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https://www.blackenterprise.com/diversity-inclusion-film-industry/
Yvonne Huff Lee is the co-founder of the Lagralane Group, a film industry finance and development company. Beyond investing in socially impactful projects and curating talent for films, the Lagralane Group fights for diversity, inclusion, and visibility by supporting the efforts of filmmaker-focused programming such as Sundance Catalyst, the LA Film Festival, and the Chicago Media Project (CMP), an initiative to help first-time filmmakers receive the resources they need to bring their projects out of development and onto the big screen. Lagralane is also an avid supporter of Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY Alliance, the nonprofit arm of her independent distribution company ARRAY.
When it comes to making diversity a priority, Lee believes, first, we must understand it. “Diversity is more than just skin deep,” said Lee. Diversity means gender, age, or sexual orientation (just to name a few)—and shouldn’t be approached like a checklist. We’re working to redefine what diversity means to the industry and how people approach the topic in their filmmaking. Through backing diverse projects and working with producing partners that value our mission, we are lucky to be able to bring a wide range of stories to life.”
In an interview, Lee outlined how Hollywood can turn theory into practice.
Describe the work you are most proud of.
I’m especially excited about our newest film, Lifeline, which is based on my husband’s life, and what it was like to be adopted as a child of color in the 1970s in the Midwest. The team is also proud to be a part of Netflix’s Academy Award-winning documentary Icarus. The documentary poses questions regarding right and wrong and how it takes serious guts to question authority and stand up to do the right thing.
We are also lucky to have worked with some amazing first-time feature filmmakers such as John Carroll Lynch on his directorial debut, Lucky which was the late Harry Dean Stanton’s last film. Lagralane produced the film and I had the honor of acting alongside Harry in the indie. This year, we’re working with Jordana Spiro on her directorial debut Night Comes On, which premiered at Sundance in January. Night Comes On will be released by Samuel Goldwyn Films this year and we can’t wait for audiences to experience the story.
When it comes to diversity in Hollywood, what do you think most people get wrong?
The No. 1 thing projects get wrong about diversity is approaching it like a checklist. Think of diversity as a state of mind— filmmakers have to have it at the get-go in order to create a truly diverse environment. When Lagralane becomes involved in the projects, we not only look at the diversity of those on screen but also of the crew behind the camera as well. Filmmakers have to ask themselves why they are making the film and what they are trying to depict. How are they impacting the conversation by creating this art? It is paramount that diversity is included during the initial stages of filmmaking, not just as an afterthought to fill a quota.
What are some specific ways you make diversity a priority in the film development process?
One way to make diversity a priority in the film development process is to pick the right partner. The color behind the money matters, and we make sure that any potential investment partners are on board with our passion for diversity. It may take a little longer to assemble a diverse cast and crew, and your partner has to be in it for the long haul.
Another way to make diversity a priority is asking the right questions. As soon as we choose a project, we dive into who is involved. How many women do they plan on hiring? How many people of color are they hiring? Who has an experience that they can lend to this production that no one else has? Asking these questions at the beginning will help create a diverse environment and, therefore, a diverse film.
It’s also important to integrate the story of the film into your approach. Whatever the film’s subject, we make sure we make sure we are surrounded by advisers and crew members who can help us tell the story as truthfully as possible. Do you have a transgender character in the script? Include a transgender writer or adviser on set. If that community isn’t in your wheelhouse, you may have to start sooner and have more meetings in order to include them. Although it may take more time to compile your crew, the wait will be worth it because the story you tell will be as authentic and diverse as possible.
The post Building Diversity and Inclusion in the Film Industry appeared first on Black Enterprise.
Treat your skin with this DIY salt scrub recipe using African Black soap from the dollar store. Handmade bath and body scrubs are a great way to soothe your dry skin, and are quick and easy to make at home using items you have in your pantry. I took a quick trip to the dollar store to find ingredients for this Black Soap, Shea Butter and Coconut Sea Salt Scrub recipe, which is a great way to cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize your skin all at once.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links to Amazon. If you click the links and make a purchase, I may receive a small percentage commission from the sale, at no additional cost to you.
I got the Black Soap, Sea Salt, and the cute glass container for this project at the dollar store. You can find coconut oil at the grocery store.
What is Black Soap?
I found a bar of African Black Soap
Why Exfoliate?
Exfoliation is the process of removing the dead outer skin cells from your body, which exposes the softer, healthier skin. A DIY salt scrub is an inexpensive way to give your body a spa treatment on a tiny budget. Sea Salt has beneficial minerals that are good for your skin.
