Monday, December 11, 2017

Alicia G Joins Indiegogo Effort for Film Thriller 'Dead Stream'


Alicia G has joined the crowdfunding campaign for the sci-fi thriller "Dead Stream" (Publicity photo).

LOS ANGELES, Calif.  –  Pop/hip hop singer and DJ artist Alicia G is joining the crowdfunding campaign for the proposed sci-fi thriller “Dead Stream,” starring Brando Eaton (“Dexter”). 

“I am very excited to be a part of an effort to make ‘Dead Stream’ a reality,” Alicia G said. “It’s an incredibly imaginative tech thriller about technology and how it’s causing us to lose touch with one another. I hope everyone will support this campaign to bring this movie to the Big Screen!”

The popular music artist will show her support for the Indiegogo crowdfunding effort through personal appearances, media interviews, social media postings and tweets. Moreover, Alicia G will also appear on camera as well as perform one of her original songs in the film. The “Dead Stream” Indiegogo page can be found here: https://igg.me/at/deadstream  The campaign which aims to raise $40,000 and is now at 60 percent of its goal, continues through Dec. 17.

The “Dead Stream” Indiegogo campaign aims to raise awareness and support for the proposed film which is completing its final funding now before an estimated pre-production date of March 2018. The film tells the story of young technology genius, Alan, who is on the brink of success with his new high-speed neural network smart phone, an artificial intelligence technology that’s sure to change the world. But it ultimately leads him into an uncontrollable spiral of murder and mayhem when the free-thinking anomaly he’s created conjures up evil and plays him at his own game. 

“We are very pleased to have Alicia G bring her creativity, energy and charm to our ‘Dead Stream’ campaign,” said Laura Russo (“Road Reps”), the film’s director, writer and producer. “We are looking forward to a successful campaign that will see us begin production this spring with Alicia joining us in an important cameo role.”

To learn more or to donate, visit the Indiegogo campaign website here or go to the “Dead Stream” website www.DeadStreamMovie.com.

The popular singer, who is signed to multi-platinum, award-winning music producer Andrew Lane’s label Drew Right Music, is known for her summer hit “Ca$h & Nap.” To view the music video click https://youtu.be/MNiGLtXvOSk.

Coming to fame as a teenager when she first appeared in the ABC’s reality series “Wife Swap” in 2008, Alicia G had already received much acclaim as a teen beauty queen, having earned a number of titles by the time television producers came calling. As a dancer, star athlete and accomplished singer, Alicia G is today making her mark in pop and hip hop with such hits as “Pretty Girl” and “Reality TV” last year.

Fans can download Alicia G’s all new OneAvenue Fanmoji app, giving them a chance to download fun new emojis featuring cartoon versions of Alicia G, by clicking https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/alicia-g-fanmoji-by-oneavenue/id1242093002?mt=8. . 
The app is available at the iOS App Store. To visit Alicia G’s OneAvenue page, click here or visit https://oneavenuetv.app.link/aliciagfanmoji

For more on Alicia G, visit www.AliciaGWorld.com.

Monday, December 4, 2017

New Photo Exhibit Takes on Violent Thems in Nursery Rhymes



Photographer Nilangana "Olive" Banerjee illustrates the violent and sexual themes of "Georgie Porgie" in this image, and other beloved nursery rhymes in her upcoming photo exhibit (Photo by Nilangana "Olive" Banerjee).
LOS ANGELES, Calif.  –  Violence and sexual themes in nursery rhymes are explored by photographer Nilangana “Olive” Banerjee  in the upcoming photo exhibit “Lullaby,” set to tour next year.

“I learned long ago that these nursery rhymes that we’re all familiar with are very violent and very disturbing and really not suitable for children,” Banerjee said. “I want to expose that reality to parents and everyone that cares for children that these quaint rhymes are not good for kids. They were not really meant for them, but are now a part of our cultural fabric.”

Project, set to begin its national tour in Los Angeles this winter, features Banerjee’s original photographs depicting her personal take on such nursery rhymes as “Georgie Porgie,” “Lucy Locket,” “Baa Baa Black Sheep,” “Rock a Bye Baby,” “Jack and Jill,” “Little Bo Peep,” and many others. To see a glimpse of some the photos, visit www.NilanganaBanerjee.com

“Georgie Porgie,” features a fearful young girl who tries to run away from a menacing older man who has grabbed her by the arm, while “Little Bo Peep,” shows a young woman joyously holding a sheepskin that used to belong to a young sheep. The image of “Jack and Jill” is particularly dark as it depicts a harsh stepmother berating Jack and Jill after they’ve fallen and injured themselves.

“All of these stories depict adult themes that would adversely impact young children. Take Georgie Porgie, who terrorizes under-age girls through sexual harassment and more,” she said. “It glorifies the influence of patriarchy and gender inequality, which is still prevalent in contemporary society, but it also reflects how women are considered the weaker sex and cannot possibly revolt against any cruelty without the help of a man.”

Even the nursery rhyme “Little Bo Peep,” demonstrates a contempt for animals, even those that serve us: “It teaches us about having intense indifference and disregard for the other beings,” she said. “The shepherdess shows lack of concern for her lost sheep and when the sheep were dead, instead of being compassionate, she shows extreme apathy.”

