Episode 4 Fun

2006-02-07T23:19:00.000-08:00

(Whitney Ward and the president, good ole George W. Bush.)

Most likely we won't use this image in the upcoming episode but here it is. Whitney takes on Washington, DC.

--Nee

Toon Talk at Raleigh Studios

2006-01-22T18:53:00.000-08:00

We just got back from an amazing workshop sponsored by our friends over at ScreenPlay Lab. The Director of Animation for Nickelodeon, Peter Gal, spoke on the "Do's and Dont's of Pitching for TV Animation." Very informative and enjoyable. There were a few pitch hits and misses but Peter was very repectful of everyone's ideas and input. We even got to hand him an ABA postcard and chat a little about the project. Far Out!

-Nell

Wearing Hard Hats

2006-01-12T23:43:00.000-08:00

"The road to success is always under construction."

--Lily Tomlin

Mr. Quibly's class coming to life. Artwork by Shawnelle Gibbs.

The saga continues. A little good news came our way recently. Adopted by Aliens and our short film, Ravishing Raspberry, will both be screening next month at two separate events.

Adopted by Aliens episodes 1-3 will screen at "Kids Day," sponsored by the Santa Barbara African Heritage Film Series, Saturday, February 25th. Ravishing Raspberry is off to Philadelphia to be featured in Phresh: A Celebration of Women in Hip Hop, Saturday, February 11th. We're even considering making an appearance in Philly--it's a long shot but it could happen [Crossing fingers].

Back to work!

--Nell

Another year; another episode

2006-01-05T21:18:00.000-08:00

Shawnelle and our friend, Shatae, during our vacation back home to the Bay Area.

2005 has breezed by and it's obvious--since we're only a few hours away from Friday--that 2006 plans on doing the same thing. With our New Years resolutions dancing in our heads, Shawnelle and I are preparing to grab our goals by the horn and seriously make some things happen.

We've had a year to adjust to Los Angeles; the good weather, the horrible traffic, the fact that everyone and their grandmother has a screenplay in the works... :p.

Ah, but such is life in sunny Southern Cali. I'm certainly not complaining!

Here's to a ridiculously succesful 2006! (Positive thinking, people, positive thinking.)

Shawnee

Patience

2005-12-20T21:46:00.000-08:00

"Patience is bitter but its fruit is sweet" French Proverb

Whitney waiting patiently in the hall.

ABA Update: We're looking at a mid-January premiere for Episode 4 now.

We handed out cards and shook hands at IndieLink. Highlights included meeting a sound designer from The Proud Family and a producer looking for short-form content for cell phones. We'll just shake it like a Polaroid picture and see what develops.

Wow, it's amazing how much effort it takes to sit in front of a computer and work at night.

What's getting me through it all? Theme Music. Current faves from The Playlist:

"Unbreakable" Alicia Keys (Unplugged)
"Lovin' It" Little Brother (The Minstrel Show)
"Angel" Pharrell (Skateboard P)
"Coin-Operated Boy" The Dresden Dolls (The Dresden Dolls)
"Last Call" Kanye West (College Dropout)

The Art of 10-Minute Presentations

2005-12-11T21:33:00.000-08:00

Me holding up a promotional poster we just printed for ABA. The mug isn't camera ready but hopefully it will be tomorrow.

A few weeks ago a filmmaking colleague of ours, the ubiquitous Tim Greene, told us that in order to succeed in the next phase of this industry, we need to step our game up and we've been working on doing just that. So on top of working 10 hour days, networking every chance we get, finding time to work on ABA and develop other ideas ...we've decided it's time to just plain do more towards our personal projects (namely ABA) and 'putting something away for the future'--our shared goal to create a small empire in entertainment.

This week we'll be shaking hands and doing a 10 minute presentation on Adopted by Aliens as part of IndieLink through FIND Los Angeles, an organization we're members of. That explains the poster above and all the drama at local Kinkos' we've gone through this week regarding business cards. We were nearly robbed blind by a guess-timating clerk who decided she'd tack on $30 to our printing costs. There was an additional minor technical difficulty in getting the poster made at another location. The Alien font we used in the original image didn't register on the computers at Kinkos so we had to make due. In the end, we were pretty happy with the outcome.

Oh yeah...about IndieLink: It's a filmmakers networking event that will take place at The Knitting Factory in Hollywood on Monday. We'll be discussing our needs for the project and the man and woman power we'll be trying to enlist to make it happen. For now, we're looking for Composers, Sound Designers and Background Artists who'd be willing to work with us on finishing the project...will have updates on how it all went and maybe some pictures too.

Now we just have to figure out what we're going to say.

--Nell

The Empress' New Clothes

2005-11-30T04:39:00.000-08:00

You haven't been formally introduced but Mrs. Arnetta J. Johnson, Principal of GWJJ Middle School, has been given a fashion makeover (of course she would argue that she didn't need one). The above photo is a sneak peek at The Resident Diva's new wardrobe designed by Chanel--okay, "Shawnelle" designed it but she's just as good and her name's pronounced the same.

This should be a really fun episode. Arnetta J. Johnson is a character among characters and so are those feisty Cash Twins, both of whom are being introduced in Episode 4.

Pray for us folks. We're gonna deliver this baby kicking and screaming.

"Push, push, breathe!"

--Nee

Rejuvenated in the Temple

2005-11-19T11:50:00.000-08:00

Donnie delivers.

Not long ago we discovered the music of Motown recording artist Donnie. I'd seen the album cover for his 2003 debut and thought it was interesting but for some strange reason, I'd never picked it up and purchased it. I became an instant fan after hearing the song "Cloud 9" last year and Shawnelle proclaimed that if Donnie ever planned to perform anywhere near Los Angeles, we were going.

