Surprise, Surprise Blog #5 (IN REMEMBRANCE-9/11)

 

THIS BLOG IS DEDICATED TO THOSE AFFECTED BY THE TRAGIC EVENTS OF 9/11.  (WARNING: PARENTAL ADVISORY FOR LANGUAGE)

I remember this day and these events.  Every so often in my mind they replay like a Sportscenter moment.  The date, 9/11 is engraved in my brain so much that the very mention of those numbers echo memories I will never forget.   10 years ago, I was driving to school, on my way to Massachusetts Communications College (now Ai New England).  I didn’t watch TV that morning as I just woke up, took a shower, got my clothes on, and basically left for school.

There was something going on in the air.  I had a feeling as I was getting into the car that something just happened, but I didn’t know what it was.  Maybe it was the way the wind blew, maybe it was the dry air.  I don’t know.  I do know that something was off on that unique September day.

I turned the radio on in my car and I dialed in on the Russ Parr Morning Show as his show was being syndicated on Hot 97 Boston at that time in 2001.  Usually Russ is all jokes and the show was light-hearted and fun to listen to on an everyday basis.  NOT on that day unfortunately.

The time was 9:03am.  The tone on the morning shows voices we’re in shock.  The news broke out.  A second plane just hit the World Trade Center.  My mouth just flew wide open.  At first, I thought it was all a well-timed, well played joke.  I was wrong unfortunately.  I dialed in on a couple of other radio stations that reported the same thing.  I just couldn’t believe it.  Matter of fact — I DIDN’T want to believe it.

I got to my school, trying to figure and put everything I heard all together to make sense of what was going on.  I seen a MBTA Green Line Trolley at the Brookline Village (Brookline, MA) train stop.  The doors opened up, and about 100-150 people got off the train.  I asked someone, “What’s going on?”  ”They flew a plane into the World Trade Center, they closed down the Prudential Center.” that person replied.

I walked up to the school and found that all classes were cancelled that day.  Everything was happening so fast.  Did someone actually did this to America?  The twin towers?

I got home as quickly as possible.  While going home, I heard that another plane just hit the Pentagon.  ”WHAT THE HELL,” I replied when hearing the news.  ”Whose the son of a bitch doing this to us?”  I then hear on the radio that United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in PA.  Instantly I thought, “These guys are gonna attack every single state with an aircraft kamikaze style.”

I got home and I honestly was thinking about packing up all of my belongings and driving my old 1991 Toyota Camry all the way up to Canada to be safe.  ”But what about my mom, I asked myself?”  I finally got in and I turned on the news.  Like most of America, I saw what happened.  The horror.  The Misery.  Countless lives lost.  All for a believe?  All for oil?  All for money?  All for worldwide power and domination?  Why?  Why would someone command and do such a thing?

The luxury of feeling safe in your own country — that thought quickly disappeared as the twin towers burned into oblivion.  Many lives, dangling from the edge, people falling to their deaths, the buildings collapsing.  Dust clouds swarming the tri-state region.  Not just before MY eyes, but before OUR eyes as well.  The world has seen it.

Those who ordered the attacks reveled in it.  Comfort and stability were long forgotten and already in the past.  All that remained from the events were rubble from the fallen towers, and hearts, shattered over the events WE have experienced.

“THE BASTARDS GOT US,” said one of my co-workers at my part-time job.  ”They hit us where it hurt.  They got is physically, emotionally, financially.  Nothing would ever be the same.”  He was right.  Nothing would ever be the same.  I was 19 when 9/11 happened.  I felt very bulletproof (still do in some ways) back in those days.  Like America at that time, we felt like no one can touch us, and we can do no wrong.  Fast Forward 10 years later.  America has cried, shouted, avenged, lashed out, been broken mentally/physically/financially, and more.  Yet, like trials and tribulations we face on a daily basis, our country has grown, developed, and beome more productive and protective than ever.  Encouraging values of family, friends, and togetherness now, more than ever.