Born in Mumbai, India, Banerjee always had a passion for photography, thanks to her father’s love for photography. She soon found herself photographing everything that she could, ultimately earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Photography at Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women's University in Mumbai. After earning her Masters in Commercial Photography at Light & Life Academy in her native India, she moved to the United States to study at New York Film Academy where she earned her Masters in Fine Arts, allowing her pursue a career in commercial photography.

Today, Olive, as her friends call her, is among the most respected commercial and corporate photographers in the country, focusing primarily in her specialized fields of architecture/interiors and industrial/corporate photography. Her clients have included Sheraton Hotels, celebrity chef Debb Michail, Lexicon Media and many others.

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Ken Burns Honored at 2017 Voice Arts Awards

Ken Burns was presented the Muhammad Ali Voice of Humanity Honor at the 2017 Voice Arts Awards recently.
NEW YORK –  Critically acclaimed documentary film maker Ken Burns was in attendance to accept the prestigious Muhammad Ali Voice of Humanity Honor at the 2017 Voice Arts Awards presented by at The Society of Voice Arts & Sciences (SOVAS) at Lincoln Center's Fredrick P. Rose Hall on Nov. 5.

This special segment of the Awards featured a tribute to Ken Burns by three time Emmy winner Keith David, who is currently starring in Oprah Winfrey's hit show "Greenleaf" on OWN. Ken's attendance was a highly-anticipated highlight at this year's show, where a packed house stood to their feet to honor his achievements.

"What is so extraordinary about this evening is the name of this award for Muhammad Ali is one of the people who took this world and widened it so that everyone in the world could see, that he spoke his voice even when he no longer had one," Ken Burns said during his inspiring acceptance. "This award was created in collaboration with the Champ himself before his passing and has the full support of the Ali Center. We were truly honored to present this award to the Ken Burns this year," said Emmy® Award-winning producer and SOVAS™ CEO, Rudy Gaskins.

Award winning actress Lily Tomlin also took the stage at this year's event to accept the Voice Arts® Icon Award. Bob Bergen, also known as the voice of Porky Pig, introduced a video of Lily's lifetime achievement in film & television before she was presented with the Award by Society of Voice Arts & Sciences (SOVAS™) founders, Rudy Gaskins and Joan Baker. "I am floored by the caliber of talent and competition tonight," said Lily Tomlin when she took the stage to accept the award.

Music, and stage superstar Deborah Cox brought glamour to this year's red carpet. Deborah was on hand as a presenter as was Inside Edition's Senior Correspondent Les Trent, and legendary voiceover star Nancy Cartwright, best known as the voice of Bart Simpson on Fox's hit show "The Simpsons."

The 2017 Voice Arts® Awards featured more than 50 winners across multiple media genres. Previous award winners include Jon Hamm, Kate Winslet, James Earl Jones, Lena Dunham, and William Shatner.

Good Morning America called the Voice Arts® Awards, "The Oscars of voiceover acting."

Monday, November 13, 2017

The Dale Justice Band's Rohan Zachariah Helps Young Students Learn the Drums



Rohan Zachariah on stage as a member of the Dale Justice Band (publicity photo).

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Rohan Zachariah isn't just the drummer for the Dale Justice Band. He's also a teacher for scores of young drummers who take his online classes to learn the drums.

“I love to play the drums whether I’m on stage, in the studio or by myself I love it!” Zachariah said. “Having these students, young and old, wanting to learn the drums is exciting to me and makes me want help them make their musical dreams come true.”

As a founding member of the acclaimed outlaw country music group The Dale Justice Band, Zachariah is preparing for the band’s tour in January and the release of its new album, but he remains devoted to his students who have made his online class a central part of their lives for the past year.

It was just a couple of years ago that Zachariah began his online class after young fans asked if he could teach them how to play the drums. Having taught the drums in his native India years earlier as a struggling musician, he had an affinity for teaching and encouraging students to work hard and learn the instrument.

He was particularly fond of teaching children with physical challenges who learned to overcome their limitations and learn to play the drums with skill and creativity. His patience and encouragement were the keys to his success.

“Had a student couldn’t control his limbs but he started moving them and soon he was able to move his hands and legs was able to coordinate them better,” he recalled. “So I missed that and when I decided to start the online classes, I found so many talented students that it’s become a passion of mine. I love watching them grow into truly talented musicians.”

Born in Chennai, India, Zachariah grew up listening to his father’s favorite rock bands like Queen, Deep Purple, Boston and others. He developed an affinity for the music and eventually gravitated to playing the guitar, keyboards and drums, before settling on drumming. He would go on to earn a film production degree at Madras University but all the while had the intention becoming a professional drummer. 

After earning his masters in electronic media, to appease his parents, Zachariah was already playing with a number of top rock bands in India such as The Misfits and The Bureaucrats, ultimately performing on national television in India. But he knew he had to come to America to find musical success.

Within a year of arriving, veteran musician Dale Justice tapped Zachariah to join him in the new band he was forming that would echo the musical legacy of such country music legends as Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings.

Those interested in Rohan Zacharia’s online drumming course, may e-mail rohanzachariahdrumming@gmail.com

For more on Zachariah, visit www.facebook.com/rgz007/.