Well, he was at the Temple Bar last night and so were we--front row, center.

I can't begin to tell you how much we appreciate good music (especially great vocals!) and Donnie's voice is eerily reminiscent of the late, great Donny Hathaway, one of our faves. We aren't the only admirers of Donnie's work, Rahsaan Patterson and Rachelle Ferrell were in the audience--two great vocalists in their own right.

Donnie performed some new material as well as crowd faves from his album, The Colored Section. When he began "Cloud 9" the crowd went wild, he ended the night with a brief reprise of the song. We were a little disappointed that he didn't perform "Rocket Ship" as was one of his most devoted fans, an energetic young woman standing behind us.

Strumming our pain with her fingers, Amanda Dumas.

Amanda Dumas, who opened the show, is definitely one to watch. Pluicking away at the git' and singing songs about love, heartbreak and hope, her sound is somewhere between Avril Lavigne and Sheryl Crow.

In unrelated news, we're busy at work on a comedic feature and hoping to deliver a fourth episode by Christmas.

Shawnelle and I in our B-girl Stances.

--Shawnee

Girls in Capes

2005-11-05T18:48:00.000-08:00

Poised for action: Shawnelle (l) as Super Woman with co-worker Amy as Wonder Woman.

Shawnee (l) as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz and Jenn as the Runaway Bride from the Future.

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I love the idea of being someone else for the day but this year Halloween almost didn't happen for Shawnee and I. If it wasn't for me stuffing myself into a child's Super Woman costume--half the price people--I would've just been plain old me last weekend...been there, done that.

We ended up missing the first party we were supposed to attend, so when it came time to celebrate with my co-workers (for the last time as I left the job last week) I grabbed Dorothy (Shawnee) and my co-worker pal Jenn and we followed the yellow brick road to Woodland Hills for the festivities. While there we all got a kick out of seeing Amy walk through the door as another caped crusader, nibbled delicious snacks provided by hostess Siv and even got a short-lived cha-cha line going through the place. I'm gonna miss being there! The afterparty included Shawnee, Jenn and I heading to a nearby club and listening to Karaoke all night. We would've all brought the house down with song ourselves if they didn't close the joint at 12:30. Next time gadget...Next time....

Even though I thought Shawnee's costume was adorable, she also got a chance to get her hero on a few days later. Who can resist being Super for a day!

--Nell

Shawnee reinventing the Superwoman look at BMP party with friend Chas.

Chatting with Gigi

2005-10-14T01:21:00.000-07:00

This morning Shawnelle and I drove into Hollywood to be guests of local talk show host, Gigi Iam, for the Gigi Inc Show. Today's focus was on filmmakers, so when we walked into the green room we were instantly comforted seeing Alison Mills Newman and Michael Marks, filmmakers that we've met on the festival circuit. In addition to the two filmmakers, actor, Richard Chew and singer, Naomi, were also lounging in the room. We talked about everything from politics to disco queens in that green room--what an interesting bunch of conversations!

Host, Gigi Iam.

L to R: Michael Marks, Richard Chew, Shawnee, Shawnelle and Naomi

The actual taping went very smoothly. Gigi showed a clip from Adopted By Aliens and we hammed it up a little about our work and discussed our future goals. Unfortunately, the broadcast won't air in the valley, so we won't get a chance to see it 'live' but we will have our DVDs and our memories...(*sigh*)

--Nee

Leimert Park

2005-10-10T22:06:00.000-07:00

Crescent, Shawnelle, Chavon and Shawnee

This photo was taken Friday night during one of our increasingly frequent visits to Leimert Park. Leimert Park is the only place in LA that reminds me of the artistic scene in the Oakland/Berkeley area. Lucy Florence Coffee House, the place we're huddled together in (it's actually pretty big), is the spot multiple nights of the week. On this particular night, we played games and socialized 'til the wee hours of the morning. Our girl Cres-Diggity (left) even got to bless the mic with a poem at a nearby hip-hop open mic session. Fierce!

Good News about ABA: We'll be interviewed later this week on a cable-access show called Gigi, Inc. We'll be discussing Adopted by Aliens and some of our other projects. We should even get to show clips. The show airs in the greater Los Angeles area. More later.

We are working hard to get episode four in the can while trying to complete our second feature length script. It'll take some serious work but come Christmas time, we're looking to have projects "wrapped" and under the tree.

-Nell

Spades anyone?

2005-10-07T06:55:00.000-07:00

After emerging from the fires unscathed last weekend (they've been extinguished) we learned how to play the old card game, Spades, at a Spades party. Shawnelle and I have never been serious card people--but we play a mean game of "Speed" if anyone ever wants to challenge us.

Our first game of Spades was a tragic one! We were playing the wrong cards, making the wrong bids and just fumbling through like the amateurs we were. But after some coaching and careful observation, we were the hottest pair to ever play the game (so I'm exaggerating a little...). We were actually really good and took down several seasoned players.

Maybe we'll play more spades later tonight ...

--------
On another note, we recently created a short reel of our animated work. Check it out. The demo includes work from Ravishing Raspberry and Adopted By Aliens. I think Herman Kelly's classic, Dance To The Drummer's Beat, added just the right touch to the visuals.

-- Nee

Fire In The Sky

2005-09-28T22:14:00.000-07:00

This was the scene driving home this evening (I tried for a better shot but it's all I could manage):

Notice the dark fumes hovering above traffic.

Shawnelle came to pick me up from work several minutes late, today. Her excuse? The traffic was bananas. I began my umpteenth rant about the woes of sharing a car when I noticed the huuuge black cloud hanging over the valley. Something was up.