DIY Salt Scrub Recipe (African Black Soap & Coconut):
- 2 cups sea salt, $1
- 1/2 cup melted coconut oil, approx $1.33 cost for recipe (Buy in bulk on Amazon: Organic Coconut Oil
)
- 3+ tablespoons of grated Black Soap, $1 (or Buy on Amazon: African Black Soap
)
- Bowl & Spoon, on hand
- Grater, on hand
- Container for storage, $1 or on hand
)Total cost for recipe: $3.33 and up
Grate Soap:
Before we mix up this sea salt scrub, we need to prepare the black soap.
The hardest thing about this recipe is grating the soap, and that takes about 30 seconds!
Grate about 3 Tablespoons of Black Soap.
Note: if you are making multiple batches of this recipe, you will be able to use a single bar of soap for about 4 recipes, which makes the total cost for soap in the recipe just $.25.
Mix it Up:
Next, we put all the ingredients into our mixing bowl.
Measure 2 cups of sea salt into a bowl, and add about 3 Tablespoons of grated black soap.
Add Oil:
Melt 1/2 cup of coconut oil in the microwave using a microwave-safe glass measuring cup (such as a pyrex pouring measuring cup), then add it to the soap and salt mixture. Stir all ingredients until combined.
Store it:
Measure the DIY salt scrub mixture into your chosen storage container, such as a swing-top glass container, a small apothecary jar, or even a reusable plastic storage container or zip-top bag.
I used a glass storage jar with a metal lid that I found at the dollar store.
How do you use a salt scrub?
Use a handful of salt scrub while you are showering – rub it on your elbows, knees, feet, or on any place you have dry or flaky skin. The salt will slough off dead skin cells, and gradually dissolve in the water, becoming a body polish as it dissolves. The soap will help to cleanse your skin, while the coconut oil melts into your skin and provides moisturizing and softening properties.
Salt is fairly abrasive, so if you want a milder scrub, try using sugar or baking soda in place of the salt in this recipe.
Use the scrub about once a week.
More Body Scrub Recipes:
Spiced Apple Cider Sugar Scrub Recipe
Himalayan Sea Salt & Honey Scrub Recipe
5 Minute French Vanilla Cappuccino Sugar Scrub Recipe
5 Minute Coffee & Coconut Sea Salt Scrub Recipe
Coconut & Mint Foot Scrub Recipe
The post Sea Salt Scrub Recipe: Black Soap, Shea & Coconut Oil appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.
Are you Insta-ready for the latest NYC immersive experiences? New York City—and other cities—has been on fire with these trendy pop-up experiences that are bursting with color and anything but boring.
You probably saw your friends with envy-worthy photos on your timeline. You probably also felt left out because no one told you how you can attend these fun exhibits. Well, BE has you covered. Here are five pop-ups that will last until November 2018, so get your tickets and get ready to show the world how cool you are.
These interactive experiences are sure to take your Instagram page to the next level. Take a walk through the different rooms and capture the moments of you and friends “Living your best life.”
The Dream Machine NYC
April 5 – Sept. 9
The Dream Machine, located in Brooklyn, New York, is filled with fun cool interactive rooms. Have you ever thought about taking cool pictures in a laundromat, well here’s your chance at the Dream Machine.
https://www.visitdreammachine.com/
https://www.instagram.com/inthedreammachine/?hl=en
Wonder World NYC
Aug. 18 – Nov. 4
Wonder World is located in SoHo, New York, The pop-up gives you an Alice in Wonderland type of vibe. They have different cool rooms like the flower tunnel, bubble swimming pool, and the giant teacup, all of which are sharable to your Instagram page.
https://www.thewonderworld.space/
https://www.instagram.com/wonderworldnyc/
Candytopia NYC
Aug. 15 – Nov. 15
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if Candyland, Willy Wonka, and the chocolate factory collided? Well, your dreams have just come true at the NYC Candytopia live interactive exhibit. It is filled with different, colorful, and tasty rooms. They even have a tsunami marshmallow room.
https://www.instagram.com/thecandytopia/
Rosé Mansion NYC
Dates: Open until Oct. 7
The Rosé Mansion has been buzzing all summer with their cute, colorful rooms and people swinging from the chandelier. If you love rosé and taking cool pictures for your Instagram, this is definitely the hot spot and it’s open every day until midnight. Did someone say ROSÉ?!?
https://www.rosewinemansion.com/about/
https://www.instagram.com/rosewinemansion/
Color Factory NYC
Aug. 20 – Sept. 30
If you’re in the mood for some Saturday night fever, you most definitely want to come and check out the latest Color Factory pop-up, also located in the SoHo area. The Color Factory collaborated with artists and creatives to bring the interactive experience to you.
https://www.instagram.com/colorfactoryco/
The post 5 Must-Do Immersive Experiences in NYC That You Can’t Afford to Miss [2018] appeared first on Black Enterprise.