Reel Soul

YOUR MONEY'S WORTH

If you are someone who loves Black cinema, you sometimes find yourself in a vexing dilemma.  Breakthroughs in technology have placed the tools of cinema, once prohibitively expensive, in the hands of the populace, democratizing the filmmaking process like no other time in cinematic history.  Yet far too often we find the same old stories featuring the stereotypes outlined in Donald Bogle’s seminal book on Black film: “Toms, Mulattoes, Mammies, Bucks and Coons”…except now they are more often told by people who look like us and told poorly to boot.

Obscene sums of money and industry accolades are still to be made from the perpetuation of those stereotypes.  Yet there has always been a concerted effort by some filmmakers to create films that get beneath superficial, vulgar and inaccurate images to render an authentic view of the Black community.

In that spirit, we created the show “Reel Soul” to talk about Black film and television.

 

HOW WE MAKE IT HAPPEN

Reel Soul began with two friends who love Black film and love to talk about it.  Season 1 was entirely self funded and made possible by the generosity of people willing to donate their time, resources and expertise.  We all believed a show that got to the meat of Black films would find an audience, and after the success of Season 1, we want to keep the conversation going! 

Your donations will allow us to shoot 10 more webisodes.  With the continued talent and generosity of our crew and supporters, we are able to keep our production costs amazingly low.

Any amount you can offer helps and we want to show you our appreciation with some perks you might like on screen right.  Check out the Reel Soul facebook page where the Black film conversation is ongoing and where our first perk starts with a shout out to you for supporting the show.  The perks get better and better ending with your own credit as an Executive Producer!

 

We are proud of the show we created and the audience's response to Season 1.  Here are some of the comments the show received on the popular website Shadow and Act:

CHJ | March 5, 2012 8:45 PMReply

Enjoyed this critque thoroughly! Needs to be a part of new programming on BET

Fran Kaplan | March 6, 2012 9:04 PMReply

I appreciate learning about films I haven't seen, about the history of black film, actors and makers. The short format of Reel Soul fits well into my busy schedule, and the hosts are knowledgeable, clear and interesting in their commentary. Well done!

LeonRaymond | March 5, 2012 3:19 PMReply

I thought it was excellent, and it transcends the film critique and goes right into film commentary and shows that all film deserves examination. But to bring it back, folks have short memory, cause i can remember when Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel use to do something like this, they never gave film critique only dissected the films to tell you why they love them as art forms. Later when the crazy push for ratings came into play so did the Thumbs up and Thumbs down system. But here on what you showed in the show, this is very good cause they get in scene dissection and truly this will be so help to those who want to understand film from a deeper level!!!

If you'd like to help out in other ways, we can use your help.  Spread the word about Reel Soul and our fundraising campaign to fans and lovers of Black film or people who you think could be!