Driving up Burbank Ave we saw it: It looked like an almost endless line of fire blazing in the hills. The frightening thing is it appeared way too close to home.

Later this evening, we scaled the building for this shot:

Shawnelle watches the blaze from the rooftop.

Now would be a great time for rain!

(We'll keep you posted...)

--Nee

Heroes, Legends and Us

2005-09-26T20:48:00.000-07:00

This past weekend Shawnee and I dedicated some hours to the HAL foundation annual awards celebration. On Saturday and Sunday, we dressed in all black and paced the floors of two ritzy hotels (The Wyndham Bel Age and Beverly Hills hotel resepctively) for a great cause. Their annual scholarship awards provides three deserving students with cash for college and honors some Heroes & Legends in music, television and film.

The foundation was started by Janie Bradford, a legend in her own right. She penned such songs for Motown as "Money (That's What I Want)" and "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby." This year they honored other Women of Motown, including talented writers and singers that go unmentioned in mainstream tributes to the era. Other notable honorees included Regina Belle, Johnny Gill and Malcom Jamal Warner (who has an incredibly warm personality).

("The Ladies of Motown," from left: Gloria Jones, Kim Weston, Janie Bradford, Claudette Robinson (Smokey Robinson & The Miracles), Brenda Holloway, and Betty Kelley (Martha & The Vandellas) kneeling.

This was the most fun I've had working all day in heels since...I can't remember when. The staff and volunteers were cool and included two girls from Mississippi that informed us that we sounded like "Bay Girls" and a few people that mistook us for teens. We worked the ballroom door and received orders not to allow anyone without a 'dinner ticket' in--including celebrities. Shawnee took her job seriously, "chin-checking" towering grown men and little old ladies without stubs. I had to stop one girl from going after Freda Payne, who was on the list but looked 20 years younger than any of us expected her to.

From Left: Shawnee and Shawnelle. Shawnee: "I pity the fool without a dinner ticket!" I'm just happy to have a headset.

Shawnee soaking up some sun during a break at the The Beverly Hills Hotel.

Shawnelle with famed Motown producer Darius Kelly--Just kidding. He's a writing buddy of ours that told us about the event.

Throughout the event, I was dealing with a nasty little case of the flu, so I had to leave before the curtains closed but I'd like to think that I did my part to help the event run pretty darn smoothly if I must say so myself. Our parting gift included a nice little bag filled with goodies including See's candy and Kiehl's bath and body products. Yummy!

--Nell

The GIF of Laughter

2005-09-07T22:41:00.000-07:00

After all of the tragedy and emotion that has crippled the country the past few weeks, it was cool to find something to giggle about again. Who knew it would come in the form of Tom Cruise and Oprah Winfrey.

I didn't spell "gift" wrong in the title. GIF's, are those small images you see all over the internet with rapidly moving pictures. Like this one:

It's Tom, using Spielberg-ish special effects to get Oprah to convert to scientology! Or at least that's how I see it. I really laughed out loud when I saw this. This was after almost crying my way to the bank when I got my long overdue paycheck. Now I can finally donate some dough to folks in need.

-Nell

"Take Me To Another Place"

2005-08-14T11:11:00.000-07:00

Back when we were young-ins (during the 90's) a group by the name of Arrested Development sang an extremely popular ode to the state of Tennessee. Now "Adopted by Aliens" is taking its own journey to "TN" (<--Look Trey Fury) to screen in the Knoxville African American Film Festival.

While I can't say that I've ever visited the city of Knoxville, I'd like to think that ABA episodes one and two will represent well for us with the kids and families in the area.

Shawnee joined me in the Bay Area this weekend for a fun-filled extravaganza that included, sadly, a much anticipated party that ended tragically in Oakland on Saturday. The party itself was on life support by the stroke of midnight... : (

Later today after visiting some old friends, fam and giving my grandmother some "sugar," we'll be taking a trip of our own back to SoCal.

Until Next Time,
Nell

Hellooo out there!!!

2005-07-25T23:00:00.000-07:00

It's been quite a while. What have we been up to, you ask?

Well, for starters, Shawnelle is currently teaching video and animation in San Francisco at Girls Go Tech. It's a great program for girls to learn technology. Check out the animated projects the girls created last year -->here. I'm sad that my best bud is out of town, but the work that these girls do is amazing!

Over the past few weeks, we've seen Esthero, and Nikka Costa live in concert. Shawnelle's gonna freak when she realizes her beloved Mos Def performed with Femi Kuti--yesterday at the Hollywood Bowl. That was definitely a show we wanted to catch but alas, Shawnelle was on a plane to the Bay Area as Mos Def probably took his first step onto the stage.

We've been tweaking a spec script for the That's So Raven show. If anyone is looking for writers for Children's Programming, feel free to e-mail me here (anytime of the day or night) my e-mail account is always open, lol.

Oh yeah, we had a birthday on July the 5th! (You know I'm doing a horrible job of updating the blog if I've got to wish myself a belated Birthday!)

I've gotta get in here more often!

As for the next episode of ABA--stay tooned!

--Nee

A New 'WB' Studio in Oakland?