I’m 29 years old now, with a college degree, and a dream to make movies and films that people will enjoy and love.  They said that when the attacks happened, it was meant to scare the United States.  My response in regard to the perpetrators who organized the attacks is simply this: YOU DIDN”T SCARE US ENOUGH.  Like Derek Luke said in the film Searching for Bobby Fisher – “I’m here.  I’m still Strong.”  And so is The United States of America.

To all those lost and affected by the actions of 9/11, this is my way of giving back to you, with words of encouragement.  No matter what people may say, no matter what they may do.  Stand strong, proud of who you are, and never give up your principles and your desire.

In Remembrance…

Surprise, Surprise!!! Blog Entry #4

Delayed from June – 2011

 

So sorry I’ve been away from the blogging here.  I’ve been sandwiched in between making my brand-new video blog , and our birthday BBQ/Fundraiser, I can’t keep my head on a swivel.  Honestly, I can’t say when my next blog will be.  I will say however, it will be soon.  Off and on at best.  Lets get into the action…

THE SACRIFICES YOU MAKE

I’m not one to boast or claim that I’m putting a lot on the line to make my very first feature film, but to help channel some of the crazy things going on in my life, it just helps to write it out, but at the same time, not draw attention and make it seem like I’m a raving lunatic.

However, as the business of Surprise, Surprise has picked up, and we are getting a little money into the film (thanks in part to some family & friends), I found that my personal life started to take a landslide, or rather, the lack thereof a personal life has been taking a landslide.  Anyone who knows me well enough knows that I am a very intense, very dedicated individual when it comes to making entertainment for people, because I love it so much.  I love the entertainment business so much, possibly even much more than my own girlfriend, as cruel as it sounds.

When you love something, and you believe in it more so than anything else in your life, you are truly obligated to follow that thing out from the day you give it birth, to the day it dies, for I feel, that you do life a great disservice if you don’t follow your dreams, no matter what the outcome is.  Thats the truth.  And I’ll stick to it to my grave.

BIG NEWS

We recently started talking to a number of named “Hollywood” talent for roles in Surprise, Surprise.  Script is finally where it needs to be at.  We are ready to head to the next step.

We’ll let you know how this turns out.  Till the next one.  Share this with your family and friends everyone.

CASTING CALL for Surprise, Surprise!!!

Triceptus Studios would like to announce a special online “Casting Call” for it’s latest feature film (non-union/presently), “Surprise, Surprise!!!,” to be shot & produced in Boston, MA in 2012.  We are casting for the following roles:

CYNTHIA SIMPSON/Lead/Female/African-American, Latino, and or Multi-Ethnic/21-30/5’4″-5’8″

Character Description:  A beautiful, attractive, sweet-natured woman who has been physically and emotionally scarred by past relationships, who searches for love online.

Wardrobe: Casual

Email headshots, resume, contact information, & link to reel (if available) to crosbyt@triceptus.com, Subject line: CASTING CALL.  Selected Actors/Actresses will be contacted, via email to audition for the role(s) at a later date & time.  Visit our website at www.surprisethis.com to learn more about Surprise, Surprise!!!

Thank you, and good luck to everyone.

“Surprise, Surprise!!!” To Producer Trailer This Month

August 5, 2011, Boston, MA – Triceptus Studios has announced that later this month, the production company will produce a special “trailer” for it’s brand-new feature film – “SURPRISE, SURPRISE!!!”  The decision was made earlier this week by the Co-Producer/Founder of Triceptus Studios, Crosby Tatum who has been spearheading the development of Surprise, Surprise for over 9 months.

“For me, it’s a game of patience,” says Crosby.  ”The time has come to exhibit a little bit of what Surprise, Surprise is all about, as well as show potential investors what we’re working with, so to speak.”

Triceptus Studios plans to shoot and edit the trailer in time to make a number of film festivals and production meetings.  Follow Surprise, Surprise @surprisethefilm on Twitter, and on facebook at www.facebook.com/surprisethefilm for updates on when Surprise, Surprise will shoot it’s trailer.