2005-06-18T10:38:00.000-07:00

My mom called and told me about this before it was news. Just saw this on IMDB:

Wayans Brothers Plan Oakland Theme Park and Movie Studio

Comedian brothers Keenen Ivory Wayans, Damon Wayans, Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans have hatched plans to open a theme park and movie studio on the site of California's old Oakland Army Base. The site has sat vacant for almost the entire eight years since the military moved out. And now a plan recently endorsed by the Community And Economic Development Committee will allow Oakland to negotiate exclusively for a year with the Wayans brothers. Keenen Ivory says, "We see Oakland as a sleeping giant. We want to get in early before everyone realizes how great it is." A representative for the family says the brothers are "very, very serious" about transforming the site into a movie studio surrounded by attractions, shops and a hotel. It is widely believed that the project will potentially restore residents' pride in the city and reduce poverty and crime.

===

The Wayans brothers are very saavy businessmen and a true inspiration to Shawnee and I (The Gibbs Sisters) ; D. Oakland has been a virtually untapped resource for the film industry for years. I was but a wee intern at the Oakland Film Commission when there was talk of the Wachowski brothers filming scenes for the Matrix series in Oakland. But we've been marvelling at our city on film for years: The Principal, Poetic Justice, Made In America, True Crime and that 70's classic The Mack come to mind.

Go Oakland!!!

--Nell

Week(s) In Review: Funny Fellas, Intellectual Guys and Cute Kids

2005-06-06T10:43:00.000-07:00

Rodney Perry, a funny & intelligent guy.

Skip this if you're looking to hear crazy dating stories. Just a little review of some spots and events we've attended in the last couple of weeks.

First up: Friday Night at the Comedy Union

Not since Def Comedy Jam have I laughed like I laughed in this place. For $10 and a 2 drink minimum (read: $25) I chuckled until I literally drooled during the stand-up performances of host Rodney Perry and the gang of comedians that took the stage...And no I am not on any heavy medications...Those dudes were just hilarious!!!

Second Up: The FlyPoet Showcase

One true standout for me and his name is Ise Lyfe. I've heard this kid around town when I was in Oakland (the place we both call "home") but what he did with words on that LA stage left me absolutely breathless. He was the only poet that night to receive a standing O--even Malcom Jamal Warner (who closed the night) didn't do that. It was only right that I dug into my pockets (deep I might add) at the end of the show to purchase his $10 CD.

Urban Kidz Film Festival

It was such a nice feeling to take our two little cousins Ashley & Kayla along for the ride at The Urban Kidz festival. We laughed and giggled at the various short films that were screened and Kayla got to see ABA Episode 1 for the first time. Nobody got to see Episode 2, however, as a projector issue prevented it from being accessible from the DVD menu. Two lessons learned: Ashley hates to loose raffles. Purple Fur Coats are cool.

-Nell

People Gazing with Getty

2005-05-13T10:12:00.000-07:00

I have a bit of an addiction. Along with chocolate chip cookies with walnuts and drugstore eyshadow, I can't seem to stay away from the Getty Images entertainment photos section.

It's not Britney Spears, Tom Cruise or the latest Will Smith premiere that I log on for. It is those people in the background, immortalized in a flash on the red carpet following the whirlwind that was Eva Longoria or Beyonce. That's where the real stories are, the most cutting edge fashion, the real spirit of the party.

Where else can you find a bohemian pro-football player or a New-York socialite that resembles Kelly, your long-lost middle-school homegirl? I can't tell you how many minutes I have spent of my life browsing through photos, creating short stories in my mind (some that have even inspired scenes or feature length scripts) based on a handbag carried by a struggling actress or the intoxicated woman being propped up for a pose with her date.

Speaking of the bohemian pro-baller and New York socialite just check below to catch a glimpse of them: Dhani Jones (of the Philadelphia Eagles) at a Star Wars premiere and Genevieve Jones around town.

-Nell

The Urban Kids Film Festival!

2005-05-09T13:35:00.000-07:00

On June 4th, Shawnelle and I will be off to the Urban Kids Film Festival to screen Adopted By Aliens to kids at the African American Art and Culture Complex in San Francisco.

We're very excited to be headed back home to participate in this very unique festival for children of color. It promises to be loads of fun!

P.S. Shout out to Raymonte and his sister, two youth from Oakland. Raymonte e-mailed us and let us know that he enjoyed ABA. That definitely makes us smile!

When The Planets Align, I Buy Tickets!

2005-05-01T20:58:00.000-07:00

If I could bounce off of the ceiling right now I would. Aside from the premiere of ABA Episode III, there has been some major activity in the Universe....

Word has it that one of my favorite hip-hop groups from the 90's, Digable Planets, have gotten back together and will be performing at the House of Blues next month.

I've been dying to see them live since I was a teen. Maybe now I might get a chance...But recently reunited groups have been known to cancel a show with 15 seconds notice. Keeping my fingers crossed.

--Nell

The Next Episode

2005-04-19T11:22:00.000-07:00

Finally! Finally! Finally!

It’s done! Episode 3 is here (and I’m not talking about the new Star Wars flick). After months of working—and not working—the Aliens have finally landed. I don’t think either of us realized how much time relocating to SoCal would zap out of our productivity time. Yet, we stayed true to our guns and put every last morsel of energy we had left—after the full time shifts—into “Meet The Aliens.” We hope you enjoy!

This has been a Public Service Announcement for the S.T.A.Y. T.R.U.E. T.O. Y.O.U.R. D.R.E.A.M.S project. Sponsored by struggling artists everywhere.

Our little updates:
Hey folks, you can now find Shawnelle and I in the Internet Movie Database (IMDB). See the following links: Shawnee Gibbs, Shawnelle Gibbs, and Ravishing Raspberry.

Also we’re beginning work on our 2nd draft for our feature film, a comedy/adventure.

And my new, not-quite-mid-year resolution is to update this blog more often.

--Nee

Cover Girls

2005-04-02T20:23:00.000-08:00

Shawnelle and I have been pretty good about taking photos of ourselves to document our many stages in life but since we moved and don't have our photographer aunt Saida around to barter with for shots, we've been out of the loop. So Shawnelle looked around online and discovered that there's a talented (and reasonable) photographer right here in the valley--so we jumped on our chance to get some studio shots down (see photo above). We had a great time with Miki Horiguchi, the nice photographer and her cat, Cream, who also decided that she wanted to be a covergirl. We had a great time and got some cool pics out of it, too!

See the photos.

-Nee

Mom's Big Day Off

2005-03-24T18:32:00.000-08:00

We recently had the pleasure of entertaining our mom, Patricia, (above middle) during her first visit since we got down here--and the week of her birthday. We sat in on a taping of Steve Harvey's Big Time Challenge where we had the (ahem...) pleasure? of seeing a woman crush beer cans with her boob! Talk about getting something off your chest!

We strolled Hollywood blvd and took the cute little shot you see above (above). Star Wars! The B-Sides....For the most part our visit was good eating and lounging, but hopefully a nice break for my mom as she's (and we've) been worried sick about the health of her sister (our aunt) who recently had serious surgery. But as they say: "When prayers go up, blessings come down," and we've certainly been sending them in.

###

We just completed our first feature length script. It's only a first draft but it's a comedy with a supernatural twist that is begging to be a break-through vehicle for Nick Cannon and Meagan Good....Well, a girl can dream can't she? We've just submitted it to one of our screenwriting groups for feedback. More updates as we get them.

###

Adopted by Aliens Episode 3 is closer than ever! We hope those of you who checked out the trailer are ready for more fun with Whitney and the gang because the family will be introduced soon.

-Nell

Why I currently dig Bravo...

2005-02-25T23:15:00.000-08:00

Two reasons:

Reason 1. Project Runway

For several years now I haven't been able to commit to a television show. I don't know what it is...maybe I'm too busy trying to finish projects...maybe I'm too addicted to the internet...maybe I'm burned out on t.v? Whatever the reason, the last show I *seriously* watched was The X Files--before Mulder disappeared.

But miraculously (!) Shawnelle introduced me to Project Runway and I've been able to stick with it for more than a few episodes. Progress! Now if I can only attach myself to a runaway hit like "Lost" or "Desperate Housewives," I can become the t.v. junkie I used to be in my youth. Ummm...maybe it's better if I don't.

Reason 2. The Sarah Jones Show

A few parting words of wisdom: Sarah Jones is a genius! Her one-woman special aired on Bravo Sunday night. I'm only sorry that I didn't work harder to see her when Shawnelle suggested that we catch her show in the Bay Area. *sniff* I don't know what I was thinking! But I'm sure it was meant for me to see her now to remind me that artists who remain true to their passion paint the most vivid pictures--in Sarah's case, through poetry and theater.

If you've never heard of Sarah Jones or her work, do yourself a favor and just tap on the above link. Props to Bravo for exposing the masses to such a dynamic talent!

Nee

Well Folks...

2005-02-13T18:23:00.000-08:00

To all of you awaiting the premiere of Episode 3 of ABA, I'm embarrassed to say, the wait isn't over yet. However, we are closer than ever to the finish line! Please bear with us as we post a FINAL DATE of Feb. 22, 2005.

If we don't make this one, free drinks for everyone!

Speaking of drinks, a toast is in order to the cast and crew of Walking On Sunshine, the short BET film that we worked on late last year. It has been nominated for an NAACP Image Award. Congrats!

Also the 2005 Celebration of Gospel on which Shawnelle worked as a PA will air Feb. 24, 2005 on BET. Performers will include singers who stay in heavy rotation in our iTunes library: The Clark Sisters, Fantasia Barrino and a host of other extremely talented gospel artists.

--Nee

Missed the Boat...But Swimming Ashore...

2005-02-05T18:21:00.000-08:00

Full time jobs, feature length screen-play, networking, hospital visits, side gigs, sleep-deprived...the list goes on and on but there is absolutely no good excuse we can come up with for completely dropping the ball on the January 31st premiere of the 3rd episode...

Some days I stretch myself pretty thin and Shawnee has been under the weather this winter, but we are wholehearltedly dedicated to seeing the third installlment of ABA to it's new February 14th premiere. A true "labor of love" for Valentine's day.

Today i thought it would be nice to show stills from the animatics we've been working on. In episode 3 of our six part series, Whitney (Lynesha Kately) finds herself taken hostage by a mysterious creature with a BIG booming voice! (Eric Moss)

Now you may be asking yourself, "Why is that girl smiling if she's in great danger?" Well...Her facial expressions haven't been tailored to the scene just yet. But it promises to be a pretty fun ride--especially with some brilliant directorial plans Shawnee has in store. I have a few tricks up my sleeve as well...

Here's one more:

And you're just going to have to stick around to find out what's going on in this one!

In other news, earlier today Shawnee and I visited the NBC Diversity Expo, and it's always funny being in a hall full of other ambitious artists--you can just smell the hunger. The highlight of the event for me was listening to Scrubs writers Angela Nissel and Bill Lawrence crack the audience up with tales--from booties to bed head--straight out of their writer's room.

The panel was listed in the event guide as: "Jumpstarting Your Career as a Hollywood Writer." While some may sit around and wait on AAA, I'm pulling out my cables and revving the engine on this next episode...among other things... :D

--Nell

The Queens of Karaoke!

2005-01-17T23:30:00.000-08:00

This past week was pretty fabulous.