New Interview up with Crosby Tatum

Surprise, Surprise!!! Co-Producer, Crosby Tatum, was featured in a new Interview with the MGH Imaging Quarterly Newsletter.  Check it out by clicking the link to the right: ICSS Newsletter (2011 Q3)

Surprise, Surprise Blog Entry #4

I know I haven’t been around lately with a new blog.  Usually when your learning about the ups and downs of making your very own first feature film, and your trying to get almost 100+ years of experience into your tiny brain for a few months now, you kind of fall back on things that you should be doing on the regular.  I’m still finding the balance though.  To which I am also trying to find the balance with my weight.  Have to get back into MMA training.

But GOOD NEWS:

We got some kickstart money for the film.  Very happy that we had two investors  kick in some money for us (p.s. Thank you mom and Rev. Wayne Daley).  We still have a long way to go, but I plan to accelerate our wares real soon.

I’m planning a sales presentation for June 9th, 2011 to talk about Surprise, Surprise to get some more investors involved with our film.  Location, and time will be announced shortly.  I like the fact that we are doing this now.  it sucks that we have to do it so soon, as my goal is to get into production by July.  Looks like August is where the production is going to have to be.  Oh well.

BTW, got to send a special shoutout to my new girl – Justina, love you very much.  Can’t wait for your home cooking soon…lol (Hey, I gotta have a life you know?).  I’ll give you guys some more updates soon.  Trust and believe, Surprise, Surprise is definitely going to be shot this summer.  I can feel it.

Surprise, Surprise Blog Entry #3

Already it’s been a week of attending film screenings and festivals.  Everyone is doing their thing.  I’m still a little apprehensive about just doing it the “Boston film making way” and just grabbing my little Canon 7D and start filming away and hoping for the best on the distribution end.  However, knowing the fact that I’m a detail freak and I want to make sure I got everything locked, I’M NOT GONNA DO THAT until I get the funding for my film and I get the named people attached to our project.  Gotta handle the business like that.  Besides, you gotta start somewhere if you wanna be taken seriously in this business, you know?

AT INVENTORY SCREENING

*Note I actually had to use titles in these blogs now cause craziness just happens with me everywhere.  So at the INVENTORY screening (Castparty Pictures – check them out when you can), Mark Allen Wood of TTN-HD  calls me over for an interview.  Can’t say enough good words with Mark.  Bro-ham-man got all the fingers on the pulse with the Boston Film & nightlife scene for real.  Here’s a picture of me being interviewed with Mark below:

Even better is an Interview with me and Mark right here as well with a surprise result – no pun intended.  CLICK HERE to view the interview.

INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL CRAZINESS

It’s opening night at the 2011 Boston International Film Festival.  Earlier in the day – like 7am in the morning, I awoke to the sun penetrating from my window inside of a Quality Inn in Raynham, MA instead of my home (Don’t ask me how I ended up in Raynham for a night, and out of cash for the week, LONG “CRAZY CHICK-RELATED” STORY).

I came back home and set up my very own pool table in my house, then played NBA 2K11 with Laz online, which I admit, I’m still getting the hang of the game.  I cut my own hair, lined myself up real nicely, picked out my suit, since it’s a Black-Tie affair, got dressed up, and headed out to the Film Festival opening night gala.

I’m not gonna lie, it feels weird how we we’re trying to put together a fundraising party for our film and things didn’t go as planned, and now, I’m going to opening night just to pass out flyers to filmmakers, actors, actresses, and other folks, telling them about my very first feature film project that I want to Produce, Direct, Act, Edit, and Score in.  We don’t have to worry about the writing because me and Laz already wrote the script out…lol.

Already I’m seeing people I know in the filmmaking community on the red carpet at the theater, getting their shine on as the camera’s flash before them.  It angers me knowing that me and Laz should be on the red carpet with the lights on bright, seeing our selves admired before everyone for our work.  But we haven’t made our work yet.  Only one can dream.  And we intend on making our dreams happen.  However, I am happy they are all getting their shine cause they worked for it.  Just like how we are going to work for it.  I’m never afraid of hard work.  I live my life by the 5 W’s – WORKING WILL WHEN WISHING WON’T.