Yesterday, our cousin Clarence a photographer for "Souuuul Train(!)" invited us over to the set to watch the going-ons. I didn't know that Soul Train was still on the air since I haven't been watching much tv, but there it was in all it's glory, still very much alive and kicking. The set was full of energy--as were the dancers--many of them young talents looking for exposure. One kid told us that he and a friend drive from Arizona every month just to be a part of the tapings. That's real dedication! But the set is a lot of fun, so I'm sure the drive is a cinch.

The saddest part of our Soul Train experience was that we missed John Legend, who had wrapped his musical set a few hours before we got there. Aw Shucks! But we did get to catch a young boy group called B5 who were very reminiscent of the Jackson 5 and New Edition and just as talented. The little girls will love 'em.

On Saturday, Shawnelle and I went Karoke-ing (is that a word?). We are closet performers, so Karoke is how at least a few people get to hear what only our family and neighbors have been subjected to for years. Saturday was the first time we've performed as solo acts. Shawnelle, the better vocalist, killed (in a good way) Bob Marley's "Is this Love" a song we've done before at The Shattuck Down Low in Berkeley. I sang "I Want You Back" by the aforementioned Jackson 5, and should have told the Host to drop the note, but instead had to keep pitch with a pre-pubescent Michael Jackson. I did fine, but would have enjoyed singing lower--I'm a full-grown woman and an alto at that! Heck, I'd probably have a hard time singing as high as the full grown Michael Jackson.

For our final hoo-rah, we sang a duet of The Fugees' "Killing Me Softly" and the crowd really enjoyed it. We've been singing this one for years so it wasn't really an "Oh my god what should we sing" kind of performance, but it did the trick for a big finale.

Let's hope that next week proves to be equally as entertaining as our last.

Nee

Getting This Party Started RIGHT!

2005-01-07T10:29:00.000-08:00

2005 has been very good to us, even though we are only 7 days in...

Winter '04 was a tumultuous rollercoaster filled with job juggling, car accidents and cat dander--we found out Shawnee is allergic to our roomates' cat. As of 1/1/05 we now have two feline friends... Cutest things ever, but we still have to take certain precautions when they're around...

Over the holidays we completed the pilot episode for a series we created specifically for Klasky Csupo's (Rugrats, As Told By Ginger) Cool Toons competition. We titled it, Nightmare City and if it is not selected by this particular company to be produced (word comes in Feb.) we have high hopes for this little baby in the next few months.

We look optimistically forward in '05. Within the next few weeks, Shawnee gets started at her new job logging video for Bunim-Murray productions (Real World, The Simple Life) and I will spend a few days doing P.A. work on BET's Celebration of Gospel. Are we excited to be "working" in the industry? Yahoo!

The audio is officially finished for the third episode of Adopted by Aliens.

When we were back home in the bay, our little cousins Jamil (11) and Ashley (7) requested to see the Aliens DVD. Ashley, after seeing the last episode told Jamil, "See, I told you it was cool...I wish there was a third episode."

So for the love of Ashley, who the series was created for to begin with, we're trying to make sure the third ep is up and ready before the month is out.

-Nell

Back in the Honda!

2004-12-18T14:08:00.000-08:00

Our Honda accord was just released from automobile prison--the collision repair shop!

Actually, I was happy to have a NEW car to ride around town. Even though it was a Hertz Kia, I never worried about my tire pressure, never questioned whether the oil needed to be changed or if the engine would fall out--nothing! I just filled her up and drove up and down the 101 worrying about other things, like all of the doggone projects we need to complete!

Since the accident, I've been all over Shawnelle like white on rice. She can't attempt to drive without me throwing a 'be careful' or 'slow down' her way. Oh well. If I get us into an accident, she can become the Old Naggin Hag, for now, I guess it's my job.

I'm really gonna miss the Kia's navigational system. As I neared my programmed destination(s), the automated voice would always pleasantly say:

"You have arrived."

Those three words are what a young filmmakers' dreams are made of.

--Nee

Let The "Sunshine" In

2004-12-02T22:44:00.000-08:00

Our very first contribution to a film project in L.A. premiered last night on BET. "Walking on Sunshine," a short film by Tracy Traylor aired as part of the networks World AIDS Day programming.

The saddest part of it all is that I missed it's 11:30 pm debut. But reports the next morning: My mom's co-worker at a hospital in the Bay Area, members of one of my favorite message boards and various other people around the city tuned in and......loved it!

While we didn't provide a major creative contribution to the project (Shawnee was 2nd Assistant Director and I, Production Assistant) we worked damned hard, learned a great deal and established relationships that may last for the next 20 years...

Walking on Sunshine is a 30 minute short that is as entertaining as it is relevant. The repeat can be seen on BET Sunday, December 5th at 3:00 pm

Bend It Like Beckham: The Sequel

2004-11-22T22:58:00.000-08:00

Our old faithful 1996 Honda Accord is lying in a cold, overcrowded San Fernando Valley Collision Center awaiting drastic reconstructive surgery. It's funny how words like "claim adjuster" "body shop" and "deductible" have a way of creeping into your sentences...
===
Announcement: I'll be making my debut in a major motion picture this holiday. Heard of Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events? I'm in the remake that is scheduled to hit theaters December 32nd, 2004! lol!

All Jokes Aside: I can't wait to see this film!

--Nelle

"Green light...Red Light" Blues

2004-11-13T19:29:00.000-08:00

The cell phone went off in Albertson's as Shawnee and I shopped for some much needed food.

"You pick it up," Shawnee thrust the cell phone in my face.

I've been throwing around her (local) cell phone digits ever since the move--not sure how soon I'd be back in the 510--holding on to my old cell number like Lionel's security blanket. It could've been our screenwriting professor calling to ask why we've been MIA for two consecutive weeks... Shawnee wasn't up for any explanations.

Too late.

The signal was lost. But all was not.

Later, while munching on lunch, we found out that a talented AD we've worked with has been campaining for us--crew positions on a feature in pre-production.

"They need storyboards." [GREENLIGHT]

He asked me if I could high-tail it to hollywood for a meeting with some storyboard examples in-tow. I pulled together what little work I've done since being in SoCAl (kicking myself for not bringing my whole portfolio with me) and was on my way. To hell with the fish and fries, I was a woman on a mission: for a storyboarding gig. Hot damn!

En route...

[REDLIGHT]

Shawnee gets a call: "We'll meet tomorrow."

The fries are cold, but my determination is red hot. We'll see what happens tomorrow...

===

[GREENLIGHT]

We are up to our neck in work on the pilot for a new series we're creating, for competition. This time our protag is a hero instead of a heroine. It'll be creepy, dark, but loads of fun for young people. ...will keep you posted...

==

Please believe we are still devoted to Adopted by Aliens. We are currently tweaking the audio for Episode 3. Joking and giggling as we recall what happened in the recording booth. When we finally put the dvd together get ready to laugh harder--some of the outtakes are real treasures!!!

--Nelle

Tu hablas? Or not to 'hablas'

2004-11-06T20:36:00.000-08:00

Everyday it's becoming more and more apparent that it would 'behoove you' (as on old professor of ours used to say) to know a second language in Los Angeles--preferably Spanish.

I all but failed Spanish in middle school--Shawnelle struggled in high school. Between the two of us, we could probably ask where the library was and muster expressions that bordered confusion and studpidity as we struggled to decipher the answer. Needless to say: we're pitiful.

So Shawnelle has been learning and practicing her Spanish thanks to a cheap CD-ROM she picked up at Fry's. I can't even begin to explain the comedy she generates trying to recite the phrases and vocabulary. Native speakers would cringe, I'm sure, to witness such a massacre. But she's really learning and I'm proud of her.

The late Mr. Desir, our high school spanish teacher, would be proud too.

I think for Christmas I'll treat myself to a spanish-language DVD that's been described as 'sesame street for adults.' You've got to start somewhere...Tu sabes?

--Nee

Bill Cosby and His Fellows

2004-10-30T18:20:00.000-07:00

On Thursday night--thanks to our new friend Crescent--we were flying down the 405 for the Cosby Screenwriting Showcase. Okay, actually there's no way humanly possible to go above 40 mph down the 405 in 7:00 traffic, but we were doing our best.

It was wonderful to see so many talented writers' words brought to life by equally talented actors. Marcus W. Harris (an actor) was notably exceptional. We'll definitely be seeing more of him on the screen in the near future (other notable performances came from Jerome Anthony Hawkins, Lorenzo Callendar and Shani Bayete).

Among writers the Bay Area was well-represented. Shauna Robinson and P. Frank Williams are Oakland natives (Go Oakland!!!!) and Karen Dean hails from San Francisco. Shauna, P. Frank, Shawnelle and I took an 'all-Oakland' photo after the event. Hilarious!

The writing fellows had worked on their projects for several months and Thursday night's event was a culmination of efforts by the writers, established directors (Kasi Lemmons, Vondie Curtis Hall, and Mario Van Peebles) and the actors.

For any screenwriter looking to advance their writing career, fellowships are definitely the way to go!

--Nee

Green Tea, Anyone?

2004-10-28T10:20:00.000-07:00

Coffee will make you j-i-t-t-e-r-y.

Okay. The coffee thing really isn't working for us and for the moment, the only tea that we have in our beverage collection are packets of almost unbearable lemon flavored stuff (which Shawnee says tastes like "somebody put their foot in to stir") and a mint "melody" that is horribly out of tune.

Any suggestions for good, reasonable green teas I can find without having to track down a witch in the enchanted forrest? email me But if you know of a good witch in the LA area--I just might look her up...

===

Daphne O'neal, an exceptional actress who has worked on two consecutive projects with us is speaking at our alma mater, Oakland Technical High School tomorrow. She will be educating students about careers in multimedia and might even throw in a word or two about us! Thanks Daphne.

--Nelle

Sundance, Moonlight, I Spy a Rapper Tonight...

2004-10-26T09:51:00.000-07:00

Last night we headed over to The Actors Gang Theater in Hollywood for a Sundance Institute sponsored screenplay reading. We were invited by our screenwriting maestro John Herman Shaner (Halls of Anger) and joined by other members of the weekly Monday night screenwriting group.

It started out as any theater event would: Schmoozing with fellow students, looking at the portraits of past productions on the walls, smiling at the passerby. Until an extremely familiar face waltzed from a side door into the lobby and smiled a familiar smile in our direction.

Lo and behold it was one of our favorite emcees, Common! After checking the flyer, we discovered that he would indeed be one of the actors reading from the work-in-progress script, "Iraqi Freedom," by Paxton Winters and Emre Mirza. Other recognizable talent participating in the stage reading included Jeremy Renner (S.W.A.T.) and Claire Forlani (The Medallion).

The script was good and the acting was well done especially the seated performances of Jeremy Renner and Anil Kumar. If the script makes it to the theaters, the two of them would provide a very interesting on-screen pairing...

During the reception we mingled a little bit (good Lawd, I was tired!) and handed some ABA postcards to a couple of producers. Shawnee exchanged a few words with Common (who did remarkably well on stage with veteran actors) and we bid our screenwriting group "adieu".

Rapper, Common

--Nelle

"I'd like to thank The Academy..."