The films we’re BOMB up in the opening night gala.  Can’t say enough of the atmosphere and excitement of opening night at the Boston International Film Festival.  Patrick Jerome knows how to put on an after-party – especially at the W hotel that night.

I go and start to pass out flyers on Surprise, Surprise.  REGRET – Wish I had money to print out the new ones instead of using the old ones with the old budget and the old prospective talent list.  Oh well.  Keep it movin’ I always say.  I met a bunch of new filmmakers, ones with interesting stories, met Arthur Wahlberg from the famous Wahlberg family tree (Marky Mark…lol), talking with the people from TTN-HD, Sara, Rodderick, Ned, David Garfield (Who premiered his film at the festival “The Rude, The Mad, The Funny” – Check it out: CLICK HERE).

Old friends from Triceptus Studios Past IVONNE ACHOLONU (Samantha Peete – All 4our One) and DAN MCCREADY (DA’ BLOCK PRESENTS) came by and enjoyed themselves meeting with different people.  I feel happy I was able to expose Ivonne to the Boston Filmmaking Community.  Networking is an important asset in the business.  I am happy and fortunate that I was able to connect people to other people to get business done.  However, it hasn’t translated into me and Laz’s success yet.  It will happen though, I believe it.

It’s the end of the night.  I’ve collected many business cards, I’ve spoken to many people from Boston, New Hampshire, LA, Cape Verde, Brazil, Haiti, Japan, all over the dang place.  I love it.  the best part about the night was, “Spending time with great friends!!!”  (REWIND) ARE YOU KIDDING ME???

Okay, in reality, the best part about the night was — for me: Everyone went home with a Surprise, Surprise flyer in their hands and we are letting everyone know that we are looking for funding for our feature film.  Brand Awareness people.  Thats where it’s at.  As we leave, me and Dan talk about other business, about using me more as a figure for a news piece he’s doing, and me and Jon Rizzo (TTN-HD) talk it up a bit about his adventures in LA with Michelle Romano and company.

The night ends with me going home, without any flyers in my pocket, with a bunch of business cards in my pocket, and my feet all tired out from walking around aimlessly, just trying to spread the word on my very first feature film, Surprise, Surprise.  Lets see what the next week will hold with this thing.

Surprise, Surprise Blog Entry #2

This past week (or rather two weeks ago), The Boston International Film Festival provided us an opportunity to do a fundraiser/after-party to raise money for Surprise, Surprise!!! As much as we tried to find a venue for what we thought would be a perfect screening night – Saturday Night April 16, 2011, it turns out that finding an ideal venue to host the after-party is not what it may seem.  We decided to bail out on the idea of hosting a fundraiser because no club owner is willing to sacrifice shutting a club down for a lowly production company, even if it’s in conjunction with BIFF.

What sucks about being a first-time filmmaker/movie maker is the fact that people perceive you as a complete novice and a rookie, despite the experience you gain or the piece of paper you earned in school – aka your diploma, and sometimes people will throw you a bone, only for them to say – “here go fetch.”  Now I’m not saying that I’m angry, or pissed off that hey, “people throw me bones all the time, and I don’t have the proper resources like everyone else (i.e. connections, friends, etc.)  I feel that I am a one-man army that wants to produce, direct, star, and edit my very first feature film, and no one wants to play because – “I’m a first time filmmaker.” It’s almost like you got to go through a rite of passage in order to gain any credibility or respect in this filmmaking community by making a crappy film and saying afterwards…”yea, I made a film,” and people automatically accept you in, knowing that you can possibly do a better job with a person’s script and make it come to life 10x better than not.