2004-10-24T11:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Shawnelle and I headed over to the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences "Television's Challenges in Black, White and Multi-Color" for a day of panels and discussions about diversity in TV. It was a fabulous event that addressed the need for diversity in front of and behind the camera in prime-time television.

Me, Shawnee, at the Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre.

We ran into several creative folks that we knew from the 'festival circuit:' Directors, Tamika Lamison and Dred, Actress, Billie Jean Van Knight, Editors, Felicia D. Moore and Lillian Benson, Casting Director, Pamela M. Staton and other great people that we've had the pleasure of recently meeting. It's true, Hollywood is a very small community.

The panels featured many high-profile television exceutives and we were able to chat with a few afterwards including Carmen Smith VP of Talent Development Programs, ABC and Pearlena Igbokwe, Sr. VP for Showtime. We also talked with Valerie Woods, a fabulous screenwriter who shared some of her experiences with us.

Audiences are changing--and television has to change to keep up with audience demands. They're definitely making an effort. The event posed serious questions and garenered some serious answers.

Pretty good for the inaugural event!

Shawnelle at the event.

--Nee

Sharks and Shaun Robinson

2004-10-22T08:55:00.000-07:00

"Shark Tale" has done surprisingly well at the box office. Three weeks at the top is a major achievement these days in spite of critics' attempts to sink it. Ty Burr of the Boston Globe blasted: "..it's Finding Nemo gutted of all its charm and remixed for urban hit radio."

Though it was deemed "too urban" and "tolerant" by some adult movie goers, children across North America seem to enjoy life under the sea with Shark's Tale. This is great news for us and the "Adopted By Aliens" series. Girl power in children's programming hasn't lost it's steam either in the last few years. ABA is still trucking along in L.A....

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Another item of note: I was watching the news this morning and saw a segment that featured Shaun Robinson of Access Hollywood fame. She is involved with the L.A. Chapter of The Black Adoption Festival and stated a very interesting fact: 40% of foster children in the system are African American. Very few of these children are ever adopted.

Those figures are pretty grim but many good people are working towards change. As some of you may know, the reality of african-american children in foster care inspired the character of Whitney and the Adopted by Aliens series. We thought: Can you imagine a child so overlooked by humans that aliens were approved to adopt her?

Ironic: A very sad premise for such an upbeat production.

--Nelle

Adventures In Networking at "The Office"

2004-10-21T20:05:00.000-07:00

Last Night:

After comparing penmanship on napkins at Starbucks, Shawnee, our roomate Rachel and I skipped over to The Office for a night of networking.

Trailblazing producer Jennifer Klein (Pearl Harbor) spoke to a room filled with mostly executive assistants about succeeding in the corporate side of the filmmaking industry.

The knowledge that we gained was truly an eye-opener! It's so easy to think of executive assistants as typical male tycoons in suits but it was interesting to find a great balance of very young, hip women and men working for major production studios, producers and talent agencies around town.

Jennifer Klein, her cool assistant Pooneh Zandazma; special guests, screenwriter Sheldon Turner and Brad--Head of Tyra Bank's production company all shared their insight as well as some rather funny backstories. They were also all very accesible and easygoing during the networking session near the end of the event.

Cool.

--Nelle

New Blog! (and eery news story...)

2004-10-20T13:56:00.000-07:00

Hey all!

We've got a new look and a new blog!

It was getting hard to maintain our HTML page, so we opted for something simpler and easier.

The other day Shawnelle discovered this news item:
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Woman Who Claimed Alien Abduction Dies

Mon Oct 18, 5:28 PM ET

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. - Betty Hill, whose tale of being abducted by aliens launched her to fame and became the subject of a best-selling book and television movie, has died. She was 85.

Hill died at her home Sunday after a battle with lung cancer.

Hill claimed that she and her husband, Barney, were abducted by extraterrestrials in New Hampshire's White Mountains on a trip home from Canada in 1961.

The Hills were puzzled when they arrived home and noticed Betty's torn and stained dress, Barney's scuffed shoes, shiny spots on their car, stopped watches and no memory of two hours of the drive.

Under hypnosis three years later, they recounted being kidnapped and examined by aliens.

The couple gained international notoriety after going public with their story, traveling across the country to give speeches and making numerous television and radio appearances.

Their story also became the focus of John G. Fuller's 1966 best-selling book, "Interrupted Journey," and a television movie starring James Earl Jones and Estelle Parsons.

Hill retired from UFO lecturing in her 70s and complained that the quest for knowledge about extraterrestrials had become tainted with commercialism. Too many people with "flaky ideas, fantasies and imaginations" were making UFO and abduction reports, she told The Associated Press in a 1991 interview.

"If you were to believe the numbers of people who are claiming this, it would figure out to 3,000 to 5,000 abductions in the United States alone every night," she said. "There wouldn't be room for planes to fly."

She also said media had fueled UFO fiction.

"The media presented them as huge craft, all brightly lighted and flashing, but they are not," she said in a 1997 AP interview. "They are small, with dim lights, and many times they fly with no lights."

Hill had gone a bit commercial herself, trying to fight UFO fantasies with a 1995 self-published book, "A Common Sense Approach to UFOs."

Before devoting her life to UFOs, Hill had been a state social worker specializing in adoptions and training foster parents. Her husband died in 1969.
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When we saw the part about her becoming a social worker and specializing in adoptions we just kind of looked at each other: the whole premise of "Adopted By Aliens" is eerily somehow related to this woman's life work.

Anyhoo, we're pretty busy down here in SoCal. We've been working on a new script, networking and just adjusting to our new lives, so the third episode isn't yet ready to be unveiled. We promise to keep you updated--regularly!

--Nee