Forgive me for venting everyone.  As you have just experience, these are commonplace frustrations a new producer goes when they are trying to make their first feature film.  Making quality work is important to Triceptus Studios and myself.  Also making deadlines and making sure you complete your goals that you have made for yourself without any hesitation.  My goal is simply this: “BY JULY 2011, I WILL HAVE SURPRISE, SURPRISE FULLY FUNDED AND IN PRODUCTION.”  Is it impossible?  No!  Will it happen overnight?  No!  I know what will happen though…

So as God as my witness, I am going to fulfill my goal…or die trying in the process.  For if you grew up in an atmosphere I grew up in…where people just tell you NO this and NO that, where all they have to themselves is a daily routine, living life unfulfilled, knowing that you have more talent and abilities than they do, and they hold you down by saying “NO this and NO that,” hearing NO just won’t affect you.  All that will affect you is that little thought that repeats in your mind saying, “I’m gonna get this film funded, I’m gonna get this film funded.”  Nothing else matters except, getting this film funded.

FREE TIP OF THE DAY:  ”If you want something bad enough, you better go through the FUCKING wall to get it, because the next one that’s even more hungrier behind you, will snatch it right through your hands.”

I promise that the next blog I write will be a more positive read.  Forgive me guys if I stepped out of line or offended anyone.  It’s the way I feel, and I’m not gonna apologize for how I feel for this is who I am – A person that just intensely loves this business so much, that I want to make sure that me and my people and family can thrive in it and make a living, and not have the business make a living out of us.  Until next time guys…

 

Peace,

Crosby Taum

Surprise, Surprise Blog Entry #1 (via Triceptus Studios)

First and foremost, To anyone who is actually reading this blog, I just want to THANK each and every one of YOU from the bottom of our hearts to know that you've taken a moment out of your busy schedule to read and learn more about the process of what it takes to get a fully funded movie off the ground. Sometimes it's not easy, other times it's just damn-straight hard, and you will spend oodles, and oodles of money, traveling just to find the mon … Read More

via Triceptus Studios

Laz & Cat – NOMINATED for a 2011 New England Urban Music Award

 

(Boston, MA) 03/14/11  - Triceptus Studios Music recording artist – LAZ & CAT have been nominated for a 2011 New England Urban Music Award for their song hit song, “FEEL,” along with Ms. Smith & NV.  It is the group’s first ever award nomination.  FEEL, Laz & Cat’s first recorded song off their debut album – Tricity Vol. 1, is considered to be the group’s most popular, and talked about song, in which the video has attracted over 1,000 views online with little to no promotion.

“The song is very special to us,” says Crosby “Cat” Tatum of Laz & Cat.  ”When we first did the record, none of us really knew how big the song would get, or how it would end up, seeing that it was my first time stepping into the recording booth at that time.”  ”I don’t think  myself, or Ms. Smith, or NV, would have dreamed that the song would be as big as we thought it would be, even to receive a nomination from the Urban Music Awards.  I would say my partner Laz knew all of this would happen, but that’s unconfirmed at the moment,” he jokingly admits.

Listeners of Laz & Cat can VOTE for the duo to win by visiting the New England Urban Music Award website at http://ne.urbanmusicawards.org, and casting their vote for Laz & Cat to win Best Rap CD/Single for 2011 awards show.  The 2011 New England Urban Music Awards will be held Saturday April 30, 2011 at the Strand Theater in Dorchester, MA at 6:00pm.  Laz & Cat’s nominated song – FEEL, and their debut album – TRICITY VOL. 1, are available on iTunes, Amazon, emusic, rhapsody, Napster, and many more online retailers worldwide.

 

ABOUT TRICEPTUS STUDIOS

Triceptus Studios is a Film/Television/Music Entertainment Production Company that specializes in creating innovative, creative, cutting-edge entertainment for various audiences and clients around the world using the latest in New Media, Digital, and High-Definition Technology.  Triceptus Studios recent projects have been seen by over 500,000 viewers in the Greater Boston, Massachusetts & Manhattan, New York City areas respectively; with over 50,000 total views online combined through various social media websites (i.e. youtube, facebook, twitter, myspace, vimeo).  Triceptus Studios film projects have been considered & screened at numerous film festivals over the New England area and nationwide.  Triceptus Studios is signed to a distribution deal with Wiggins Media Group Worldwide (www.wmgw.net), enabling all Triceptus Studios music projects to be distributed in many retail and online stores worldwide.